GRADUATED PRESSURE APPLICATOR

Abstract

A device applies a graduated pressure to an underlying surface. An exemplary device is a graduated compression device or a graduated pressure bandage, that is able to apply graduated pressure to a limb, with higher pressure being applied at one end of the device, e.g. near the ankle in use, and gradually applying less pressure at the other end of the device, e.g. such that the lowest pressure is applied to the end of the stocking closest to the thigh in use.

Claims

1. A method of using vacuum compression to aid circulation in the limbs, comprising: positioning a device to surround at least a portion of a user's limb, the device comprising at least one compartment; applying pressure on the limb by evacuating fluid from the at least one compartment by: pulling together pillars within the at least one compartment, causing a reduction in the spacing between the adjoining pillars to reduce dimensions of the device; releasing pressure on the limb by reintroducing fluid into the at least one compartment by: returning the pillars to their original spacing; and repeating the evacuation and reinflation of fluid into the at least one compartment to provide intermittently changing pressure on the user's limb.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein evacuating the at least one compartment of fluid comprises: flexing connecting members that adjoin neighbouring pillars inwardly into a space between adjoining pillars; and pulling a portion of a first film layer and a portion of a second film layer of the at least one compartment into the space; and reintroducing fluid into the at least one compartment further comprises: straightening of the connecting members; and pushing the pillars away from each other; wherein the flexing and straightening of the connecting members result from a resiliency of the connecting members.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising arranging the pillars into a plurality of pillar sets.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the pulling together of pillars causing a reduction in the spacing between the adjoining pillars to reduce dimensions of the device occurs for the pillars in each pillar set in a single fluid evacuation event.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein returning the pillars to their original spacing within the at least one compartment by reintroducing fluid into the at least one compartment occurs for the pillars in each pillar set in a single fluid reintroduction event.

6. The method of claim 3, further comprising arranging each pillar in a pillar set along a transverse axis that will at least partially encircle the underlying surface to which pressure is applied.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising wrapping the device around the user's limb and securing the device in place.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising securing the device to the surface to which pressure is to be applied by a fastener.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising, positioning the device so that the greatest pressure is applied to a part of the limb furthest from a user's heart.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising reducing the applied pressure on the user's limb along a longitudinal length of the device towards a part of the limb closest to a user's heart.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein reducing the applied pressure along the longitudinal length of the device comprises arranging the plurality of pillar sets along a longitudinal length of the device, with each pillar set comprising pillars of a different height, the heights gradually lessening along the longitudinal length of the device.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein reducing the applied pressure along the longitudinal length of the device comprises providing at least three pillar sets arranged along a longitudinal length of the device, with each pillar set comprising pillars having a different height, the heights gradually lessening along the longitudinal length of the device.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein reducing the applied pressure along the longitudinal length of the device comprises arranging the plurality of pillar sets along a longitudinal length of the device, with each pillar set comprising pillars having a different hardness, the hardness gradually lessening along the longitudinal length of the device.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein repeated evacuation and reinflation of fluid into the at least one compartment is automated.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein repeated evacuation and reinflation of fluid into the at least one compartment is automated by preprogramed compression.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein repeated evacuation and reinflation of fluid into the at least one compartment is provided by a vacuum compression device or an intermittent vacuum compression device.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising preventing the regression of fluid/air into the at least one compartment during the evacuation of air from the compartment using a non-return valve.

Description

[0046] In order to provide a better understanding of the present invention, embodiments will be described, by way of example only and with reference to the following figures in which;

[0047] FIG. 1a is a general depiction of a graduated compression device according to the present invention, FIG. 1b is an alternative embodiment according to the present invention;

[0048] FIG. 2a is a depiction of the pillar-like structures and connecting members of the invention; FIG. 2b is a depiction of the pillar-like structures and connecting members according to another aspect of the invention

[0049] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the device of FIG. 1a taken along line A-A in FIG. 1a showing sets of pillars with different sets exhibiting different hardnesses;

[0050] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the device of FIG. 1a taken along line A-A in FIG. 1a showing sets of pillars with different sets comprising pillars of different heights.

