Patent Application
20210386594
The present technology relates to devices for the diagnosis, treatment and/or amelioration of circulatory-related disorders, such as a disorder of the lymphatic system. In particular, the present technology relates to medical devices, and their components, such as for Lymphedema therapy or monitoring. Such technology may relate to components, for example, control apparatus, systems, and devices, for compression therapy such as for monitoring and/or treating the condition of a circulatory-related disorder.
The lymphatic system is crucial to keeping a body healthy. The system circulates lymph fluid throughout the body. This circulation collects bacteria, viruses, and waste products. The lymphatic system carries this fluid and the collected undesirable substances through the lymph vessels, to the lymph nodes. These wastes are then filtered out by lymphocytes existing in the lymph nodes. The filtered waste is then excreted from the body.
Lymphedema concerns swelling that may occur in the extremities, in particular, any of the arms, legs, feet, etc. The swelling of one or more limbs can result in significant physical and psychological morbidity. Lymphedema is typically caused by damage to, or removal of, lymph nodes such as in relation to a cancer therapy. The condition may result from a blockage in the lymphatic system, a part of the immune system. The blockage prevents lymph fluid from draining. Lymph fluid build-up leads to the swelling of the related extremity.
Thus, Lymphedema occurs when lymph vessels are unable to adequately drain lymph fluid, typically from an arm or leg. Lymphedema can be characterized as either primary or secondary. When it occurs independently from other conditions it is considered primary Lymphedema. Primary Lymphedema is thought to result from congenital malformation. When it is caused by another disease or condition, it is considered secondary Lymphedema. Secondary Lymphedema is more common than primary Lymphedema and typically results from damage to lymphatic vessels and/or lymph nodes.
Lymphedema is a chronic and incurable disease. If untreated, Lymphedema leads to serious and permanent consequences that are costly to treat. Many of the high-cost health consequences from Lymphedema might be prevented by early detection and access to appropriate remedial services. As there is no presently known cure for lymphedema, improvement in treating this and other circulatory-related conditions, such as, for example, deep vein thrombosis, chronic venous insufficiency, and restless leg syndrome, is desired. The present disclosure is directed to solving these and other problems.
The present disclosure is directed towards providing medical devices, or the components thereof, for use in the management, monitoring, detection, diagnosis, amelioration, treatment, and/or prevention of circulatory-related conditions having one or more of improved comfort, cost, efficacy, ease of use and manufacturability.
According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a smart, connected platform and/or system for compression therapy for treating circulatory disorders such as lymphedema, is provided. The system includes a compression garment with multiple pneumatic chambers, a valve interface, a pneumatic/electrical conduit, a compression device, a control device running a patient app, and a remote clinician portal. According to some implementations of the present disclosure, the chambers in the compression garment can be dynamically pressurised to compress a limb of interest (e.g., leg, arm, torso, foot, ankle, etc. or any combination thereof) in controlled therapeutic patterns over a therapy session. According to some implementations of the present disclosure, the chambers are high-resolution partitions and/or micro-chambers of a conventional chamber. According to some implementations of the present disclosure, the micro-chambers are interconnected by one or more channels that define one or more predetermined sequence(s) of air pressurization. When a chamber is pressurised, the micro-chambers of that chamber pressurise in the predetermined sequence(s) so as to create a micro-massage effect on the user wearing the compression garment of the system. The micro-massage can aid in stretching the skin of the user in a way that simulates natural movement of the limb and thereby assists drainage. According to some implementations of the present disclosure, sensors may be used (e.g., imbedded in the compression garment) to determine patient characteristics, such as limb girth, during a testing period and set up therapy mode and parameters before therapy (personalization or customization). According to some implementations of the present disclosure, sensors can be used in a control loop during therapy to dynamically adjust therapy parameters. According to some implementations of the present disclosure, therapy can be controlled and/or monitored using a patient application executing on a control device of the system. According to some implementations of the present disclosure, therapy data from multiple patients can be communicated to a clinician portal for population management.
According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a garment for providing circulatory-related disorder therapy includes a skin contacting layer, a backing layer, and a coupling. The backing layer is coupled to the skin contacting layer such that the skin contacting layer and the backing layer form a plurality of macro-chambers. A first one of the plurality of macro-chambers is partitioned into a plurality of micro-chambers. Each of the plurality of micro-chambers is in direct fluid communication with at least one other of the plurality of micro-chambers. The coupling is coupled to the backing layer and is configured to supply pressurized air directly into the first macro-chamber such that the pressurized air is delivered to a first one of the plurality of micro-chambers of the first macro-chamber.
According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a compression garment for circulatory-related disorder therapy includes a first layer, a second layer, and a pneumatic coupling. The first layer comprises an inner, skin contact layer. The second layer comprises an outer surface. The first and second layers form a garment wearable by a user. The first layer forms a plurality of interconnected micro-chambers. The pneumatic coupling is configured to directly or indirectly couple one of the plurality of interconnected micro-chambers with a pneumatic outlet of a compression pressure generation device so as to pressurise the plurality of interconnected micro-chambers in a predetermined sequence.
According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a garment for providing circulatory-related disorder therapy includes a skin contacting layer, a backing layer, and a coupling. The skin contacting layer includes an elastic material such that the skin contacting layer is configured to deform under pressurization. The backing layer includes a rigid material such that the backing layer is configured to resist deformation under pressurization. The backing layer is coupled to the skin contacting layer such that the skin contacting layer and the backing layer form a plurality of micro-chambers. The coupling is coupled to the backing layer and is configured to supply pressurized air directly into a first one of the plurality of micro-chambers such that the pressurized air causes a portion of the skin contacting layer, corresponding to the first micro-chamber, to deform in a direction that is generally away from the backing layer.
According to some implementations of the present disclosure, an apparatus for compression garment therapy for a circulatory-related disorder includes a compression pressure generator, a pressure sensor, a flow rate sensor, and a controller. The compression pressure generator is configured to generate pneumatic pressure for pressurizing a set of pneumatic chambers of a compression garment for a user. The pressure sensor is configured to measure a pressure characteristic of pneumatic pressure attributable to the compression garment. The flow rate sensor is configured to measure a flow rate characteristic of pneumatic flow attributable to the compression garment. The controller includes at least one processor. The controller configured to control operation of the compression pressure generator in a diagnostic process to generate a pneumatic waveform to one or more pneumatic chambers of the set of pneumatic chambers of the compression garment during a testing period. The controller is further configured to receive a signal representing the flow rate characteristic from the flow rate sensor in the testing period and to receive a signal representing the pressure characteristic from the pressure sensor in the testing period. The controller is further configured to determine a parameter representing a condition of a circulatory-related disorder of the user of the compression garment based at least in part on the received flow rate characteristic signal and the received pressure characteristic signal.
According to some implementations of the present disclosure, an apparatus for compression garment therapy for a circulatory-related disorder includes a compression pressure generator, a temperature sensor, and a controller. The compression pressure generator is configured to generate pneumatic pressure for pressurizing a set of pneumatic chambers of a compression garment for a user. The temperature sensor is configured to measure a temperature of skin of the user. The controller includes at least one processor. The controller is configured to (i) control operation of the compression pressure generator to generate a pneumatic waveform to one or more pneumatic chambers of the set of pneumatic chambers of the compression garment, (ii) receive a signal representing the temperature measure from the temperature sensor, and (iii) determine a parameter representing a condition of a circulatory-related disorder of the user of the compression garment based on the received temperature signal.
According to some implementations of the present disclosure, an apparatus for compression garment therapy for a circulatory-related disorder includes a compression pressure generator, a strain sensor, and a controller. The compression pressure generator is configured to generate pneumatic pressure for pressurizing a set of pneumatic chambers of a compression garment for a user. The strain sensor is configured to measure a compression strain at a location in the compression garment. The controller includes at least one processor. The controller is configured to (i) control operation of the compression pressure generator to generate a pneumatic waveform to one or more pneumatic chambers of the set of pneumatic chambers of the compression garment, (ii) receive a signal representing the strain measure from the strain sensor, and (iii) determine a parameter representing a condition of the circulatory-related disorder of the user of the compression garment based on the received strain signal.
According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a system for providing compression therapy to a user of a compression garment with a circulatory-related disorder includes a compression pressure generator, a sensor, and a controller. The compression pressure generator is configured to generate pneumatic pressure for pressurizing a set of pneumatic chambers of a compression garment for the user. The sensor is configured to measure a characteristic attributable to the compression garment. The controller includes at least one processor and is configured to (i) control operation of the compression pressure generator in a diagnostic process to generate a pneumatic waveform in one or more pneumatic chambers of the set of pneumatic chambers of the compression garment during a testing period, (ii) receive a signal from the sensor during the testing period, (iii) determine a parameter representing a condition of the circulatory-related disorder of the user of the compression garment based at least in part on the received signal, and (iv) generate a control signal to operate the compression pressure generator in a therapy process to generate pneumatic pressure in one or more pneumatic chambers of the set of pneumatic chambers of the compression garment during a therapy period based at least in part on the determined parameter.
According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a system for providing compression therapy to a user with a circulatory-related disorder includes a compression garment, a compression pressure generator, a sensor, and a controller. The compression garment has a set of pneumatic chambers. The compression pressure generator is coupled to the compression garment such that the compression pressure generator is configured to pressurize at least a portion of the set of pneumatic chambers. The sensor is coupled to the compression garment and configured to generate sensor data associated with a characteristic of the compression garment. The controller includes one or more processors and is configured to (i) in a diagnostic mode, cause the compression pressure generator to generate a first pneumatic waveform of pressure within one or more pneumatic chambers of the set of pneumatic chambers during a testing period, (ii) receive at least a portion of the sensor data from the sensor during the testing period, (iii) determine a parameter of a condition of the circulatory-related disorder of the user based at least in part on the received at least a portion of the sensor data, and (iv) in a therapy mode, cause the compression pressure generator to generate a second pneumatic waveform of pressure within one or more pneumatic chambers of the set of pneumatic chambers during a therapy period based at least in part on the determined parameter.
