System for applying pulsating pressure to the body

A system for applying pulsating pressure to a portion of the human body, said system comprising

• a. an appliance comprising a sleeve generally conforming to the configuration of the portion of the human body on which said sleeve is to be placed,
• b. at least one pocket longitudinally attached along said sleeve, the width of said pocket being greater than one-fourth the circumference of said sleeve but being no greater than substantially one-half the circumference of said sleeve,
• c. expandable bladder means generally conforming to the size of said pocket and positioned within said pocket, and
• d. means for periodically expanding said bladder to exert direct pressure against the portion of the body covered thereby and to circumferentially contract said sleeve and apply pressure to the corresponding portion of the body encompassed by said sleeve.

A system for applying pulsating pressure to the leg for stimulating fluid flow and to thereby reduce the likelihood of venous thrombosis, said system comprising

• a. a stocking including a seamless knitted leg portion fashioned to generally conform to the configuration of the leg on which said stocking is to be placed, said seamless knitted leg portion being sufficiently stretchable to permit easy placement and removal but being otherwise substantially unstretchable,
• b. a seamless knitted foot portion adapted to cover the foot and toes of the wearer,
• c. a longitudinally extending pocket in said leg portion of said stocking and extending from at least adjacent the ankle of the wearer to a position immediately below the knee,
• d. expandable bladder means generally conforming to the size of said pocket and positioned within said pocket, and
• e. means for periodically expanding said bladder to exert direct pressure against the portion of the leg covered thereby and to circumferentially contract the remaining corresponding portion of said leg portion to stimulate the fluid flow in the corresponding portion of the leg.