Device and method to prevent deep vein thrombosis
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.
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).
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 INVENTIONDeep 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 INVENTIONThe 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
The flow of fluid from one resilient unit 30 to another resilient unit 32 is shown in
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.
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.
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.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 27, 2004
Publication Date: Jan 26, 2006
Inventor: Xiaoguang Liu (New York, NY)
Application Number: 10/950,370
International Classification: A47C 20/00 (20060101);