The current disclosure relates to devices that apply compression to a body part, and methods of using the same.
The human body requires sufficient circulation of blood in order to maintain proper health. Improved circulation can lead to a number of health benefits, including improved organ function and removal of waste created by various organs, improved immune system functionality, increased energy, and quicker recovery after strenuous activity or after injury. Poor blood circulation, particularly in joints such as ankles and wrists, as well as nearby limbs and extremities, can lead to pain, discomfort, and reduced mobility, and in some cases can result in memory glitches, alopecia, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), or various other afflictions. Factors that can further contribute to poor circulation and the associated afflictions described above include, for example, prolonged bed rest, injury or surgery, pregnancy, obesity, age, and sitting for long periods of time, such as when driving or flying.
Compression socks (also known as compression stockings) are commonly worn in order to boost circulation in the legs, support veins, prevent blood from pooling in leg veins, prevent venous ulcers, prevent the development of DVT in the legs, or to reduce or prevent swelling in the lower legs, ankles, or feet. Compression socks come in a variety of pressure gradient levels. Mild to medium level compression socks typically provide pressure in a range of about 10-20 mmHg, firm socks provide 20-30 mmHg of pressure, extra firm socks provide 30-40 mmHg of pressure, and medical grade compression socks can provide 40-50 mmHg of pressure. While compression socks can be effective at preventing or treating many of the afflictions described above, they can be uncomfortable and can be difficult to put on and remove, particularly in the case of compression socks that provide higher levels of pressure.
Described herein are compression devices that can be worn over one or more body parts and apply variable levels of pressure to the body part, and methods of operation thereof. The devices each include a fabric member that can fit conformally over the body part and one or more actuators that control the level of pressure/compression at one or more positions in the body part beneath the compression device. The compression devices can apply constant or time varying pressure patterns to the body part in order to improve circulation, which can in some cases lead to reduced swelling and inflammation.
Accordingly, in a first aspect, a compression device configured to apply pressure to a body part can include a fabric member comprising an inner surface and an outer surface opposite the inner surface, and one or more actuators coupled to the fabric member. The fabric member may be configured to fit conformally over the body part and to be stretched while the compression device is over the body part. The one or more actuators can be configured to adjust the pressure applied to the body part.
In a second aspect, a compression device configured to apply pressure to a body part can include a fabric member configured to fit over the body part, and one or more actuators coupled to the fabric member. Each of the one or more actuators can be configured to cause at least a portion of the fabric member to expand or contract along a circumferential direction, thereby decreasing or increasing the pressure applied to the body part adjacent to the actuator.
In a third aspect, a method of operating a compression device that is configured to apply pressure to a body part is described. The compression device can include a fabric member configured to fit conformally over the body part and one or more actuators coupled to the fabric member, wherein the one or more actuators are configured to adjust the pressure applied to the body part. The method can include placing the compression device over the body part, thereby causing the fabric member to be stretched, and changing the state of at least one of the one or more actuators to a more contracted state, thereby increasing the pressure applied by the compression device to the body part.
In a fourth aspect, a method of operating a compression device that is configured to apply pressure to a body part is described. The compression device can include a fabric member configured to fit over the body part, and one or more actuators coupled to the fabric member. Each of the one or more actuators can be configured to cause at least a portion of the fabric member to expand or contract along a circumferential direction, thereby decreasing or increasing the pressure applied to the body part. The method can include causing at least one of the one or more actuators to be in an extended state prior to placing the compression device over the body part, thereby causing a portion of the fabric member adjacent to the at least one or more actuators to be expanded along the circumferential direction. The method can further include placing the compression device over the body part, and then changing the state of the at least one of the one or more actuators to a more contracted state, thereby increasing the pressure applied by the compression device to the body part.