According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a method for providing compression therapy to a user of a compression garment with a circulatory-related disorder includes controlling operation of a compression pressure generator in a diagnostic process to generate a pneumatic waveform in one or more pneumatic chambers of a set of pneumatic chambers of a compression garment during a testing period. A signal is received from a sensor during the testing period. The signal is indicative of a characteristic attributable to the compression garment. A parameter representing a condition of the circulatory-related disorder of the user of the compression garment is determined based at least in part on the received signal. A control signal is generated to operate the compression pressure generator in a therapy process to generate pneumatic pressure in one or more pneumatic chambers of the set of pneumatic chambers of the compression garment during a therapy period based at least in part on the determined parameter.
According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a compression garment for therapy for a circulatory-related disorder includes a first layer, a second layer, a pneumatic coupling, a plurality of pneumatic chambers, a plurality of pneumatic pathways, and one or more applicators. The first layer includes an inner, skin contact layer. The second layer includes an outer sleeve and contains the first layer. The first and second layers form a garment wearable by a user. The pneumatic coupling is configured to directly or indirectly link with a pneumatic outlet of a compression pressure generation device. The plurality of pneumatic chambers is within the first layer, the second layer, or both. The plurality of pneumatic pathways is within the first layer, the second layer, or both. The plurality of pneumatic pathways fluidically connects the plurality of pneumatic chambers with the pneumatic coupling. The one or more applicators are positioned at the first layer and proximate to one or more of the plurality of pneumatic chambers. The one or more applicators are configured to provide a focused manipulative force into skin of a user when, in use. The one or more applicators are mechanically moved by pressurization of one or more of the plurality of pneumatic chambers proximate to the one or more applicators.
According to some implementations of the present disclosure, an apparatus for compression garment therapy for a circulatory-related disorder includes a compression garment, a compression pressure generator, and a controller. The compression garment has a plurality of pneumatic chambers and one or more applicators proximate to at least a portion of the plurality of pneumatic chambers. The one or more applicators are configured to provide a focused manipulative force into skin of a user when, in use. The one or more applicators are mechanically moved by pressurization of one or more of the plurality of pneumatic chambers proximate to the one or more applicators. The compression pressure generator is configured to generate pneumatic pressure for pressurizing the plurality of pneumatic chambers of the compression garment. The controller includes at least one processor and is configured to control operation of the compression pressure generator to generate pneumatic pressure to a plurality of zones of the compression garment in an applicator manipulation therapy process to induce movement of the applicators of the compression garment via sequential pressurization of the zones of the compression garment.
According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a portal system for managing a population of compression therapy devices includes a server configured to (i) communicate with a plurality of control devices for a plurality of compression pressure generators and (ii) receive from each of the control devices, a parameter representing a condition of a circulatory-related disorder of a user of a compression garment.
According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a system for therapy for a circulatory-related disorder includes a first layer, a second layer, a pneumatic coupling, a plurality of pneumatic chambers, a plurality of pneumatic pathways, a set of active valves, and a valve interface housing. The first layer includes an inner, skin contact layer. The second layer includes an outer sleeve and contains the first layer. The first and second layers form a compression garment wearable by a user. The pneumatic coupling is configured to directly or indirectly link with a pneumatic outlet of a compression pressure generation device. The plurality of pneumatic chambers is within the first layer, the second layer, or both. The plurality of pneumatic pathways is within the first layer, the second layer, or both. The plurality of pneumatic pathways fluidically connects the plurality of pneumatic chambers with the pneumatic coupling. The set of active valves is configured to selectively direct pneumatic pressure from the compression pressure generation device to respective ones of the plurality of pneumatic chambers. The valve interface housing contains the set of active valves. The valve interface housing includes a pneumatic inlet coupling and an electrical bus coupling configured to receive a pneumatic and an electrical link from a controller of the compression pressure generator device.
According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a system for therapy for a circulatory-related disorder includes a compression pressure generator, a compression garment, a pneumatic coupling, a plurality of pneumatic pathways, a set of active valves, and a valve interface housing. The compression pressure generation device is configured to generate pneumatic pressure. The compression garment includes a skin contacting layer coupled to a backing layer. The compression garment includes a plurality of pneumatic chambers. The pneumatic coupling is configured to be coupled between the compression garment and a pneumatic outlet of the compression pressure generation device. The plurality of pneumatic pathways is within the compression garment. The plurality of pneumatic pathways connects the plurality of pneumatic chambers of the compression garment with the pneumatic coupling. The set of active valves is configured to selectively direct the generated pneumatic pressure from the compression pressure generation device to respective ones of the plurality of pneumatic chambers. The valve interface housing contains at least a portion of the set of active valves therein. The valve interface housing includes a pneumatic inlet coupling and an electrical bus coupling configured to receive a pneumatic link and an electrical link, respectively, from the compression pressure generator device.
According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a compression garment for therapy for a circulatory-related disorder includes a first layer and a second layer coupled to the first layer, thereby forming a plurality of pneumatic chambers, a first of the plurality of pneumatic chambers having an anatomical surface shape of a first muscle.
According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a system for therapy for a circulatory-related disorder includes a first layer, a second layer, a pneumatic coupling, a plurality of pneumatic chambers, a plurality of pneumatic pathways, and a chaining interface. The first layer includes an inner, skin contact layer. The second layer includes an outer sleeve and contains the first layer. The first layer and the second layer form a compression garment wearable by a user. The pneumatic coupling is configured to directly or indirectly link with a pneumatic outlet of a compression pressure generation device. The plurality of pneumatic chambers is within the first layer, the second layer, or both. The plurality of pneumatic pathways is within the first layer, the second layer, or both. The plurality of pneumatic pathways fluidically connects the plurality of pneumatic chambers with the pneumatic coupling. The chaining interface is for pneumatic and electrical coupling with a conduit and valve interface of a second compression garment. The compression garment is configured to bus pneumatic and electrical signals through the compression garment to the conduit and valve interface of the second compression garment.
According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a system includes a first compression garment, a coupling, a second compression garment, and a chaining interface. The first compression garment is configured to be worn by a user about a first portion of the user. The first compression garment includes a first plurality of pneumatic chambers therein. The coupling is configured to couple the first compression garment with a compression pressure generation device. The second compression garment is configured to be worn by the user about a second portion of the user that is adjacent to the first portion of the user. The second compression garment includes a second plurality of pneumatic chambers therein. The chaining interface is configured to couple the second compression garment to the first compression garment such that the second compression garment is configured to receive pneumatic pressure, electrical signals, or both.
According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a system for therapy for a circulatory-related disorder includes a first layer, a second layer, a pneumatic coupling, a plurality of pneumatic chambers, a plurality of pneumatic pathways, and a set of active valves. The first layer includes an inner, skin contact layer. The second layer includes an outer sleeve and contains the first layer. The first and second layers form a garment wearable by a user. The pneumatic coupling is configured to directly or indirectly link with a pneumatic outlet of a compression pressure generation device. The plurality of pneumatic chambers is within the garment. The plurality of pneumatic pathways is within the garment. The plurality of pneumatic pathways fluidically connect the plurality of pneumatic chambers with the pneumatic coupling. The set of active valves is configured to selectively direct pneumatic pressure from the compression pressure generation device to respective ones of the plurality of pneumatic chambers, the set of active valves being distributed throughout the garment.
According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a system includes a compression pressure generation device, a compression garment, a pneumatic coupling, a plurality of pneumatic pathways, and a set of active valves. The compression garment includes a plurality of pneumatic chambers therein. The pneumatic coupling is configured to couple the compression garment with a pneumatic outlet of the compression pressure generation device. The plurality of pneumatic pathways is within the compression garment. The plurality of pneumatic pathways is configured to connect the plurality of pneumatic chambers of the compression garment with the pneumatic coupling. The set of active valves is coupled to the compression garment such that each of the set of active valves is physically spaced from the others of the set of active valves. The set of active valves is configured to selectively direct pneumatic pressure from the compression pressure generation device to respective ones of the plurality of pneumatic chambers.
According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a system for providing compression therapy for a user with a circulatory-related disorder includes a compression pressure generator and a controller. The compression pressure generator is configured to generate pneumatic pressure for pressurizing a set of pneumatic chambers of a compression garment configured to be worn by the user. The controller includes one or more processors and is configured to (i) control operation of the compression pressure generator in a therapy process to generate pneumatic pressure in one or more pneumatic chambers of the set of pneumatic chambers of the compression garment during a therapy period and (ii) vary the pneumatic pressure of a first pneumatic chamber of the set of pneumatic chambers according to a pressure waveform so as to induce a vibratory pressure in the first pneumatic chamber.
According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a circulatory-related disorder therapy system includes a compression garment, a compression pressure generator, a controller, and a control device. The compression garment includes a plurality of pneumatic chambers, a pneumatic coupling, and a plurality of pneumatic pathways fluidically connecting the plurality of pneumatic chambers with the pneumatic coupling. The compression pressure generator is configured to generate pneumatic pressure for pressurizing the plurality of pneumatic chambers via the pneumatic coupling. The controller includes one or more processors and is configured to control operation of the compression pressure generator in a therapy process to generate pneumatic pressure in one or more pneumatic chambers of the plurality of pneumatic chambers of the compression garment during a therapy period. The control device includes one or more processors and a computer readable medium having processor control instructions, that when executed by at least one of the one or more processors of the control device, cause the control device to (i) receive, from the controller, a parameter relating to the therapy process and (ii) display the received parameter on a display of the control device.
