Pressure maintained inflatable boot

An inflatable boot used in the rehabilitation of lower extremities, the inflatable boot comprising:

• a bladder for encasing at least a portion of a lower leg, an ankle, and a foot, the bladder defined by an inner and an outer layer of substantially gas impermeable material, and including at least one wall portion and a sole portion, the at least one wall portion and the sole portion being fluidically interconnected;
• wherein the bladder is adapted to be inflated with air to a bladder air pressure;
• a pump at least partially disposed within the sole portion, the pump being adapted to draw air into the bladder by ambulatory motion;
• an inlet valve distinct and separate from the pump through which air may selectively flow into the bladder;
• and
• a bladder-pressure-triggered pressure relief valve disposed in fluid communication with the bladder and adapted to limit the air pressure within the bladder to no more than a maximum therapeutic pressure by discharging air from within the bladder when the bladder air pressure exceeds a predetermined trigger pressure.

An inflatable boot comprising:

• a bladder for encasing at least a portion of a lower leg, an ankle, and a foot, the bladder defined by an inner and an outer layer of substantially gas impermeable material, and including at least one wall portion and a sole portion, the at least one wall portion and the sole portion being fluidically interconnected, wherein the bladder is adapted to be inflated with air to a bladder air pressure;
• an inlet valve adapted to be selectively coupled with an auxiliary pump and through which air may selectively flow into the bladder;
• and
• a pressure maintenance system, including at least an onboard pump and a pressure relief valve, wherein the pump and the pressure relief valve are adapted to maintain a pressure in the bladder within a therapeutic pressure range, and wherein the pressure relief valve is adapted to discharge air from within the bladder when the bladder air pressure exceeds a predetermined trigger pressure.

An inflatable boot, comprising:

• a inflatable bladder for encasing a portion of a lower extremity, the bladder being formed by a liner and a cover, the bladder including at least one wall portion and a sole portion, wherein the bladder is adapted to be inflated with air to a bladder air pressure;
• at least one passageway fluidically interconnecting the at least one wall portion and a sole portion;
• and
• a bladder-pressure-triggered pressure relief valve disposed in fluid communication with the bladder and adapted to limit the air pressure within the bladder to less than or equal to a predetermined maximum therapeutic pressure by discharging air from within the bladder when the bladder air pressure exceeds a predetermined trigger pressure.