Patent Publication Number: US-2013231596-A1

Title: Sequential compression therapy compliance monitoring systems &amp; methods

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Sequential compression therapy (SCT) is often used for prevention of deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Traditionally monitoring compliance and the utilization of sequential compression therapy by a patient are accomplished by a caregiver. While various systems have been developed for monitoring sequential compression therapy, there is still room for improvement. Thus, a need persists for further contribution in this area of technology. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure includes one or more of the features recited in the appended claims and/or the following features which, alone or in any combination, may comprise patentable subject matter. 
     One embodiment of the system to track usage of a compression sleeve comprises a compression sleeve, a fluid supply operable to inflate the compression sleeve, a processor configured to control the operation of the fluid supply and a memory device configured to record duration of the inflation of the compression sleeve. 
     Another embodiment of the system to monitor compliance of a compression sleeve usage comprises a memory device configured to record usage of a compression sleeve, a processor configured to compare the usage with a predetermined threshold. 
     One embodiment of the method to monitor compliance of a compression sleeve usage comprises determining usage of a compression sleeve, comparing usage of a compression sleeve with a predetermined threshold and determining compliance by comparing usage of a compression sleeve with the predetermined threshold. 
     Another embodiment of a system to monitor compliance of a compression sleeve usage comprises a compression sleeve and a first processor mounted on the compression sleeve configured to determine duration of inflation of the compression sleeve and communicate with a second processor mounted on a person support apparatus. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the claimed subject matter and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the claimed subject matter. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a system to track usage of a compression sleeve integrated with a hospital bed, constructed according to principles of one or more of the teachings herein; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a system to track usage of a compression sleeve integrated with a fracture table, constructed according to principles of one or more of the teachings herein; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of a compression sleeve mounted on a patient&#39;s leg, constructed according to principles of one or more of the teachings herein; 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a system to monitor compliance of a compression sleeve, integrated with a hospital bed, constructed according to principles of one or more of the teachings herein; 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram of another system to monitor compliance of a compression sleeve, integrated with a hospital bed, constructed according to principles of one or more of the teachings herein; 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
     The embodiments of the claimed subject mater and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments and examples that are described and/or illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. It should be noted that the features illustrated in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and features of one embodiment may be employed with other embodiments as the skilled artisan would recognize, even if not explicitly stated herein. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques may be briefly mentioned or omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments of the claimed subject matter described. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the claimed subject matter may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments of the claimed subject matter described herein. Accordingly, the examples and embodiments herein are merely illustrative and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter, which is defined solely by the appended claims and applicable law. Moreover, it is noted that like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     It is understood that the subject matter claimed is not limited to the particular methodology, protocols, devices, apparatus, materials, applications, etc., described herein, as these may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. 
     A person support apparatus  10  according to one illustrative embodiment of the current disclosure is shown in  FIG. 1 . In the illustrative embodiment as described in  FIG. 1 , the person support apparatus  10  is a hospital bed. The person support apparatus  10  includes a lower frame or base  12 , a plurality of supports  16  coupled with the lower frame  12 , and an upper frame  14  supported by the plurality of supports above the lower frame  12 . The upper frame  14  is configured to variably elevate with respect to the lower frame  12 . A person support surface  18  is mounted on at least a portion of the person support apparatus  10 . The person support surface  18  has a head support section HP, a seat support section SP and a foot support section FP as shown in  FIG. 1 . The person support apparatus  10  may be a stretcher or an operating table in another embodiment as described in  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 1  illustrates a system to track usage of a compression sleeve comprising a fluid supply  22  mounted on the person support apparatus  10  and fluidly connected to the compression sleeve  20  using any one of a multitude of connection mechanisms, including quick disconnect type connectors. Compression sleeve  20  may be of any form, including but not limited to cuffs, boots and/or a wrap and may be customized to fit any body part. In one embodiment, the fluid supply  22  is removably mounted on the foot board FB, head board HB or the side rails SR. In another embodiment, the fluid supply  22  may be mounted on the compression sleeve  22 . The fluid supply  22  may be used for other functions of the person support apparatus  10 , including but not limited to inflation and/or deflation of a mattress. In another embodiment, the system to track usage of a compression sleeve  20  comprises a dedicated fluid supply  22 . The fluid supply  22  provides fluid to the compression sleeve  20  during