PRESSURE APPLICATION METHOD

Abstract

A method involving a garment which includes three active parts, which are one abdominal active part intended to surround the subject's abdomen and two lower active parts each intended to surround one of the subject's lower limbs, each of the active parts including at least one bladder fillable with a fluid so as to obtain a homogeneous positive pressure applied by the active part to the whole of the corresponding body part of the subject among the abdomen and the lower limbs. The pressure application garment includes: for each active part, at least one interface pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure at the interface between the active part and the corresponding body part of the subject while being positioned between the active part and the corresponding body part of the subject, and a control unit.

Claims

1. A method for applying pressure to the body of a subject according to a predetermined protocol, including a first predefined pressure value to be applied to the subject's abdomen and a second predefined pressure value to be applied to each of the subject's lower limbs for a predefined duration, using a pressure application garment comprising three active parts, which are one abdominal active part intended to surround the subject's abdomen and two lower active parts each intended to surround one of the subject's lower limbs, each of the active parts comprising at least one bladder fillable with a fluid so as to obtain a homogeneous positive pressure applied by the active part to the whole of the corresponding body part of the subject among the abdomen and the lower limbs, the pressure application garment comprising, for each active part, at least one interface pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure at the interface between the active part and the corresponding body part of the subject, while being positioned between the active part and the corresponding body part of the subject, said method comprising steps in which: each active part of the pressure application garment in the deployed configuration is positioned facing the corresponding body part of the subject; each active part of the pressure application garment in the deployed configuration is placed into an adjusted configuration in which it is adjusted around the corresponding body part of the subject; each fillable bladder of the pressure application garment is filled with fluid until a measurement is obtained, for each active part, from each interface pressure sensor of the active part that is substantially equal to the predefined pressure value to be applied to the body part of the subject that corresponds to said active part; during the predefined duration, for each active part the interface pressure measurements received for each active part are used as a basis to drive at least one injection device for injecting fluid into the one or more fillable bladders of the active part, so as to maintain a measurement from each interface pressure sensor of the active part that is substantially equal to the predefined pressure value to be applied to the body part of the subject that corresponds to said active part.

2. The method for applying pressure according to claim 1, wherein the or each fluid injection device is controlled automatically using a control unit.

3. The method for applying pressure according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined protocol is a LBPP treatment, in which: the first predefined pressure value to be applied to the subject's abdomen is in the range 10 to 20 mmHg, preferably equal to about 10 mmHg, the second predefined pressure value to be applied to each of the subject's lower limbs is in the range 20 to 40 mmHg, preferably equal to about 20 mmHg, the first predefined pressure value for the abdominal active part is strictly less than the second predefined pressure value for each lower active part, the predefined duration is equal to about 90 minutes.

4. The method for applying pressure according to claim 1, comprising, prior to the step of filling each fillable bladder of the pressure application garment with fluid so as to apply the predefined pressure values to the body parts of the subject, a step of measuring the mobilizable blood volume, comprising the application of a vein occlusion on one of the subject's lower limbs and measuring, by plethysmography, variations in the volume of said lower limb as a result of said occlusion and the release thereof.

5. The method for applying pressure according to claim 4, wherein the vein occlusion is applied on the subject's lower limb by means of an inner tightening element of one of the lower active parts of the pressure application garment, said inner tightening element being, when the lower active part is in place around the corresponding lower limb of the subject, capable of surrounding the thigh of the subject and of applying a tightening force thereto.

6. The method for applying pressure according to claim 4, wherein the measurement of the variations in the volume of the lower limb as a result of the occlusion and the release thereof is carried out by air plethysmography, by measuring the variations in air pressure in the lower active part of the pressure application garment forming an air-filled sleeve around the lower limb of the subject.

7. The method for applying pressure according to claim 4, wherein, when the mobilizable blood volume measured is less than a predefined threshold, an injection of normal saline into the venous network of the subject is carried out, prior to applying the predefined pressure values to the body parts of the subject by means of the pressure application garment.

8. A method for applying pressure to the body of a subject according to a predetermined protocol, including at least one predefined pressure value to be applied to at least one body part of the subject for a predefined duration, using a pressure application garment comprising at least one active part for applying pressure to at least one body part of a subject, comprising at least one bladder fillable with a fluid so as to obtain a homogeneous positive pressure applied to the whole of the corresponding at least one body part of the subject, said pressure application garment comprising, for the or each active part, at least one interface pressure sensor, and comprising in at least one area of the or each active part in contact with the body, at least one sheet of a fabric made of at least three superimposed layers: a lower layer, an upper layer, and an intermediate layer having elasticity in the transverse direction, enabling thus at least the limitation of the deformation of the lower layer when the upper layer is deformed, said method comprising following steps in which: the or each active part of the pressure application garment in the deployed configuration is positioned facing the at least one body part of the subject; the or each active part of the pressure application garment in the deployed configuration is placed into an adjusted configuration in which the lower layer is closest to the at least one body part, the intermediate layer is between the lower layer and the upper layer; the or each fillable bladder of the pressure application garment is filled with fluid until a measurement is obtained, for the or each active part, from the or each interface pressure sensor of the active part that is substantially equal to the predefined pressure value to be applied to the at least one body part of the subject, during which filling, the intermediate layer of the fabric limits the deformation of the lower layer; during the predefined duration, for the or each active part, the interface pressure measurements received for the or each active part are used as a basis to drive at least one injection device for injecting fluid into the one or more fillable bladders of the active part, so as to maintain a measurement from the or each interface pressure sensor of the active part that is substantially equal to the predefined pressure value to be applied to the at least one body part of the subject.

