Abstract: A method of accessing a hollow anatomical structure (HAS) of a patient includes puncturing the patient's skin with a needle, upon which is disposed a cannula. A tip portion of the needle is inserted into the HAS. A distal portion of the cannula is advanced distally along the needle, until the distal portion of the cannula is in the HAS. The needle is removed from the HAS while the distal portion of the cannula remains in the HAS. A guide wire is inserted into the HAS via the cannula. The cannula is removed from the HAS while at least a portion of the guide wire remains in the HAS.

Abstract: A device for applying compression treatment to a part of a wearer's body has an inner face for being placed adjacent to the part of the wearer's body in use and an outer face opposite the inner face. The device includes a pressure applicator to apply compression to the wearer's body part. First and second fastener elements are mounted on the device. Hook indicia on the outer face of the device generally overlie patches of hook material on the inner face of the device. The hook indicia includes first colored areas and hook-engagement areas include second colored areas. Upon wrapping the device around the wearer's body part and fastening the patches of hook material at the respective hook-engagement areas, each first colored area and corresponding second colored area form a predetermined shape indicating that the device is properly placed on the body part.

Abstract: A compression device has improved cooling capability. The device includes a wicking layer adapted to move moisture. A portion of the wicking layer is exposed from under bladder material defining a bladder. In use, the wicking layer wicks moisture from the patient's limb and the wicked moisture is able to evaporate through the device at the portion of the wicking layer that is exposed.

Abstract: A method of accessing a hollow anatomical structure (HAS) of a patient includes puncturing the patient's skin with a needle, upon which is disposed a cannula. A tip portion of the needle is inserted into the HAS. A distal portion of the cannula is advanced distally along the needle, until the distal portion of the cannula is in the HAS. The needle is removed from the HAS while the distal portion of the cannula remains in the HAS. A guide wire is inserted into the HAS via the cannula. The cannula is removed from the HAS while at least a portion of the guide wire remains in the HAS.

Abstract: A compression device has improved cooling capability. The device includes a wicking layer adapted to move moisture. A portion of the wicking layer is exposed from under bladder material defining a bladder. In use, the wicking layer wicks moisture from the patient's limb and the wicked moisture is able to evaporate through the device at the portion of the wicking layer that is exposed.

Abstract: A device for applying compression treatment to a part of a wearer's body has an inner face for being placed adjacent to the part of the wearer's body in use and an outer face opposite the inner face. The device includes a pressure applicator to apply compression to the wearer's body part. First and second fastener elements are mounted on the device. Hook indicia on the outer face of the device generally overlie patches of hook material on the inner face of the device. The hook indicia includes first colored areas and hook-engagement areas include second colored areas. Upon wrapping the device around the wearer's body part and fastening the patches of hook material at the respective hook-engagement areas, each first colored area and corresponding second colored area form a predetermined shape indicating that the device is properly placed on the body part.

Abstract: A compression device for being wrapped around a body portion of a wearer includes an inner layer and an outer cover. First and second bladder layers are secured together to define an inflatable bladder having an outer perimeter. The inner layer, outer cover and first and second bladder layers are joined together at a plurality of discrete spot welds within the outer perimeter of the inflatable bladder.

Abstract: A compression sleeve for being wrapped around a leg of a wearer includes adjacent flexible sleeve sections. At least one of the sleeve sections has an air bladder therein adapted to inflate for compressing a portion of the leg. A structural component is secured to the sleeve and extends generally between the flexible sleeve sections to maintain a spacing of the adjacent sleeve sections lengthwise of the leg when the sleeve is wrapped around the leg. Bladder layers are joined together to form the air bladder. The bladder is joined together at least at two weld points on opposite sides of the structural component to locate the structural component on the sleeve so as to maintain the spacing of the adjacent sleeve sections.

Abstract: A compression device has improved cooling capability. The device includes a wicking layer adapted to move moisture. A portion of the wicking layer is exposed from under bladder material defining a bladder. In use, the wicking layer wicks moisture from the patient's limb and the wicked moisture is able to evaporate through the device at the portion of the wicking layer that is exposed.

Abstract: A compression sleeve for being wrapped around a leg of a wearer includes adjacent flexible sleeve sections. At least one of the sleeve sections has an air bladder therein adapted to inflate for compressing a portion of the leg. A structural component is secured to the sleeve and extends generally between the flexible sleeve sections to maintain a spacing of the adjacent sleeve sections lengthwise of the leg when the sleeve is wrapped around the leg. Bladder layers are joined together to form the air bladder. The bladder is joined together at least at two weld points on opposite sides of the structural component to locate the structural component on the sleeve so as to maintain the spacing of the adjacent sleeve sections.

Abstract: A method of forming a compression device including providing a wicking layer having a perimeter generally corresponding to a perimeter of the device and a surface area comprising the area bounded by the perimeter of the wicking layer. A bladder segment is provided including opposing bladder layers of air-impermeable bladder material defining an inflatable bladder. The bladder segment has a surface area less than the surface area of the wicking layer. An outer layer is provided having openings therein. A portion of the wicking layer is not overlaid by the bladder segment by virtue of the bladder segment having a smaller surface area than the surface area of the wicking layer. The portion of the wicking layer not overlaid by the bladder segment is overlaid by openings in the outer layer. A compression device is also described.

