Medical pumping apparatus

Abstract

An improved medical pumping apparatus for increasing or stimulating blood flow in a patient's limb extremity. The medical apparatus includes a fluid supply mechanism for applying pressurized fluid to an inflatable bag, according to the principles of the present invention, where the bag is adapted to be fitted upon the limb extremity of a patient. The bag has at least one fluid bladder, and preferably separate first and second fluid bladders. Each fluid bladder is adapted to engage a different portion of the limb extremity. The fluid supply mechanism applies pressurized fluid to each bladder such that a compressive pressure is applied upon each portion of the limb extremity engaged by a fluid bladder. The fluid supply mechanism includes a compressor for providing the pressurized fluid, and a reservoir for storing pressurized fluid from the compressor. The fluid supply mechanism is operatively adapted so that the medical pumping apparatus can be operated for longer periods of time before the compressor has to be serviced or replaced. This improvement in the service life of the compressor can be accomplished by adapting the fluid supply mechanism to include a pressure control unit operatively adapted for controlling the operation of the compressor. For at least some compressors with an exhaust valve, this improvement can also be obtained by adapting the compressor in the fluid supply mechanism to include an exhaust filter disposed so as to filter the air before it is forced out through the exhaust valve.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.