Vascular assist methods and apparatus

An apparatus for providing prophylaxis against deep vein thrombosis, comprising:

• (a) a first inflatable chamber, a second inflatable chamber, and a third inflatable chamber, said inflatable chambers being adapted to partially encircle and be releasably coupled to various portions of the leg of a patient,
• each of said inflatable chambers being adapted to apply a compressive force to the portion of the leg upon which each said inflatable chamber is placed;
• (b) a first attachment portion coupled between said first and second inflatable chambers and a second attachment portion coupled between said second and third inflatable chambers, the attachment portions maintaining separation between said inflatable chambers to allow observation of the leg of the patient;
• (c) means for introducing a fluid into each of said inflatable chambers;
• and
• (d) means for regulating pressure in a dynamic compression phase and a static compression phase within each of said inflatable chambers such that the dynamic compression phase and the static compression phase are independently controlled in each inflatable chamber,
• the dynamic compression phase establishing a pressure in each of said inflatable chambers in order to effect movement of blood from the portion of the leg upon which each inflatable chamber is placed;
• and
• the static compression phase establishing a pressure gradient across said inflatable chambers such that a higher static pressure is maintained at a distal inflatable chamber and a lower static pressure is maintained at a more proximal inflatable chamber, the static compression phase effecting a minimum pressure on the leg of the patient throughout attachment of the apparatus to the leg.

An apparatus for providing prophylaxis against deep vein thrombosis, comprising:

• (a) at least two inflatable chambers adapted for placement on a leg of a patient such that said inflatable chambers are separated from each other to allow observation of the leg exposed therebetween, said inflatable chambers including an ankle inflatable chamber,
• each of said inflatable chambers being adapted to apply a compressive force to the portion of the leg upon which each said inflatable chamber is placed;
• (b) at least one connective member associated with each of said inflatable chambers for introduction of fluid into each of said inflatable chambers;
• and
• (c) at least one pressure regulator associated with each of said inflatable chambers designed to regulate pressure in a dynamic compression phase and a static compression phase within each of said inflatable chambers such that the dynamic compression phase and the static compression phase are independently controlled in each inflatable chamber,
• the dynamic compression phase establishing and maintaining a pressure in each of said inflatable chambers sufficient to effect movement of blood from the portion of the leg upon which each inflatable chamber is placed;
• and
• the static compression phase establishing a pressure gradient across said inflatable chambers wherein the highest pressure of said gradient is established in said ankle inflatable chamber, and the lowest pressure of said gradient is established within a more proximal inflatable chamber, the static compression phase effecting a minimum pressure on the leg of the patient throughout attachment of the apparatus to the leg;
• wherein each of the inflatable chambers is maintained during the static compression phase at static pressures sufficiently reduced below the dynamic compression phase in order to effect movement of blood back into the portion of the leg from which blood was removed during the dynamic compression phase.

A method for providing prophylaxis against deep vein thrombosis comprising the steps of:

• (a) obtaining at least first and second inflatable chambers;
• (b) positioning said first inflatable chamber at the ankle of a leg of a patient and said second inflatable chamber between the ankle and hip such that said first and second inflatable chambers are separated from each other to allow observation of the leg exposed therebetween;
• (c) applying a dynamic pressure independently to said first and second inflatable chambers in order to disgorge blood from the leg of the patient;
• (d) allowing the dynamic pressure to remain in said first and second inflatable chambers;
• (e) removing pressure from said first and second inflatable chambers until a graduated static pressure is achieved such that said first inflatable chamber maintains a higher static pressure level than said second inflatable chamber, the static pressure effecting a minimum pressure on the leg of the patient throughout attachment of the apparatus to the leg;
• and
• (f) repeating steps (c) through (e), above, as long as desired to effectuate vascular assist.