[0051] A device according to the present invention is generally depicted in FIG. 1 (a and b). This shows a compression device 1 in the form of a tube or sleeve that can be worn by a patient around the leg to apply graduated pressure to the leg. Typically the device is positioned with the with the greatest pressure being applied towards the ankle 2 and the applied pressure reducing as the device extends towards the calf, knee or thigh region. Effectively the ankle region 2 is then more constricted then the higher up the leg.

[0052] The depicted devices are translucent but could be transparent or opaque. Translucent or transparent is preferred as it allows the underlying features to be seen.

[0053] It will be appreciated that although a tubular device is shown in FIG. 1, the device may be in the form of a sheet or planar bandage which is wrapped around the limb and secured in place by a suitable means such as a band, a strap, VELCRO®, tape or the like. It may also take the form of or be built into pantyhose or leggings etc.

[0054] As can be best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the device comprises a sealed enclosure 3, 30 in the form of a pouch or envelope, having at least one compartment 4, 40 (although it could have multiple compartments); a plurality of spaced apart pillar-like structures 5 (a, b, c, d . . . ), 50 (a, b, c, d . . . ) positioned within the at least one compartment 4, 40; and means for evacuating air from the at least one compartment (which could be a valve attached to a suction device, not shown).

[0055] The sealed enclosure 3, 30 comprises a first film layer 6, 60 and a second film layer 7, 70 which are sealed together around their edges to define the sealed enclosure 3, 30. The first 6, 60 and second 7, 70 film layers may additionally be bonded together at various points in order to define one or more further compartments within the sealed enclosure.

[0056] The first 6, 60 and second 7, 70 film layers are made of PVC material and are heat sealed to one another to define the sealed enclosure and/or compartments.

[0057] The pillar-like structures 5, 50 (hereinafter referred to as ‘pillars’) are substantially cylindrical in shape and are connected to a neighbouring structure by means of a connecting member 8, 80. In this arrangement the pillars 5, 50 and the connecting members 8, 80 define a lattice-like structure. Groups of pillars form ‘pillar sets’ 9.

[0058] As shown in FIGS. 1a and 2a, pillar sets 9 (a, b, c) can be connected to neighbouring pillar sets 9 by connecting members 8 or, as depicted in FIGS. 2a and 2b the connecting members 8 may be present only between structures within a pillar set 9 (a, b, c).

[0059] In a preferred embodiment, the pillars 5, 50 are made from a silicon based material and the connecting members are resilient connecting members and are made of a resilient material such as a flexible plastic material.

[0060] The pillars 5, 50 may be moveably retained between the first 6, 60 and second 7, 70 film layers or may be retained in position between the film layers by connection to the first 6, 60 and/or second 7, 70 film layer.

[0061] In a particular embodiment, most clearly depicted in FIG. 3, a plurality of pillar sets 9a, 9b, 9c are provided, with each pillar set being made up of groups of pillars 5 (at least two pillars, preferably a strip of pillars positioned to surround or encircle a portion of a limb e.g. like a band or bracelet). Different pillar sets 9 comprise pillars 5 of different hardnesses. A first pillar set 9a is provided at one end of the device, the end of the device closest to a user's ankle when worn. A second pillar set 9b is provided higher up the device, and a third pillar set 9c is provided at the upper region of the device. It will be appreciated that a number of different pillar sets can be used depending on the size of the device and the graduation of pressure required.

[0062] The first pillar set 9a is formed along a transverse axis which will encircle the ankle portion of a user's leg and the pillars 5a are formed of a material with a shore hardness of approximately 85. Further pillar sets 9b and 9c are provided along the length of the bandage, again encircling the wearers leg, with the shore hardness of the pillars 5b, 5c reducing towards the other end of the bandage, such that at the other end the shore hardness of pillars 5c in the final pillar 9c set is approximately 35. It is preferred that the shore hardness of consecutive pillar sets 9 reduces in a predetermined and graduated manner.

[0063] The means for evacuating air from the at least one compartment is in the form of a vacuum release valve (not shown) having a non-return valve in order to prevent regression of air into the at least one compartment during evacuation of air from the compartment.

