Patent ID: 9192509
Filing Date: 2015-11-24
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for treating a condition of a human, the apparatus comprising: an appendage chamber having an expandable cuff with an appendage opening configured to accept a human appendage containing an arteriovenous anastomosis (AVA); a thermal exchange member disposed within the appendage chamber, the thermal exchange member configured to selectively heat or cool blood flowing through the appendage containing the AVA, the thermal exchange member comprising a Peltier device or components for resistive heating or both; a disposable flexible membrane having a membrane opening configured to accept the appendage, the disposable flexible membrane configured to be at least partially disposed within the appendage chamber and to be removable from the appendage chamber; a pressure source disposed within the appendage chamber and comprising a single motor-driven pump, the pump coupled via an opening to the appendage chamber and coupled via a pressure line to the expandable cuff, the pump capable of applying negative pressure to the appendage chamber and applying positive pressure to the pressure line to expand the expandable cuff such that the disposable flexible membrane conforms to the expandable cuff to seal around the appendage, when the appendage within the flexible membrane is placed within the appendage chamber; a negative pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure within the appendage chamber; and a programmable controller configured to: wherein the flexible membrane comprises at least one pressure equalizing vent configured to permit a fluid to be drawn from within the flexible membrane through the at least one pressure equalizing vent as negative pressure is applied via the pressure source to create a negative pressure environment within the flexible membrane.