In a fifth aspect, a method of operating a compression device that is configured to apply pressure to a body part is described. The compression device can include a fabric member configured to fit over the body part, and a plurality of actuators coupled to the fabric member, wherein each of the actuators is configured to cause at least a portion of the fabric member to expand or contract along a circumferential direction, thereby decreasing or increasing the pressure applied to the body part adjacent to the actuator. The method can include placing the compression device over the body part, and causing at least two of the actuators to apply asynchronous time varying pressure patterns to the body part. The causing of the at least two of the actuators to apply asynchronous time varying pressure patterns to the body part can be carried out by an electronic controller that is electrically coupled to the actuators.
Any of the methods described herein can include one or more of the following steps or features, either alone or in combination with one another. The method can further include adjusting the state of at least one of the one or more actuators to vary the level of pressure provided to the body part. The method can further include changing the state of the at least one of the one or more actuators to a less contracted state, and removing the compression device from the body part. The method can further include collecting, by the electronic controller, pressure, temperature, blood flow rate, or skin resistance data output by one or more sensors of the compression device. The method can further include varying, by the electronic controller, the pressure patterns applied by the actuators in response to the sensor data collected by the electronic controller during operation of the compression device.
Any of the devices and methods described herein can each include one or more of the following features, either alone or in combination with one another. The compression device can be configured such that the fabric member is stretched to an area that is at least 1.03 times (e.g., at least 1.05 times, at least 1.1 times, at least 1.15 times, at least 1.2 times, at least 1.25 times, at least 1.3 times, at least 1.35 times, at least 1.4 times, at least 1.45 times, or at least 1.5 times) its equilibrium (unstretched) area while the compression device is over the body part. The fabric member can be configured to fit conformally over the body part. The fabric member can include a first fabric portion and a second fabric portion. The first fabric portion can have a different elasticity from the second fabric portion. The first fabric portion can have a greater elasticity than the second fabric portion. The compression device can be configured such that the first fabric portion is stretched to an area that is at least 1.1 times its equilibrium area and the second fabric portion is stretched to an area that is less than 1.1 times its equilibrium area while the compression device is over the body part. The fabric member can be continuous along the circumferential direction.
At least one of the one or more actuators can be coupled (e.g., coupled directly) to the first fabric portion but not to the second fabric portion. At least one of the one or more actuators can be coupled (e.g., coupled directly) to the second fabric portion but not to the first fabric portion. At least one of the one or more actuators can be connected to an interface between the first and second fabric portions. Any of the actuators herein can include or be formed of a linear actuator, a rotary device (e.g., a motor), a pneumatic actuator, a hydraulic actuator, or a fluidic based actuator. Any of the actuators herein can further include one or more strings or wires (e.g., flexible wires). Any of the compression devices herein can be configured such that at least a portion of the fabric member is expanded in a circumferential direction while the one or more actuators are in an extended state. While the one or more actuators are in the extended state, the area of the fabric member can be at least 1.02 times the fabric member's equilibrium (unstretched) area.
The device can further include a controller coupled to each of the one or more actuators. The controller can be an electronic controller that is electrically coupled to each of the one or more actuators. The controller can be directly coupled to, or can be on, over, or embedded within the fabric member. The controller can be configured to cause the one or more actuators to vary the pressure applied to the body part while the compression device is worn by a user. The one or more actuators can include at least two actuators, and the controller can cause each of the at least two actuators to apply time varying pressure patterns. The time varying pressure patterns applied by each of the at least two actuators can be asynchronous. The device can further include one or more sensors that measure pressure, temperature, or skin resistance. Pressure, temperature, or skin resistance data output by the one or more sensors can be collected or stored by the electronic controller. The electronic controller can be configured to vary the pressure patterns applied by the actuators in response to the sensor data collected or stored by the electronic controller during operation of the compression device. The device can further include a battery. The battery can be directly coupled to, or can be on, over, or embedded within the fabric member. The battery can be removable from the fabric member. The battery can be configured to be recharged via the electronic controller. The causing of the at least two of the actuators to apply asynchronous time varying pressure patterns to the body part can be carried out by an electronic controller that is electrically coupled to the actuators. The method can further include collecting or storing, by the electronic controller, pressure, temperature, or skin resistance data output by one or more sensors of the compression device. The method can further include varying, by the electronic controller, the pressure patterns applied by the actuators in response to the sensor data collected or stored by the electronic controller during operation of the compression device.
