# US 10,799,415 B2 · Spring-driven foot compression system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,799,415 B2 - Document ID: US10799415B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/362,108 - Filed: 2012-11-30 - Published: 2014-10-23 - Granted: 2020-10-13 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-02 - Assignees: Avex, LLC - Applicants: Avex, LLC - Inventors: Matthew J. Mayer; Gerhard B Rill - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10799415B2 ## CPC - A61H 1/008: {Apparatus for applying pressure or blows almost perpendicular to the body or limb axis, e.g. chiropractic devices for repositioning vertebrae, correcting deformation} - A43B 3/38: with power sources - A43B 7/146: {provided with acupressure points or means for foot massage} - A43B 7/147: {for sick or disabled persons, e.g. persons having osteoarthritis or diabetes} - A61H 1/005: {Moveable platforms, e.g. vibrating or oscillating platforms for standing, sitting, laying or leaning} - A61H 2201/0173: Means for preventing injuries - A61H 2201/1215: Rotary drive - A61H 2201/123: Linear drive - A61H 2201/149: rotation-linear or vice versa - A61H 2201/165: Wearable interfaces - A61H 2201/1664: linear - A61H 2201/5028: Contact activation, i.e. activated at contact with a surface of the user to be treated - A61H 2201/5035: Several programs selectable - A61H 2201/5038: freely programmable by the user - A61H 2201/5043: Displays - A61H 2201/5071: Pressure sensors - A61H 2201/5084: Acceleration sensors - A61H 2201/5097: wireless - A61H 2205/12: Feet - A61H 2230/805: used as a control parameter for the apparatus - A61H: PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY (electrotherapy, magnetotherapy, radiation therapy or ultrasound therapy A61N) - A43B: CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR ## Abstract Methods and systems for dynamic compression of venous tissue enable improved blood movement in the extremities. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a pressure pad provides a compressive force to a portion of the human body. The pressure pad is successively withdrawn and re-pressed against the body. In this manner, prevention and/or treatment of various medical conditions may be achieved, for example restless leg syndrome, edema, plantar fasciitis, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, venous insufficiency, wound care, and/or the like. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A foot compression system, comprising: a retractable, non-bendable pressure pad; a spring coupled directly to the pressure pad and disposed about a central shaft, the spring configured to move the pressure pad into contact with a foot; and a mechanism coupled to the spring, the mechanism operable to move the pressure pad out of contact with the foot by storing energy in the spring, wherein the spring comprises a torsion spring, wherein the central shaft is configured to extend responsive to movement of the pressure pad, and wherein the foot compression system is completely contained within an item of footwear. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the mechanism stores energy in the spring at set time intervals that are pre-programmed within the foot compression system. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a latch configured to hold the spring in a compressed position and to release the spring to move the pressure pad. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a power supply coupled to the mechanism, wherein the power supply is completely contained within the item of footwear. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising the item of footwear, wherein the footwear is configured with a flexible sole. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the mechanism is an electric motor. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a sensor operable to determine whether a user of the system is walking, and wherein, responsive to input from the sensor, the pressure pad is not extended when the user of the system is walking. ### Claim 8 A method, comprising: extending a retractable, non-bendable pressure pad into contact a first time with the venous plexus region of a foot to apply pressure to the venous plexus region of the foot, wherein the pressure pad and a spring are both completely contained within an item of footwear, wherein the spring comprises a torsion spring disposed about a central shaft configured to extend responsive to movement of the pressure pad, and wherein the pressure pad is coupled directly to the spring; holding the pressure pad in contact with the venous plexus region of the foot for a period exceeding a selected duration; retracting, via an electric motor coupled to the spring, the pressure pad out of contact with the foot by at least one of compressing or twisting the spring; and extending, via the spring, the pressure pad into contact a second time with the venous plexus region of the foot. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the extending the second time is responsive to an elapsed time from the retracting exceeding 15 seconds. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the selected duration is 1 second. ### Claim 11 A method of treating or preventing a medical condition selected from a group comprising deep vein thrombosis, edema, restless leg syndrome, venous insufficiency, plantar fasciitis, pulmonary embolism, or a wound, comprising: moving, by a torsion spring, a pressure pad a first time to bring the pressure pad into contact with a portion of a human body to compress the portion of the human body; moving, by a mechanism, the pressure pad a second time to bring the pressure pad out of contact with the portion of a human body to allow the portion of the human body to at least partially refill with blood; moving, by the torsion spring, the pressure pad a third time to bring the pressure pad into contact with the portion of the human body to compress the portion of the human body, wherein the spring, the mechanism, the pressure pad, and a power source for the mechanism are located entirely within an item of footwear, and wherein the torsion spring is disposed about a central shaft configured to extend responsive to movement of the pressure pad. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the mechanism is an electric motor. ### Claim 13 A foot compression system, comprising: a non-bendable pressure pad; a spring coupled directly to the pressure pad, the spring configured to move the pressure pad into contact with a foot, wherein the spring comprises a torsion spring disposed about a central shaft, and wherein the central shaft is configured to extend responsive to movement of the pressure pad; an electric motor coupled to the spring, the electric motor operable to move the pressure pad out of contact with the foot by storing energy in the spring; a latch configured to hold the spring in a compressed position and to release the spring to move the pressure pad; and a power supply configured to supply electricity to the electric motor, wherein the foot compression system is completely contained within an item of footwear having a flexible sole. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, further comprising: a compressible pad top coupled to the pressure pad, the compressible top configured to compress upon contact with a foot; and electrical components configured to control operation of the motor and the latch.