Compression device and control system for applying pressure to a limb of a living being

Abstract

A device to compress the limb of a living being includes a user interface, a programmable logic controller, a power source, a source of fluidic pressure, valves with ports in fluidic connection with the source of fluidic pressure, other valves, and first and second inflatable bladders, wherein the programmable logic controller is programmed to cause the repeating sequence of inflating the first inflatable bladder by manipulating the ports of the valves, after a first preset period of time, deflating the first inflatable bladder and allowing the pressure within the first inflatable bladder to inflate partially the second inflatable bladder by manipulating the ports of the valves. The source of fluidic pressure can be a self-contained pump, a connection to fluidic pressure in a health care facility, or a pressurized canister. The power source can be a battery. The device may extend the life of the power source.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A compression device comprising:
 a source of fluidic pressure in fluidic communication with a manifold;   a first bladder including a port in fluidic connection with a first valve, the first valve in fluidic connection with the manifold;   a second bladder including a port in fluidic connection with a second valve, the second valve in fluidic connection with the manifold;   a third bladder including a port in fluidic connection with a third valve, the third valve in fluidic connection with the manifold;   a cuff at least partially housing the first bladder, the second bladder, the third bladder, and the manifold; and   a primary logic controller capable of selectively controlling the opening and closing of the first valve, the second valve, and the third valve.   
     
     
         2 . The compression device of  claim 1 , wherein the source of fluidic pressure is a pump. 
     
     
         3 . The compression device of  claim 1 , wherein the source of fluidic pressure is an in-wall source of compressed air of a health care facility. 
     
     
         4 . The compression device of  claim 1 , wherein the source of fluidic pressure is a pressurized canister. 
     
     
         5 . The compression device of  claim 1 , further comprising a housing at least partially housing the primary logic controller, and wherein the housing comprises an antimicrobial substance. 
     
     
         6 . The compression device of  claim 5 , the antimicrobial substance comprising a silver-ion emitter. 
     
     
         7 . The compression device of  claim 5 , the antimicrobial substance comprising a plastic incorporating a silver-ion emitter. 
     
     
         8 . The compression device of  claim 5 , the antimicrobial substance comprising any one of 3 trimethoxysilylpropyloctadecyldimethyl ammonium chloride, hyaluronan and its derivatives, and triclosan. 
     
     
         9 . The compression device of  claim 1 , the cuff comprising a silver-ion emitter. 
     
     
         10 . The compression device of  claim 1 , the cuff comprising 3 trimethoxysilylpropyloctadecyldimethyl ammonium chloride. 
     
     
         11 . The compression device of  claim 1 , wherein the first valve, the second valve, and the third valve each comprise an addressable controller in electronic communication with the primary logic controller. 
     
     
         12 . A method of compressing a body part comprising the steps of:
 presenting a compression device comprising:
 a source of fluidic pressure in fluidic communication with a manifold; 
 a first bladder including a port in fluidic connection with a first valve, the first valve in fluidic connection with the manifold; 
 a second bladder including a port in fluidic connection with a second valve, the second valve in fluidic connection with the manifold; 
 a third bladder including a port in fluidic connection with a third valve, the third valve in fluidic connection with the manifold; 
 a cuff at least partially housing the first bladder, the second bladder, the third bladder, and the manifold; and 
 a primary logic controller capable of selectively controlling the opening and closing of the first valve, the second valve, and the third valve; 
   and at least partially surrounding a limb of a living being with the compression device.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the step of using the source of fluidic pressure to inflate sequentially the first bladder, the second bladder, and the third bladder. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the step of using the source of fluidic pressure to inflate sequentially the first bladder, the second bladder, and the third bladder causes compression within the limb of the person in an arterial direction. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the step of using the source of fluidic pressure to inflate sequentially the first bladder, the second bladder, and the third bladder causes compression within the limb of the person in a venous direction. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the source of fluidic pressure is a pump. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the source of fluidic pressure is an in-wall source of compressed air of a health care facility. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the source of fluidic pressure is a pressurized canister.