Abstract: A lower body negative pressure device is provided. The lower body negative pressure device includes an internal frame that surrounds a patient's lower body when the patient is in the lower body negative pressure device. The lower body negative pressure device includes a flexible cover covering the internal frame to receive the patient and provide a sealable environment. The lower body negative pressure device includes a pressure device coupled to the sealable environment to generate and regulate a negative pressure in the sealable environment when the sealable environment is sealed.

Abstract: A hypobaric chamber is adapted to receive the affected body part to be treated through an entry port formed in one wall of the chamber. An aperture is formed at the entry port for creating a loose, non-occlusive seal around the body part of the patient, the aperture comprising an adjustable iris formed from a pliable material attached to the edges of the entry port and having a center opening to which are attached the inner ends of a plurality of iris leaves or slides. The pliable material is stretched between the edges of the entry port and the inner ends of the slides to form a diaphragm-like structure. In the preferred embodiment, the pliable material is latex or some other rubber-like material. The seal is adjustable by moving the slides radially to adjust the portion of the port that is covered by the pliable material. The inner edges of the slides are positioned so that a small gap exists between the skin and the edge of the seal, allowing unrestricted air flow-through.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring pressure buildup in a body compartment that encases muscular tissue. The method includes assessing the body compartment configuration and identifying the effect of pulsatile components on at least one compartment dimension. This process is used in preventing tissue necrosis, and in decisions of whether to perform surgery on the body compartment for prevention of Compartment Syndrome. An apparatus is used for measuring excess pressure in the body compartment having components for imparting ultrasonic waves such as a transducer, placing the transducer to impart the ultrasonic waves, capturing the reflected imparted ultrasonic waves, and converting them to electrical signals, a pulsed phase-locked loop device for assessing a body compartment configuration and producing an output signal, and means for mathematically manipulating the output signal to thereby categorize pressure build-up in the body compartment from the mathematical manipulations.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for measuring pressure buildup in a body compartment that encases muscular tissue. The method includes assessing the body compartment configuration and identifying the effect of pulsatible components on compartment dimensions and muscle tissue characteristics. This process is used in preventing tissue necrosis, and in decisions of whether to perform surgery on the body compartment for prevention of Compartment Syndrome. An apparatus is used for measuring pressure build-up in the body compartment having components for imparting ultrasonic waves such as a transducer, placing the transducer to impart the ultrasonic waves, capturing the imparted ultrasonic waves, mathematically manipulating the captured ultrasonic waves and categorizing pressure build-up in the body compartment from the mathematical manipulations.