Abstract: A foot cuff that is inflatable to apply compression to the foot to promote blood flow has a bladder formed of two layers of material secured together. An outer layer includes a foot-underlying portion that has a greater thickness and rigidity that an opposing inner layer. The outer layer directs expansion of the bladder upon inflation in the direction of the inner layer and toward the foot for increasing compressive force applied to the foot.

Abstract: A welding apparatus includes first and second die members opposing one another. The first and second die members include opposing respective first and second perimeter-welding electrodes and opposing respective first and second tube-welding electrodes. The first perimeter-welding electrode and first tube-welding electrode define a first welding surface. The second perimeter-welding electrode and second tube-welding electrode define a second welding surface. A single source of high frequency energy is electrically connected to the perimeter-welding electrodes and to the tube-welding electrodes. Dielectric material is selectively disposed on the first welding surface such that the material is disposed on some but not all the first welding surface for reducing a strength of a high frequency electric field between the first and second perimeter-welding electrodes as compared to a strength of the high frequency electric field between at least a portion of the first and second tube-welding electrodes.

Abstract: A method of forming a bag assembly by RF welding includes generating from a single source of RF energy a high frequency electric field having a first strength between tube-welding electrodes of opposing die members and a second strength less than said first strength between perimeter-welding electrodes of the opposing die members. Subjecting a tube assembly and corresponding portions of sheets surrounding the tube assembly to the high frequency electric field of said first strength for a predetermined amount of time to weld the sheets to a tube along a tube-weld. Corresponding portions of the sheets between the perimeter-welding electrodes are subjected to the high frequency electric field of said second strength for said predetermined amount of time to weld the sheets together along a bladder perimeter-weld. The subjecting steps are performed simultaneously so that the bag assembly is formed in one welding operation.

Abstract: A compression device for applying compression to a body part of a wearer has an inflatable bladder defined by first and second bladder layers and a bladder sealing line securing the first and second bladder layers to one another. A conduit is defined by spaced apart, generally opposing conduit sealing lines securing the first and second bladder layers to one another and portions of the first and second bladder layers between the conduit lines. The conduit is fluidly connected to the inflatable bladder for delivering pressurized air to the inflatable bladder. Tubing is not needed for connection to the compression device.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for radiofrequency (RF) welding are disclosed. RF power delivered to a welding platen of the apparatus is capacitively split into first and second RF power components of different magnitudes. The power components are simultaneously delivered to respective first and second die members to conduct an RF welding operation.

Abstract: A system for subatmospheric pressure therapy in connection with healing a wound includes a wound dressing adapted for positioning relative to a wound bed and a subatmospheric pressure mechanism. The subatmospheric pressure mechanism includes a housing; a vacuum source in the housing and associated with a vacuum port; a collection canister defining an internal chamber in fluid communication with the vacuum source through the vacuum port and with the wound dressing for collecting exudates removed from the wound bed; a hydrophobic filter in fluid communication with the vacuum source and the internal chamber of the collection canister; and a screen disposed proximally of the filter. The filter is adapted to prevent exudates from reaching the vacuum source while allowing passage of air to the vacuum source.

Abstract: A system for subatmospheric pressure therapy in connection with healing a wound is provided. The system includes a wound dressing cover dimensioned for positioning relative to a wound bed of a subject to establish a reservoir over the wound bed in which subatmospheric pressure may be maintained, a subatmospheric pressure mechanism including, a housing, a vacuum source disposed in the housing, and a collection canister in fluid communication with the vacuum source. The system further includes an exudate conduit in fluid communication with the wound dressing and the collection canister for collecting exudate removed from the reservoir and deposited in the collection canister under influence of the vacuum source and a vent conduit in fluid communication with the collection canister and the wound dressing for introducing air into the reservoir to facilitate flow of exudate through the exudate conduit.

Abstract: A compression device for applying compression to a body part of a wearer has an inflatable bladder defined by first and second bladder layers and a bladder sealing line securing the first and second bladder layers to one another. A conduit is defined by spaced apart, generally opposing conduit sealing lines securing the first and second bladder layers to one another and portions of the first and second bladder layers between the conduit lines. The conduit is fluidly connected to the inflatable bladder for delivering pressurized air to the inflatable bladder. Tubing is not needed for connection to the compression device.

Abstract: A portable, self-contained compression device is wearable by a person for applying intermittent compression on a limb of the person. The compression device comprises a sleeve having a longitudinal axis and adapted for placement on the limb. The device includes an actuator assembly on the sleeve comprising a flexible shaft operably connected to the sleeve and extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve. The shaft is flexible to allow for conformance of the shaft to the limb when the sleeve is on the limb. The actuator assembly also comprises an actuator for rotating the flexible shaft in a first direction to constrict the sleeve to apply compression on the limb and for rotating the flexible shaft or allowing the flexible shaft to rotate in a second direction to relax constriction of the sleeve to relieve compression on the limb. Springs or elastic sections may be used to impart sequential, gradient compression on the limb.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a bag assembly includes opposing die members. Each opposing die member defines a single die and has a perimeter-welding portion for forming a perimeter-weld of the bag assembly and a tube-welding portion for forming a tube-weld of the bag assembly. During operation, the perimeter-welding and tube-welding portions weld the bag assembly simultaneously, then the perimeter-welding portion of one of the opposing die members is moved relative to the tube welding portion of the die member to increase the distance between the perimeter-welding portions of the opposing die members. When the perimeter-welding portions are moved apart, welding by the perimeter-welding portions is generally suspended while welding by the tube-welding portions may continue.

