U.S. patent application number 10/950370 was filed with the patent office on 2006-01-26 for device and method to prevent deep vein thrombosis.
Invention is credited to Xiaoguang Liu.
Application Number | 20060016012 10/950370 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35655567 |
Filed Date | 2006-01-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060016012 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Liu; Xiaoguang |
January 26, 2006 |
Device and method to prevent deep vein thrombosis
Abstract
Deep vein thrombosis is a problem for persons who are
substantially sedentary. This can be caused by an illness or trauma
from an accident or in a sitting position for long period of time
during long distant travel. The objective is to get motion, and an
exertion into the person's legs, and particularly the feet. This is
accomplished by a support that has at least one resilient unit, and
preferably two such units. These units are on a support, which can
be connected to the baseboard of a bed such as being an integral
part of the baseboard or placed on the floor of any vehicles. The
resilient units are connected and contain a fluid, which upon the
application of pressure to one unit will allow fluid to flow from
one resilient unit to another. The fluid preferably is heated and
the pressure to be exerted to flow the fluid from one resilient
unit to another can be regulated. Optimally a pump can be combined
with the resilient units to pressurize the fluid and flow the fluid
from one resilient unit to another to promote the person to move
the fluid through the alternate pressing of the resilient
units.
Inventors: |
Liu; Xiaoguang; (New York,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
XIAOGUANG LIU
1848 YATES AVE.
BRONX
NY
10461
US
|
Family ID: |
35655567 |
Appl. No.: |
10/950370 |
Filed: |
September 27, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60589554 |
Jul 21, 2004 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
5/651 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 23/08 20130101;
A61G 7/05769 20130101; A61H 2209/00 20130101; A63B 21/008
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
005/651 |
International
Class: |
A47C 20/00 20060101
A47C020/00 |
Claims
1. A device to prevent deep vein thrombosis comprising a support,
at least one resilient unit mounted on said support, a fluid in
said resilient unit, and a means in association with and resilient
unit to allow said fluid to flow from said resilient unit upon the
application of a pressure on said resilient unit and return into
said resilient unit upon the release of said pressure.
2. A device as in claim 1 wherein there are at least two resilient
units.
3. A device as in claim 2 wherein the two resilient units are
interconnected whereby said fluid can flow from a first resilient
unit upon which pressure is being applied to a second resilient
unit to which no pressure is being applied.
4. A device as in claim 3 wherein there is a channel connecting the
first resilient unit to the second resilient unit, a valve
mechanism in said channel to assist in controlling the flow of said
fluid.
5. A device as in claim 4 wherein there is a heater to heat the
fluid passing through said channel, at least one temperature sensor
associated with said channel.
6. A device as in claim 2 wherein there is a pump associated with
said at least two resilient units, said pump flowing said fluid
alternately from one resilient unit to another resilient unit.
7. A device as in claim 1 wherein said support is a part of a bed
or the floor of any travel vehicles and is located at the base of
the bed or on the floor of any travel vehicles.
8. A device as in claim 7 wherein there are at least two resilient
units.
9. A device as in claim 8 wherein the two resilient units are
interconnected whereby said fluid can flow from a first resilient
unit upon which pressure is being applied to a second resilient
unit where no pressure is being applied.
10. A device as in claim 9 wherein there is a channel connecting
the first resilient unit to the second resilient unit, a valve
mechanism in said channel to assist in controlling the flow of said
fluid.
11. A device as in claim 10 wherein there is a heater to heat the
fluid passing through said channel, at least one temperature sensor
associated with said channel.
12. A device as in claim 8 wherein there is a pump associated with
said at least two resilient units, said pump flowing said fluid
alternately from one resilient unit to another resilient unit.
13. A device as in claim 1 wherein said fluid is one of a liquid or
a gas.
14. A device as in claim 1 wherein the resilient unit is comprised
of a flexible film which contains the fluid.
15. A method of preventing deep vein thrombosis comprising
providing placing at least one foot of a person to be treated in
contact with at least one resilient unit, and having such person
push said at least one foot against said at least one resilient
unit with at least one foot.
16. A method as in claim 15 wherein there are at least two
resilient units.
17. A method as in claim 16 wherein the two resilient units are
interconnected whereby said fluid can flow from a first resilient
unit upon which pressure is being applied to a second resilient
unit where no pressure is being applied.