9. The method for applying pressure according to claim 8, wherein the or each fluid injection device is controlled automatically using a control unit

10. The method for applying pressure according to claim 8, wherein said intermediate layer of said fabric made of at least three superimposed layers comprises elastic means, preferably said elastic means are in the form of a layer of springs and/or in the form of a mesh and/or in the form of a yarn material.

11. A Method of treating damages caused by cerebral vascular deficiencies or an ocular disorder which comprises applying, to a subject's body, pressure according to a predetermined protocol, including at least one predefined pressure value to be applied to at least one body part of the subject for a predefined duration, using a pressure application garment, said method being applied in order to improve either the cerebral vascular or the ocular vascular recruitment of the subject in different clinical situations

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein said damages are selected from the group comprising: acute phase of cerebral ischemia, sub-acute phase of cerebral ischemia, chronic cerebral ischemia, acute phase of retinal ischemia, acute phase of optic nerve ischemia, chronic cerebral circulatory failure by occlusion or sub-occlusion of a large trunk, degenerative diseases of the brain accompanied by hypoperfusion, degenerative diseases of the retina which is accompanied by hypoperfusion of the choroid.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein a first predefined pressure value is applied to the subject's abdomen and a second predefined pressure value is applied to each of the subject's lower limbs.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein the method is used to help or increase the delivery of a therapeutic agent in a hypo-perfused body zone, in order to compensate at least one cerebral vascular deficiency selected from a group comprising anticoagulant agents, fibrinolytics, free radical-trapping agents, NO donors.

15. The method according to claim 11, wherein the method is used to help or increase the delivery of a therapeutic agent in a hypo-perfused body zone, in order to compensate at least one ocular disorder selected from a group comprising antioxidants, anti-inflammatory agents, trophic factors, apoptosis inhibitors and statins.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0126] Features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments of a pressure application garment and of a method for applying pressure according to the invention, provided merely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0127] FIG. 1 is a front view of a pressure application garment according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0128] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the pressure application garment of FIG. 1;

[0129] FIG. 3 is a front view of the pressure application garment of FIG. 1 with the active parts thereof in a deployed configuration;

[0130] FIG. 4 is a sectional view at a larger scale along the plane IV-IV of FIG. 3;

[0131] FIG. 5 is a front view of the pressure application garment of FIG. 1 placed on a subject and connected to air injection devices;

[0132] FIG. 6 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1 for a pressure application garment according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0133] FIG. 7 is a view similar to that of FIG. 5 for a pressure application garment according to a third embodiment of the invention, from which the air injection devices have been omitted for better visibility;

[0134] FIG. 8 is a rear view of the pressure application garment of FIG. 7; and

[0135] FIG. 9 is a part of cross section of an active part of a pressure application garment according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0136] In the present invention, the following terms have the following meanings: [0137] Active part refers to a part of the compression system that is able to apply positive pressure on the corresponding body part. [0138] Bladder refers to an inflated or hollow flexible bag or chamber. [0139] Elastomeric yarns refers to yarns comprising an elastomer, that is a polymer with viscoelasticity. [0140] Elasticity refers to the property of a material by virtue of which it tends to recover its original size and shape immediately after removal of the force causing deformation. [0141] Mesh refers to a monolayer or multilayer of cross-linked fibers. Said fibers can be warps and woofs and can be interlaced at right, acute and/or obtuse angles for example by weaving or knitting. [0142] Part of the body of a subject or body part refers to a part of a human person around which a compression system can be applied, such as, without being limiting: the abdomen; a lower limb or a part of a lower limb for example a leg, an ankle, a calf, a thigh, a foot; an upper limb or a part of an upper limb for example an arm, a forearm, a wrist, a hand. [0143] Polyamide refers to polymers made of repeating units linked by amide links. [0144] Polyamide-6,6 or nylon or nylon-6,6 or PA-6,6 refers to a polymer obtained by polycondensation of hexamethylenediamine and adipic acid. [0145] Skin impressions or skin marks refers to pink or red patterns or other patterns on the skin such as a more or less large strip or a circle or an oval shape or any other form susceptible to appear on the skin when a pressure is applied on it or when said skin is pinched. [0146] Spacer fabric refers to three-dimensional fabric that comprises two layers, e.g. an upper and a lower layer, that are interconnected by a spacer material. [0147] Spring refers to a mechanical component or part that uses the elastic properties of certain materials to absorb mechanical energy, produce movement, or exert force or couple. Springs can be made of wires that are helically wound on themselves. The wires can be made of any suitable material, for example steel. [0148] Subject refers to any person. [0149] Wall of an active part refers to the inner or the outer walls of an active part. The inner wall comprises at least a flexible layer that delimits the bladder of the active part and that is impervious to the fluid that fills said bladder and a fabric made of at least three superimposed layers in at least one area; the inner wall can also comprise, on the flexible layer (i.e. between the flexible layer and the fabric made of at least three superimposed layers), a coating layer. The outer wall comprises at least a flexible layer that delimits the bladder of the active part and that is impervious to the fluid that fills said bladder; the outer wall can also comprise, on the flexible layer, a coating layer. [0150] Wire refers to longitudinal means comprising a length sensibly higher than its thickness, its width or its diameter. In particular, wire can be a strand, a flexible rod or a yarn. [0151] Yarn material refers to a material made of yarns. For example, said yarns can be wound on themselves in particular helically wound on themselves, or in the form of many yarns that are parallel from each other and that intertwine.