inflation and vents the fluid from the compression sleeve  20  during deflation of the compression sleeve  20  in one embodiment. The fluid supply unit may be pneumatic or hydraulic in nature and may comprise a pump, blower, fan and/or a compressor. Therefore, the compression sleeve may be inflated with air, water, oil or any other fluid. A controller  24  comprises a processor  26  in communication with the fluid supply  22  and provides a control signal to the fluid supply  22  to inflate or deflate the compression sleeve  20 . The processor  26  also communicates with a pressure sensor  34  mounted on the compression sleeve  20  to allow measurement of the pressure inside the inflated compression sleeve  20  and/or the pressure applied on a patient&#39;s extremity to which the compression sleeve  20  is mounted. Alternatively, back pressure and/or electrical characteristics such as current and voltage changes of the prime mover of the fluid supply  22  may be used to determine the pressure in the compression sleeve in another embodiment. An electrical stimulation device  36  is mounted in the compression sleeve  20  to provide appropriate therapy to the patient. The electrical stimulation device  36  may be of any type, including a Transcutaneous Nerve Stimulation (TENS) type for blocking pain and/or an Electro Muscle Stimulation (EMS) device for stimulating muscles. The electrical stimulation device  36  is in communication with and receives control signals from the processor  26  to initiate or terminate therapy. In one embodiment, the electrical stimulation device  36  receives power from the controller  24  while in another embodiment the electrical stimulation device  36  has a dedicated power source such as a battery pack. The controller  24  is in communication with a Graphical User Interface (GUI)  48  to display alarms and other messages. The GUI  48  is integral to the person support apparatus  10  in one embodiment and is used to control other functions of the person support apparatus  10 . The GUI  48  also allows for user inputs and commands to set thresholds for the amplitude, frequency and/or time duration of SCT and/or electrical stimulation therapy. These thresholds may be in the form of an upper bound (should not exceed), lower bound (should be greater than) and/or a range. The processor  26  uses these thresholds to determine compliance with prescribed therapy. In one embodiment, the duration of cumulative therapy is tracked by the processor  26 , by storing, in a memory device  28 , data related to inflation and deflation of the compression sleeve  20  and/or operation of the electrical stimulation device. The memory device  28  may be of any type, including volatile and non-volatile types. If the cumulative duration of therapy does not meet the criteria established earlier, an alarm will be displayed on the GUI  48 . Display of other performance characteristics of the therapy on the GUI  48  is well within the scope of this disclosure, including, but not limited to cumulative duration of therapy, duration of therapy of current session, average amplitude of therapy which in one embodiment may be the pressure and/or the electrical stimulation applied and frequency of therapy. The GUI  48  also allows a user to clear previously stored data in the memory device  28  and/or initiate therapy. In another embodiment, the system to track usage of a compression sleeve includes a dedicated GUI  48 , which may be in the form of a pendant. 
     The illustrative embodiment as described in  FIG. 2  shows a compression sleeve  20  mounted in a stirrup  30  used in conjunction with an operating table. In the embodiment described in  FIG. 2 , the processor  26  and the memory device  28  are mounted on the compression sleeve  20 . The compression sleeve  20  is configured to couple to a fluid supply  22  mounted on the operating table using any type of connection mechanism, including a quick disconnect mechanism. In another embodiment, the fluid supply  22  may be mounted on the stirrup  30  or the compression sleeve  22 . The processor  26  and/or the memory device  28  wirelessly communicate with a communication network  40  ( FIG. 3 ). The communication network  40  is in turn connected to a GUI  48 , not shown in  FIG. 2  and the GUI  48  allows for inputting commands, display of messages and/or for communicating alarms received from the processor  26  and/or the memory device  28 . The illustrative embodiment as shown in  FIG. 2  also describes a physiological sensor  32  mounted on the compression sleeve  22  in communication with the processor  26 . It is well within the scope of the disclosure to include more than one physiological sensor  32  in the system. Physiological sensor  32  may be of any type and communicates with the processor  26  by way of an electrical signal indicative of at least one physiological parameter, including but not limited to temperature, blood pressure, heart rate and electrical activity. Processor  26  monitors the signals from the physiological sensor  32  and is configured to communicate an alarm to the GUI  48  in response to any of the physiological parameters not complying with a predetermined rule or threshold. The GUI is also configured to display data obtained from physiological sensors  32  via processor  26 . The illustrative embodiment as described in  FIG. 2  allows for the same compression sleeve to be used in post-operative care as was used during an operation. This transfer from an operating room to post-operative care often involves changing rooms and/or person support apparatus  10 . Since the system as described in  FIG. 2  allows for mounting the processor  26  and memory device  28  on the compression sleeve  22 , a continuous stream of data is available and a cumulative usage of the compression sleeve may be determined. The processor  26  and/or memory device  28  are configured to communicate with other controllers comprising processors and/or GUIs which in one embodiment may be remote. The processor  26  and/or the memory device  28  may communicate with a controller comprising a processor and/or GUI  48  integral to a patient support apparatus  10  via a wireless or wired connection based on the physical distance between the two devices. Thus, as the patient is moved from the operating room to a post-operative room, the processor  26  and/or the memory device  28  automatically connects with the controller of the person support apparatus  10  in the post-operative room. As described earlier, a fluid supply  22  mounted on the compression sleeve  20  allows for continued therapy during patient transfer. 
