Abstract: An enclosure is dimensioned to enclose an affected area of a body part plus a small margin around which a releasable seal is attached to make the enclosure substantially airtight around the body part without contacting the area to be treated. A port in the enclosure is attached to tubing for connection of a pump for forcing air under pressure into the enclosure. In the preferred embodiment, the enclosure is an inflatable plastic bag. The compression provided by the air pressure is applied uniformly to the body part to increase blood flow within the body part without physically contacting the affected area of the body part. In one embodiment, the pump is a combination air and vacuum pump so that pressures within the enclosure may be cycled between high and low pressures.

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.

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 method is presented for determining diastolic intracranial pressure (ICP) in a patient. A first change in the length of a path across the skull of the patient caused by a known change in ICP is measured and used to determine an elasticity constant for the patient. Next, a second change in the length of the path across the patient's skull occurring between systolic and diastolic portions of the patient's heartbeat is measured. The patient's diastolic ICP is a function of the elasticity constant and the second change.

Abstract: A method is presented for determining absolute intracranial pressure (ICP) in a patient. Skull expansion is monitored while changes in ICP are induced. The patient's blood pressure is measured when skull expansion is approximately zero. The measured blood pressure is indicative of a reference ICP value. Subsequently, the method causes a known change in ICP and measures the change in skull expansion associated therewith. The absolute ICP is a function of the reference ICP value, the known change in ICP and its associated change in skull expansion, and a measured change in skull expansion.

Abstract: A method is presented for determining diastolic intracranial pressure (ICP) in a patient. A first change in the length of a path across the skull of the patient caused by a known change in ICP is measured and used to determine an elasticity constant for the patient. Next, a second change in the length of the path across the patient's skull occurring between systolic and diastolic portions of the patient's heartbeat is measured. The patient's diastolic ICP is a function of the elasticity constant and the second change.

Abstract: A method and exercise device using air pressure to apply a high force to the body is provided. The force, although not gravity, resembles gravity in its influence on the musculoskeletal mechanics of locomotion because of the method of application (air pressure), and point of application (centroid of cross-section of waist/hip area), and constant, controllable magnitude (regulated by the level of the pressure difference). The device also has possible wide applications on Earth in the areas of high performance athletic training and rehabilitation of trauma victims, low level paraplegics, orthopaedic hip implant recipients, and as a general exercice aid for elderly.

Abstract: This invention relates to a clinical wick catheter and to a technique for measuring tissue fluid pressure and also collecting tissue fluid by the catheter.A catheter tube has a wick positioned in one end which is drawn into place by a monofilament tether extending through the catheter tube. In use, a sheathed placement needle is first partially inserted beneath the skin and fascia of the subject patient; the needle is partially retracted into the sheath; the assembly is then further inserted into the muscle tissue of interest. The needle is then withdrawn and replaced by the catheter which is inserted, wick first, through the sheath until the wick resides in the tissue region of interest. Thereafter, the interstitial fluids soak into the wick and the pressure transmitted through the catheter via the medium of a saline solution which fills the catheter. The outer end of the catheter is connected to pressure (negative or positive) measuring equipment, such as a manometer.

Abstract: This invention relates to a clinical wick catheter and to a technique for measuring tissue fluid pressure and also collecting tissue fluid by the catheter.A catheter has a wick positioned in one end which is drawn into place by a monofilament tether extending through the catheter tube. In use, a sheathed placement needle is first partially inserted beneath the skin .[.and.]. .Iadd.or .Iaddend.fascia of the subject patient; the needle is partially retracted into the sheath; the assembly is then further inserted into the .[.muscle.]. tissue of interest. The needle is then withdrawn and replaced by the catheter which is inserted, wick first, through the sheath until the wick resides in the tissue region of interest. Thereafter, the interstitial fluids soak into the wick and the pressure transmitted through the catheter via the medium of a .[.saline.]. solution which fills the catheter. The outer end of the catheter is connected to pressure (negative or positive) measuring equipment, such as a manometer.