[0152] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the pressure application garment 1 of the first embodiment comprises three active parts, i.e. one abdominal active part 3, intended to surround the abdomen A of a subject, and two lower active parts 4, 5, each of which is intended to surround one leg, or lower limb L.sub.1, L.sub.2, of the subject. Each of the active parts 3, 4, 5 of the pressure application garment 1 is a flexible textile part made of an airtight material. In particular, in this example, the airtight material of each active part 3, 4, 5 comprises a knitted nylon textile layer 82 coated, on one side, with a polyurethane coating layer, the coating layer that is on the side closest to the body part is coated with a fabric 84 made of at least three superimposed layers. As will be described later in more details, the fabric 84 made of at least three superimposed layers comprises an upper and a lower layer that comprise polyamide and that are separated by a yarn material comprising on the one hand, polyamide 6,6 fibres comprising silver ions and on the other hand, polyester-polyurethane copolymer yarns. The layer of the fabric made of at least three superimposed layers that is in contact with the coating layer 83 is the upper layer, whereas the lower layer of the fabric made of at least three superimposed layers 84 is in contact with the body part of a subject.

[0153] In order to ease the placement of the pressure application garment 1 on the body of the subject, the two lower active parts 4, 5 are connected to the abdominal active part 3 by joining elements 9, which are in particular elastic textile strips. Each active part 3, 4, 5 can be deformed between a substantially planar deployed configuration, shown in FIG. 3, allowing for the placement thereof around the corresponding body part of the subject, and a tubular configuration, shown in FIG. 1, 2 or 5, wherein it is capable of surrounding the corresponding body part of the subject and of being adjusted around same.

[0154] As shown for the active part 5 in the sectional view of FIG. 4 (it being understood that the active parts 3 and 4 have similar sections to those of the active part 5), each active part 3, 4, 5 of the pressure application garment 1 comprises the superimposition of an inner textile portion 33, 43, 53, intended to be facing the body of the subject, and an outer textile portion 34, 44, 54, intended to be facing outwards, both of which being made of an airtight material as described above. For each active part 3, 4, 5, the inner textile portion 33, 43, 53 and the outer textile portion 34, 44, 54 made of an airtight material are connected together by a peripheral seam 32, 42, 52, which is also airtight. Thus, for each active part 3, 4, 5 of the pressure application garment 1, an airtight bladder 31, 41, 51 is delimited between the inner textile portion 33, 43, 53 and the outer textile portion 34, 44, 54, whereby the inner volume V of the bladder 31, 41, 51 is capable of being filled with air. The inner textile portion 33, 43, 53 and the outer textile portion 34, 44, 54 can also comprise a coating layer respectively on the side facing the body of the subject and on the side facing outwards. Moreover, the inner textile portion 33, 43, 53 display the fabric 84 made of at least three superimposed layers on the side that is closest to the body of the subject.

[0155] In this example, each active part 3, 4, 5 comprises a single fillable bladder 31, 41, 51, which has the advantage of simplifying the design of the pressure application garment 1. However, alternatively, each active part 3, 4, 5 can comprise a plurality of fillable bladders. Each fillable bladder 31, 41, 51 of the pressure application garment 1 is intended to be filled with air such that, in the adjusted configuration of the active part 3, 4, 5 on the corresponding body part of the subject, the inner textile portion 33, 43, 53 applies a positive pressure thereto.

[0156] Each fillable bladder 31, 41, 51 of the pressure application garment 1 comprises a plurality of filling end pieces 36, 46, 56 distributed over the surface of the bladder in order to optimise the filling thereof. As diagrammatically shown in FIG. 5, the filling end pieces 36, 46, 56 of the active parts 3, 4, 5 are suitable for being connected to air injection devices 63, 64, 65. Different types of air injection devices can be used within the scope of the invention. In particular, each air injection device 63, 64, 65 can be a portable pump integrated into the garment 1, or a compressed air infeed in a hospital. Each fillable bladder 31, 41, 51 is equipped with at least one pressure gauge 60 for measuring the pressure to which the bladder is filled with air. Preferably, in order to measure the filling pressure in the different areas of each fillable bladder 31, 41, 51, a pressure gauge 60 is installed in each connection pipe between a filling end piece 36, 46, 56 of the bladder and the corresponding air injection device 63, 64, 65.