The subject headings used in the detailed description are included only for the ease of reference of the reader and should not be used to limit the subject matter found throughout the disclosure or the claims. The subject headings should not be used in construing the scope of the claims or the claim limitations.
Various aspects of the described example embodiments may be combined with aspects of certain other example embodiments to realize yet further embodiments. It is to be understood that one or more features of any one example may be combinable with one or more features of the other examples. In addition, any single feature or combination of features in any example or examples may constitute patentable subject matter.
Other features of the technology will be apparent from consideration of the information contained in the following detailed description.
The present technology is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements including:
Before the present technology is described in further detail, it is to be understood that the technology is not limited to the particular examples described herein, which may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used in this disclosure is for the purpose of describing only the particular examples discussed herein, and is not intended to be limiting. In particular, while the condition being monitored or treated is usually referred to below as Lymphedema, it is to be understood that the described technologies are also applicable to treatment and monitoring of other circulatory-related disorders.
Referring to
Referring to
As discussed in more detail herein, the application 2011 of the control device 1010 can be configured to provide limb, pressure, and usage feedback information to a user. The application 2011 can serve as a virtual coach such as by employing an artificial intelligence chat program. The application 2011 can serve as a social networking tool to other patients receiving similar care with a CPG device. The application 2011 can provide information to the user in relation to troubleshooting operations with the system 1000. The application 2011 can serve as a symptom tracker such as with input from the user and from the CPG device. The application 2011 can permit customization (personalization) with respect to the parameters controlling the therapy pressure waveform provided with the compression garment and the CPG device. The application 2011 can serve as an electronic store for ordering resupply components of the system (e.g., conduits, interfaces 1008, and compression garments). The application 2011 can provide informative/educational messages about disease condition (e.g., lymphedema). The application 2011 can provide user controls to start, stop and set up compression therapy sessions with the CPG device 1002 as well as run diagnostic processes with the CPG device 1002 and compression garment 1004. The application 2011 can simplify use and setup workflow with the CPG device 1002.
The control device 1010 can be configured for portal related communications 2005, such as wireless communications (e.g., wireless protocol communications WiFi), with the portal system 2028. The portal system 2028 can receive, from the control device 1010, testing measurements, therapy parameters, and/or usage time, and may communicate to the control device 1010, parameters for setting operations of the CPG device 1002, such as valve subset identifiers (zone) for controlling particular valves of the set of valves of the compression garment 1004, a pressure setting for the CPG device 1002, a therapy mode protocol, therapy times, a number of cycles, etc. Such a portal system 2028 can be managed by a clinician organization to provide actionable insights to patient condition for a population of CPG devices and their users.
For example, a clinician may provide prescriptive parameters for use of the CPG device 1002 (e.g., therapy control parameters) that may in turn be communicated to a control device 1010 and/or a CPG device 1002. Such communications, such as in relation to receiving testing measurements from the CPG device 1002 via the control device 1010, can permit therapy customization, such as by setting the prescriptive parameters based on the testing measurements. The portal system 2028 may similarly be implemented for compliance management in relation to received usage information from the CPG device 1002. The portal system 2028 may then serve as an integrated part of electronic medical records for a patient's lymphedema therapy.
The CPG device 1002 communicates with an interface 1008 via link 1006. The CPG device 1002 may generate electrical valve control signals on electric lines of a bus to the interface 1008 and receive electrical valve operation signals from the valves of the interface 1008 on the electric lines of the bus of the link 1006. The CPG device 1002 may also generate air flow such as a controlled pressure and/or flow of air to/from the interface 1008 via one or more pneumatic conduits 2007 of the link 1006. The interface 1008 may then selectively direct the pressure and/or flow to/from the chambers of the garment 1004 via any of the pneumatic lines 2008 between the interface 1008 and the compression garment 2004. Optionally, the valves of the interface 1008 and/or the pneumatic lines 2008 may be integrated (partially and/or fully) with the compression garment 1004.
The CPG device 1002 is illustrated in
As discussed in more detail herein, the CPG device 1002 may have a programmable controller to provide operations for compression therapies described herein and diagnostic operations. Such therapies may be provided by control of a blower of the CPG device 1002 that may produce positive pressure and/or negative pressure operations via one or more pneumatic conduits coupled to the compression garment 1004. For example, the CPG device 1002 may be configured to generate varied positive pressure for compression up to a maximum of about 50 mmHg into one or more chambers of the compression garment 1004. Similarly, the CPG device 1002 may produce negative pressure, such as to evacuate one or more pneumatic chambers of the compression garment 1004. Such a generation of positive and/or negative pressure (e.g., sub-ambient pressure, vacuum, etc.) may be controlled to provide compression therapy, including massage therapy, with the compression garment 1004 in relation to a set of pneumatic chambers within the compression garment 1004 that are pneumatically coupled to the blower of the CPG device 1002, such as via one or more valves and/or hoses that may be implemented with the interface 1008 (
In alternative implementations, the pneumatic chambers may be passively evacuated (depressurized or deflated) without the application of negative pressure to the pneumatic chambers. In such implementations, the pneumatic chambers may be selectively pneumatically coupled to atmosphere via one or more active exhaust valves. When pneumatically coupled to atmosphere via an actuated exhaust valve, a pneumatic chamber deflates to ambient pressure. Such implementations allow the use of CPG devices that do not generate negative pressure. An exhaust valve may be located on the CPG device 1002 itself. Alternatively, or additionally, one or more exhaust valves may be located in the interface 1008 or distributed over the compression garment 1004 itself In the latter implementations, the CPG device 1002 may generate exhaust valve control signals on electric lines of a bus forming part of the link 1006 to actuate the one or more active exhaust valves.
Referring to
Referring to
The pneumatic block 4020 may include a portion of the pneumatic path that is located within the external housing. The pneumatic path may then lead to an optional conduit and/or valve interface 1008, such as for controlled/selective directing of the pressurized air from the compression pressure generator to different pneumatic chambers of a compression garment 1004.
Referring to
The central controller 4230 of the CPG device 1002 is programmed to execute one or more compression mode control algorithms, and may include a detection module (e.g., sine wave generation control and evaluation).
Referring back to
The CPG device 1002 may include an inlet muffler 4122 that is located in the pneumatic path upstream of a blower 4142.
The CPG device 1002 may include an outlet muffler 4124 that is located in the pneumatic path between the blower 4142 and the compression garment 1004.
Referring to
With continued reference to
Alternatively or additionally, one or more transducers 4270 are located downstream of the pressure device 4140, and upstream of the interface 1008. The one or more transducers 4270 are constructed and arranged to measure properties of the air at that point in the pneumatic path.
Alternatively or additionally, one or more transducers 4270 are located downstream of the interface 1008, and proximate to and/or within the compression garment 1004.
5.1.1.5 Air Conduit and/or Valve Interface 1008
As shown in
Referring to
The power supply 4210 can be internal to the external housing of the CPG device 1002, such as in the case of a battery (e.g., a rechargeable battery). Alternatively, the power supply 4210 can be external of the external housing of the CPG device 1002. The internal or external power supply may optionally include a converter such as to provide a DC voltage converted from an AC supply (e.g., a main supply).
Input devices 4220 (shown in
The input device 4220 may be constructed and arranged to allow a person to select a value and/or a menu option. Alternatively, the input device 4220 may simply be configured to turn the CPG device 1002 on and/or off.
The central controller 4230 (shown in
The central controller 4230 can be an application-specific integrated circuit. Alternatively, the central controller 4230 can be formed with discrete electronic components.
The central controller 4230 can be a processor 4230 or a microprocessor, suitable to control the CPG device 1002 such as an x86 INTEL processor.
The central controller 4230 suitable to control the CPG device 1002 in accordance with another form of the present technology includes a processor based on ARM Cortex-M processor from ARM Holdings. For example, an STM32 series microcontroller from ST MICROELECTRONICS may be used.
In a further alternative form of the present technology, the central controller 4230 may include a member selected from the family ARM9-based 32-bit RISC CPUs. For example, an STR9 series microcontroller from ST MICROELECTRONICS may be used.
In certain alternative forms of the present technology, a 16-bit RISC CPU may be used as the central controller 4230 for the CPG device 1002. For example, a processor from the MSP430 family of microcontrollers, manufactured by TEXAS INSTRUMENTS, may be used.
The central controller 4230 is configured to receive input signal(s) from one or more transducers 4270, and one or more input devices 4220. The central controller 4230 may also be configured with one or more digital and/or analog input/output ports as previously described such as for implementing the mode of operations and detection modules in conjunction with the operations of the system. For example, such input and/or output ports may provide control over or detect position of active pneumatic valves controlled by the central controller for directing compression related pressure to pneumatic chambers of the compression garment 1004.
Thus, the central controller 4230 is configured to provide output signal(s) to one or more of an output device 4290 (e.g., one or more valves of a set of valve(s)), a therapy device controller 4240, and a data communication interface 4280. Thus, the central controller 4230 may also be configured with one or more digital and/or analog output ports as previously described such as for implementing the mode of operations or detection module in conjunction with the operations of the CPG device 1002.
The central controller 4230, or multiple processors, is configured to implement the one or more methodologies described herein such as the one or more algorithms, as described in more detail herein, expressed as computer programs stored in a computer readable storage medium, such as memory 4260. In some cases, as previously discussed, such processor(s) may be integrated with the CPG device 1002. However, in some devices the processor(s) may be implemented discretely from the pressure generation components of the CPG device 1002, such as for purpose of performing any of the methodologies described herein without directly controlling delivery of a compression therapy. For example, such a processor may perform any of the methodologies described herein for purposes of determining control settings for the compression garment 1004 and/or monitoring of a circulatory-related disorder by analysis of stored data such as from any of the sensors described herein. Such a processor may also perform any of the methodologies relating to the different mode of operations as described in more detail herein.
