Abstract: A patient monitoring device includes a microprocessor controller having a clock circuit and memory coupled to one or more sensors physically carried by a medical appliance such that as the medical appliance is properly fitted to and worn by the patient, the sensors provide an electrical signal confirming that which may be then timed to provide data which confirms a patient's compliance with a recommended protocol. By combining and correlating the sensor data with the clock or timer provided as part of the controller, a time chart of data may be created indicating when and for how long the patient actually wears the device. Additionally, other sensors may be used to collect data relating to various operational parameters of the device including the amount of negative pressure presented under a vacuum dome or other parameters related to the operation of the medical appliance itself, as desired.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for collecting and processing information relating to a patient's compliance with a recommended treatment protocol is provided. A portable medical device is adapted to be worn by a patient. The medical device has a control for automatically collecting and processing information relating to the patient's compliance with a recommended treatment protocol. A separate communications cradle is provided that is configured to connect to the control of the medical device. The cradle has a communications link to transmit the patient compliance information to a host.

Abstract: A soft tissue expander comprises a frame comprised of inflatable members having in several embodiments a peripheral restrictor to force the frame to expand in only two dimensions. Various embodiments include frames arranged to be comprised of different polygonal shapes, frame members having internal mechanical restrictors, frames comprised of fusiform or cellular construction, and frames contained within two membranes that may also be filled with fluid.

Abstract: A soft tissue expander comprises a frame comprised of inflatable members having in several embodiments a peripheral restrictor to force the frame to expand in only two dimensions. Various embodiments include frames arranged to be comprised of different polygonal shapes, frame members having internal mechanical restrictors, frames comprised of fusiform or cellular construction, and frames contained within two membranes that may also be filled with fluid.

Abstract: A patient monitoring device includes a microprocessor controller having a clock circuit and memory coupled to one or more sensors physically carried by a medical appliance such that as the medical appliance is properly fitted to and worn by the patient, the sensors provide an electrical signal confirming that which may be then timed to provide data which confirms a patient's compliance with a recommended protocol. By combining and correlating the sensor data with the clock or timer provided as part of the controller, a time chart of data may be created indicating when and for how long the patient actually wears the device. Additionally, other sensors may be used to collect data relating to various operational parameters of the device including the amount of negative pressure presented under a vacuum dome or other parameters related to the operation of the medical appliance itself, as desired.

Abstract: A dome for applying a vacuum to a patient's skin surface is comprised of a generally rigid dome capable of withstanding a pressure differential, with a rim cushion underlying the rim of the dome for supporting a rim from the patient's skin surface. The rim may be generally wider than the dome in order to distribute the attendant forces across a greater surface and avoid tissue damage. A sticky sole underlies the rim cushion and seals the rim cushion to the patient's skin to thereby preserve the vacuum within the dome. The sticky sole may be comprised of any adhesive material or even be achieved through the use of an appropriate material for the rim cushion itself.

Abstract: A soft tissue expander comprises a dome having a layer of memory material which transitions from a first, shallower, malleable configuration to a second, deeper configuration in response to its being heated to its transition temperature which is set at human body surface temperature. The second, deeper configuration is first “set” in the memory of the memory material so that the dome returns to it upon being heated by the body temperature of the patient. The memory material may be any one of the shape memory alloys, or plastic materials. The interior of the dome is adhered to the skin of the soft tissue to be expanded, such as through sticky layer of gel or surface tension provided by a thin layer of fluid. In one embodiment, a bra has a pair of domes for covering a patient's breasts and which applies a tensile force thereon to thereby increase their size.

Abstract: A soft tissue expander comprises a frame comprised of inflatable members having in several embodiments a peripheral restrictor to force the frame to expand in only two dimensions. Various embodiments include frames arranged to be comprised of different polygonal shapes, frame members having internal mechanical restrictors, frames comprised of fusiform or cellular construction, and frames contained within two membranes that may also be filled with fluid.

Abstract: A dome for applying a vacuum to a patient's skin surface is comprised of a generally rigid dome capable of withstanding a pressure differential, with a rim cushion underlying the rim of the dome for supporting a rim from the patient's skin surface. The rim may be generally wider than the dome in order to distribute the attendant forces across a greater surface and avoid tissue damage. A sticky sole underlies the rim cushion and seals the rim cushion to the patient's skin to thereby preserve the vacuum within the dome. The sticky sole may be comprised of any adhesive material or even be achieved through the use of an appropriate material for the rim cushion itself.