The pressure provided by the compression device can vary over the length of the compression device. For example, the pressure provided by the compression device can vary monotonically from a first end of the compression device to a second end of the compression device. Each of the one or more actuators can be configured to cause at least a portion of the fabric member to expand or contract along a circumferential direction, thereby decreasing or increasing the pressure applied to the body part adjacent to the actuator. A first end of the fabric member can include an opening through which the body part is inserted, and a second end of the fabric member which is opposite the first end can be closed. At least 95% of an inner surface of the fabric member can directly contact the body part while the compression device is worn over the body part. A separation between the outer surface and the inner surface of the fabric member can be less than 3.5 centimeters (cm), e.g., less than 3 cm, less than 2.5 cm, less than 2 cm, less than 1.5 cm, less than 1 cm, less than 8 millimeters (mm), less than 6 mm, or less than 5 mm while the compression device is over the body part with the inner surface contacting the body part.
Like numbers in the drawings represent like elements.
Described herein are compression devices that can be worn over one or more body parts and apply variable levels of pressure to the body part, and methods of operation thereof. The devices each include a fabric member that can fit conformally over the body part and one or more actuators that control the level of pressure/compression at one or more positions in the body part beneath the compression device. In some cases, the level of pressure/compression applied to the body part at various positions beneath the device is actively controlled and/or varied while the device is worn. By applying specific time varying pressure patterns, circulation in the body part can be improved, and in some cases swelling and inflammation can be reduced.
An exemplary compression device 100 is illustrated in
The fabric member 102/202 can be configured to fit conformally over the body part that is covered by the compression device. That is, the fabric member can be sufficiently elastic to allow it to stretch and take the form of the surface of the body part that is covered while applying pressure/compression to the body part. For any of the compression devices described herein, at least 95% (e.g., at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99%) of the inner surface of the fabric member can contact (e.g., directly contact) the body part while the compression device is worn and applies pressure/compression to the body part.
The fabric member 102/202 can be made thin, and can, e.g., be of similar thickness to a conventional sock, thereby allowing the compression device 100/200 to be worn underneath clothing and otherwise have a low profile. For example, the thickness of the fabric member (e.g., the separation between the outer surface and inner surface of the fabric member) can everywhere be less than 3.5 centimeters (cm), less than 3 cm, less than 2.5 cm, less than 2 cm, less than 1.6 cm, less than 1.2 cm, 1 cm, less than 8 millimeters (mm), less than 6 mm, less than 4 mm, less than 2 mm, or less than 1 mm.
As seen in
As further seen in
The actuators 112 can each, for example, include or be formed as a linear actuator, a rotary device, or a motor (e.g., a linear or rotary motor).
Apart from the actuators shown in
Referring back to
The fabric member 102/202 of compression device 100/200 can be configured to apply some pressure to the body part over which the compression device 100/200 is placed prior to any of the actuators 112 being engaged, and one or more of the actuators 112 can then be engaged in order to increase the pressure applied by the compression device 100/200. For example, when compression device 100/200 is placed over the body part with the actuators in an extended state, the device 100/200 can fit conformally over the body part with the fabric member 102/202 stretched to have an area that is at least 1.03 times (e.g., at least 1.05 times, at least 1.1 times, at least 1.15 times, at least 1.2 times, at least 1.25 times, at least 1.3 times, at least 1.35 times, at least 1.4 times, at least 1.45 times, or at least 1.5 times) its equilibrium (unstretched) area. Once the device 100/200 is over the body part, one or more of the actuators 112 can be engaged in order to increase the pressure applied to the body part. This can allow the compression device 100/200 to be easily put on and taken off while still applying a substantial amount of pressure while the device is in use, and can also allow the pressure applied by the device to be readily adjusted to a comfortable level by the user.