In one form of the present technology, the therapy device 4245 (shown in
In one form of the present technology, therapy device controller 4240 (shown in
In one form of the present technology, therapy device controller 4240 includes a dedicated motor control integrated circuit. For example, in one form a MC33035 brushless DC motor controller, manufactured by ONSEMI is used.
The CPG device 1002 in accordance with the present technology optionally includes one or more protection circuits 4250 such as shown in
One form of protection circuit 4250 in accordance with the present technology is an electrical protection circuit. Another form of protection circuit 4250 in accordance with the present technology is a temperature or pressure safety circuit.
In some versions of the present technology, a protection circuit 4250 may include a transient absorption diode circuit configured to absorb energy generated or converted from rotational kinetic energy, such as from the blower motor, which may be applied to charging a battery of the CPG device. According to another aspect of the present technology, a protection circuit 4250 may include a fault mitigation integrated circuit.
In accordance with one form of the present technology the CPG device 1002 includes memory 4260 (shown in
Additionally or alternatively, the CPG device 1002 can include a removable form of memory 4260, for example, a memory card made in accordance with the Secure Digital (SD) standard.
The memory 4260 can act as a computer readable storage medium on which is stored computer program instructions expressing the one or more methodologies described herein, such as the one or more algorithms discussed herein.
Transducers 4270 (schematically shown in
A flow rate transducer 4274 (shown in
In use, a signal representing a total flow rate Q from the flow rate transducer 4274 is received by the central controller 4230. However, other sensors for producing such a flow rate signal or estimating flow rate may be implemented. For example, a mass flow sensor, such as a hot wire mass flow sensor, may be implemented to generate a flow rate signal in some embodiments. Optionally, flow rate may be estimated from one or more signals of other sensors described herein (e.g., speed and pressure sensor).
A pressure transducer 4272 (shown in
In use, a signal from the pressure transducer 4272 is received by the central controller 4230. In one form, the signal from the pressure transducer 4272 is filtered prior to being received by the central controller 4230.
In one form of the present technology a motor speed signal from a motor speed transducer 4276 (shown in
The temperature transducer(s) 4275 (shown in
With continued reference to
A data communication interface 4280 (shown in
In one form, data communication interface 4280 is part of the central controller 4230. In another form, data communication interface 4280 is an integrated circuit that is separate from the central controller 4230.
In one form, the remote external communication network 4282 is a wide area network such as the Internet. The data communication interface 4280 may use wired communication (e.g. via Ethernet, or optical fibre) or a wireless protocol to connect to the Internet.
In one form, local external communication network 4284 utilises one or more communication standards, such as Bluetooth, or a consumer infrared protocol.
In one form, the remote external device 4286 is one or more computers, for example a cluster of networked computers. In one form, the remote external device 4286 may be virtual computers, rather than physical computers. In either case, such remote external device 4286 may be accessible to an appropriately authorised person such as a clinician.
The local external device 4288 can be a personal computer, mobile phone, tablet or remote control.
An output device 4290 (shown in
For example, as discussed in more detail herein, the output device 4290 may include one or more valve driver(s) 4295 for one or more active valves or one or more active valve(s) 4297. Such output devices 4290 may receive signals from the central controller 4230 for driving operation of the valves 4297. Such valve driver(s) 4295 or valves 4297 may be discrete from the CPG device 1002 external housing and coupled to the CPG device 1002 via a bus, such as a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus such as where the central controller 4230 includes a CAN bus controller. A suitable electrical coupler portion of link 1006 may serve to couple the bus with the valve driver 4295 and/or valves 4297. The active valves may be any suitable pneumatic valve for directing air flow, such as a gate valve, a multi-port valve, or a proportional valve, any of which may be operated by an included solenoid. In some implementations, the active valves 4297 and valve drivers 4295 may be within the CPG device 1002 housing or in a discrete housing of an interface (e.g., conduit and/or valve interface 1008) or in the compression garment 1004.
An optional visual display 4294 may be a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) or Light Emitting Diode (LED) display. An optional display driver 4292 (shown in
The display 4294 (shown in
In a preferred form of the present technology, the therapy device 4245 (
5.2 Conduit and/or Valve Interface
Referring to
The interface 1008 is shown as including sixteen active valves 6297; however, such an interface may have fewer or more of such active valves 6297 depending on the desired configuration of a compression garment and the type and number of chambers in the compression garment to be pressurized by the CPG device 1002.
The connection from the sixteen valves via the sixteen pneumatic connecting lines 6302 is further illustrated in relation to the interface shown in
Use of the conduit and/or valve interface 1008 with the system 1000 may be further considered in reference to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Although some versions of the valves interfacing with the CPG device 1002 may be active valves as controlled by the interface 1008, as discussed in more detail herein, some compression garments of the present disclosure can be implemented with passive valves. One or more passive valves may serve to complement the pneumatic operations of the chambers with the active valves and/or as an alternative to active valve implementation. Thus, in some cases, the interface 1008 may direct a pneumatic line to a chamber of the compression garment via a passive valve. Such a passive valve may serve as an inlet to or an outlet from a chamber of the compression garment. Such a passive valve may open depending on a pressure condition applied to one side of the passive valve. In an example, such a passive valve may be implemented, for example, by a flexible flap having a chosen rigidity that is responsive to a desired pressure threshold condition. Such a valve may be a duckbill valve. Thus, when a desired pressure differential is achieved across the mechanism of the passive valve, the passive valve opens to permit air movement across the passive valve. Such a passive valve may be implemented as an aperture (or two or three or more apertures) with a flow restriction(s) to delay flow through the aperture(s) to permit different inflation timings between neighbouring chambers that are separated by the flow restricted aperture(s).
For example, as illustrated in
As shown in
Referring to
In a further example illustrated in
Another example of such a passive valve is illustrated in
As described herein, a compression garment 1004 includes a set of pneumatic chambers that may be inflated and/or deflated by operation of the CPG device 1002 via one or more pneumatic lines leading to the pneumatic chambers of the compression garment 1004. Such activation may be implemented with one or more active valves and/or passive valves. The garment may typically be lightweight, flexible and washable and may employ a compression fabric.
In some implementations, the garment is formed with layers, such as an inner layer (e.g., inner sleeve) and an outer later (e.g., outer sleeve). The garment may be manufactured with a breathable fabric, serving as an inner skin contact interface. Such a material may serve as a barrier to direct user contact with a less permeable material that forms a set of pneumatic chambers of the garment. In some implementations, one or more layers of the garment (e.g., the skin contacting layer) includes polyester, elastane, nylon, and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). In some such implementations, the TPU is used as a backing to aid in making the garment airtight or near airtight. The proportion of polyester, elastane, and nylon can be adjusted to modify the elasticity of the garment (e.g., the skin contacting layer). In some implementations, a weave technique of one or more layers of the garment can be adjusted to modify the elasticity of the garment.
The chambers and pneumatic pathways may be formed between the layers. In some forms, the outer layer may be made of a three-dimensional knitted fabric. The outer layer may include one or more moulded portions, such as in a form of a brace, to more rigidly support certain anatomical regions of the limb (e.g., a forearm brace or leg brace) such as along one side of the sleeve. Some areas of the garment may include stretchable or flexible regions to permit movement (e.g., elbow, wrist, ankle or knee regions). Moreover, moulded portions may include pneumatic couplings and/or pneumatic pathways. Such component regions (e.g., of thermoplastic elastomer TPE such as Santoprene) may be sewn into the fabric of the garment, co-moulded, or ultrasonically welded to the fabric.
The garment may be generally formed as a sleeve that can be applied around the bodily area of therapy. For example, it may be an arm sleeve, a partial arm sleeve, an above-the-knee leg sleeve, a full leg sleeve, a foot sleeve, a toe-to-thigh sleeve, an ankle-to-knee sleeve, etc.
As previously discussed and as illustrated in
The pneumatic chambers 1-16 may be formed with a material having baffles (e.g., chamber material folds) to more readily permit a vertical expansion of the chamber, where the baffles are the same or similar to that shown in
The compression garment(s) of the present disclosure may also include, or be configured to retain, pneumatic pathways (such as in moulded portions) or conduits inserted therein to fluidically couple pneumatic connecting lines 6302/7302 (
Distributed valving confers a number of advantages on a compression garment. With distributed valving, the interface 1008 is a conduit interface with a single pneumatic connection to the link 1006 and a single pneumatic connection to the garment 1004, along with electrical connections to each of the distributed active valves. This enables the garment to be lighter and less bulky. Referring to
In addition, the narrow-gauge conduit between each valve and its connected pneumatic chamber is shorter with distributed valving than in compression garments with a valve interface 1008. Since narrow-gauge conduits have higher pneumatic impedance per unit length, there is less pneumatic impedance between the CPG device and each pneumatic chamber with distributed valving. This enables a smaller CPG device to be used to achieve the same pressure in each pneumatic chamber. Furthermore, a shorter conduit between valve and chamber has less compliance than a longer conduit. This enables a faster pressurisation/depressurization response in the chamber to valve actuation. In turn this means oscillatory (vibratory) compression waveforms (described below) may be delivered relatively more efficiently.
In such cases, a controlled compression zone may be considered a set of one or more pneumatic chambers that may be operated by one or more active valve sets by a controller of the CPG device. Such a zone of chambers may also employ passive valves.
The compression garment(s) of the present disclosure may also include sensors, such as pressure, strain, flow rate, temperature, electrodes, or any combination thereof When measuring skin characteristics, such sensors may be located on a layer of the compression garment to permit skin contact. For example, a temperature sensor, strain sensor and/or a set of electrodes may be in one or more of the zones of the compression garment such as at an inner layer of the garment. Integrated pressure, flow rate, and/or temperature sensors may be located to measure a characteristic of the pneumatic pathway(s) of the garment. In some versions, strain sensors may be implemented in the garment to measure compression strain of the garment in one or more different zones of the garment. Measurements from such sensors may be used by the CPG device 1002.
