Compression Device

Abstract

A wearable massage and/or compression device for applying controllable scrolling or intermittent sequential forces, such as compression forces, to the body and limbs of a user comprises an elongated fabric body sized to encircle a limb of a user, one or more shape-memory wires carried by the fabric body and configured to apply a compression pressure to the limb through the fabric body upon changing shape in response to a stimulus, and a micro-processor based controller for selectively actuating the one or more shape-changing elements to reduce the effective diameter of the device encircling the limb, to thereby apply pressure to the limb.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A compression device for applying controllable compression to a portion of the anatomy of a user, comprising:
 a panel formed of a wearable material, the panel sized and configured to be applied to a portion of the anatomy of the user, the panel having opposite ends configured to oppose each other when the panel is applied to the portion of the anatomy;   a plurality of shape memory wires slidably supported by the panel at a plurality of locations between said opposite ends and configured to apply a compressive force to the portion of the anatomy of the user;   a pre-tensioning apparatus connectable between said opposite ends when the panel is applied to the portion of the anatomy, the pre-tensioning apparatus operable to adjustably draw the opposite ends toward each other to thereby apply an adjustable initial tension to the panel and/or the plurality of shape-memory wires; and   a controller configured to selectively actuate one or more of the plurality of shape-memory wires to reduce the effective length of the wires and thus the panel about the portion of the anatomy, to thereby apply pressure to the portion of the anatomy of the user.   
     
     
         2 . The compression device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the device is provided with an electrical power supply; and   the controller is configured to selectively apply a current from the power supply to one or more of the plurality of shape-memory wires.   
     
     
         3 . The compression device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is configured to be worn on a portion of a limb of the user. 
     
     
         4 . The compression device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is configured to be worn on the user's shoulder. 
     
     
         5 . The compression device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is configured as a vest adapted to be worn about the torso of the user. 
     
     
         6 . The compression device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is configured as athletic shorts, belt or wrap apparatus to apply compression to the hip and/or IT band and/or gluteus muscles of the user. 
     
     
         7 . The compression device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is configured as a vest adapted to be worn about the lower back of the user. 
     
     
         8 . The compression device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) unit supported by the panel for contact with the user's skin,   wherein said controller is further configured to selectively actuate the TENS unit.   
     
     
         9 . The compression device of  claim 1 , wherein said panel includes an insole and an upper of a shoe, and the plurality of shape memory wires extend between the insole and the upper and are configured to apply a compressive force foot of the user upon actuation by said controller. 
     
     
         10 . The compression device of  claim 9 , wherein the controller is embedded within the shoe beneath the insole. 
     
     
         11 . The compression device of  claim 9 , wherein the upper includes a plurality of loops and the plurality of shape memory wires are fed through said loops. 
     
     
         12 . A compression device for applying controllable compression to a portion of the anatomy of a user, comprising:
 a panel formed of a wearable material, the panel sized and configured to be applied to a portion of the anatomy of the user, the panel having opposite ends configured to oppose each other when the panel is applied to the portion of the anatomy;   a plurality of shape memory wires supported by the panel between said opposite ends, each of the shape memory wires having a phase transition temperature at which the wire reduces in length to thereby apply a compressive force to the portion of the anatomy of the user; and   a controller configured to selectively actuate one or more of the plurality of shape-memory wires to reduce the effective length of the wires and thus the panel about the portion of the anatomy, to thereby apply pressure to the portion of the anatomy of the user,   wherein the controller is operable to apply pulse width modulation control to the plurality of shape memory wires to maintain the temperature of the wires below a predetermined temperature that is above the phase transition temperature.   
     
     
         13 . The compression device of  claim 12 , wherein the controller is configured to apply a current of 0.2-4 amps at a voltage of 5-30V for a duration of 1.5-3.5 seconds at a pulse width modulation frequency of 2-10 kHz. 
     
     
         14 . A compression device for applying controllable compression to a portion of the anatomy of a user, comprising:
 a panel formed of a wearable material, the panel sized and configured to be applied to a portion of the anatomy of the user, the panel having opposite ends configured to oppose each other when the panel is applied to the portion of the anatomy;   a plurality of shape memory wires supported by the panel between said opposite ends and configured to apply a compressive force to the portion of the anatomy of the user;   each of said wires is slidably disposed within an elastomeric sheath; and   a controller configured to selectively actuate one or more of the plurality of shape-memory wires to reduce the effective length of the wires within said elastomeric sheath and thus the panel about the portion of the anatomy, to thereby apply pressure to the portion of the anatomy of the user.   
     
     
         15 . The compression device of  claim 14 , wherein the sheath is formed of silicone or a polyurethane material. 
     
     
         16 . The compression device of  claim 14 , wherein the sheath incorporates air bubbles, glass beads or diamond dust. 
     
     
         17 . The compression device of  claim 14 , wherein the elastomeric sheath for each of said wires is anchored to the panel. 
     
     
         18 . The compression device of  claim 14 , wherein each of the plurality of shape memory wires is arranged in a sinusoidal pattern on the panel in a pre-stressed condition and are configured to be substantially linear in a stressed condition prior to actuation by the controller. 
     
     
         19 . A compression device for applying controllable compression to a portion of the anatomy of a user, comprising:
 a panel formed of a wearable material, the panel sized and configured to be applied to a portion of the anatomy of the user, the panel having opposite ends configured to oppose each other when the panel is applied to the portion of the anatomy;   a plurality of shape memory wires supported by the panel between said opposite ends and configured to apply a compressive force to the portion of the anatomy of the user; and   a controller configured and operable to selectively apply current to one or more of the plurality of shape-memory wires to reduce the effective length of the wires and thus the panel about the portion of the anatomy, to thereby apply pressure to the portion of the anatomy of the user,   wherein the controller is configured and operable to measure the current flow through each shape memory wire during actuation, the change in current flow through the wire and the slope of the change in current flow, and is further operable to shut off the current to a corresponding wire if the change in slope of the current falls below a threshold.   
     
     
         20 . The compression device of  claim 19 , wherein the threshold is that the slope is less than 0.1 amps per second increase.