The stretching of the fabric member 102/202 that occurs while the compression device 100/200 is initially placed over the body part can primarily occur in the first fabric portion 104/204. That is, when the device is initially placed over the body part, the percent stretch of the first fabric portion 104/204 can be greater than the percent stretch of the second fabric portion 106/206. For example, the first fabric portion 104/204 can be stretched to an area that is at least 1.05 times its equilibrium (unstretched) area while the second fabric portion 106/206 is not substantially stretched or is stretched to an area that is less than 1.05 times its equilibrium (unstretched) area. Or, the first fabric portion 104/204 can be stretched to an area that is at least 1.1 times its equilibrium (unstretched) area while the second fabric portion 106/206 is not substantially stretched or is stretched to an area that is less than 1.1 times its equilibrium (unstretched) area. Or, the first fabric portion 104/204 can be stretched to an area that is at least 1.2 times its equilibrium (unstretched) area while the second fabric portion 106/206 is not substantially stretched or is stretched to an area that is less than 1.2 times its equilibrium (unstretched) area. Or, the first fabric portion 104/204 can be stretched to an area that is at least 1.3 times its equilibrium (unstretched) area while the second fabric portion 106/206 is not substantially stretched or is stretched to an area that is less than 1.3 times its equilibrium (unstretched) area.
In view of the above,
The fabric member 202 of the compression device 200 may optionally include a slit or opening with an attachment mechanism that allows the device to be attached over the body part without sliding the device over the body part. For example,
The configuration shown in
In implementations where the compression device 100/200 only includes a single actuator, the actuator design or the material design used for the fabric member 202 can be configured such that the increased pressure provided by the actuator is provided over a substantial percentage of the area of the fabric member 202 (e.g., over at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, or at least 90% of the area of the fabric member 102/202). In some implementations where the compression device 100/200 includes multiple actuators, the actuators can be coupled to one another such that they all provide the same state of compression or expansion at the same time, which can allow a single control signal to simultaneously control all of the actuators. For each of these implementations, the compression device 100/200 can be operated as a passive pressure variable device, thereby allowing ease of use in putting on the device and positioning the device over the body part and then allowing the user to increase or adjust the level of pressure applied by the device to the body part via the actuator(s).
In view of the above,
The actuator(s) can be configured to provide varying pressure over the length of the compression device. That is, any of the compression devices described herein can be configured such that after the device is placed over the body part and the actuator(s) are actuated to provide pressure to the body part, different levels of pressure are provided to different portions of the body part, even if the pressure is not further varied over time. For example, the compression device can be configured to provide a gradient pressure over the length of the device. In some implementations where the compression device is worn over the lower leg (e.g., device 100 or 200 of
When the compression device is configured to be worn over other body parts (e.g., an arm), the compression device can provide a static pressure that varies over the length of the device. The pressure can, for example, vary (i.e., increase or decrease) monotonically from one end (e.g., the first end) of the device to the other end (e.g., the second end) of the device. Static pressure with pressure levels that vary over the length of the device can allow for optimal comfort and support while the device is worn, as well as improving blood flow in the body part over which the device is worn.
While each of the actuators 112 of compression device 100/200 can be controlled individually, either manually (e.g., mechanically) or electronically, the compression device 100/200 can optionally be configured to automatically apply varying compression levels at or near the various actuators. For example, the compression device 100/200 can include a controller 124 that is coupled to and controls some or all of the actuators 112. The controller 124 can, for example, be an electronic controller that is electrically coupled to one or more of the actuators 112. The controller 124 can, for example, be a microcontroller that is connected to the actuators 112 via electrical connectors 132, thereby directing power and/or control signals to the actuators 112. The controller can be directly coupled to the fabric member 102/202, or can be embedded within or placed on or over the fabric member 102/202. The controller 124 and actuators 112 can be powered by a battery 122. The battery can also be directly coupled to the fabric member 102/202, or can be embedded within or placed on or over the fabric member 102/202. As such, in addition to being thin and having a low profile, the compression device 100/200 can be highly versatile and portable, as all elements of the device can be directly on or adjacent to or embedded within the fabric member 102/202. Additionally, the battery can be removable and/or rechargeable. For example, the controller 124 can include a charging port through which the battery 122 can be charged.