Various configurations of the compression garment(s) of the present disclosure can be provided based on the type of compression therapy and target portion of the body of the user (e.g., patient). Additional examples of compression garments of the present disclosure are shown in
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Some versions of the compression garments of the present disclosure are designed for leg and/or foot therapies/compression. Examples of such leg and/or foot/boot compression garments are illustrated in
Referring to
Referring to
In some versions of the compression garment, one or more anatomically shaped pneumatic chambers may provide muscular based zones (anatomically shaped surfaces of the pneumatic chambers) for focused compression therapy. Examples of such compression garments are illustrated in
Referring to
Referring to
In some versions, the compression garments of the present disclosure comprise anatomically shaped chambers based on the key points which a physical therapist focuses on when performing Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD). As an example, for Lower Limb lymphedema, these points may be inner to outer thigh, behind the knee, the sides of the calf, around the ankle and extremities. This enables the system 1000 to emulate MLD accurately. Such points may each be implemented as one or more zones and may be configured with active and/or passive valves to produce the desired directional manipulation of the points as previously discussed.
In some versions, the compression garments of the present disclosure may be implemented with a modular configuration to permit use of multiple garments with a common CPG device 1002. Referring to
Referring to
In some versions, the compression garment, such as at its inner surface, may include, or form, one or more applicator(s). Such applicator(s) may be in contact (directly or indirectly) with the user's skin. Such applicator(s) may be a flexible rigid structure (e.g., a ridge(s), rib(s) or bump(s)) that may extend along the length of, or portions of, the compression garment. Such a rigid structure will typically be more rigid than a user's skin. Such a structure(s) can provide a focused manipulative force when mechanically pressed into the user's skin by the inflation of one or more particular pneumatic chambers of the compression garment that reside next to or above where the applicator is located. Some versions of the applicator have a curving or wavy configuration along the length of the applicator. An applicator may have a contact surface profile that includes hills and valleys relative to the user's skin. An applicator may have a contact surface profile that snakes or curves along the length of the user's limb at the contact surface of the user's skin (such as without hills and/or valleys relative to the skin surface). An applicator, or a series of applicators, may extend over several pneumatic chambers (e.g., two or more, such as three, four, five, six, etc.) of the compression garment. Thus, a sequential activation of the pneumatic chambers can urge the applicator to apply an advancing manipulative force, at the skin-applicator contact area, that advances the manipulative force in a direction of the sequential activation of the pneumatic chambers and along the profile or shape (e.g., curved) of the applicator. An example of such an applicator 23424 is illustrated in
In some implementations, the compression garments of the present disclosure include air chambers with micro-holes (perforations), which allows air to be diffused out at a controlled rate to provide a cooling and drying effect on the skin. The micro-holes may be evenly distributed throughout the compression garment. Alternatively, the micro-holes may be concentrated in areas where skin temperature sensors are denser, such as at the back of the knee, and/or in areas prone to sweating, such as, for example, skin folds.
In some implementations, the compression garments of the present disclosure include an open or perforated conduit along the inner layer, such that air flow from the CPG device 1002 and/or exhaust air flow from the pneumatic chambers to atmosphere can be directed through this cooling conduit with the aim of providing a cooling and drying impact on the skin. As with the distribution of micro-holes, the cooling conduit perforations may be evenly distributed throughout the garment. Alternatively, the cooling conduit perforations may be concentrated in areas where skin temperature sensors are denser, such as at the back of the knee, and/or in areas prone to sweating, such as, for example, skin folds.
An alternative implementation of the system 1000 has micro-pumps embedded into the air chambers enclosed within the garment 1004. When electrically activated by the CPG device 1002 via control lines in the link 1006, the micro-pumps fill the chambers with air and compress the limb. In such an implementation the link 1006 needs no pneumatic conduit between the CPG device 1002 and the garment 1004.
In alternative implementations, a compression therapy system may be driven by non-pneumatic methods and/or a hybrid of non-pneumatic and pneumatic methods. The main advantage of such implementations is a high resolution on where the compression is applied, without the need for valves and pneumatic blocks. Some examples of non-pneumatic systems are given below.
Referring to
Another non-pneumatic implementation of a compression therapy system comprises a garment enclosed with a viscous fluid and a speaker. Sound waves generated through the speaker can displace the fluid such that a smooth compression waveform is created (similar to a wave pool).
The central controller 4230 (
Using the data from any of the sensors previously described, and optionally other user input from the control device, the central controller may be configured, such as with one or more detection or sensing module(s), to determine characteristics related to Lymphedema condition. For example, the controller may determine pneumatic impedance, pneumatic resistance, skin/body composition (e.g., fluid versus fat), skin density, skin temperature, bioimpedance, compression garment related volume (limb volume) and compression garment related strain (limb girth) in one or more monitoring sessions. Such measures may be determined and recorded over days, weeks, months, years, etc. As discussed in more detail herein, such determined characteristics may then serve as input to a therapy module to determine control parameters for setting and controlling a compression therapy session (e.g., type of therapy and settings of therapy). Such measures may also be communicated to a clinician and/or user via the control device and/or portal system for further evaluation.
5.7.1.1 Diagnostics Waveform (Pneumatic Impedance and/or Resistance)
In one example, the central controller may control operation of the blower of the CPG device in a diagnostic process for detection of swelling. The controller may also control operation(s) of one or more active valves when present such as to localize the diagnostic process to a particular zone of the compression garment. In such a process, the controller may generate a compression waveform (pneumatic) by operating the motor of the blower to pneumatically inflate one or more pneumatic chambers of the garment. Such a waveform may be a pressure waveform or a flow rate waveform that varies over a testing period, such as the waveform 23050 illustrated in
During, or immediately after, generation of such a waveform within a predetermined testing period, the controller may measure pneumatic pressure and/or flow rate over time with the sensors of the system. The system may use at least one set frequency, but optionally could use a range of frequencies. A typical frequency range may be 0.1 Hz to 20 Hz. The sensors sense the pneumatic characteristics of the air supplied to and/or received from the compression garment such as the compression garment's response to the generated waveform. Thus, these pneumatic characteristics concern the pressure garment and the condition of the user's limb within the garment. Discrete values for measured pressure and measured flow rate at a given instant in time may be evaluated, such as to determine a pneumatic impedance or pneumatic resistance from the pressure and flow rate values. For example, resistance may be determined by dividing instantaneous pressure by instantaneous flow rate. Impedance may be similarly determined along with considering phase difference between the pressure and flow rate. The impedance and/or resistance over the predetermined time period of the pneumatic test may then provide a signal that may be useful for assessing a swelling condition of the user's limb within the compression garment. Moreover, if the testing process has been localized to a particular zone of the garment, such as by activating, for example, valves to pressurize a lower portion of a compression garment, then the resulting signal concerns a particular portion of the user's limb. For example, if a compression garment has three zones (e.g., lower, middle and upper) that may be isolated by the controller setting the actives valves of the compression garment accordingly, the controller may conduct three testing processes to assess swelling in each zone (by determining the resistance or impedance signal). The determined signal(s) may be evaluated from multiple sessions to detect changes in swelling condition of the user. For example, the CPG device 1002 may be configured to perform such a diagnostic assessment of the particular zone(s) of a compression garment on a daily basis or each time the compression garment is used or several times during compression garment use. With such a signal(s), a display can provide information to a user (via a display such as of the CPG device 1002, control device or portal system) showing an amount of swelling as represented by, or as a function of, the impedance or resistance information as well as the localized areas of the swelling. For example, minor, average, or significant levels of swelling may be associated with various ranges of values of impedance or resistance. By assessing whether a determined value is in a particular range or has a particular value (such as by comparison with one or more thresholds), the associated level of swelling may be identified.
In some versions, an average from the signal (e.g., average resistance) may be recorded. The controller may be configured to evaluate such a value (or other value of resistance or impedance) over time to detect changes. For example, an increase in the signal (or value therefrom) over multiple sessions (such as determined by a comparison of a current value with a previous value or other such threshold), may be taken as an indication of an increase in swelling and a problem with the patient's condition. Such a comparison may trigger, in the controller, a warning to the user or clinician. In some versions, such a comparison may serve as a basis for the controller to increase or change a compression therapy parameter (e.g., higher pressure, a different therapy protocol, or a longer therapy). In this way the controller may implement a compression therapy that is adaptive to changing patient conditions. By way of further example, a decrease in the signal (or value therefrom) over multiple sessions (such as determined by a comparison of a current value with a previous value or other such threshold), may be taken as an indication of a decrease in swelling and an improvement with the patient's condition. Such a comparison may trigger, in the controller, an update or warning to the user or clinician. In some versions, such a comparison may serve as a basis for the controller to decrease or change a compression therapy parameter (e.g., decrease pressure, a different therapy protocol, or a shorter therapy).
In some such versions, the diagnostic process may be performed before providing a compression therapy session, during and/or after providing the compression therapy session. A change in the determined impedance or resistance from before and after, or within, the session, such as a decrease or increase, may be taken, respectively, as an indication that no further compression therapy is necessary or that additional compression therapy is necessary. Thus, the controller may apply the diagnostic periodically during a therapy session to assess when the therapy can be discontinued. The controller may continue therapy if an evaluation of the determined resistance or impedance suggests that further therapy is needed. Alternatively, the controller may discontinue therapy if the evaluation of the determined resistance or impedance suggests that no further therapy is needed.
