John Roy Kane,Scott A. Christensen,Nathan Hamilton,Stephen J. Williams
申请号：
US11830486
公开号：
US08182521B2
申请日:
2007.07.30
申请国别(地区):
US
年份:
2012
代理人:
摘要：
A method and apparatus for the prevention of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), lower extremity edema, and other associated medical conditions by adjusting the temperature of the muscles of a foot or a leg, and/or applying vacuum or negative pressure to increase blood flow. A human extremity such as a leg is exposed to a negative pressure environment and/or a thermally controlled environment within a medical device. In one aspect, the device is portable. A thermal exchange unit and, optionally, a vacuum or negative pressure unit, are provided to increase blood flow and vasodilation. The device can be programmed by a controller in a manner to stimulate the muscles of the extremity to reduce pooling of blood therein.
