Abstract: A fluid control valve for use with apparatus for medical use. Commercially available valves which operate by electrical, hydraulic or pneumatic means are often expensive and bulky. They may require excessive power to operate them and can be noisy during operation due to moving parts and fluid flow through internal pathways. The valve of the present invention has a valve seal (1) mounted between inlet (A) and outlet ports (B), with the seal including a valve closure member (4) operated by means of a control fluid fed through a control port (C) in the valve body. In operation a pressure differential acting to open and close the valve is set up between the inlet and outlet ports and the control port to operate the valve. This design results in cost savings and performance benefits compared with the prior art.

Abstract: A hose-clamp system for securing a hose to an air connector that engages an inflation port of a garment for use in pump therapy for enhancing venous and arterial blood flow of a human foot. The system includes a fitting having an internal stem and an external stem, the internal stem configured to engage an inside diameter of an end of the hose, a cradle configured to received the internal stem and the end of the hose and having opposing locking protrusions, and a seal positioned from the locking protrusions at substantially the length of the internal stem and configured to engage the external stem.

Abstract: There is provided a calf compression device for reducing the risk of deep vein thrombosis which comprises an inflatable cuff (100, 200) adapted to be wrapped around the whole or part of a calf of a human person and a pump (104, 204) capable of first inflating the cuff (2) and then deflating the cuff over a regular repeating cycle, said repeating cycle comprising rapidly inflating the cuff (100, 200) to a pressure of between 40 and 70 mm mercury above ambient, maintaining the pressure for 10 to 15 seconds, deflating the cuff (100, 200) over a period of 40 to 50 seconds and then repeating the cycle by rapidly inflating the cuff (100, 200) within 10 seconds of commencement of the cycle.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are exemplary embodiments of an impulse therapy garment for use in pump therapy for enhancing venous and arterial blood flow. The garment may be advantageously fitted to a human foot, and may include a rotationally positionable heel-strap, an air inlet connector, separate dorsum straps, or other features. For example, other garments may include a washer having a center hole locatable around the stem and configured to be forcibly retained against the outer surface of the fabric by snap-fit using annular stem protrusions extending from an external surface of the stem. In further embodiments, a garment may include a bladder retention fastener configured to retain an end of the bladder to the fabric to allow substantially differential movement between the fabric and non-retained portions of the bladder during inflation and deflation of the bladder.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are exemplary embodiments of an impulse therapy garment for use in pump therapy for enhancing venous and arterial blood flow. The garment may be advantageously fitted to a human foot, and may include a rotationally positionable heel-strap, an air inlet connector, separate dorsum straps, or other features. For example, other garments may include a washer having a center hole locatable around the stem and configured to be forcibly retained against the outer surface of the fabric by snap-fit using annular stem protrusions extending from an external surface of the stem. In further embodiments, a garment may include a bladder retention fastener configured to retain an end of the bladder to the fabric to allow substantially differential movement between the fabric and non-retained portions of the bladder during inflation and deflation of the bladder.

Abstract: A limited durability fastening for a garment. The garment is provided with fastening members which engage to close the fastening and the fastening members are provided with means for controlling the degradation of the closure strength of the fastening as it is opened and closed and thus the number of permissible closures of the fastening having a pre-determined closure strength. The garment is particularly useful when fitted to a foot where short life is desirable at low cost or to a garment where re-use is to be discouraged for either clinical or commercial reasons.

Abstract: A fluid control valve for use with apparatus for medical use. Commercially available valves which operate by electrical, hydraulic or pneumatic means are often expensive and bulky. They may require excessive power to operate them and can be noisy during operation due to moving parts and fluid flow through internal pathways. The valve of the present invention has a valve seal (1) mounted between inlet (A) and outlet ports (B), with the seal including a valve closure member (4) operated by means of a control fluid fed through a control port (C) in the valve body. In operation a pressure differential acting to open and close the valve is set up between the inlet and outlet ports and the control port to operate the valve. This design results in cost savings and performance benefits compared with the prior art.

Abstract: A method for detecting leakage in a pressurised medical appliance prior to normal operation, the system including an air compressor and an inflatable bag or bladder coupled to the air compressor through the intermediary of a fill valve allowing air to pass to the bladder and a vent valve for venting the system, the fill valve and the vent valve being selectively operable during said normal operation to deliver cyclical pulses of air to inflate and deflate the bladder, the detection method comprising a) opening the fill valve to vent the system to atmospheric pressure, b) closing the vent valve, c) pressurising the system by means of the air compressor to a pre-determined threshold value, d) monitoring the pressure gradient or rise over a period of time to said threshold value and e) comparing the pressure gradient over said period of time or at intervals of time within said period of time with a pre-specified pressure gradient indicative of system integrity whereby to determine the presence or otherwise of ai