Abstract: A medical appliance for intermittent compressive excitation of body tissue in the region of a proximal joint provides relief of pain and/or swelling at or near the joint. Specifically, a sleeve or wrap of the involved joint, wherein the sleeve or wrap has certain directionally oriented features of relative flexibility, retains an inflatable bag near the joint, and a relatively non-stretch circumferential tie surrounds the sleeve and is, at least in part, in register with the retained flexible bag. Apparatus is provided for rapid transient inflation of the bag, followed by relaxation for a predetermined period of time prior to initiation of the next such pulsed inflation. Various forms of sleeve or wrap are described, as are also various forms of inflatable bag.

Abstract: Apparatus for therapeutically or prophylactically treating a diagnosed or potential deep-vein thrombosis involves intermittent application of tourniquet action to the leg at a location preferably close to the ankle, i.e., at the distal-calf region of the leg, in time-coordinated relation to artificially stimulated foot-pump action; the level of tourniquet action is such as to reduce the availability of superficial veins to carry the venous-return flow that is stimulated by foot-pump action, and the level of tourniquet action is also insufficient to materially affect access to deep-veins which are the primary target of therapeutic or prophylactic treatment.In a modification, the sequencing of tourniquet and foot-pump action is changed to enhance the priming of blood in the plantar veins of a foot which must remain elevated above the heart level of a patient confined to bed, whereby circulation can be more effectively stimulated by foot-pump action.

Abstract: Device and method for venous-flow stimulation, through localized periodic application of squeezing forces, essential limited to the phalanx of the digits and thumb, and to the adjacent region of the palm of the hand. To this end, an inflatable mitt is applied to the said phalanx and adjacent regions, with digits and thumb projecting beyond the mitt. The mitt may be wrapped with suitable fabric, such as surgical gauze or muslin, to provide a circumferential tie of the inflatable regions, the tie providing hoop-tension reference for inward application of a squeezing pressure/release cycle; and the squeeze is applied in unison circumferentially around each of the individual digits (and thumb) at the phalanx region. Alternatively, the inflatable mitt may be embedded in an orthopedic cast, without imparing the application of pulsed pressure local to the indicated region in this case the circumferential tie is provided by the case.

Abstract: Venous blood flow in a non-ambulating human leg is involuntarily promoted in a repeating cycle of successively actuated venous pumps, in imitation of the pump-actuating sequence which characterizes normal walking. Specifically, in the preferred embodiment, the proximal calf pump and the distal calf pump are operated, in that sequential order, following a given operation of the foot pump and prior to the next successive operation of the foot pump.

Abstract: Device and method for venous-flow stimulation, through localized periodic application of squeezing forces, essentially limited to the phalanx of the digits and thumb, and to the adjacent region of the palm of the hand. To this end, an inflatable mitt is applied to the said phalanx and adjacent regions, with digits and thumb projecting beyond the mitt. The mitt may be wrapped with suitable fabric, such as surgical gauze or muslin, to provide a circumferential tie of the inflatable regions, the tie providing hoop-tension reference for inward application of a squeezing pressure/release cycle; and the squeeze is applied in unison circumferentially around each of the individual digits (and thumb) at the phalanx region. Altervatively, the inflatable mitt may be embedded in an orthopedic cast, without impairing the application of pulsed pressure local to the indicated region in this case the circumferential tie is provided by the case.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a non-invasive technique and apparatus for artificially stimulating the venous-return flow of blood from the foot by inducing fast-rising pulsed squeezing or necking-down of the vessels of the venous-pump mechanism within the foot. The stimulation results from transient flattening of the plantar arch, in that an induced transient spread of the heel with respect to the ball of the foot stretches, and therefore necks-down involved blood vessels; stimulation also results from such a squeeze of the plantar-arch region as to concurrently squeeze the involved blood vessels. Cyclically inflatable devices, local to the foot-pump region, are disclosed for inducing either or both of the indicated actions; and enhanced arterial throughput is achieved when the stimulating pulse is sustained for a brief period prior to a relaxation dwell between pulses.

Abstract: Venous blood flow in a non-ambulating human leg is involuntarily promoted in a repeating cycle of successively actuated venous pumps, in imitation of the pump-actuating sequence which characterizes normal walking. Specifically, in the preferred embodiment, the proximal calf pump and the distal calf pump are operated, in that sequential order, following a given operation of the foot pump and prior to the next successive operation of the foot pump.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a non-invasive technique and apparatus for artificially stimulating the venous-return flow of blood from the foot by inducing fast-rising pulsed squeezing or necking-down of the vessels of the venous-pump mechanism within the foot. The stimulation results from transient flattening of the plantar arch, in that an induced transient spread of the heel with respect to the ball of the foot stretches, and therefore necks-down involved blood vessels; stimulation also results from such a squeeze of the plantar-arch region as to concurrently squeeze the involved blood vessels. Cyclically inflatable devices, local to the foot-pump region, are disclosed for inducing either or both of the indicated actions; and enhanced arterial throughput is achieved when the stimulating pulse is sustained for a brief period prior to a relaxation dwell between pulses.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a non-invasive technique and apparatus for artificially stimulating the venous-return flow of blood from the foot by inducing sharply pulsed squeezing or necking-down of the vessels of the venous-pump mechanism within the foot. The stimulation results from transient flattening of the plantar arch, in that an induced transient spread of the heel with respect to the ball of the foot stretches, and therefore necksdown involved blood vessels; stimulation also results from such a squeeze of the plantar-arch region as to concurrently squeeze the involved blood vessels. Cyclically inflatable devices, local to the foot-pump region, are disclosed for inducing either or both of the indicated actions.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a non-invasive technique and apparatus for artificially stimulating the venous-return flow of blood from the foot by inducing sharply pulsed squeezing or necking-down of the vessels of the venous-pump mechanism within the foot. The stimulation results from transient flattening of the plantar arch, in that an induced transient spread of the heel with respect to the ball of the foot stretches, and therefore necks-down involved blood vessels; stimulation also results from such a squeeze of the plantar-arch region as to concurrently squeeze the involved blood vessels. Cyclically inflatable devices, local to the foot-pump region, are disclosed for inducing either or both of the indicated actions.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a non-invasive technique and apparatus for artificially stimulating the venous-return flow of blood from the foot by inducing sharply pulsed squeezing or necking-down of the vessels of the venous-pump mechanism within the foot. The stimulation results from transient flattening of the plantar arch, in that an induced transient spread of the heel with respect to the ball of the foot stretches, and therefore necksdown involved blood vessels; stimulation also results from such a squeeze of the plantar-arch region as to concurrently squeeze the involved blood vessels. Cyclically inflatable devices, local to the foot-pump region, are disclosed for inducing either or both of the indicated actions.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a non-invasive technique and apparatus for artificially stimulating the venous-return flow of blood from the foot by inducing sharply pulsed squeezing or necking-down of the vessels of the venous-pump mechanism within the foot. The sitmulation results from transient flattening of the plantar arch, in that an induced transient spread of the heel with respect to the ball of the foot stretches, and therefore necks-down involved blood vessels; stimulation also results from such a squeeze of the plantar-arch region as to concurrently squeeze the involved blood vessels. Cyclically inflatable devices, local to the foot-pump region, are disclosed for inducing either or both of the indicated actions.