Patent ID: 8517963
Filing Date: 2013-08-27
Classification: A61B,A61F,A61H

Abstract:
1. A device for exerting an external pressure to a person's limb, the device comprising: at least two segments of which a first segment is adapted to at least partially enclose a first portion of the person's limb in a form-fitting manner and a second segment is adapted to at least partially enclose a second portion of the person's limb in a form-fitting manner, each of the at least two segments containing an electroactive-material-based actuator which is adapted to receive an electrical control signal and in response thereto adjust the actuator's morphology so as to in the absence of any intermediate component between the actuator and the person's limb cause the segment to apply a basic pressure profile to the person's limb in direct response to the electrical control signal; and a pressure transition system comprising an underlayer and one or more pressure redistribution elements which is adapted to be positioned between a first surface defined by the first and second segments and a second surface defined by the person's limb, wherein the pressure transition system extends over the first and second portions of the person's limb when the device is fitted on the person's limb, and further wherein the pressure transition system has such mechanical properties that the pressure transition system is adapted to redistribute the basic pressure profiles between the first and second segments via the one or more pressure redistribution elements, in such manner that a control signal in respect of the first segment causes the pressure transition system to apply a first adjusted pressure profile to at least a part of the second portion of the person's limb, a control signal in respect of the second segment causes the pressure transition system to apply a second adjusted pressure profile to at least a part of the first portion of the person's limb, and each of the first adjusted pressure profile and the second adjusted pressure profile being different from each of a first basic pressure profile of the first segment and a second basic pressure profile of the second segment.