Compression apparatus

Abstract

A compression apparatus is a foot cuff having an inner and outer layer with an inflatable member disposed therein. The inflatable member is attached to the inner or outer layer of the foot cuff by a variety of methods that leave it free to move with respect to the unattached layer.

1 . A compression apparatus comprising: 
 a first layer and a second layer defining a space therebetween; and    a single inflatable member disposed in the space, the single inflatable member being freely movable in relation to at least one of the first and second layers when disposed on the body part of a patient for providing DVT prophylaxis therapy to a limb of a patient, wherein an outer surface of the inflatable member is secured to an inner surface of the first or second layer by an adhesive layer selected from the group consisting of: 
 at least one strip of adhesive tape;  
 an adhesive fluid;  
 a gel; and  
 combinations thereof.  
   
   
   
       2 . A compression apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the adhesive layer comprises plural, spaced apart strips of double-sided adhesive tape joining the bladder to the first or second layer.  
   
   
       3 . A compression apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the adhesive fluid is selected from the group consisting of glue, a thermoplastic adhesive, a thermosetting adhesive, a rubber-resin blend, ultraviolet curable adhesives and mixtures thereof.  
   
   
       4 . A compression apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the gel comprises silicone gels, hydrocolloidal gels, cyanoacrylate gels, thixotropic gels and mixtures thereof.  
   
   
       5 . A compression apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the inflatable member has a body portion and a strap portion, the body portion adapted to engage a foot and the strap portion adapted to engage an ankle.  
   
   
       6 . A compression apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the inflatable member has a body portion that is adapted to engage a foot.  
   
   
       7 . A compression apparatus as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising a rigid sole element.  
   
   
       8 . A compression apparatus comprising: 
 a first layer and a second layer defining a space therebetween; and    a single inflatable member disposed in the space, the single inflatable member being freely movable in relation to at least one of the first and second layers when disposed on the body part of a patient for providing DVT prophylaxis therapy to a limb of a patient;    a fastener securing an outer surface of the inflatable member to an inner surface of the first or second layer, the fastener selected from the group consisting of: 
 a button;  
 a snap;  
 a hook and eye fastener;  
 a hook and loop fastener;  
 a staple;  
 a zip fastener;  
 a magnetic fastener;  
 a rivet; and  
 combinations thereof.  
   
   
   
       9 . A compression apparatus as set forth in  claim 8  comprising plural, spaced apart fasteners.  
   
   
       10 . A compression apparatus as set forth in  claim 8  wherein the fastener comprises a first fastener element associated with the inflatable member and a second fastener element associated with the first or second layer.  
   
   
       11 . A compression apparatus as set forth in  claim 10  wherein the fastener comprises a button, the first fastener element comprising one of a catch and a slit and the second fastener element comprising the other of the catch and the slit.  
   
   
       12 . A compression apparatus as set forth in  claim 10  wherein the fastener comprises a snap, the first fastener element comprising a first snap element associated with the inflatable member and the second fastener element comprising a second snap element associated with one of the first and second layers adapted for releasable, snap connection to the first snap element.  
   
   
       13 . A compression apparatus as set forth in  claim 10  wherein the fastener comprises a hook and eye fastener wherein the eye fastener comprises an opening associated with the first or second layer.  
   
   
       14 . A compression apparatus as set forth in  claim 10  wherein the fastener comprises a hook and loop fastener, the first fastener element comprising one of a loop element and hook element and the second fastener element comprising the other of the loop element and hook element.  
   
   
       15 . A compression apparatus as set forth in  claim 10  wherein the fastener comprises a zip fastener, the first fastener element comprising one of a tongue element and groove element and the second fastener element comprising the other of the tongue element and groove element, the groove element adapted to releasably receive the tongue element.  
   
   
       16 . A compression apparatus as set forth in  claim 10  wherein the fastener comprises a magnetic fastener, the first fastener element comprising a first magnetic strip associated with the inflatable member and the second fastener element comprising a second magnetic strip associated with the first or second layer.  
   
   
       17 . A compression apparatus as set forth in  claim 10  wherein the fastener comprises a rivet, the first fastener element comprising a first rivet element associated with the inflatable member and the second fastener element comprising a second rivet element associated with one of the first and second layers.  
   
   
       18 . A compression apparatus as set forth in  claim 8  wherein the inflatable member has a body portion and a strap portion, the body portion adapted to engage a foot and the strap portion adapted to engage an ankle.  
   
   
       19 . A compression apparatus as set forth in  claim 8  wherein the inflatable member has a body portion that is adapted to engage a foot.  
   
   
       20 . A compression apparatus as set forth in  claim 8  further comprising a rigid sole element.  
   
   
       21 . A compression apparatus comprising: 
 a first layer and a second layer defining a space therebetween; and    a single inflatable member disposed in the space, the single inflatable member being freely movable in relation to at least one of the first and second layers when disposed on the body part of a patient for providing DVT prophylaxis therapy to a limb of a patient;    stitching joining an outer surface of the inflatable member to an inner surface of the first or second layer.    
   
   
       22 . A compression apparatus as set forth in  claim 21  wherein the stitching comprises plural, spaced apart stitches joining the inflatable member to the first or second layer.  
   
