Abstract:
Circulation of blood to a patient's leg and return of blood from the leg to the heart are enhanced by supplying intermittent external pressure pulses to the leg, timed so that the pressure pulse follows close upon the arrival of the arterial pulse at the upper end of the leg, and reinforces the action of the arterial pulse in forcing blood into the leg. Between the external pressure pulses, the external pressure is relieved or diminished so that the succeeding arterial pulse may enter the leg without undue obstruction resulting from external pressure. The external pressure pulse is applied by forcing compressed gas into an inflatable enclosure surrounding the leg, and air may be introduced between the inflatable enclosure and the leg to prevent overheating of the leg. Means for admitting compressed gas to the enclosure are provided which are normally in the state such that the leg is not compressed, and which operate to compress the leg only when actuated by a signal generated from the patient's heartbeat. Adjustable means, e.g. movable walls, may be provided within the rigid enclosure to provide for each patient the optimum amount of free space into which the inflatable enclosure can expand, in spite of variations in the size of the leg from patient to patient.
Abstract:
A ripple bed has an upper and a lower inflatable layer. The upper layer has separate air passages which are independently inflatable and deflatable to provide the rippling effect. The lower layer is separately inflatable to provide support over any area of the upper layer which is deflated.
Abstract:
A pillow for manual therapeutics has an upper body substantially formed into a saddle-shape, and a plurality of protrusions symmetrically arranged on the surface of said upper body near the central portion thereof, so that the protrusions act as fingers for pressing on the affected parts of human head or body when the head or body is supported by the pillow.
Abstract:
An inflatable pad combined with an air control system for producing periodic inflation and deflation of that pad. The pad is elongated and has at least two separate passages extending from one end portion of the pad to the other, such passages also having interlaced transverse portions extending in directions across the pad. Each passage has a pair of terminal openings, one at each end of the pad, for the flow of air under pressure, such flow being controlled by a valve which not only alternates in directing air to inflate one passage and then the other, but also alternates the direction of inflation so that each passage is inflated alternately from its opposite ends. In one embodiment, the valve operates to positively exhaust one passage while the other is undergoing inflation, the exhaust air being recirculated and utilized by the compressor which serves as the source of pressurized air. Conservation and protection against overinflation may also be achieved by modifying the valve assembly to recirculate excess air, that is, air at a pressure greater than can be effectively or safely utilized by the pad. In all forms, the pad is provided with perforations on one side thereof which form bleed ports for the leakage of pressurized air from the passages, such leakage not only contributing to controlled deflation of the passages but also resulting in cooling air being directed against the limb or body of a person in close proximity to the pad.
Abstract:
A kinestherapy device having a hollow body shaped to engage the back or buttocks and having a motor driven fan and unbalanced means effective to vibrate said device and an area of the human body resting thereagainst. The device can be used in an auto vehicle and powered by a service cord insertable into the socket of the vehicle cigarette lighter. A large diameter fan is effective to distribute a multiplicity of air jets over a wide area of the body while that area is being manipulated and vibrated by the powered vibrator means housed within the hollow body.