Venous therapy methods and apparatus improve arterial or venous blood flow, for example in the legs. Venous therapy can reduce venous backflow and can improve arterial therapy such as that provided by intermittent pneumatic compression therapy.

An example of a system for providing emergency care to a patient includes an automated chest compression device configured to engage the patient at the patient's sternum to provide multiple chest compression cycles to the patient's sternum, an automated mechanical ventilation device to induce negative pressure ventilation, and a controller operably coupled to the automated chest compression device and the automated mechanical ventilation device and including one or more processors configured to control the automated chest compression device to cyclically perform chest compressions, and control the automated mechanical ventilation device to cyclically induce the negative pressure ventilation out-of-phase with the chest compressions such that the automated mechanical ventilation device cyclically induces the negative pressure ventilation prior to each compression of the patient's sternum.

A wearable massage and/or compression device for applying controllable scrolling or intermittent sequential forces, such as compression forces, to the body and limbs of a user comprises an elongated fabric body sized to encircle a limb of a user, one or more shape-memory wires carried by the fabric body and configured to apply a compression pressure to the limb through the fabric body upon changing shape in response to a stimulus, and a micro-processor based controller for selectively actuating the one or more shape-changing elements to reduce the effective diameter of the device encircling the limb, to thereby apply pressure to the limb.

In some embodiments, a system and/or method may include an inner wearable harness worn, during use, on a torso of a subject which includes a flexible vest. The system may include a plurality of engines, each of which are contained in a flexible container, which when activated apply an oscillation force. The system may include a positioning system which allows positioning the flexible container such that the oscillation force is applied to at least one treatment area of the subject. The oscillation force may mobilize, during use, at least some secretions in an airway within the subject substantially adjacent the treatment area. The system may include an outer harness worn, during use, on a torso of a subject. The outer wearable harness, when activated, adjusts the oscillation force applied by at least some of the activated plurality of engines to the treatment area by providing a compressive force.

The invention comprises an apparatus and a method for aiding function of a heart, comprising the steps of: (1) sensing a pulse; (2) providing a blood flow assist device, comprising: a first electroactive polymer sleeve segment circumferentially positioned about a portion of a first body part and a second electroactive polymer sleeve segment circumferentially positioned about a segment of a second body part; (3) sequentially constricting, timed to the pulse, the first electroactive polymer sleeve segment and the second electroactive polymer sleeve segment to aid the heart in circulation of blood; and (4) repeating the step of sensing the pulse and the step of constricting.

Methods and apparatus for increasing cerebral blood flow for improving the flow of blood to the brain during and/or following an ischaemic stroke. The apparatus includes a plurality of inflatable cuffs to be positioned, in use, around a respective limb of a patient. Once inflated, the cuffs exert a pressure upon the limb to reduce blood flow to the limb below the point at which the cuff is positioned. Reducing blood flow to the limbs causes an increase in blood flow to the brain, and will therefore improve stroke outcomes. The apparatus includes a control module for controlling inflation and deflation of each cuff. The control module detects, measures and monitors cerebral blood flow and uses these measurements to control inflation and deflation of each cuff such that cerebral blood flow is maintained above a baseline level during treatment of the patient.

In some embodiments, a system may include an inner wearable harness including a flexible vest. The system may include at least one engine which when activated apply an oscillation force. The at least one engine is positioned after the vest has been positioned on the subject on different areas of the inner wearable harness to allow selective placement of engines on and/or adjacent areas of the subject's chest such that the oscillation force is applied to at least one treatment area. The oscillation force may mobilize, during use, at least some secretions in an airway within the subject substantially adjacent the treatment area. The system may include a flexible and elastic outer harness worn, during use, on a torso of a subject which when activated provides a compressive force to adjust the oscillation force applied by at least some of the at least one engine to the treatment area.

A blood flow restriction (BFR) exercise strap. The strap is configured with a coupling at a first end of an elastic band. A second free end of the band is releasably retained in the coupling by a lever arm that is biased in a closed configuration against a plurality of teeth carried on an interior surface of the base. The band has graduated indicia carried thereon for determining a constriction level applied by the band to a limb of the user. The graduated indicia allow the user to set a desired level of constriction on each of a left limb and a right limb to provide the user to develop bilateral symmetry of targeted muscle groups of the limbs.

An apparatus for generating a rotary reciprocating motion comprises an input shaft which is driven with unidirectional rotation and an output shaft for delivering reciprocating rotary motion. A first magnetic or ferromagnetic ring is disposed about a rotation axis fixed to the input shaft and a second magnetic or ferromagnetic ring is disposed about the rotation axis fixed to the output shaft. At least one is formed as an arrangement of permanent magnets. The first and second rings are disposed one within the other around the rotation axis. The magnetic coupling between the rings in combination with the effect of an output load results in the desired reciprocating motion of the output shaft.

A CPR chest compression device with a cooling exhaust flow path configured to direct cooling air flow through the device. A CPR chest compression device with a battery retainer interoperable with the control system to provide for controlled shut-down when an operator attempts to remove the battery during operation.