An intelligent compression device for controllable compression. The compression device includes a compressible body and a microprocessor. The compressible body encircles a limb of a user and includes an elastomer layer and an activation layer. The elastomer layer includes voxelated liquid crystal elastomers that contract in response to a stimulus. The activation element, which is positioned proximate to the elastomer layer, supplies the stimulus. The microprocessor actuates at least a portion of the activation element layer.

The present invention relates to an external counterpulsation system which senses a biosignal to monitor a heart condition and performs external counterpulsation in response to the monitored heart condition. The present invention comprises: a compression device surrounding limbs of a subject to compress the surrounded limbs or release the limbs from the compression; and a control device which controls the compression device to apply test compression to the limbs for a predetermined test period with predetermined test intensity before performing the external counterpulsation, configures personalized maximum compression intensity corresponding to the subject through the test compression, and controls the compression device to perform the external counterpulsation on the basis of the configured maximum compression intensity.

Embodiments provide devices, systems and methods for preventing deep vein (DV) thrombosis (DVT). One embodiment provides a DVT prevention device including a cuff that fits over a patient's knee, an applanator coupled to an inside cuff surface, an expandable member (EM) coupled to the applanator, a pressure source fluidically coupled to the EM and a controller for controlling EM inflation. When the EM is inflated, it applies a force to the applanator which is transmitted to the knee back surface causing a popliteal vein (PV) under the cuff to be compressed so as to increase backpressure behind the compressed PV and subsequently increase the velocity of blood flow in the leg DV's when the EM is deflated. The EM can be inflated in a cycle including pulsed inflation, inflation hold and relaxation. The cycles can be repeated and adjusted to achieve a desired increase of blood flow/velocity in leg DV's.

A stimulation device is provided in accordance with one embodiment. The stimulation device includes a chamber which has a flexible wall portion. A drive unit of the stimulation device is in physical communication with the flexible wall portion so as to cause deflections of the flexible wall portion in opposing directions, thereby resulting in a changing volume of the chamber. The changing volume of the chamber results in modulated positive and negative pressures with respect to a reference pressure. An opening of the stimulation device is for applying the modulated positive and negative pressures to a body part. The stimulation device includes a control device for controlling the drive unit.

A method for external ear canal pressure regulation to alleviate one or more symptoms associated with a disorder or treat one or more disorders, the method including providing a fluid transfer device which generates a fluid flow of a fluid through an earplug, the earplug having an earplug external surface configured to sealably engage an external ear canal wall as a barrier between an external ear canal pressure and an ambient pressure; sealably engaging the earplug of the fluid transfer device with the external ear canal wall as the barrier between the external ear canal pressure and the ambient pressure; and operating the fluid transfer device to generate the fluid flow of the fluid through the earplug to achieve an external ear canal pressure differential between the external ear canal pressure and the ambient pressure effective to alleviate a disorder symptom or treat a disorder.

An external ear canal pressure regulation device including a fluid flow generator, an earpiece having an axial earpiece bore, and a valved conduit fluidicly coupled to the fluid flow generator and the axial earpiece bore, whereby the earpiece has a compliant earpiece external surface configured to sealably engage an external ear canal as a barrier between an external ear canal pressure and an ambient pressure.

A stimulation device is provided in accordance with one embodiment. The stimulation device includes a chamber which has a flexible wall portion. A drive unit of the stimulation device is in physical communication with the flexible wall portion so as to cause deflections of the flexible wall portion in opposing directions, thereby resulting in a changing volume of the chamber. The changing volume of the chamber results in modulated positive and negative pressures with respect to a reference pressure. An opening of the stimulation device is for applying the modulated positive and negative pressures to a body part. The stimulation device includes a control device for controlling the drive unit.

An external ear canal pressure regulation device including a fluid flow generator and an earpiece having a first axial earpiece conduit fluidicly coupled to the fluid flow generator, whereby the earpiece has a compliant earpiece external surface configured to sealably engage an external ear canal as a barrier between an external ear canal pressure and an ambient pressure.

An apparatus to treat, inhibit, or prevent an indication of a headache symptom in a patient can include a cover, sized and shaped to fit over an eye of the patient to define a cavity between the cover and an anterior surface of the eye when the cover is located over the patient eye. The apparatus can include a pressure source, in communication with the cavity, capable of applying non-ambient cavity pressure to the cavity. The apparatus can include control circuitry, in communication with the pressure source, the control circuitry storing or otherwise configured to define a target cavity pressure value specified to treat, inhibit, or prevent the headache symptom, and configured to control the pressure source to adjust the cavity pressure toward the target cavity pressure value to treat, inhibit, or prevent the headache symptom.

The present invention relates to devices and methods for assisting breathing in a subject. In one embodiment, the device of the present invention is a splint that can be used to apply negative distending pressure, i.e., outward pull, to one or both of the chest walls and/or the abdomen of a subject. In certain embodiments, the splint comprises an air bladder that can be attached to the skin of the subject's chest and/or abdomen. When the air bladder is inflated, negative distending pressure is applied to the subject's chest and/or abdomen, thereby assisting or promoting respiration. In another embodiment, the splint comprises a piezoelectric material that when activated can provide negative distending pressure to the subject's chest and/or abdomen. In another embodiment, the subject is a neonate. In another embodiment, the inflated air bladder can apply a compressive force on the chest to facilitate expiration, and the removal of secretions in the airways.