Patent EP0542383A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0542383A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Compression device
Assignee: Tyco International US Inc
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Filing: 1992-06-18
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2012-06-18
Abstract
Abstract A pressure generating device (10) for applying compressive pressures against a patient's limb (12) through means of a flexible, pressurizable sleeve (28) which encloses the limb (12) having a means for automatically adjusting pressure within the sleeve to maintain a preselected pressure applied to the limb. The device has a pressure transducer (34) and a controller (16) which generates electrical signals in response to signals from the transducer (34) that operate a flow control valve (44) to control the flow of fluid to the pressure chamber of the sleeve (28).
Inventors
- 👤 John F. Dye
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 22:40
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61H; A61H9/00; A61H9/005; A61H9/0078; A61H2201/00; A61H2201/50; A61H2201/5007; A61H2205/00; A61H2205/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
290 words
A pressure controller for automatically controlling the compressive pressure from a generating source of pressurized fluid to a flexible sleeve adapted to enclose the limb of a patient, which sleeve has at least one pressure chamber into which the pressurized fluid is to be introduced for applying compressive pressure to the limb, the controller further being characterized by the ability to automatically adjust the pressure within the pressure chamber of the sleeve substantially to maintain a preselected pressure, the pressure controller comprising: valve means associated with conduit means adapted to place the pressure controller in fluid communication with the source of pressurized fluid and in fluid communication with the pressure chamber of the sleeve; means for sensing the pressure in the chamber, the pressure sensing means including a pressure transducer for generating a first electrical signal in response to the chamber pressure; means responsive to the first electrical signal for automatically adjusting the pressure in the pressure chamber including: means for comparing the first electrical signal to a preselected value, the comparing means including a means for generating a second electrical signal; means responsive to the second electrical signal for generating pulses of electrical current; means responsive to the pulses of current from the generating means for controlling a flow control valve for the fluid; a flow control valve in fluid communication between the source of pressurized fluid and the valve means, the flow control valve being controlled by the means responsive to the pulses of current to automatically adjust the chamber pressure substantially to the preselected pressure by regulating fluid flow through the flow control valve to the valve mans associated with the conduit means for egress of the pressurized fluid from the pressure controller to the sleeve chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
21 words
A pressure controller as defined in Claim 1 including means for setting the desired pressure to be applied to the chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A pressure controller as defined in Claim 1 wherein the valve means comprises a solenoid valve.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A pressure controller as defined in Claim 1 wherein the means responsive to the pulses of current is a linear stepper motor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
A pressure controller as defined in Claim 2 wherein the comparing means includes a signal converter for converting the first electrical signal to a digital electrical signal and a microprocessor for sensing the digital signal and comparing the digital signal to the preselected value provided by the setting means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
A pressure generating device comprising, in combination, a flexible pressurizable sleeve having at least one chamber for applying compressive pressure to a limb of a patient, the chamber being in fluid communication with a pressure controller as defined in Claim 1, whereby to receive pressurized fluid from the controller.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
A pressure generating device as defined in Claim 6 wherein the sleeve contains a chamber for applying compressive pressure to the ankle, a chamber for applying compressive pressure to the calf and a chamber for applying compressive pressure to the thigh of a patient, each of the chambers being in fluid communication with the pressure controller.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
211 words
A pressure generating device having a source of pressurized fluid for applying compressive forces against a patient's limb through means of a flexible sleeve which encloses the limb and has at least one pressure chamber connectable with the source, and valve mans connected to the source and connectable with the pressure chamber for controlling pressure to the pressure chamber, in which the improvement comprises: means for sensing the pressure in the pressure chamber, the pressure sensing means including a pressure transducer for generating a first electrical signal in response to the chamber pressure; means responsive to the first electrical signal for automatically adjusting the pressure in the pressure chamber including: means for comparing the first electrical signal to a preselected value, the comparing means including a means for generating a second electrical signal; means responsive to the second electrical signal for generating pulses of current; means responsive to the pulses of current from the generating means for controlling a flow control valve; and a flow control valve connectable between the source of pressurized fluid and the valve mans, the flow control valve controlled by the means responsive to the pulses of current for automatically adjusting the chamber pressure by regulating fluid flow through the flow control valve to the valve means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The pressure generating device of Claim 8 wherein the means responsible to the pulses of current is a linear stepper motor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
The pressure generating device of Claim 8 wherein the comparing means includes a signal converter for converting the first electrical signal to a digital electrical signal and a microprocessor for sensing the digital signal and comparing the digital signal to the preselected value.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The pressure generating device of claim 10 wherein the microprocessor is programmed to monitor and to adjust pressure to a preselected pressure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The pressure generating device of Claim 1 wherein said valve means comprises at least one solenoid valve.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
86 words
A flow control valve for controlling and automatically adjusting pressure in pressure sleeves comprising; a hollow body member having an inlet opening and a discharge opening therein, and a chamber in communication with said inlet and discharge openings; a means for sealing against fluid flow entering said chamber said means including a tapered plunger member for releasably seating into said inlet opening; and means for moving said tapered member, said moving means including a linear stepper motor for moving said tapered member in a linear motion.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The flow control valve of Claim 13 wherein said linear stepper motor is calibrated to move in a linear motion in increments of on the order of about 0.002 inch.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The flow control valve of Claim 14 wherein said taper of said tapered member is a compound taper.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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