18. A method as in claim 17 wherein there is a channel connecting
the first resilient unit to the second resilient unit, a valve
mechanism in said channel to assist in controlling the flow of said
fluid.
19. A method as in claim 18 wherein there is a heater to heat the
fluid passing through said channel, at least one temperature sensor
associated with said channel.
20. A method as in claim 19 wherein there is a pump associated with
said at least two resilient units, said pump flowing said fluid
alternately from one resilient unit to another resilient unit.
21. A method as in claim 15 where in said fluid is one of a liquid
or a gas.
Description
[0001] This invention relates to a device and method to prevent
deep vein thrombosis in substantially sedentary person. More
particularly this invention relates to a device that is combined
with the baseboard of a bed and a method to use this device to
prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
[0002] For normal people this device can be made into portable
devices for long distant travel (such as, airplanes, train, and all
motor vehicles) to prevent DVT.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Deep vein thrombosis can occur when a patient is confined to
a bed for an extended period of time or people in long distant
travel with limited use of the legs. Such a lack of activity, and
particularly in the legs can lead to poor blood circulation in the
legs and the potential for embolisms.
[0004] Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a common medical problem and
particularly in traumatic brain injury, stroke, post operation,
long term bed resting and rehabilitation patients. Current
preventions can be classified to two categories: the first one is
anticoagulant drugs which can reduce the risk of DVT and pulmonary
embolisms, but this benefit is offset by a small and definite risk
of serious hemorrhages. The second is physical methods (such as
compression stockings applied to the legs) are not associated with
any bleeding risk but there is insufficient evidence from
randomized trials to support the routine use of physical methods
for preventing DVT.
[0005] The multiple factors, including stasis, endothelial injury,
and the status of the coagulation system, contribute to development
of DVT. In the lower extremities, the stasis alone is usually the
dominant factor initiating platelet aggregation and white blood
cells to pass through the venous endothelial lining and damage it.
Stasis is counteracted by calf and other muscular contraction. The
inactivity and immobility of the muscular mass promote the pooling
of blood in the calf and contribute to the development of DVT.
[0006] Post surgical patients and those with trauma, stroke and
incapacitating malignancy, have restricted activity and often
immobilized. This degree of immobilization leads to an increased
incidence of thrombosis in the legs.
[0007] The devices described herein stimulate the ankle active
range of motion and passive range of motion. As a result, calf
muscular contraction is triggered, thereby preventing vein stasis,
the primary factor that leads to the development of a clot.
Furthermore, this device differs from current physical methods,
such as pneumatic compression or compression stockings. The action
of this device will improve blood circulation in the low
extremities and promote the healing and recovering process. This is
the result of active stimulation of the muscle mass rather than a
passive stimulation. An active stimulation is more effective to
prevent DVT.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The invention is directed to a method and apparatus to
assist in the prevention of DVT. The apparatus invention comprises
a support with at least one resilient unit mounted on the support
and a fluid in the resilient unit, and the resilient contacted by a
person's foot, which compresses the resilient unit. In a further
embodiment there are two resilient units with the resilient units
being compressed alternatively by a person's feet, the fluid in the
resilient unit flowing from one resilient unit to another upon the
alternate application of pressure. A valve can be in a channel
between the resilient units to regulate the pressure needed to flow
the fluid from one resilient unit to another. Also associated with
the channel can be a heater with sensors to maintain the fluid at a
set temperature. The support for the resilient units can be the
baseboard of the bed or the floor of any travel vehicles. The fluid
can be a liquid or a gas. The choice of fluid and the pressure will
to a degree be determined by the needs of the patient.
[0009] In an additional embodiment a pump can be included in the
channel to assist the flow of fluid from one resilient unit to
another resilient unit. This will be of use for persons early in
their rehabilitation since it will move a person's feet and promote
a person to put foot pressure against the resilient units. As a
pressure is shared against a foot the patient will attempt to
counteract this force. Such an additional embodiment can have a
combined heater unit and can be connected to the baseboard of a bed
or a separate portable unit.
[0010] In a usual treatment the person who is the patient or the
passenger will in the first embodiment push a foot against one of
the resilient units. Fluid will then flow from that resilient unit
to the other resilient unit. Then the patient will push against the
other resilient unit and fluid will flow to the first resilient
unit. The person will continue the procedure for a set period of
time as directed by the rehabilitation therapist.
[0011] In the case of a person in a sitting position such as during
long distant travel, the resilient units are placed on the floor of
any travel vehicle and the leg and foot movements remain the
same.