Abstract: A system for subatmospheric pressure therapy in connection with healing a wound is provided. The system includes a wound dressing cover dimensioned for positioning relative to a wound bed of a subject to establish a reservoir over the wound bed in which subatmospheric pressure may be maintained, a subatmospheric pressure mechanism including, a housing, a vacuum source disposed in the housing, and a collection canister in fluid communication with the vacuum source. The system further includes an exudate conduit in fluid communication with the wound dressing and the collection canister for collecting exudate removed from the reservoir and deposited in the collection canister under influence of the vacuum source and a vent conduit in fluid communication with the collection canister and the wound dressing for introducing air into the reservoir to facilitate flow of exudate through the exudate conduit.

Abstract: Optimizing fit of a compression garment for use with a patient receiving compression therapy. Sensors formed on the garment detect characteristics of the fit of the garment in the vicinity of each sensor. The fit sensors may be capacitive disks imprinted on the garment. A controller computes overall fit of the garment on the patient based on signals from the sensors.

Abstract: A welding apparatus includes first and second die members opposing one another. The first and second die members include opposing respective first and second perimeter-welding electrodes and opposing respective first and second tube-welding electrodes. The first perimeter-welding electrode and first tube-welding electrode define a first welding surface. The second perimeter-welding electrode and second tube-welding electrode define a second welding surface. A single source of high frequency energy is electrically connected to the perimeter-welding electrodes and to the tube-welding electrodes. Dielectric material is selectively disposed on the first welding surface such that the material is disposed on some but not all the first welding surface for reducing a strength of a high frequency electric field between the first and second perimeter-welding electrodes as compared to a strength of the high frequency electric field between at least a portion of the first and second tube-welding electrodes.

Abstract: A method of forming a bag assembly by RF welding includes generating from a single source of RF energy a high frequency electric field having a first strength between tube-welding electrodes of opposing die members and a second strength less than said first strength between perimeter-welding electrodes of the opposing die members. Subjecting a tube assembly and corresponding portions of sheets surrounding the tube assembly to the high frequency electric field of said first strength for a predetermined amount of time to weld the sheets to a tube along a tube-weld. Corresponding portions of the sheets between the perimeter-welding electrodes are subjected to the high frequency electric field of said second strength for said predetermined amount of time to weld the sheets together along a bladder perimeter-weld. The subjecting steps are performed simultaneously so that the bag assembly is formed in one welding operation.

Abstract: A portable controller unit for delivering pressurized air to a compression device does not require the use of tubing to make internal or external connections. The controller unit includes a molded, one-piece manifold base on which an air compressor and a valve mechanism are mounted. The manifold base includes a plenum formed inside the base during molding of the base and a connector component formed during molding of the base for releasably securing the base to the compression device. The plenum fluidly connects the air compressor to the valve mechanism. The plenum extends through the connector component and fluidly connects the connector to the valve mechanism so that when the base is secured to the compression device, air can be delivered from the air compressor through the connector component to the compression device.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for forming a bag assembly by RF welding. A single source of RF energy is used to generate a high frequency electric field having a first strength between tube-welding electrodes of opposing die members and a second strength less than the first strength between perimeter-welding electrodes of the opposing die members. Respective portions of the bag assembly are subjected to this variable-strength field simultaneously so that the bag assembly is formed in one welding operation. Stand-offs are used in some embodiments to limit penetration of the electrodes into the weld areas.

Abstract: Monitoring patient compliance with a compression therapy regimen. Venous Refill Time (VRT) is monitored via a pressure sensor in a bladder of a compression system. A controller of the compression system correlates the monitored VRT to a predetermined threshold to determine whether the patient is using the compression system.

Abstract: A compression sleeve is described as having a first sheet and a second sheet attached to the first sheet. The first and second sheets define at least one inflatable section. At least one conduit including a textured inner surface on each of the first and second sheets is disposed within the inflatable section.

Abstract: A compression sleeve is described as having a first sheet, a second sheet attached to said first sheet and defining at least one inflatable section, and at least one conduit disposed within the boundary of the least one of said inflatable sections.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a bag assembly includes opposing die members. Each opposing die member defines a single die and has a perimeter-welding portion for forming a perimeter-weld of the bag assembly and a tube-welding portion for forming a tube-weld of the bag assembly. During operation, the perimeter-welding and tube-welding portions weld the bag assembly simultaneously, then the perimeter-welding portion of one of the opposing die members is moved relative to the tube welding portion of the die member to increase the distance between the perimeter-welding portions of the opposing die members. When the perimeter-welding portions are moved apart, welding by the perimeter-welding portions is generally suspended while welding by the tube-welding portions may continue.