As described above, the controller 124 can be configured to cause the one or more actuators 112 to vary the pressure applied to the body part while the compression device 100/200 is worn by a user. For example, the controller 124 can be configured to cause all of the actuators to simultaneously and synchronously increase and then decrease pressure on the body part repeatedly, thereby creating a pulsating pressure sensation over the entire body part. This can allow for higher pressure to be applied for short periods of time than could be tolerated by a device that applies a constant pressure. For example, a pressure of at least 60 mmHg, at least 70 mmHg, at least 80 mmHg, at least 90 mmHg, or at least 100 mmHg may be applied for relatively short periods of time (e.g., less than 20 minutes, less than 18 minutes, less than 16 minutes, less than 14 minutes, less than 12 minutes, less than 10 minutes, less than 8 minutes, less than 7 minutes, less than 6 minutes, less than 5 minutes, less than 4 minutes, less than 3 minutes, less than 2 minutes, or less than 1 minute), followed by lower pressure (e.g., less than 50 mmHg, less than 40 mmHg, less than 30 mmHg, less than 20 mmHg, or less than 10 mmHg) applied for some amount of time (e.g., at least 1 minute, at least 2 minutes, at least 5 minutes, at least 10 minutes, at least 15 minutes, at least 20 minutes, or in a range of 1 to 20 minutes), with the process repeating itself as many times as desired.
The controller 124 can also or alternatively be configured to cause at least two of the actuators to apply asynchronous time varying pressure patterns. For example, when the compression device 100/200 is configured to fit over the lower leg, the controller 124 can be programmed to create a pressure wave that moves up and/or down the leg. That is, actuators can be programmed to contract consecutively from bottom to top (or from top to bottom) and then expand consecutively from bottom to top (or from top to bottom). Such a pressure wave can help increase circulation and can be particularly useful in the lower legs, which are more susceptible than other areas of the body to afflictions such as swelling, edema, and DVT. Because the compression device 100/200 can be pre-programmed to apply these pressure patterns without requiring subsequent user input, the device can be used passively while the user is able to perform other activities (e.g., working at a desk, sitting on an airplane) without needing to attend to the compression device.
When an electronic controller such as a microcontroller is used to control the state of the actuators, the controller can include a memory, e.g., for storing various actuator control sequences, and a computing device including at least one processor, e.g., a microprocessor, for sending/applying the stored control signals to the actuators.
Although not pictured in
Any of the compression devices described herein can have one or more of the following features or advantages. The devices can be low profile, and can, for example, conform to and/or contour the body part over which they are worn, and/or be very thin. For example, the average thickness of the device (including any components such as the actuators, controller, battery, and/or sensors that are integrated into the device) while worn by a user can be less than 3 cm, less than 2.5 cm, less than 2 cm, less than 1.6 cm, less than 1.2 cm, less than 1 cm, less than 8 mm, less than 6 mm, less than 4 mm, or less than 2 mm. Accordingly, the device can be worn underneath clothing (e.g., underneath pants or shirt sleeves) without being easily visible, and can be highly versatile and portable. The compression device can optionally include a separate or removable/detachable washable inner liner over which the rest of the device can be worn, so that the user can keep the inner liner clean without needing to wash and potentially damage the rest of the device.
Various implementations of compression devices and associated methods of operation have been described above. However, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Where methods and steps described above indicate certain events occurring in certain order, those of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that the ordering of certain steps may be modified and such modifications are in accordance with the variations of the disclosure. The implementations have been particularly shown and described, but it will be understood that various changes in form and details may be made. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.
This application is a continuation of PCT/US2020/048663, filed Aug. 30, 2020, which claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/901,241, filed Sep. 16, 2019, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62901241 | Sep 2019 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | PCT/US2020/048663 | Aug 2020 | US |
Child | 17689126 | US |