Adaptive compression therapy systems and methods
OwnerEric JOHNSON, Thomas J. FOGARTY +4inventors
InventorsEric JOHNSON, Thomas J. FOGARTY, Sylvester LUCATERO, Gilbert LAROYA, James K. WALL, Conrad SALINAS
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Abstract
Systems, devices and methods for providing active and/or passive compression therapy to a body part can include a compression device worn over a compression stocking The compression device can have a pulley based drive train that is driven by a motor to tighten and loosen compression elements, such as compression straps, in a precise, rapid, and balanced manner. Sensors can be used in the compression device and/or compression stockings to provide feedback to modulate the compression treatment parameters.
Claims72
A system for providing compression therapy to a body part of a user, the system comprising:
- a wearable compression device, the wearable compression device comprising:
- a drive unit configured to be placed over or against a body part, the drive unit comprising;
- one or more motors;
- a controller configured to control operation of the one or more motors;
- a power source in electrical communication with the one or more motors and the controller,
- one or more compression members configured to be wrapped at least partially around a portion of the body part, wherein the one or more compression members are configured to be tensioned by the one or more motors;
- and
- a housing configured to enclose the one or more motors, the controller, and the power source.
A device for providing compression therapy to a body part of a user, the device comprising:
- a drive unit configured to be placed over or against a body part, the drive unit comprising;
- one or more motors;
- a controller configured to control operation of the one or more motors;
- a power source in electrical communication with the one or more motors and the controller;
- and
- a plurality of pulleys;
- one or more drive elements configured to be tensioned by the one or more motors, wherein the one or more drive elements are threaded around the plurality of pulleys;
- one or more compression mechanisms configured to be wrapped at least partially around a portion of the body part, wherein the one or more compression mechanisms are attached to the pulleys and are configured to be sequentially tensioned by the pulleys;
- and
- one or more boot enclosures, each boot enclosure enclosing a portion of the one or more drive elements, wherein the one or more boot enclosures are configured to take up slack in the one or more drive elements.
A method for applying mechanical compression therapy to a body part of a user, the method comprising
- placing a device on the body part of the user, the device comprising one or more motors, a controller configured to control operation of the one or more motors, a power source in electrical communication with the one or motors and the controller;
- wrapping straps of the device at least partially around the body part of the user;
- removably securing the straps together;
- and
- causing the controller to activate the device, thereby applying mechanical compression therapy to the body part.
A method of monitoring a patient for deep vein thrombosis (DVT), comprising
- wrapping a compression device comprising a controller, a motor, and one or more compression members at least partially around a calf of a patient, the compression device comprising a force sensor positioned such that it is configured to measure tension in the patient's calf;
- causing the controller to activate the device to apply compression and measure the tension in the patient's calf;
- and
- using a processor to process data received from the force sensor, the processor configured to recognize data from the force sensor corresponding to development of a DVT in the patient.
A method of monitoring a patient for onset of symptoms of restless leg syndrome, the method comprising
- wrapping a device comprising a controller, a vibrating element, a motor, and one or more compression members in communication with the motor and and configured to apply compression, at least partially around a portion of a leg of a patient, the device comprising an accelerometer;
- causing the controller to activate the accelerometer to monitor movement of the patient's leg;
- and
- using a processor to receive data from the accelerometer, the processor configured to recognize data corresponding to periodic limb movements of the patient.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.