Patent ID: 6962599
Filing Date: 2005-11-08
Classification: A61G,A61H

Abstract:
1. An external counterpulsation apparatus for treating a patient, comprising: a plurality of inflatable devices adapted to be received about the lower extremities of the patient; a source of compressed fluid in communication with said plurality of inflatable devices; and a fluid distribution assembly interconnecting said source of compressed fluid and said inflatable devices, said fluid distribution assembly including a selectively operable inflation/deflation valve interconnected between each of said inflatable devices and said source of compressed fluid, distribution compressed fluid from said source of compressed fluid to each said inflation/deflation valve, and separately operating each said inflation/deflation valve to sequentially inflate and sequentially or simultaneously deflate each of said inflatable devices, each said inflation/deflation valve having an input in fluid communication with said source of compressed fluid; an inflation/deflation port in fluid communication with one of said inflatable devices; a deflation exhaust port in fluid communication with the atmosphere, said deflation exhaust port being normally open so as to exhaust compressed fluid upon loss of power to the external counterpulsation apparatus; and a power operator connected to each of said inflation/deflation valves and electrically or pneumatically actionable, whereby each of said inflation/deflation valves is separately inflatable and deflatable.