External chest therapy blanket for infants

Abstract

Massaging and compressing the lungs of a patient has been proven effective in loosening mucus buildup. Devices and methods for this purpose have been designed for patients older than infants and toddlers. A method for massaging and compressing the lungs of infants and toddlers has been developed using a device similar to those used for older patients. Such devices use pulsating air to inflate and deflate bladders that are in contact with the patient and apply pressure to the upper torso of the patient. For older patients, the devices are typically made into a vest and fitted on the patient. For infants and toddlers the device, herein called a J-blanket, having the same bladder arrangement is spread flat on a suitable surface and the patient placed on the J-blanket. This reduces the physical trauma to these very young patients. The J-blanket™ can be fitted with sensors to provide important feedback related to the patient's well-being. The same method can be applied to patients of any age that might experience too great a physical trauma when treated in the conventional fashion.

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