Abstract: A method of forming a compression sleeve for being wrapped around a leg of a wearer includes securing two layers of flexible material together to at least partially define first and second adjacent flexible sections. The sleeve includes a first inflatable bladder and a second inflatable bladder disposed more proximally than the first inflatable bladder when the sleeve is wrapped around the leg. The method further includes securing a structural component to the sleeve such that the structural component extends generally between the first and second adjacent flexible sections to maintain a spacing between the sleeve sections lengthwise of the leg when the sleeve is wrapped around the leg. The bladder layers are joined together at least at two weld points on opposite sides of the structural component to locate the structural component on the sleeve so as to maintain the spacing of the adjacent sleeve sections.

Abstract: A compression sleeve for being wrapped around a leg of a wearer includes adjacent flexible sleeve sections. At least one of the sleeve sections has an air bladder therein adapted to inflate for compressing a portion of the leg. A structural component is secured to the sleeve and extends generally between the flexible sleeve sections to maintain a spacing of the adjacent sleeve sections lengthwise of the leg when the sleeve is wrapped around the leg. Bladder layers are joined together to form the air bladder. The bladder is joined together at least at two weld points on opposite sides of the structural component to locate the structural component on the sleeve so as to maintain the spacing of the adjacent sleeve sections.

Abstract: A compression sleeve includes a wicking layer secured to bladder material defining an inflatable bladder along a seamline. Fibers of the wicking layer extend through the seamline to allow fluid wicked by the wicking layer from the wearer's skin to evaporate to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A method of forming a compression device including providing a wicking layer having a perimeter generally corresponding to a perimeter of the device and a surface area comprising the area bounded by the perimeter of the wicking layer. A bladder segment is provided including opposing bladder layers of air-impermeable bladder material defining an inflatable bladder. The bladder segment has a surface area less than the surface area of the wicking layer. An outer layer is provided having openings therein. The wicking layer is secured to the bladder segment and to the outer layer so that a portion of the wicking layer is not overlaid by the bladder segment by virtue of the bladder segment having a smaller surface area than the surface area of the wicking layer. The portion of the wicking layer not overlaid by the bladder segment is overlaid by openings in the outer layer. A compression device is also described.

Abstract: A compression device for being wrapped around a body portion of a wearer includes an inner layer and an outer cover. First and second bladder layers are secured together to define an inflatable bladder having an outer perimeter. The inner layer, outer cover and first and second bladder layers are joined together at a plurality of discrete spot welds within the outer perimeter of the inflatable bladder.

Abstract: A device for applying compression treatment to a part of a wearer's body comprises first and second inflatable bladders spaced apart from one another along an axis of the device. A line of weakness in a connecting section between the first and second bladders extends generally transverse to the axis of the device for selectively separating the inflatable bladders from one another. The device includes an overlying layer in generally opposing relationship to one of the first and second bladder layers. The overlying layer is discontinuous generally adjacent to the line of weakness to define terminal edge margins of the overlying layer extending generally along the line of weakness. Each of the terminal edge margins are connected to at least one of the first and second bladder layers on an opposite side of the line of weakness from the other terminal edge margin.

Abstract: A device for applying compression treatment to a part of a wearer's body has an inner face for being placed adjacent to the part of the wearer's body in use and an outer face opposite the inner face. The device includes a pressure applicator to apply compression to the wearer's body part. First and second fastener elements are mounted on the device. Hook indicia on the outer face of the device generally overlie patches of hook material on the inner face of the device. The hook indicia includes first colored areas and hook-engagement areas include second colored areas. Upon wrapping the device around the wearer's body part and fastening the patches of hook material at the respective hook-engagement areas, each first colored area and corresponding second colored area form a predetermined shape indicating that the device is properly placed on the body part.

Abstract: A method of making a compression device having a pressure applicator for applying a compression to a wearer's body part when the device is placed on the wearer's body includes applying a colorant having a first color to at least a portion of a loop material having a second color that is different than the first color. The step of applying colorant includes applying colorant to loops of the loop material so that repeated connection and disconnection of hook material attached to the device with the loop material causes loops having the first color of the colorant thereon to break so that the second color of the loop material is revealed by breakage of loops of the loop material having the colorant applied thereto.

Abstract: A method of forming a compression sleeve for being wrapped around a leg of a wearer includes securing two layers of flexible material together to at least partially define first and second adjacent flexible sections. The sleeve includes a first inflatable bladder and a second inflatable bladder disposed more proximally than the first inflatable bladder when the sleeve is wrapped around the leg. The method further includes securing a structural component to the sleeve such that the structural component extends generally between the first and second adjacent flexible sections to maintain a spacing between the sleeve sections lengthwise of the leg when the sleeve is wrapped around the leg. The bladder layers are joined together at least at two weld points on opposite sides of the structural component to locate the structural component on the sleeve so as to maintain the spacing of the adjacent sleeve sections.