Patent ID: 8864691
Filing Date: 2014-10-21
Classification: A61H

Abstract:
1. A method for applying pneumatic fluid pressure to the musculature of a limb to compress the musculature and augment blood flow velocity toward the heart, the method comprising (i) conveying pneumatic fluid pressure to a first medial zone, comprising a first core cell, of the musculature at the distal limb generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the limb, (ii) progressively applying the pneumatic fluid pressure from the first core cell to the musculature along a first pair of right and left lateral paths communicating with the first core cell and branching from the first core cell about 15° to about 85° measured from the longitudinal axis of the limb, and not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the limb, so that the application of pneumatic fluid pressure by the first pair of left and right lateral paths is also progressively advanced along the musculature in a proximal direction toward the heart, (iii) directing the pneumatic fluid pressure along an intra-zone channel from the lateral-most right and left extents of the first pair of right and left lateral paths medially, at an angle of less than 90° from the first pair of right and left lateral paths, to a second medial zone, comprising a second core cell, of the musculature proximal to the first core cell and also generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the limb, (iv) progressively applying the pneumatic fluid pressure from the second core cell to the musculature along second pair of right and left lateral paths communicating with the second core cell and branching from the second core cell about 15° to about 85° measured from the longitudinal axis of the limb, and not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the limb, so that the application of pneumatic fluid pressure also continues to be progressively advanced in a proximal direction in the second pair of left and right lateral paths toward the heart, (v) optionally, repeating (iii) and (iv) to apply the pneumatic fluid pressure to subsequent core cells and respective pairs of right and left lateral paths branching from each subsequent core cell about 15° to about 85° measured from the longitudinal axis of the limb, and not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the limb, so that the application of pneumatic fluid pressure continues to be progressively distributed both in a lateral direction and in a proximal direction toward the heart from distal limb to proximal limb, (vi) when the pneumatic fluid pressure reaches the lateral-most right and left extents of the right and left lateral paths at the proximal limb, venting the pneumatic fluid pressure from all core cells and respective right and left lateral paths, and (vii) repeating (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v) and (vi) for a prescribed time interval comprising a therapy session.