In some versions, an initial assessment of the determined resistance or impedance may be evaluated to determine the time (duration) or number of repetitions of therapy to be provided. For example, the determined resistance or impedance may be part of a function of the controller to assess therapy time (duration) or repetitions for a particular zone associated with the determined resistance or impedance, which may then serve as a control parameter for the controller to control the therapy for such a determined duration or number of cycles. For example, the function may indicate a shorter therapy time for a certain resistance or impedance associated with a lesser swelling. The function of the controller may indicate a longer therapy time for a certain resistance or impedance associated with a greater swelling. Similarly, in some versions, depending on the level of resistance or impedance, the controller may select a different therapy protocol from the different available therapy protocols provided by the CPG device or repeat a therapy protocol cycle.
In some versions, the pneumatic related impedance or resistance measurement may serve in a function of the controller to derive a girth or volume estimate of the patient's limb. For example, with a known dimension (e.g., volume) of a compression garment (e.g., a cylindrical sleeve) or a zone thereof, the pneumatic related impedance or resistance measurement may provide a proportional indication of how the patient's swelling limb is occupying the volume of the compression garment, or portions of the compression garment on a zone by zone basis. For example, a level of resistance or impedance may serve to functionally scale the known volume of the compression garment. For example, a higher level of resistance or impedance may be taken as a higher level of occupation of the known volume and a lower level of resistance or impedance may be taken as a lower level of occupation of the known volume. Such a relationship may be derived empirically and be adjusted on a garment-by-garment basis. Thus, with the measured resistance or impedance, such as on a zone by zone basis in the compression garment, the controller may provide a girth or volume estimate (e.g., on a zone by zone basis) as an output measure for different portions of a limb, such as on a display of the CPG device 1002, control device or portal system, that can inform the user or clinician, of the nature of the patient's Lymphedema condition, and progression of the Lymphedema condition when determined over a number of sessions or even a given session. Optionally, such a functional determination of volume or girth may also or alternatively be implemented by the controller with a measurement(s) from a tension sensor or a strain gauge or other similar strain sensor when the compression garment includes such sensor(s).
Although the aforementioned processes by the controller are based on a determination and/or assessment of pneumatic impedance or resistance from pneumatic sensing, the controller may alternatively, or in addition thereto, evaluate the patient's condition, and may additionally respond with therapeutic changes and/or information messages, by assessment of skin or body composition such as by measurements from a set of electrodes 23500 of a compression garment 23004-D as shown in
Thus, the controller may have a control module for such a process to make such measurements to provide an indication of swelling. For example, electrical bioimpedance of a particular part of a body may be estimated by measuring the voltage signal developed across a body part by applying a current signal (e.g., a low amplitude low frequency alternating current which may be sinusoidal or pulsed) to the body part via a set of electrodes (e.g., two or more of the compression garment). The bioimpedance may be measured by dividing the measured voltage signal (V) by the applied current signal (I). Bioimpedance (Z) can be a complex quantity and it may have a particular phase angle depending on the tissue properties. Thus, evaluation of the bioimpedance (e.g., magnitude and/or phase angle) may involve the controller comparing measured bioimpedance to one or more thresholds for detection of condition of the skin/body composition in relation to the potential for swelling. Such measurements may be made periodically and provide, through their evaluation by the controller (e.g., threshold comparison(s)), a diagnostic parameter for the controller to generate information characterizing the nature of swelling (e.g., high, medium or low) or Lymphedema (e.g., displayed information and warnings) and/or to control therapy changes. Thus, such an evaluation (e.g., an indication of increased fluid content or swelling) may serve as a basis for the controller to increase or change a compression therapy parameter (e.g., higher pressure, a different therapy protocol, or a longer therapy). Similarly, such an evaluation (e.g., an indication of decreased fluid content or swelling) may serve as a basis for the controller to decrease or change a compression therapy parameter (e.g., lower pressure, a different therapy protocol, or a shorter therapy). Such a process may be similar to the process previously described in relation to the assessment of pneumatic impedance/resistance.
For example, the controller may be configured to evaluate such a bioimpedance value (or values) over time to detect changes. For example, an increase in the values over multiple sessions (such as determined by a comparison of a current value with a previous value or other such threshold), may be taken as an indication of an increase in swelling and a problem with the patient's condition. Such a comparison may trigger, in the controller, a warning to the user or clinician. In some versions, such a comparison may serve as a basis for the controller to change or increase a compression therapy parameter (e.g., higher pressure, a different therapy protocol, or a longer therapy). Similarly, a decrease in the values over multiple sessions (such as determined by a comparison of a current value with a previous value or other such threshold), may be taken as an indication of a decrease in swelling and an improvement with the patient's condition. Such a comparison may trigger, in the controller, an update or warning to the user or clinician. In some versions, such a comparison may serve as a basis for the controller to change or decrease a compression therapy parameter (e.g., lower pressure, a different therapy protocol, or a shorter therapy).
In some such versions, the diagnostic process may be performed before providing a compression therapy session during and/or after providing the compression therapy session. A change in the determined bioimpedance from before, during and/or after the session, such as a reduction or increase, may be taken respectively as an indication that no further compression therapy is necessary or that additional compression therapy is necessary. Thus, the controller may apply the diagnostic periodically during a therapy session to assess when the therapy can be discontinued. The controller may continue therapy (e.g., repeat a cycle of therapy) if an evaluation of the determined bioimpedance suggests that further therapy is needed. Alternatively, the controller may discontinue therapy if the evaluation of the determined impedance suggests that no further therapy is needed.
In some versions, an initial assessment of the determined bioimpedance may be evaluated to determine the time (duration) of therapy or number of cycles to be provided. For example, the determined bioimpedance may be part of a function of the controller to assess therapy time for a particular zone associated with the determined bioimpedance, which may then serve as a control parameter for the controller to control the therapy for such a determined duration or a number of cycles that may achieve the therapy time. For example, the function may indicate a shorter therapy time or fewer cycles for a certain bioimpedance associated with a less swelling. The function of the controller may indicate a longer therapy time or more cycles for a certain bioimpedance associated with a greater swelling. Similarly, in some versions, depending on the level of bioimpedance, the controller may select a different therapy protocol from the different available therapy protocols provided by the CPG device 1002 or repeat a therapy protocol cycle.
The CPG device 1002 and/or any of the compression garments of the present disclosure may include one or more temperature sensors. One or more measurements from any of such temperature sensors may inform the controller about the Lymphedema condition of a user. Thus, the controller may be configured to evaluate temperature measure(s), such as in comparison to one or more thresholds, in providing information to the user or clinician, via a monitor of the CPG device 1002, the control device, and/or the portal system. Similarly, the controller may evaluate temperature measure(s), such as in comparison to one or more thresholds, for adjusting one or more therapy control parameters based on the determined temperature. For example, the controller may be configured to evaluate temperature associated with the condition of the user's skin from any of the sensor measures or zones of the compression garment. The controller, based on the evaluation, may be configured to suspend a therapy, reduce a therapy time, increase a therapy time, increase or reduce a therapy pressure, change a compression protocol or type of therapy, such as in the particular zone of the temperature measure or for all zones of the compression garment. For example, an increase or decrease in temperature (such as determined by comparison between one or more measurements from the temperature sensor and one or more thresholds) may be taken as an indication of a bacterial infection or elimination of a bacterial infection. Such a detection may trigger the controller to send a warning to the user or clinician. Such a detection may also trigger the controller to suspend or reduce a compression therapy, such as in the particular zone of detection, or initiate a compression therapy (e.g., of a lesser or higher than usual pressure in the zone of detection) or initiate a compression therapy so as to control the compression therapy in zones of the compression garment(s) that are not associated with the detected temperature increase or decrease. Other adjustments to the control of the compression therapy based on detected temperature may also be implemented by the controller.
As previously mentioned, the CPG device 1002 and/or any of the compression garments of the present disclosure may include one or more tension sensors (e.g. dielectric elastomer sensors) and/or strain sensors. One or more measurements from any of such sensors may inform the controller about the limb circumference (e.g., girth). Thus, the controller may be configured to evaluate limb circumference measure(s), such as in comparison to one or more thresholds, in providing information to the user or clinician, via a monitor of the CPG device 1002, the control device, and/or the portal system. Similarly, the controller may evaluate limb circumference measure(s), such as in comparison to one or more thresholds, for adjusting one or more therapy control parameters based on the determined circumference. For example, the controller may be configured to evaluate limb circumference from any of the sensor measures or zones of the compression garment. The controller, based on the evaluation, may be configured to suspend a therapy, reduce a therapy time, increase a therapy time, increase or reduce a therapy pressure, change a compression protocol or type of therapy, such as in the particular zone of the limb circumference measure or for all zones of the compression garment.
5.7.1.5 Diagnostics (Ultrasound)
One or more of the compression garments of the present disclosure may be configured with ultrasound transducers that are connected to the CPG device 1002 via electrical lines of the link 1006. One or more measurements from any such transducers may inform the controller about the Lymphedema condition of a user. Ultrasound sensing is capable of providing deep tissue information such as deeper lymphatic structures and how well fluid is draining.
The controller of the CPG device 1002, such as central controller 4230, may be configured to select between different therapy operations modes depending on which compression garment(s) of the present disclosure is/are connected to the CPG device 1002 and/or based on the conditions detected by the sensor. Such modes may depend on the number of zones of active valves coupled to the system. Such mode selections may be implemented by the controller in conjunction with clinician or user input (e.g., manual settings of the user interface of the CPG device and/or control device and/or transmitted from a portal system) and measurements from the sensors as previously described. Example control parameters of the controller that may be adjusted include, for example, the type (protocol) of compression therapy, pressure setting parameters, pressure waveform parameters, valve activation parameters such as for activation of zones at different times, and therapy time parameters. Examples of types of compression therapy are described in more detail herein.
