Patent ID: 8790266

Claim:
A method of performing remote ischemic preconditioning to render tissue resistant to injury during subsequent ischemic episodes, the method comprising: positioning a cuff about a limb of a subject at a location remote from the tissue being rendered resistant; initiating a treatment protocol that is controlled by a controller and that includes a plurality of treatment cycles that include at least a first treatment cycle and a second treatment cycle; the first treatment cycle comprising: compressing the limb of the subject with pressure applied by the cuff to occlude blood flow through the limb for a first ischemic duration that lasts for at least a minute; and releasing pressure applied to the limb by the cuff to allow blood flow through the limb for a first reperfusion duration that lasts at least one minute; the second treatment cycle comprising: compressing the limb of the subject with pressure applied by the cuff to occlude blood flow through the limb for a second ischemic duration that lasts for at least a minute; and releasing pressure applied to the limb by the cuff to allow blood flow through the limb for a second reperfusion duration that lasts at least one minute; and removing the cuff from the limb of the subject.