[0157] In order to control the pressure effectively applied to the abdomen A of the subject by the abdominal active part 3 and to the lower limbs L.sub.1, L.sub.2 of the subject by the lower active parts 4, 5, the garment 1 comprises interface pressure sensors 2 mounted on the inner textile portion 33, 43, 53 of each active part 3, 4, 5. Each sensor 2 is intended to measure a pressure at the interface between the active part 3, 4, 5 onto which it is attached and the corresponding body part of the subject. Each sensor 2 can, for example, be sewn into a compartment provided for this purpose in the corresponding inner textile portion 33, 43, 53. Alternatively, each sensor 2 can be rigidly secured to the corresponding inner textile portion 33, 43, 53 by any other appropriate means, in particular by sewing or bonding, etc.

[0158] In one example embodiment, each interface pressure sensor 2 can be a pneumatic sensor as disclosed in patent document WO2009072011A1, comprising a flexible polymer cushion capable of receiving, in the inner volume thereof, a predetermined volume of injected air corresponding to a known positive pressure, the cushion being connected in a sealed manner by means of a flexible tube (not shown) to a measurement module 72. The measurement module 72 of each sensor 2 in particular comprises a pressure gauge and an air injection piston, which are in fluid communication with one another and with the pneumatic sensor 2. The use of such pneumatic sensors avoids the need for electronic components on the active parts 3, 4, 5 of the pressure application garment 1, whereby the electronics are offset in the measurement module 72 external to the textile parts. These pneumatic sensors also have the advantage of being compatible with the relatively low interface pressure levels sought after in the case of LBPP, which in particular lie in the range 10 to 40 mmHg. It goes without saying that, alternatively, the pressure application garment 1 can comprise electronic interface pressure sensors, provided that the sensitivity of these electronic sensors is compatible with the interface pressure levels sought after.

[0159] For each active part 3, 4, 5, the number and arrangement of the interface pressure sensors 2 are suitable for providing pressure measurements representative of the pressure effectively applied to the body part of the subject. By way of a non-limiting example, in this embodiment, the abdominal active part 3 of the pressure application garment 1 comprises three interface pressure sensors 2, i.e. an anterior central sensor 2 intended to be positioned in front of the centre of the subject's abdomen, and two lateral sensors 2 intended to be positioned on the sides of the abdomen. Each lower active part 4, 5 of the pressure application garment 1 comprises five interface pressure sensors 2, i.e. one posterior lower sensor 2 intended to be positioned to the rear of the subject's calf, one medial lower sensor 2 intended to be positioned on the medial face of the calf, one posterior upper sensor 2 intended to be positioned on the posterior face of the subject's thigh, one medial upper sensor 2 intended to be positioned on the medial face of the thigh, and one anteromedial upper sensor 2 intended to be positioned on the anteromedial face of the thigh.

[0160] The pressure application garment 1 comprises a control unit 7, shown in FIG. 5, which can take on the form of a housing capable of being attached to the surface of a textile part of the pressure application garment 1, or to an element of furniture, such as a bed on which the pressure application session is carried out using the garment 1. In the case of interface pressure sensors 2 of the pneumatic type, the measurement module 72 associated with each pneumatic interface pressure sensor of the pressure application garment 1 is advantageously integrated into the housing of the control unit 7, which further comprises a receiving module 70 configured to receive the interface pressure measurements from the measurement module 72 of each pneumatic interface pressure sensor. The connection between each measurement module 72 and the receiving module 70 can thus be wired or wireless. In the case of interface pressure sensors 2 of the electronic type, each electronic interface pressure sensor is configured to transmit the interface pressure measurements directly to the receiving module 70 of the control unit 7, in particular by wireless connection means. The one or more filling pressure gauges 60 of each fillable bladder 31, 41, 51 are also connected to the receiving module 70 of the control unit 7. Thus, an automatic servo system can be produced between the filling pressure sensors 60 and the interface pressure sensors 2 of each active part 3, 4, 5.

[0161] As shown in FIG. 5, the receiving module 70 of the control unit 7 is also configured to receive: [0162] measurements representative of the subject's blood pressure during the treatment session obtained, in particular continuously, using a tensiometer 67 comprising a cuff positioned on an arm of the subject; in particular, measurements representative of the subject's blood pressure include the systolic blood pressure (SBP), the diastolic blood pressure (DBP), the mean arterial blood pressure; [0163] measurements representative of the intracerebral blood flow of the subject during the treatment session obtained, in particular continuously, by transcranial Doppler using a device 68 comprising a probe positioned on the subject's head, typically a 2 MHz Doppler probe, associated with a computing unit; in particular, measurements representative of the intracerebral blood flow of the subject include the peak systolic velocity (PSV), the end-diastolic velocity (EDV), the resistive index, the area under the curve.