In some versions, the CPG device 1002 may be configured with a control protocol for control of one or more compression garments to provide an applicator manipulation therapy. Such a Lymphedema therapy may be considered in relation to
To provide the applicator manipulation therapy, the controller may selectively activate the blower and/or valves to produce compression (e.g., vibrations) in a desired directional manner so as to induce a desired movement of the applicator on the patient's skin with sequential pressurization of the pneumatic chambers. One example of applicator manipulation provides a massage therapy that emulates the manual massage performed by physical therapists on lymphedema patients. In such an example, the controller may set the motor of the blower so that the CPG device 1002 produces a positive pressure according to a pressure setting (e.g., a predetermined pressure or a pressure determined based on a previous evaluation of sensor data). The controller may then actively inflate a first zone (e.g., Z1) by activating its valve(s) (open) to direct the pressurized air to the pneumatic chamber(s) of the zone. Such a pressure may optionally be varied by the controller according to a pressure waveform (e.g., sinusoidal or other) to induce a vibratory pressure inflation/deflation wave in the first zone. Such a pressure waveform may optionally be achieved by increasing and decreasing motor current of the blower and/or by opening and closing of the first zone active valve(s). This inflation/deflation permits the applicator to move to provide a localized force into the patient's skin responsive to the inflation/deflation. During this time, the controller may refrain from adjusting the active valves of other zones of the compression garment. Such control operations with the first zone may operate for a predetermined time (such as a fraction of the total desired therapy time.)
After the predetermined time, such a pressure control of the first zone may cease, such as by closing the active valves of the zone to maintain pressure in the zone or allowing the zone to deflate (e.g., partially to a second but lower positive pressure or completely to ambient pressure). The controller may then begin a similar pressurization routine with another zone, such as the next neighbouring zone (Z2) of the first zone. This may repeat the control as described with reference to the first zone but controlling the valves of the neighbouring zone over a second predetermined time, which may be approximately equal to the first predetermined time. In this manner, the controller may sequentially activate the zones of the compression garment 23004-A in a predetermined order (e.g., first Z1, then Z2, then Z3, then Z4 etc.) Preferably, such an ordering of control by the controller of the different zones of the compression garment 23004-A provides a sequential progression applying the applicator along the limb of the patient toward the trunk of the patient as a therapy. Thus, the zones may be sequentially activated toward a trunk end (e.g., closer to the patient's trunk) of the compression garment (e.g., away from an extremity end (further from the patient's trunk) of the compression garment).
This process may be repeated by the controller so that the therapy may cycle through each of the zones any number of times. Such a number of repetitions may be set as a control parameter for the therapy such as by a manual input to the CPG device 1002. Optionally, such repetition of a cycle of the applicator manipulation therapy may be based on the controller determining the presence of a certain level of swelling such as with any of the previously described diagnostic processes. For example, any one or more of the resistance, impedance, bioimpedance, girth, volume, skin/body composition, etc. sensing measures may be determined and evaluated by the controller after a cycle of therapy and the evaluation may trigger a repeat of the cycle or a termination of the therapy session. Similarly, the controller may determine whether to adjust the applied compression pressure level(s), such as to be higher, lower, or the same pressure level(s) depending on the evaluation of the sensor measurements. As previously mentioned, such repeated cycles may be controlled to be repeated for one, several or all of the zones of the garment depending on the measurement results of each zone.
Optionally, such a massage therapy protocol may be provided by the controller as described with a compression garment that does not include any applicator.
In some versions, the CPG device 1002 may be configured with a control protocol for control of one or more compression garments to provide a gradient therapy such as by controlling the valves of multiple zones to provide a pressure compression gradient that may be static for a desired therapy time. Such a Lymphedema therapy may be considered in relation to
In one example to provide the gradient therapy, the controller may be configured with a module or process that sets the zones to the gradient. For example, the controller may selectively activate the blower and/or valves to produce a pressure compression gradient by pressurization of the pneumatic chambers. In relation to the example compression garment illustrated in
Next, the controller may control the blower motor, such as in a pressure control loop, at a second pressure setting that is higher than the first pressure setting. During this time, the controller may direct a flow of pressurized air to a second zone, such as second zone Z2, by controlling an opening of one or more active valves associated with the second zone Z2. When the measured pressure achieves the desired level associated with the second pressure setting, the controller may then control the one or more active valves associated with the second zone Z2 to close. This may permit the second pressure to be maintained in the pneumatic chamber(s) of the second zone Z2.
This process may be repeated to set the pressure in each succeeding zone (e.g., zone Z3 to zone Z7) to a higher pressure than the preceding zone, until the pressure is set in each zone according to the desired gradient. Optionally, the CPG device 1002 may be disengaged once the zones have been set at the desired pressure levels. The CPG device 1002 may then permit this pressure gradient therapy state to be maintained for a predetermined therapy time or some modified time in relation to the diagnostics process(es) as previously described that may optionally be engaged by the controller and the sensors to adjust the therapy time. Upon expiration of the therapy time as evaluated by an internal processing clock of the controller, the controller may then control the valves of all of the pressurized zones of the compression garment 23004-B to open to release the compression pressure in each of the zones Z1-Z7. Optionally, such a gradient therapy process may be repeated any desired number of times, with a predetermined period of rest (depressurization) between each pressurization cycle that achieves the desired gradient.
Thus, the gradient therapy cycle may be repeated by the controller so that the therapy may be provided any number of times for a therapy session. Such a number of repetitions may be set as a control parameter for the gradient therapy such as by a manual input to the CPG device 1002. Optionally, such repetition of a cycle of the gradient therapy may be based on the controller determining the presence of a certain level of swelling such as with any of the previously described diagnostic processes. For example, any one or more of the resistance, impedance, bioimpedance, girth, volume, skin/body composition, etc. sensing measures may be determined and evaluated by the controller after a cycle of gradient therapy and the evaluation may trigger a repeat of the cycle or termination of the therapy session. Similarly, the controller may determine whether to adjust the applied compression pressure gradients (e.g., the high and low and intermediate steps, such as to be higher, lower or at the same pressure level(s)) depending on the evaluation of the sensor measurements. As previously mentioned, such repeated cycles, may be controlled to be repeated for several or all of the zones of the garment depending on the measurement results of each zone.
In some versions, the CPG device 1002 may be configured with a control protocol for control of one or more compression garments in an Adaptive Lymphatic Drainage therapy mode. The Adaptive Lymphatic Drainage therapy mode includes two phases—a Lymph Unload Phase and a Clearance Phase—and is designed to emulate Manual Lymphatic Drainage therapy as performed by a therapist. The aim of the Lymph Unload Phase is to clear the proximal lymph vessels, such that fluid from the distal areas can be received and ultimately transported through to the circulatory system. To achieve this, the compression garment may comprise a number of sections, such as where each section may have one or more zones.
For example, referring to
Following the Lymph Unload phase, the Clearance phase will begin, with the same waveforms being applied, this time progressing from pressurizing distal sections to pressurizing proximal sections. Thus, in this phase, control of each successive section advances (e.g., section-by-section) in a proximal (e.g., upward) direction (e.g., section 4 to section 1), while control of each successive chamber within each section advances (e.g., chamber-by-chamber) in a distal (e.g., downward) direction (e.g., chamber 3 to chamber 1). Table 1 provides an example control protocol of how this may occur.
The time spent pressurizing each section and chamber, and the number of cycles through each phase, may be determined in different ways. One method pressurizes each chamber for 10 seconds and repeats the Lymph Unload phase 5 times, before progressing to the Clearance phase. Alternatively, an adaptive and/or dynamic method receives diagnostic data on the limb condition (e.g., from sensors of the system), such as limb volume, limb girth, etc., allowing the method to adapt the pressure response as well as the timing. For example, if after the Lymph Unload phase the sensor data suggests that limb volume has gone down sufficiently, the adaptive method could immediately move to the Clearance phase. Alternatively, the adaptive method could cycle through the Lymph Unload phase several more times before progressing to the Clearance phase. In this way, the adaptive method may adapt the level of pressure required and the time spent in each chamber, section, and phase of therapy depending on the patient condition.
Often when patients have completed their massage therapy session and/or want to disconnect from the CPG device 1002, for example, in order to resume their daily routine, they require a degree of static compression in order to ensure that lymphatic fluid doesn't come back into the extracellular space. To achieve this, a walk mode therapy pre-inflates the compression garment to allow the patient to seamlessly continue with their routine without having to remove their compression garment and change to another, passive garment. The pre-inflate pressure(s) and/or pressure gradient may be predetermined or customizable as per the patient's needs as previously described.
In some implementations of the present disclosure, the therapy device controller 4240 (shown in
Optionally, in one form of the present technology, the central controller 4230 (
Upon detection of the fault condition, the corresponding algorithm signals the presence of the fault by one or more of the following:
According to another aspect of the present technology, the central controller 4230 omits a software module for detecting fault conditions. Rather, as discussed earlier, the detection of fault conditions may be handled exclusively by the fault mitigation integrated circuit that is separate from the central controller 4230. In some cases, the fault mitigation integrated circuit may serve as a redundant backup to similar fault detection/mitigation module with algorithms processed also within the central controller.