[0064] Pressure is applied onto the limb by evacuating the at least one compartment of air. Evacuation of air results the pulling of the pillars closer together and a reduction of the dimensions of the bandage. When air is evacuated from the compartment, a portion of the first film layer and a portion of the second film layer are pulled into the space between adjoining pillars. As the film layers are pulled into the space by the vacuum left by the evacuation of air therefrom, the surface area of the wound dressing is reduced causing a reduction in the spacing between the adjoining pillars. As different pillar sets comprise pillars of different shore hardnesses this allows the pressure applied by the bandage to be graduated along its length such that the device is able to apply greater pressure at the ankle end than higher up the leg, with pressure showing a graduated change along the longitudinal axis.

[0065] As the adjoining pillars are drawn towards one another, the connecting members are caused to flex inwardly into the space.

[0066] When air is reintroduced into the compartment the pillars are returned to their original spacing due to the resiliency of the connecting members causing the connecting members to straighten and hence push the pillars away from each other.

[0067] The wound dressing further comprises means for introducing air into the at least one compartment (not shown) which may be in the form of a hand pump or an inlet valve connectable to a compressor.

[0068] In a further embodiment, depicted in FIG. 4, pillars sets 9 are again provided, with each pillar set being made up of groups of pillars 50 (at least two pillars, preferably a strip of pillars positioned to surround or encircle a portion of a limb e.g. like a band or bracelet). Whilst most features remain the same as the first embodiment, in this embodiment rather than pillar sets of different shore hardnesses, the pillar sets 9a, 9b, 9c comprise pillars of different heights 50a, 50b, 50c.

[0069] A first pillar set 9a is provided at one end of the device, the end of the device closest to a user's ankle when worn. The pillar set 9a is formed along a transverse axis which will encircle the ankle portion of a user's leg and the pillars 50a in the set have a height of approximately 10 mm. Further pillar sets 9b, 9c etc., typically of the same material, are provided along the length of the device, again encircling the wearer's leg, with the height of the pillars reducing towards the other end of the bandage such that at the other end the height of pillars 50c in the final pillar set 9c is approximately 5 mm.

[0070] Pressure is applied onto the limb by evacuating the at least one compartment of air. Evacuation of air results the pulling of the pillars closer together and a reduction of the dimensions of the bandage. When air is evacuated from the compartment, a portion of the first film layer and a portion of the second film layer are pulled into the space between adjoining pillars. As the film layers are pulled into the space by the vacuum left by the evacuation of air therefrom, the surface area of the wound dressing is reduced causing a reduction in the spacing between the adjoining pillars. As different pillar sets 9 comprise pillars 50 of different heights this allows the pressure applied by the device to be graduated along its length such that the device is able to apply greater pressure at the ankle end than higher up the leg, with pressure showing a graduated change along the longitudinal axis.

[0071] As the adjoining pillars are drawn towards one another, the connecting members are caused to flex inwardly into the space.

[0072] When air is reintroduced into the compartment the pillars are returned to their original spacing due to the resiliency of the connecting members causing the connecting members to straighten and hence push the pillars away from each other.

[0073] The wound dressing further comprises means for introducing air into the at least one compartment (not shown) which may be in the form of a hand pump or an inlet valve connectable to a compressor.

[0074] It would be appreciated that the pillars and pillar sets could be arranged to provide graduated pressure along the length of the device by using a combination of different pillar heights and of pillar hardness if required. It would further be appreciated that the number of pillar sets is variable and the embodiments described are merely exemplary in this regard.

[0075] It can also be appreciated that, although the embodiments described above relate to a bandage which applied graduated pressure to an underlying surface; an alternative embodiment can apply varying pressure to a surface that is not necessarily simply graduated. For example pressure could be applied to the underlying surface in a manner which varies along a longitudinal axis, for example along the vertical axis in use. In this way there can be portions where less pressure is applied and portions where more pressure is applied. For example there may be pillar sets at the upper and the lower ends of the bandage which allow higher pressure to be applied than the pillar sets in the mid section of the bandage.

[0076] When discussing varying pressure in the paragraph above this will be understood to be pressure that is applied by the bandage at a single point in time but which is different at different points along the identified longitudinal axis (rather than simply pressure which varies with time).

[0077] It would also be appreciated that the device could provide intermittent pressure by being adapted to evacuate then re-inflate the at least one compartment. This repeated evacuation of air then re-inflation may be automated.