   
       23 . A compression apparatus as set forth in  claim 22  wherein the plural spaced apart stitches are located away from the periphery of the inflatable member.  
   
   
       24 . A compression apparatus as set forth in  claim 21  wherein the stitching extends along the periphery of the inflatable member.  
   
   
       25 . A compression apparatus as set forth in  claim 24  wherein the stitching extends continuously around the periphery of the inflatable member.  
   
   
       26 . A compression apparatus as set forth in  claim 21  wherein the inflatable member has a body portion and a strap portion, the body portion adapted to engage a foot and the strap portion adapted to engage an ankle.  
   
   
       27 . A compression apparatus as set forth in  claim 21  wherein the inflatable member has a body portion that is adapted to engage a foot.  
   
   
       28 . A compression apparatus as set forth in  claim 21  further comprising a rigid sole element.  
   
   
       29 . A compression apparatus comprising: 
 a first layer and a second layer defining a space therebetween; and    a single inflatable member disposed in the space, the single inflatable member being freely movable in relation to at least one of the first and second layers when disposed on the body part of a patient for providing DVT prophylaxis therapy to a limb of a patient, wherein an outer surface of the inflatable member is secured to an inner surface of the first or second layer by fusion of the outer surface of the inflatable member with the inner surface of the first or second layer.    
   
   
       30 . A compression apparatus as set forth in  claim 29  wherein the fusion is formed by plural, spaced apart spot welds.  
   
   
       31 . A compression apparatus as set forth in  claim 29  wherein the fusion is formed by heat lamination of the outer surface of the inflatable member to the inner surface of the first or second layer.  
   
   
       32 . A compression apparatus as set forth in  claim 29  wherein the fusion is formed by RF welding.  
   
   
       33 . A compression apparatus as set forth in  claim 29  wherein the fusion is formed by solvent bonding.  
   
   
       34 . A compression apparatus as set forth in  claim 29  wherein the inflatable member has a body portion and a strap portion, the body portion adapted to engage a foot and the strap portion adapted to engage an ankle.  
   
   
       35 . A compression apparatus as set forth in  claim 29  wherein the inflatable member has a body portion that is adapted to engage a foot.  
   
   
       36 . A compression apparatus as set forth in  claim 29  further comprising a rigid sole element.  
   
   
       37 . A compression apparatus comprising: 
 a first layer and a second layer defining a space therebetween; and    a single inflatable member disposed in the space, the single inflatable member being freely movable in relation to at least one of the first and second layers when disposed on the body part of a patient for providing DVT prophylaxis therapy to a limb of a patient;    a crimped element between the inflatable member and the first or second layer having folds capturing portions of the inflatable member and first or second layer for securing an outer surface of the inflatable member to an inner surface of the first or second layer.    
   
   
       38 . A compression apparatus as set forth in  claim 37  wherein the crimped element comprises a frame of plastic material extending generally along the periphery of the inflatable member.  
   
   
       39 . A compression apparatus as set forth in  claim 38  wherein the crimped element extends continuously around the periphery of the inflatable member.  
   
   
       40 . A compression apparatus as set forth in  claim 37  wherein the inflatable member has a body portion and a strap portion, the body portion adapted to engage a foot and the strap portion adapted to engage an ankle.  
   
   
       41 . A compression apparatus as set forth in  claim 37  wherein the inflatable member has a body portion that is adapted to engage a foot.  
   
   
       42 . A compression apparatus as set forth in  claim 37  further comprising a rigid sole element.  
   
   
       43 . A compression apparatus comprising: 
 a first layer and a second layer defining a space therebetween; and    a single inflatable member disposed in the space, the single inflatable member being freely movable in relation to at least one of the first and second layers and free of overlap when disposed on the body part of a patient for providing DVT prophylaxis therapy to a limb of a patient, wherein a material of an outer surface of the inflatable member and a material of an inner surface of the first or second layer are selected to produce an electrostatic connection of the outer surface of the inflatable member with the inner surface of the first or second layer.    
   
   
       44 . A compression apparatus as set forth in  claim 43  wherein the inflatable member has a body portion and a strap portion, the body portion adapted to engage a foot and the strap portion adapted to engage an ankle.  
   
   
       45 . A compression apparatus as set forth in  claim 43  wherein the inflatable member has a body portion that is adapted to engage a foot.  
   
   
       46 . A compression apparatus as set forth in  claim 43  further comprising a rigid sole element.  
   
   
       47 . A compression apparatus comprising: 
 a first layer and a second layer defining a space therebetween; and    a single inflatable member disposed in the space, the single inflatable member being freely movable in relation to at least one of the first and second layers and free of overlap when disposed on the body part of a patient for providing DVT prophylaxis therapy to a limb of a patient;    straps attached to the inner surface of the first or second layer, the straps receiving portions of the inflatable member for securing an outer surface of the inflatable member to an inner surface of the first or second layer.    
   
   
       48 . A compression apparatus as set forth in  claim 47  wherein the inflatable member has a body portion and a strap portion, the body portion adapted to engage a foot and the strap portion adapted to engage an ankle.  
   
   
       49 . A compression apparatus as set forth in  claim 47  wherein the inflatable member has a body portion that is adapted to engage a foot.  
   
   
       50 . A compression apparatus as set forth in  claim 47  further comprising a rigid sole element.