Patent ID: 7491185
Filing Date: 2009-02-17
Classification: A61H,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A system for exerting a compressive force on an exterior treatment portion of a user's body comprising the user's thighs in synchrony with the heart beat of the user, comprising: a covering member for covering the treatment portion, said covering member comprising a garment enclosing at least the user's thighs when worn by the user; and a plurality of electroactive polymer (EAP) actuators operably connected to the covering member, wherein said electroactive polymer actuators comprise an electroactive polymer member, a counter electrode and an electrolyte-containing region disposed between the electroactive polymer member and the counter electrode, wherein a plurality of said EAP actuators extend circumferentially around the user's thighs in multiple rows when worn by the user, wherein a plurality of actuators are provided in a spaced relationship in each single row, and wherein the location of the spaces between adjacent actuators in one row is offset from the spaces between adjacent actuators of an adjacent row such that the entire circumference of the treatment portion will be covered by an actuator over a plurality of rows of actuators.