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: An apparatus for forming a bag assembly includes opposing die members. Each die member 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. During operation, first the perimeter-welding and tube-welding portions weld the bag assembly simultaneously, then the perimeter-welding portions are moved to increase the distance between them. 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 surgical or chronic wound includes a wound dressing adapted for positioning relative to a wound bed of a subject and a subatmospheric pressure mechanism. The subatmospheric pressure mechanism includes a housing; a vacuum source disposed 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 under influence of the vacuum source; 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 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: 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 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: 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 portable negative pressure wound therapy system includes a dressing assembly for positioning over a wound to apply a negative pressure to the wound and a canister assembly. The canister assembly includes a control unit having a vacuum source and a controller and a collection canister in communication with the dressing assembly operable to receive fluid from the wound. The collection canister has ports to introduce a vacuum from the vacuum source into the collection canister. A tip sensor is provided to detect a change in an orientation of the canister assembly. The canister assembly also includes valve assemblies, each valve assembly corresponds to one of the ports. The controller communicates with each valve assembly to selectively open or close the port corresponding to the valve assembly based on an output from the tip sensor.

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: An apparatus for promoting the healing of a wound includes a pressure-sensitive adhesive disposed around a periphery of the wound, and a membrane layer in positioned over the wound with a lower surface in contact with the pressure-sensitive adhesive to form a substantially fluid-tight seal to define reservoir over the wound in which a negative pressure may be maintained. In fluid communication with the reservoir is a vacuum source suitable for providing an appropriate negative pressure to the reservoir to stimulate healing of the wound. A resilient member is placed over an upper surface of the membrane layer, and a compression member is configured to apply a compressive force to the resilient member. The resilient member distributes the compressive force to the membrane layer to reinforce the fluid tight-seal.

Abstract: A compression treatment system is provided that detects the number of and type of garments connected thereto. The system includes a plurality of ports, valves connected thereto and a number of garments having one or more bladders. The bladders are in fluid communication with a fluid source in a pneumatic circuit, to provide compression therapy once a user confirms the number of and type of garments connected to the system for use by a patient. A single pressure sensor communicates with a plurality of detected bladders located in the one or more garments.

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 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 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: An apparatus for promoting the healing of a wound includes a pressure-sensitive adhesive disposed around a periphery of the wound, and a membrane layer in positioned over the wound with a lower surface in contact with the pressure-sensitive adhesive to form a substantially fluid-tight seal to define reservoir over the wound in which a negative pressure may be maintained. In fluid communication with the reservoir is a vacuum source suitable for providing an appropriate negative pressure to the reservoir to stimulate healing of the wound. A resilient member is placed over an upper surface of the membrane layer, and a compression member is configured to apply a compressive force to the resilient member. The resilient member distributes the compressive force to the membrane layer to reinforce the fluid tight-seal.

Abstract: A wound dressing for use in a vacuum wound therapy treatment includes a backing layer for positioning over a wound to define a reservoir in which a reduced pressure may be maintained over the wound. A portal member affixed to the backing layer provides a connection to a reduced pressure source through an opening in an ambient surface. A primary port extends between the opening and a primary aperture in a reservoir surface to providing fluid communication between the reservoir and the reduced pressure source. At least one supplemental port establishes fluid communication between the primary port and a supplemental aperture in the reservoir surface that is distinct and substantially spaced from the primary aperture.

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: A compression device includes an inflatable member mounted on a mounting layer. The device may include a second layer secured to the mounting layer to form an envelope member in which the inflatable member is disposed. The second layer may be a non-mounting layer, to which the inflatable member is not secured, or another mounting layer, to which the inflatable member is secured. A securement mechanism by which the inflatable member is secured to either the mounting layer or both the mounting layer and the second layer allows the inflatable member to move independently relative to either the second layer or to both the second layer and the mounting layer.

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 in the at least one of said inflatable sections.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a bag assembly includes opposing die members. Each die member 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. During operation, first the perimeter-welding and tube-welding portions weld the bag assembly simultaneously, then the perimeter-welding portions are moved to increase the distance between them. 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.