The system 1000 may include a control device 1010 (
Example operations with such an application of the control device may be considered in reference to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Another example of such a user interface control is illustrated in
Optionally, the control device 1010 may organize information in various additional user interface presentations such as illustrated in
The application of the control device 1010 may also provide a communication function. Thus, the control device 1010 may present, such as illustrated in
A portal system 2028 (
Referring to
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Referring to
Similarly, as illustrated in
Referring to
Referring to
The portal system 2028 may also utilise data analytics methods to personalize care plans. The portal could utilise patient history, therapy data and any diagnostic data to automatically recommend and/or adjust treatment plans. An example of this could be to incorporate data coming from an Indocyanine-Green (ICG) scan, which maps out the flow of fluid through the lymphatic networks. This data could provide information on how to personalize the compression waveform for a particular patient, such that applied direction of compression matches the natural flow of the lymphatic system (as seen in the scan). Following the initial setup in this manner, as the portal system 2028 may receive data from a CPG device over time, as well as clinical data entered from the physician, the portal system 2028 could continue to adapt therapy patterns accordingly. This is one example of how the portal system 2028 can personalize care plans for a patient. Apart from therapy, the portal system 2028 can also recommend changes to exercise patterns, diet, and lifestyle.
The disclosed compression therapy systems, such as those illustrated in
The resolution of such massage therapies may be further increased by partitioning each chamber (e.g., chambers 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 shown in
In some implementations of the present disclosure, the predetermined sequence of pressurization of micro-chambers provides a directional massage that, for example, starts at one end and moves towards another opposing end. For example, the massage starts at a distal end of a user's arm and moves towards a proximal end of the user's arm (or vice versa). For another example, the massage starts at a distal end of a user's leg (near the foot) and moves along a calf muscle and/or shin of the user towards a proximal end of the user's leg near the knee of the user (or vice versa).
Referring to
According to some implementations, a garment has between about 8 toroidal chambers (e.g., rows) and about 32 toroidal chambers (e.g., rows). In some such implementations, each of the toroidal chambers has about 10 micro-chambers. In some implementations, a garment according to the present disclosure includes between about 50 micro-chambers and about 100 micro-chambers. In some implementations, a garment includes about 80 micro-chambers. Various other garments with various other amounts of toroidal chambers/rows and various other amounts of micro-chambers are contemplated to provide compression therapy (e.g. massage emulation).
According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a chamber or macro-chamber is a chamber that is controlled with an active valve. In some such implementations, the macro-chamber is partitioned into smaller sub-chambers or micro-chambers, where each of the micro-chambers is connected with at least one other micro-chamber via passive valves and/or micro-conduits.
In some implementations, a macro-chamber of the present disclosure has a length/height between about 20 millimeters and about 120 millimeters, a width between about 10 millimeters and about 80 millimeters, and a depth/thickness between about 1 millimeter and about 10 millimeters.
In some implementations, a micro-chamber of the present disclosure has a length/height between about between about 0.25 inches (6 mm) and about two inches (50 mm), a width between about 0.25 (6 mm) inches and about two inches (50 mm), and a depth/thickness between about 0.1 inches (0.25 mm) and about 0.5 inches (12.5 mm). In some implementations, a micro-chamber has a length of about 12.5 millimeters, a width of about 12.5 millimeters, and a depth/thickness of about 5 millimeters.
In
According to some implementations, each toroidal chamber/row of a garment is separately pressurized via a separate and distinct active valve. Alternatively, one or more of the toroidal chambers/rows of a garment are fluidly connected to one or more other toroidal chambers/rows of the garment via one or more conduits. In some such implementations, the conduits connecting one toroidal chamber (e.g., macro-chamber) to another have a diameter of about 5 millimeters.
A compression therapy utilising a partitioned chamber such as the toroidal chamber 57000 is thus able to create a micro-massage on the wearer's skin. One aim of a micro-massage is to emulate the stretching effect of natural bodily movement. Lymphedema patients often lack normal mobility and thus their skin is deprived of this natural stretching effect. In addition, the micro-massage can increase pre-load of the lymphatic capillaries and greatly improve lymphatic and venous micro-circulation.
Referring to
Referring to
Another method for producing a third dimension of a micro-massage can involve having different knitting patterns in the textile to dictate the properties of the direction in which the material inflates and thereby have a three-dimensional effect. The third dimension may also be implemented via differing rates of inflation of the micro-chambers of a chamber, which in turn may be implemented via micro-conduits of different resistances to flow (e.g. different minimum diameters of the micro-conduits).
Referring back to
The configuration of the micro-conduits, and therefore the character of the resulting micro-massage, may be personalized for a particular patient. As described above, an ICG scan of the affected areas of a user/patient could provide information on how to personalize the micro-massage for a particular user/patient, such that the direction of the micro-massage matches the natural flow of the lymphatic system (as determined from the scan). Alternatively, as mentioned above, information enabling personalization may be obtained from the patient's clinical history, e.g. the pattern of swelling.
Micro-chambers may also be partitioned from non-toroidal chambers which do not necessarily wrap around a limb. Such chambers could be localised chambers taking any shape, used to target specific areas of the body. One example is an anatomically shaped chamber such as the bicep zone 19410 in
In some implementations, micro-chambers may be coated and/or have a surface finish applied to at least a portion thereof, so as to produce a textured surface to enhance skin stretching, improve comfort, and regulate skin environment. Silicone dot protrusions (e.g., generally circular dot protrusions) may present one particularly suitable option given silicone's natural high-friction surface properties. Alternatively, the micro-chamber surface may be brushed to create the same, or similar, effect.
A more intricate control system for the micro-chambers may involve
Cyclic pressurisation is similar to the oscillatory pressurisation waveforms described above in relation to
For the purposes of the present disclosure, in certain forms of the present technology, one or more of the following definitions may apply. In other forms of the present disclosure, alternative definitions may apply.
6.1 Aspects of CPG Devices
Blower or flow generator: a device that produces a flow of air at a pressure above ambient pressure. Such a device may be reversed (e.g., by reversing a motor direction) to draw (evacuate) a flow of air at a negative pressure below ambient pressure.
Controller: a device or portion of a device that adjusts an output based on an input. For example, one form of controller has a variable that is under control -the control variable- that constitutes the input to the device. The output of the device is a function of the current value of the control variable, and a set point for the variable. A CPG device (e.g., CPG device 1002) may include a controller that has pressure as an input, a target pressure as the set point, a level of pressure as an output, or any combination thereof. Another form of input may be a flow rate from a flow rate sensor. The set point of the controller may be one or more of fixed, variable or learned. A pressure controller may be configured to control a blower or pump to deliver air at a particular pressure. A valve controller may be configured to open or close one or more valves selectively according to a programmed protocol such as in response to a measure such as time and/or any of the signals provided by one or more sensors. A controller may include or be one or more microcontrollers, one or more microprocessors, one or more processors, or any combination thereof.
Therapy: therapy in the present context may be one or more of compression therapy, such as static compression therapy, sequential compression therapy, including massage therapy, as well as the therapies described in more detail herein, or any combination thereof.
Motor: a device for converting electrical energy into rotary movement of a member. In the present context the rotating member can include an impeller, which rotates in place around a fixed axis so as to impart a pressure increase or decrease to air moving along the axis of rotation.
Transducers: a device for converting one form of energy or signal into another. A transducer may be a sensor or detector for converting mechanical energy (such as movement) into an electrical signal. Examples of transducers include pressure sensors, flow rate sensors, and temperature sensors.
Volute: the casing of the centrifugal pump that directs the air being pumped by the impeller, such as slowing down the flow rate of air and increasing the pressure. The cross-section of the volute increases in area towards the discharge port.
Flow rate: the instantaneous volume (or mass) of air delivered or drawn per unit time. In some cases, a reference to flow rate will be a reference to a scalar quantity, namely a quantity having magnitude only. In other cases, a reference to flow rate will be a reference to a vector quantity, namely a quantity having both magnitude and direction (e.g., out of the CPG device or into the CPG device). Flow rate is given the symbol Q.
Pressure: force per unit area. Pressure may be measured in a range of units, including cmH2O, g-f/cm2, and hectopascals. One (1) cmH2O is equal to 1 g-f/cm2 and is approximately 0.98 hectopascal. In this specification, unless otherwise stated, pressure is given in units of cmH2O.
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
Unless the context clearly dictates otherwise and where a range of values is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit, between the upper and lower limit of that range, and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range is encompassed within the technology. The upper and lower limits of these intervening ranges, which may be independently included in the intervening ranges, are also encompassed within the technology, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either or both of those included limits are also included in the technology.
Furthermore, where a value or values are stated herein as being implemented as part of the technology, it is understood that such values may be approximated, unless otherwise stated, and such values may be utilized to any suitable significant digit to the extent that a practical technical implementation may permit or require it.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this technology belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present technology, a limited number of the exemplary methods and materials are described herein.
When a particular material is identified as being preferably used to construct a component, obvious alternative materials with similar properties may be used as a substitute. Furthermore, unless specified to the contrary, any and all components herein described are understood to be capable of being manufactured and, as such, may be manufactured together or separately.
It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include their plural equivalents, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
All publications mentioned herein are incorporated by reference to disclose and describe the methods and/or materials which are the subject of those publications. The publications discussed herein are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the present technology is not entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of prior invention. Further, the dates of publication provided may be different from the actual publication dates, which may need to be independently confirmed.
Moreover, in interpreting the disclosure, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest reasonable manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced.
The subject headings used in the detailed description are included only for the ease of reference of the reader and should not be used to limit the subject matter found throughout the disclosure or the claims. The subject headings should not be used in construing the scope of the claims or the claim limitations.
Although the technology herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the technology. In some instances, the terminology and symbols may imply specific details that are not required to practice the technology. For example, although the terms “first” and “second” may be used, unless otherwise specified, they are not intended to indicate any order but may be utilised to distinguish between distinct elements. Furthermore, although process steps in the methodologies may be described or illustrated in an order, such an ordering is not required. Those skilled in the art will recognize that such ordering may be modified and/or aspects thereof may be conducted concurrently or even synchronously.
It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the technology.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2019/055474 | 10/9/2019 | WO | 00 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62743862 | Oct 2018 | US | |
| 62830189 | Apr 2019 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 16428512 | May 2019 | US |
| Child | 17284437 | US |
