Method and system for thermal and compression therapy relative to the prevention of deep vein thrombosis
Inventors
Parish, Overton L. • Balachandran, Niran • Quisenberry, Tony
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-9119705-B2
Publication Date
2015-09-01
Expiration Date
Abstract
A DVT and temperature therapy system. A temperature therapy blanket includes a fluid bladder for delivering hot and/or cold therapy to a patient. The temperature therapy blanket may also include an air bladder for providing compression. The DVT system functions independently of the temperature therapy. This Abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an Abstract that allows a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain subject matter of the technical disclosure. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).
Core Innovation
The invention provides a deep-vein-thrombosis (DVT) therapy method using a control unit that heats and cools a heat-transfer liquid within a temperature range of about 37° F. and about 105° F. The control unit also provides compressed air at a pressure of at least 25 mmHg greater than ambient atmospheric pressure, using an air pump, a compression valve, a select valve, a DVT valve, and a vent valve. A thermal treatment blanket receives the heat-transfer liquid from the control unit and sends the heat-transfer liquid back to the control unit.
The method applies hot or cold treatment to a first skin area of a first limb via the thermal treatment blanket, while compressed air is supplied from the air pump to the thermal treatment blanket via the compression valve and the select valve to apply a first compressive-therapy treatment to the first skin area. A second compressive-therapy device and a third compressive-therapy device provide pulsed compression as DVT prophylaxis to a second skin area of the first limb and to a skin area of a second limb via the air pump, the compression valve, and the DVT valve.
The control unit automatically actuates the select valve to direct the pulsed compression to the second compressive-therapy device only when the compressed gas is not being applied to the thermal treatment blanket.
Claims Coverage
The partial content includes two independent claims. Together, they cover a temperature-controlled thermal treatment blanket combined with compressed-air-based compressive therapy, including pulsed compression for DVT prophylaxis on limb skin areas, with automatic valve actuation to direct where the compressed gas is applied.
Temperature-controlled heat-transfer liquid for DVT therapy
Provides a control unit that heats and cools a heat-transfer liquid to a temperature within the range of about 37° F. and about 105° F.
Compressed air pressure above ambient for compressive therapy
Provides compressed air at a pressure of at least 25 mmHg greater than ambient atmospheric pressure.
Control unit with compression, select, DVT, and vent valve architecture
Provides a control unit comprising an air pump, a compression valve, a select valve, a DVT valve, and a vent valve.
Thermal treatment blanket with heat-transfer liquid circulation
Provides a thermal treatment blanket that receives the heat-transfer liquid from the control unit and sends the heat-transfer liquid back to the control unit.
Hot or cold treatment applied to a first skin area via the blanket
Applies a hot or cold treatment to a first skin area of a first limb.
First compressive-therapy treatment applied via the thermal treatment blanket
Supplies the compressed air from the air pump to the thermal treatment blanket via the compression valve and the select valve such that a first compressive-therapy treatment is applied to the first skin area of the first limb via the thermal treatment blanket.
Pulsed compression DVT prophylaxis using a second compressive-therapy device
Provides a second compressive-therapy device and applies a second compressive-therapy treatment to a second skin area of the first limb via the second compressive-therapy device, the second compressive-therapy treatment comprising pulsed compression as DVT prophylaxis, the pulsed compression being applied to the second compressive-therapy device via the air pump, the compression valve, and the DVT valve.
Pulsed compression DVT prophylaxis using a third compressive-therapy device
Applies a second compressive-therapy treatment to a skin area of a second limb via the third compressive-therapy device, the second compressive-therapy treatment comprising pulsed compression as DVT prophylaxis, the pulsed compression being applied to the third compressive-therapy device via the air pump, the compression valve, and the DVT valve.
Automatic select-valve actuation to direct pulsed compression
Wherein the control unit automatically actuates the select valve to direct the pulsed compression to the second compressive-therapy device only when the compressed gas is not being applied to the thermal treatment blanket.
Across the independent claims, the core coverage is the combination of a temperature-controlled thermal treatment blanket with compressed-air-based compressive therapy, where pulsed compression is applied as DVT prophylaxis to second and third compressive-therapy devices on limb skin areas, and the control unit uses automatic select-valve actuation to switch where the compressed gas is directed.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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