     The illustrative embodiment as described in  FIG. 3  shows one embodiment of a compression sleeve  20  for use in the system to track usage of a compression sleeve.  FIG. 3  shows the compression sleeve  20  used for sequential compression therapy of the patient&#39;s calf region. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the compression sleeve  20  has more than one zone in this embodiment, although a single pressurized zone is well within the scope of the current disclosure. The sleeve as described in  FIG. 3  has fluid supply lines connected to each zone, although a single supply line all the zones may be used in another embodiment. 
       FIG. 4  shows a block diagram of one embodiment of the system to track usage of a compression sleeve. The compression sleeve  20  is supplied fluid by a fluid supply  22 , which in turn receives a control signal from the processor  26 . At least one pressure sensor  34  mounted in the compression sleeve is in electrical communication with the processor  26 . At least one electrical stimulation device  36  is also in communication with the processor  26 . The processor  26  communicates with a memory device  28  and records parameters related to the sequential compression therapy, including, but not limited to any one or combination of the cumulative duration of therapy, duration of therapy for an individual session, amplitude and frequency of pressure applied. The processor  26  also conveys data corresponding to the signals received from at least one physiological sensor  32  and the electrical stimulation device  36  to the memory device  28 . The processor  26  is also in communication with an alarm  38 , which may be any combination of an audio, visual or tactile output. The processor  26  is configured to enable the alarm  38  based on the thresholds for sequential compression therapy, signals from the electrical stimulation device  36  or the physiological sensor  32 . The processor  26  is in communication with a graphical user interface (GUI)  48  which allows for input of control parameters by a user and for display of system messages. Alarm  38  may be triggered and in another embodiment a timer may be activated for the alarm to trigger after a predetermined time period. 
     In the illustrative embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , the memory device  28  is connected to a communication network  40 . The communication network  40  may be of any type, including but not limited to Wide Area Network (WAN), Local Area Network (LAN), Virtual Private Network (VPN), telephone lines, optical communications, internet communications or telex. The communication network  40  is in communication with at least one Electronic Medical Record (EMR)  44  or another healthcare information database, a hospital communication station  42  and a nurse call system  46 . The communication station  42  is a centralized location wherein one or more patients may be monitored by a caregiver. In one embodiment the communication station  42  may be stationary, while in another embodiment, it may be a mobile unit to accommodate prompt deployment. In the illustrative embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the processor  26  is connected to a communication network  40 . The communication network  40  may be of any type, including but not limited to Wide Area Network (WAN), Local Area Network (LAN), Virtual Private Network (VPN), telephone lines, optical communications, internet communications or telex. The communication network  40  is in communication with at least one Electronic Medical Record (EMR)  44  or another healthcare information database, a hospital communication station  42  and a nurse call system  46 . The communication station  42  is a centralized location wherein one or more patients may be monitored by a caregiver. In one embodiment the communication station  42  may be stationary, while in another embodiment, it may be a mobile unit to accommodate prompt deployment. 
     The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the subject matter (particularly in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. Furthermore, the foregoing description is for the purpose of illustration only, and not for the purpose of limitation, as the scope of protection sought is defined by the claims as set forth hereinafter together with any equivalents thereof entitled to. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illustrate the subject matter and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the subject matter unless otherwise claimed. The use of the term “based on” and other like phrases indicating a condition for bringing about a result, both in the claims and in the written description, is not intended to foreclose any other conditions that bring about that result. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention as claimed. 
     Preferred embodiments are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventor for carrying out the claimed subject matter. Of course, variations of those preferred embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventor expects skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventor intends for the claimed subject matter to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this claimed subject matter includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. 
     The disclosures of any references and publications cited above are expressly incorporated by reference in their entireties to the same extent as if each were incorporated by reference individually.