[0012] In the use of the alternate embedment the patient will place
his/her feet against the resilient units and turn on a pump that in
a set cycle will flow fluid from one resilient unit to another
resilient unit. This will put an alternating pressure against the
person's feet and promote the application of pressure against the
resilient units by the patient.
[0013] The result in the use of any of the embodiments is a
substantial prevention of DVT in patients that have a substantial
lack of mobility, and particularly a lack of mobility in the legs.
This apparatus promotes leg activity and blood flow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 shows a bed the resilient units where the support is
the baseboard of a bed.
[0015] FIG. 2 shows a person in a bed with his/her feet alternately
pressing against the resilient units.
[0016] FIG. 3 shows resilient units with a conduit for fluid
between the resilient units.
[0017] FIG. 4 shows a resilient unit with an elevated
reservoir.
[0018] FIG. 5 shows a range of motion of a person's foot against a
resilient unit when compressing the resilient unit.
[0019] FIG. 6 shows a range of motion of a person's foot at rest
against a resilient unit.
[0020] FIG. 7 shows a resilient unit with an integrated heater and
pump.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] The invention will be described in more detail in the
referred embodiments with reference to the views in the figures.
The invention can be modified but such modifications will be within
the present concept.
[0022] FIG. 1 shows a bed 10 with the resilient units 30 and 32 as
a part of the bed baseboard 14. The bed has a headboard 12,
mattress 24 and side rails 16, 18, 20 and 22. In FIG. 2 there is
shown a patient 50 covered by blanket 52 in the bed 10. The
patient's feet 54 and 56 alternately compress resilient units 30
and 32 respectively. When a resilient unit is compressed it will
flow a fluid in that resilient unit to another resilient unit or to
a reservoir.
[0023] When the device is used by a person in sitting position
(figure not shown) the resilient units 30 and 32 can be place on
the floor of any travel vehicles.
[0024] The flow of fluid from one resilient unit 30 to another
resilient unit 32 is shown in FIG. 3. Here upon foot 56 compressing
resilient unit 32, fluid will flow from resilient unit 32 through
conduit 34 to resilient unit 30. Optionally in conduit 34 there can
be a restricting valve or a pressure valve to adjust the pressure
needed to flow the fluid from resilient unit 32 to resilient unit
30. A restricting valve will narrow channel 34 to reduce the rate
of flow of fluid and cause the patient to exert a greater force on
the resilient units. There also can be spring loaded pressure valve
where a certain amount of energy must be applied to cause the fluid
to flow from one resilient unit to another. Such valves are known
and available.
[0025] FIG. 4 shows a simple resilient unit with an elevated
reservoir 38. This reservoir is attached to resilient unit 36 by
conduit 40. This conduit can contain a valve as discussed above
with regard conduit 34. There can also be a thermostated heater to
maintain the fluid in the resilient unit at a given temperature,
usually body temperature.
[0026] FIGS. 5 and 6 show the range of motion of patient's foot 54
against resilient unit 30. This range of motion can be effective to
prevent DVT. The range of motion can be changed by the use of
different shaped resilient units.
[0027] FIG. 7 shows a resilient unit 46 that is connected to
pump/heater 44 by means of conduit 42. In this embodiment such
resilient unit will be pressurized alternatively along with another
resilient unit as in FIGS. 2 and 3. This embodiment is useful when
the patient does not as yet have sufficient strength to push on the
resilient unit. By the resilient units being alternately
pressurized the patient is prompted to push his/her foot against
the resilient in response to the pressure. As to temperature it is
preferred to maintain the temperature of the fluid at about body
temperature of about 37.degree. C.
[0028] The fluid can be essentially any liquid or gas. Liquid
fluids are preferred. The viscosity of liquids can range from about
1 cp to about 150,000 cps. This will include water through
gels.
[0029] The resilient units will be constructed of a rubber or other
elastomer. The material should be quite resilient with the fluid
and associated valving controlling the pressure that must be
applied to the resilient unit. The thickness of the material should
be sufficient to withstand daily use, but yet not prevent the ready
deflection upon an applied force by a person's foot. Suitable
elastomers include polymers and copolymers of ethylene, propylene,
butane, butadiene, rubbers, foil, and polytetrafluoroethylene such
as Teflon. These also can be in a laminate form. In addition,
various foils can be used.
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