[0164] The control unit 7 further comprises a driving module 71, which is configured to drive the one or more air injection devices 63, 64, 65 as a function of: [0165] the interface pressure measurements received by the receiving module 70 for each active part 3, 4, 5, so as to maintain a predefined interface pressure setpoint for said active part; [0166] the measurements representative of the subject's blood pressure received by the receiving module 70, so as to keep the subject's blood pressure values below predefined thresholds, in particular so as to keep the systolic blood pressure (SBP) strictly below 220 and the diastolic blood pressure (DBP) strictly below 120: [0167] the measurements representative of the intracerebral blood flow of the subject received by the receiving module 70, so as to correlate the change in the measurements representative of the intracerebral blood flow of the subject with the pressure gradient applied to the body parts of the subject by means of the pressure application garment and/or to associate the measurements representative of the intracerebral blood flow of the subject with a therapeutic goal, for example an average increase of 30% in intracerebral blood flow compared to that at the start of the treatment session, with the possibility of creating an alert when said therapeutic goal has been reached, whereby the practitioner decides whether or not to continue the session as a function of the functional results obtained.

[0168] The control unit 7 provides automatic control of the interface pressure, and servo-control of the air injection in the bladder 31, 41, 51 of each active part 3, 4, 5 as a function of the interface pressure measurements from the sensors 2 and of the predefined interface pressure setpoint for each active part. It is thus possible to apply, in an automated manner, a constant and controlled pressure to each body part of the subject throughout the duration of a pressure application session using the pressure application garment 1, without manual intervention.

[0169] In particular, according to one example, for the application of LBPP using the pressure application garment 1, the predefined interface pressure setpoint for the abdominal active part 3 is 10 mmHg, and the predefined interface pressure setpoint for each lower active part 4, 5 is 20 mmHg, whereby the garment 1 is advantageously configured so as to maintain the predefined interface pressure setpoint for each active part 3, 4, 5 for a duration of about 90 minutes.

[0170] In order to better take on the shape of each body part of the subject and to obtain the most effective and homogeneous application of pressure possible to each part of the body, each active part 3, 4, 5 of the pressure application garment 1 comprises adjustment means for adjusting the active part 3, 4, 5 around the corresponding body part of the subject. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, these adjustment means comprise a pair of gripping strips on each active part 3, 4, 5, allowing the active part to be closed in the adjusted configuration around the corresponding body part A, L.sub.1, L.sub.2 of the subject.

[0171] More specifically, in the example shown, each active part 3, 4, 5 comprises, over the entire length thereof in the axial direction in the tubular configuration, a first gripping strip 37, 47, 57 provided with hooks, which is situated on a first longitudinal end of the active part, on the side of the outer textile portion 34, 44, 54, and a second gripping strip 38, 48, 58 provided with loops, which is situated on the second longitudinal end of the active part, this time on the side of the inner textile portion 33, 43, 53. The gripping strips 37, 38, 47, 48, 57, 58 allow the circumference of the active part 3, 4, 5 to be adjusted around the corresponding body part A, L.sub.1, L.sub.2 of the subject in an adapted manner over the entire length of the active part.

[0172] Each of the two lower active parts 4, 5 further comprise, opposite the abdominal active part 3, a portion 45, 55 that can be rolled up, intended to adapt the length of the lower active part 4, 5 to the length of the lower limbs L.sub.1, L.sub.2 of the subject and thus to apply a positive pressure to the lower limbs L.sub.1, L.sub.2 in the most targeted manner possible. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, each roll-up portion 45, 55 is formed by a plurality of segments S configured to be folded back on top of one another. Preferably, in the state wherein the segments S are folded back on top of one another, the portion of the fillable bladder 41, 51 corresponding to the folded segments S cannot be filled with air.

[0173] As shown in FIG. 3, the lower active part 4 of the pressure application garment 1, which is intended to cover the right leg or the right lower limb L.sub.1 of the subject, comprises an inner cuff 40 which, when the lower active part 4 is in place around the right lower limb L.sub.1 of the subject, is capable of surrounding the subject's right thigh and of applying a tightening force thereto. The tightening cuff 40 can in particular be an inflatable cuff, comprising gripping strips in order to allow the cuff to be held in place around the subject's thigh, and intended to be filled with air at a standardised pressure of about 50 mmHg. The tightening cuff 40 is intended to allow the subject's mobilizable blood volume (or venous bed) to be assessed before carrying out a pressure application session, in particular LBPP, using the pressure application garment 1.

