Compression device

Abstract

Apparatus and devices for intermittently and sequentially compressing a body site include a first segment cooperative with a fluid chamber, the fluid chamber adapted for inflation by fluid; and a second segment cooperative with the first segment, the second segment housing a temperature sensitive material, wherein the temperature sensitive material is uniquely compartmentalized in the second segment. Methods for using said apparatus and devices include site specific treatment to achieve a desired temperature of the underlying tissue.

1 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . An apparatus for compressing at a site of a person in need thereof, the apparatus comprising:
 a portable control unit;   a segment having a body with a distal end and a proximal end, when the apparatus is placed on the site of the person, an interior space within the body, an inlet to the body located at the distal end for access into the interior space, and one or more extending regions for securing the body at the site;   an inflatable bladder with a distal end and a proximal end, when the apparatus is placed on the site of the person, one or more compartments and a fluid inlet port at the distal end of the inflatable bladder, the inflatable bladder adapted for intermittent inflation by a fluid from a fluid source under control of the portable control unit and positioned within the interior space of the body;   a leakproof element containing a temperature sensitive material for cooling the site, the leakproof element having a plurality of compartments adjacent to each other to prevent migration of the temperature sensitive material, the leakproof element having coupling elements for detaching and attaching to a portion of the body of the segment; and   wherein the portable control unit has one or more predefined algorithms that, when the control unit executes the one or more predefined algorithms, cause the apparatus to move the fluid from the distal end to the proximal end of the inflatable bladder in a direction towards a heart of the person by adjusting one or more of fluid pressure and period of inflation associated with the inflatable bladder.   
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the inflatable bladder has one compartment. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the inflatable bladder has more than one compartment. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the inflatable bladder has a seam between compartments and comprises a filler material positioned where there is a gap in the seam. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the portable control unit has the one or more predefined algorithms for, when the apparatus is placed on the site, achieving a temperature of less than 60° F. on the site by adjusting one or more of fluid pressure and period of inflation associated with the inflatable bladder. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , further comprising a portable fluid source for inflating the inflatable bladder. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the fluid inlet port of the inflatable bladder exits the inlet of the segment. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the inflatable bladder and the leakproof element are approximately the same overall size with respect to a front view of each. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the inflatable bladder is of a larger size than the leakproof element with respect to a front view of each. 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the inflatable bladder and the leakproof element comprise the same number of compartments. 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein in operation the inflatable bladder inflates from the distal end to a proximal end. 
     
     
         34 . An apparatus configured for placement on a person at a body site, the apparatus comprising:
 a first segment housing a fluid chamber with a distal end and a proximal end, when the apparatus is placed on the body site of the person, the first segment fluidly coupled to a portable control unit, the fluid chamber adapted for intermittent inflation by a fluid from a fluid source and intermittent deflation of the fluid, and the fluid chamber adapted to inflate from the distal end to the proximal end;   a second segment removably coupled to the first segment to receive intermittent compression from the first segment, the second segment housing a temperature sensitive material, wherein the second segment is compartmentalized into a plurality of compartments adjacent to each other to prevent migration of the temperature sensitive material;   wherein the portable control unit has a predefined algorithm that, when the control unit executes the predefined algorithm, cause the apparatus to move the fluid from the distal end to the proximal end of the fluid chamber in a direction towards a heart of the person by adjusting one or both of a fluid pressure and a period of inflation associated with the fluid chamber.   
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein housing for the temperature sensitive material and the fluid chamber are of a similar size in at least two dimensions such that the fluid chamber overlaps substantially all of the temperature sensitive material. 
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein the temperature sensitive material is a hydrogel silica gel, hydroethyl cellulose, cellosize, propylene glycol or a slush powder. 
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 36 , wherein the temperature sensitive material is a hydrogel. 
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein the temperature sensitive material includes an antifreeze material. 
     
     
         39 . The apparatus of  claim 38 , wherein the antifreeze material is propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, glycerol or sodium chloride. 
     
     
         40 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein the temperature sensitive material includes a chemical indicator. 
     
     
         41 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein the fluid pressure is from about 50 mmHg to about 90 mmHg, and the period of inflation is from about 15 seconds to about 60 seconds. 
     
     
         42 . A therapy system for use with a body site of a person, the system comprising:
 a first segment housing a fluid chamber with a distal end and a proximal end when the therapy system is placed on the body site of the person, the first segment fluidly coupled to a portable control unit, the fluid chamber adapted for sequential and intermittent inflation by a fluid from a fluid source and sequential and intermittent deflation of the fluid, and the fluid chamber adapted to inflate from the distal end to the proximal end; and   a second segment removably coupled to the first segment to receive sequential and intermittent compression from the first segment, the second segment housing a temperature sensitive material, wherein the second segment is compartmentalized into a plurality of compartments adjacent to each other to prevent migration of the temperature sensitive material.   
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 42 , wherein the fluid chamber is contained within the first segment. 
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 42 , wherein the fluid chamber overlaps substantially all of the temperature sensitive material to provide compression to substantially all of the temperature sensitive material. 
     
     
         45 . The system of  claim 42 , wherein the portable control unit has one or more predefined algorithms for achieving a temperature on the body site by adjusting one or both of a fluid pressure and a period of inflation associated with the fluid chamber. 
     
     
         46 . The system of  claim 45 , wherein the temperature on the body site is less than 60° F. 
     
     
         47 . An apparatus configured for placement on a person at a body site, the apparatus comprising:
 a bladder with a distal end and a proximal end, when the apparatus is placed on the body site of the person, the bladder fluidly coupled to a portable control unit, the bladder adapted for intermittent inflation by a fluid from a fluid source and intermittent deflation of the fluid, and the bladder adapted to inflate from the distal end to the proximal end;   a leakproof element removably coupled to the bladder to receive intermittent compression from the bladder, the leakproof element housing a temperature sensitive material, wherein the leakproof element is compartmentalized into a plurality of compartments adjacent to each other to prevent migration of the temperature sensitive material;   wherein the portable control unit has a predefined algorithm that, when the control unit executes the predefined algorithm, cause the apparatus to move the fluid from the distal end to the proximal end of the bladder in a direction towards a heart of the person by adjusting one or both of a fluid pressure and a period of inflation associated with the bladder.   
     
     
         48 . A method of introducing a therapy system on a person at a body site comprising:
 providing the therapy system to only the body site, the therapy system comprising:
 a first segment housing a fluid chamber with a distal end and a proximal end when the therapy system is placed on the body site of the person, the first segment fluidly coupled to a portable control unit, the fluid chamber adapted for intermittent inflation by a fluid from a fluid source and intermittent deflation of the fluid, and the fluid chamber adapted for inflation from the distal end to the proximal end; 
 a second segment removably coupled to the first segment to receive intermittent compression from the first segment, the second segment housing a first temperature sensitive material, wherein the second segment is compartmentalized into a plurality of compartments adjacent to each other to prevent migration of the temperature sensitive material; 
   introducing fluid intermittently to inflate the fluid chamber thereby intermittently compressing only the body site; and   moving the fluid from the distal end to the proximal end of the fluid chamber in a direction towards a heart of the person by adjusting one or both of a fluid pressure and a period of inflation associated with the fluid chamber.