Method of and apparatus for producing alternating pressure in a therapeutic device

A therapeutic device for producing alternating pressure to portions of the body of a patient comprising:

• a source of pressurized fluid;
• at least two sets of inflatable bladders, each set including a plurality of bladders, the bladders of one set being alternately arranged with the bladders of the other set, each bladder having only one inlet/outlet means for introducing and exhausting the pressurized fluid;
• a first tube connected to the inlet/outlet means of all the bladders of one set;
• a second tube connected to the inlet/outlet means of all the bladders of the other set;
• and
• fluid control means connected to said first and second tubes for supplying pressurized fluid alternately to the bladders of said one set and then to the bladders of said other set and for exhausting pressurized fluid alternately from the bladders of said one set and then from the bladders of said other set.

A method of producing alternating pressure to therapeutically treat portions of the body of a patient comprising the steps of:

• providing a source of pressurized fluid;
• providing at least two sets of a plurality of inflatable bladders;
• arranging said bladders on the portion of the patient to be therapeutically treated such that the bladders of one set alternate with the bladders of the other set;
• connecting a single fluidic flip-flop between the pressurized source and said two sets of bladders;
• operating said flip-flop to simultaneously supply the pressurized fluid to all the bladders of one set and vent pressurized fluid from all the bladders of the other set;
• then operating said flip-flop to simultaneously supply the pressurized fluid to all the bladders of said other set and vent pressurized fluid from all the bladders of said one set.