[0174] The procedure for assessing the mobilizable blood volume can advantageously comprise the application of a vein occlusion on the subject's right thigh using the tightening cuff 40, and the measurement of the variations in the volume of the right lower limb as a result of this occlusion and the release thereof, in particular by air plethysmography, by measuring the variations in air pressure in the lower active part 4 forming an air-filled sleeve around the right lower limb L.sub.1 of the subject. In the case of LBPP, the assessment of the mobilizable blood volume prior to a LBPP differential pressure application session using the pressure application garment 1 is important, since this volume determines the effectiveness of the LBPP treatment for the subject. In particular, when the mobilizable blood volume in the lower body of the subject is low, there is a risk that the transfer of blood to the upper body of the subject as a result of the application of LBPP does not allow for the effective revascularisation of the brain. In such a case, it is advantageous to fill the subject's venous network with a liquid, in particular with normal saline prior to the application of LBPP using the pressure application garment 1, in order to increase the mobilizable blood volume. It is considered that, when the mobilisable blood volume of the subject, assessed as stipulated above, is zero or less than a predefined value, an injection of 500 mL normal saline into the subject's venous network can advantageously be carried out prior to a LBPP session using the pressure application garment 1.

[0175] Preferably, as shown in FIG. 5, when placed on a subject, the pressure application garment 1 comprises a disposable protective textile 8 between the body of the subject and each of the active parts 3, 4, 5. The protective textile 8, which is for example a microfibre textile having a weight per unit area that lies in the range 40 to 170 g/m.sup.2, acts as a second skin, preventing irritation of the subject's skin as a result of contact with the active parts 3, 4, 5. Advantageously, the protective textile 8 is applied in a removable manner on the inner textile portion 33, 43, 53 of each active part 3, 4, 5, while being held tensioned by any appropriate means, for example using gripping strips, so as to prevent the presence of folds that are likely to irritate the subject's skin. The protective textile further prevents fouling of the active parts 3, 4, 5 such that the pressure application garment 1 can be reused for different pressure application sessions without hygiene issues insofar as the protective textile 8 used during a session is removed at the end of the session and replaced with a new protective textile 8 for a later session.

[0176] One example of a method for applying pressure according to the Lower Body Positive Pressure (LBPP) principle, to the abdomen A and the lower limbs L.sub.1, L.sub.2 of a subject, using the pressure application garment 1 as described above, comprises steps as described below.

[0177] Firstly, the pressure application garment 1 is placed on the subject, preferably in a non-inflated state of the pressure application garment, i.e. a state in which each of the fillable bladders 31, 41, 51 of the garment is not filled with air or filled with very little air.

[0178] For this purpose, each active part 3, 4, 5 of the pressure application garment 1 is positioned in the deployed configuration thereof, as shown in FIG. 3, and the protective textile 8 is applied on the inner textile portion 33, 43, 53 of each active part 3, 4, 5. The abdominal active part 3 of the pressure application garment 1 is then placed at the level of the subject's abdomen A, and the two lower active parts 4, 5 are each placed at the level of one lower limb L.sub.1, L.sub.2 of the subject. Each active part 3, 4, 5 is then closed, moving from the deployed configuration thereof into a tubular configuration around the corresponding body part of the subject, and is adjusted around the corresponding body part of the subject using gripping strips 37, 38, 47, 48, 57, 58.

[0179] In the case of a bedridden subject or a subject suffering from limb paralysis, the design of the pressure application garment 1 allows it to be placed on the subject in the laid-back position. In such a case, the pressure application garment 1 is positioned on a bed, with each of the active parts 3, 4, 5 thereof in the deployed configuration and provided with the protective textile 8, then the subject is laid on his/her back on top of the pressure application garment 1, while positioning the subject's abdomen A at the level of the abdominal active part 3 and each of the subject's lower limbs L.sub.1, L.sub.2 at the level of the corresponding lower active part 4, 5 of the pressure application garment. Each active part 3, 4, 5 is then closed by moving from the deployed configuration thereof into a tubular configuration around the corresponding body part of the subject lying down, and is adjusted around the corresponding body part of the subject using the gripping strips 37, 38, 47, 48, 57, 58, which have been provided at the front of the pressure application garment for this purpose.

[0180] The measurement of the mobilizable blood volume can then be carried out for the subject equipped with the pressure application garment 1. For this purpose, a vein occlusion is applied at the root of the subject's right thigh using the tightening cuff 40, and the variations in the volume of the right lower limb L.sub.1 as a result of this occlusion and the release thereof are measured by plethysmography. This can, for example, be air plethysmography, measuring the variations in air pressure in the lower active part 4 forming an air-filled sleeve around the right lower limb L.sub.1 of the subject. As a function of the value of the mobilisable blood volume thus assessed, an injection of normal saline can be carried out into the subject's venous network in order to increase the mobilisable blood volume and improve the effect of the LBPP in the event of a hypovolaemic venous bed.

[0181] Each bladder 31, 41, 51 of the pressure application garment 1 is then filled using air injection devices 63, 64, 65 connected to the filling end pieces 36, 46, 56 until a measurement is obtained for each active part 3, 4, 5 by each interface pressure sensor 2 of the active part that is substantially equal to the predefined interface pressure setpoint for said active part. In particular, according to one advantageous example of the application of LBPP using the pressure application garment 1, the predefined interface pressure setpoint for the abdominal active part 3 is 10 mmHg, and the predefined interface pressure setpoint for each lower active part 4, 5 is 20 mmHg. The control unit 7 of the pressure application garment 1 can be configured to fill the bladders 31, 41, 51 of the garment in an automatic manner.

[0182] The application of a constant and homogeneous pressure of 10 mmHg to the subject's abdomen A and of 20 mmHg to each of the subject's lower limbs L.sub.1, L.sub.2 for a determined duration, for example for a duration of 90 minutes, is then carried out automatically by the pressure application garment 1 thanks to the control unit 7 of the garment, which is configured to selectively actuate the air injection devices 63, 64, 65 as a function of the interface pressure measurements from the sensors 2 so as to maintain, for the determined duration, an interface pressure value measured by each sensor 2 that is equal to the predefined interface pressure setpoint for the active part 3, 4, 5 to which said sensor 2 is attached.

[0183] In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 6, similar elements to those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same references. The pressure application garment 1 of this second embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in that the adjustment means of the active parts 3, 4, 5 on the body of a subject are formed by a plurality of closing systems using tightening straps 37, 47, 57 and corresponding clips 38, 48, 58, in place of the gripping strips 37, 38, 47, 48, 57, 58. As shown in FIG. 6, for each active part 3, 4, 5, the closing systems using tightening straps 37, 47, 57 and clips 38, 48, 58 are distributed over the entire length of the active part in the axial direction in the tubular configuration, so as to allow for the adjustment of the circumference of the active part 3, 4, 5 around the corresponding body part A, L.sub.1, L.sub.2 of the subject in an adapted manner over the entire length of the active part.

[0184] In the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, similar elements to those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same references. The pressure application garment 1 of this third embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in that the adjustment means of the active parts 3, 4, 5 on the body of a subject are not restricted to gripping strips 37, 38, 47, 48, 57, 58 that close longitudinally. In this third embodiment, the adjustment means further comprise sculptural seams 39, 49, 59 of the textile of each active part 3, 4, 5. The seams 39, 49, 59 of each active part 3, 4, 5 are configured to impose a shape of the active part 3, 4, 5 which applies the active part against the corresponding body part A, L.sub.1, L.sub.2 of the subject during the filling of the fillable bladder 31, 41, 51 of the active part with air. The seams 39, 49, 59 of each active part 3, 4, 5 allow the active part to better take on the shape of the corresponding body part of the subject. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 8, the pressure application garment 1 of this third embodiment encompasses the subject's buttocks. The part covering the subject's buttocks can be a fillable part, capable of being filled with air, and in particular can correspond to a fillable bladder, insofar as it can be useful to also apply a constant and controlled pressure to the subject's buttocks in order to expel blood from this area. Alternatively, the part covering the subject's buttocks can be non-fillable.

[0185] As shown in FIG. 9, an active part 3, 4, 5 of a pressure application garment 1 according to the present invention comprises, in at least one active part 3, 4, 5 various layers. In particular, each active part 3, 4, 5 of the garment 1 comprises at least one sheet of a fabric 84 made of at least three superimposed layers: a lower layer that is closest to the body part when the garment is positioned on a subject's body, an upper layer and an intermediate layer. The intermediate layer is situated between the lower layer and the upper layer.

[0186] More precisely, the outer wall 85 and the inner wall 86 of the active part 3, 4, 5 comprise a layer 82 impervious to the fluid that fills the bladder. They can further comprise a coating layer 83. Thus, the inner wall 86 of each active part 3, 4, 5 comprises at least one sheet of a fabric 84 made of at least three superimposed layers that comprises an upper layer in contact with the coating layer 83 (or in contact with the layer impervious to the fluid if there is no coating layer) and a lower layer that is in contact with the body of the subject.

[0187] The fabric 84 made of the at least three superimposed layers has a thickness comprised between 0.5 mm and 25 mm, preferably between 1 mm and 10 mm, more preferably between 2 mm and 5 mm, and even more preferably said thickness is 3.5 mm. More precisely, the upper layer of said fabric 84 has a thickness between 0.1 mm and 5 mm, preferably said thickness is between 1 and 3 mm. The lower layer of the fabric 84, on the other hand, has also a thickness between 0.1 mm and 5 mm, preferably said thickness is between 1 and 3 mm.

[0188] Preferably, for health safety reasons, the upper and lower layers are made of natural or synthetic material. Preferably the upper and lower layers are made of polyamide, polyester, cotton and/or wool. Even more preferably, the upper and lower layers are made of polyamide.

[0189] This leads the fabric 84 to display a weight between 200 g/m.sup.2 and 600 g/m.sup.2, preferably between 300 g/m.sup.2 and 500 g/m.sup.2, more preferably between 400 g/m.sup.2 and 450 g/m.sup.2, even more preferably said weight is 420 g/m.sup.2.

[0190] The intermediate layer of the fabric 84 displays elasticity in the transverse direction, enabling at least the limitation of the deformation of the lower layer when the upper layer is deformed.

[0191] In some embodiment, the intermediate layer of the fabric 84 made displays elasticity also in the longitudinal direction and/or in the lateral direction. The intermediate layer of the fabric 84 thus comprises elastic means. Those elastic means preferably may be in the form of a layer of springs and/or in the form of a mesh and/or in the form of a yarn material. The intermediate layer thus comprises yarn material, said yarn material comprising polyamide-6,6 fibres, preferably said polyamide-6,6 fibres comprise silver ions. It further may comprise elastomeric yarns, for example polyester-polyurethane copolymer. The intermediate layer can also either: [0192] be a yarn material being in the form of yarns that are parallel to each other, that intertwine and that are perpendicular to the upper and lower layers, [0193] be a yarn material, being in the form of yarns that are wound on themselves parallel to the upper and lower layers.

[0194] As shown in the previous examples, a pressure application garment according to the invention, comprising interface pressure sensors on the inner wall of each of the active parts thereof, allows homogeneous and constant pressures to be automatically applied to the abdomen and the lower limbs of a subject. In particular, the pressure application garment according to the invention is well-suited for the application of pressures according to the Lower Body Positive Pressure (LBPP) principle, involving differential pressures applied to the abdomen and lower limbs of a subject. Thanks to the airtightness and flexibility of the textile forming each of the active parts of the pressure application garment, each active part can act as an air chamber, while retaining a flexible structure, which procures high wearing comfort and eases the placement thereof on a subject, including a bedridden or paralysed subject. The possibility of providing the pressure application garment of the invention in different sizes, for example S, M, L, XL and the presence of adjustment means for adjusting the pressure application garment on each part of the body further allow the garment to adapt to the morphology of each subject, which contributes to the effectiveness of the garment for treatments by application of pressure, in particular according to the LBPP principle.

[0195] The invention is not limited to the examples described and illustrated. In particular, in the previous examples, each active part 3, 4, 5 of the pressure application garment comprises a single fillable bladder 31, 41, 51. Alternatively, the active parts of a garment according to the invention can each comprise any number of fillable bladders. Preferably, each fillable bladder of each active part is thus equipped with at least one interface pressure sensor. Moreover, the number and arrangement of the interface pressure sensors on each active part of a pressure application garment according to the invention can be different to those described in the previous examples. The interface pressure sensors used can also be of different sizes, adapted to suit the location thereof, and of different types, in particular pneumatic sensors, electronic sensors, or combinations of pneumatic and electronic sensors, etc. Finally, the pressure application garment according to the invention has been described above for the application of pressure corresponding to the Lower Body Positive Pressure (LBPP) principle. Alternatively, it can be used for the automatic application of all types of pressures to the abdomen and/or the lower limbs of a subject, for example pressures that vary over time, which can thus be automatically controlled by the control unit of the pressure application garment.

[0196] The application of the Lower Body Positive Pressure (LBPP) by means of a pressure application garment according to the invention comprises the following treatments, without limitation:

[0197] Improvement of cerebral vascular recruitment in different clinical situations

[0198] Regarding cerebral vascular deficiencies [0199] 1Acute phase of cerebral ischemia (during the first 24 hours) due to impairment of cerebral perfusion whatever the mechanism(s): [0200] Ischemic stroke, [0201] Vasospasm. [0202] 2Sub-acute phase of cerebral ischemia due to a persistent impairment of cerebral perfusion to improve functional recovery: [0203] Ischemic stroke. [0204] 3Chronic cerebral ischemia due to a chronic impairment of cerebral perfusion: [0205] In vascular dementia. [0206] 4Chronic cerebral circulatory failure by occlusion or sub-occlusion of a large trunk: carotid, obstruction of the basilar artery, Moya-Moya syndrome, for example. [0207] 5Chronic impairment of cerebral perfusion or degenerative diseases which are accompanied by hypoperfusion: for example, Alzheimer's disease. [0208] 6Use of LBPP to help or increase the delivery of a therapeutic agent in the hypo-perfused body zone in order to compensate cerebral vascular deficiencies, selected from a group comprising anticoagulant agents, fibrinolytics, free radical-trapping agents, NO donors.

[0209] Regarding ocular disorders [0210] 1Occlusion of the central retinal artery; [0211] 2Anterior optic ischemic neuropathy (AOIN); [0212] 3Degenerative disease which is accompanied by hypoperfusion of the choroid: AMD (age-related macular degeneration in its dry and wet forms); [0213] 4Improvement of ocular vascular recruitment in different clinical situations [0214] Acute phase of ischemic stroke of any sub-type, [0215] Anterior optic ischemic neuropathy (AOIN), [0216] Retinal artery occlusion, [0217] Chronic impairment of choroidal perfusion: age related macular degeneration (AMD). [0218] 5Use of LBPP to help or increase the delivery of a therapeutic agent in the hypo-perfused body zone in order to compensate ocular disorders selected from a group comprising antioxidants, anti-inflammatory agents, trophic factors, apoptosis inhibitors and statins.