Patent ID: 7270642

Claim:
A device for applying controlled and adjustable compression to a limb, the device being characterized in that it comprises: a tubular sleeve ( 14 ) surrounding the limb ( 12 ), the sleeve comprising an anterior portion ( 16 ) of inextensible or relatively inextensible material suitable for bearing against a relatively incompressible region of the limb, and a posterior portion ( 18 ) of relative extensible material, suitable for covering the region of the limb that is to be compressed, the two portions being connected together substantially along two generator lines of the tubular sleeve forming connection generator lines ( 20 ); a plurality of inflatable balloons ( 22 ) disposed on the inside face of the anterior portion of the tubular sleeve along a generator line thereof situated at an intermediate position between the two connection generator lines between the two portions of the tubular sleeve, the balloons being suitable for being interposed between the inextensible material and said relatively incompressible region of the limb; and means ( 24 , 26 , 28 ) for inflating each of the balloons in differing manner to respective given pressures, so as to apply deformation to the anterior portion of the sleeve that is suitable for inducing a traction force exerted on the extensible posterior portion, said force being distributed regularly along the connection generator lines and acting perpendicularly to said generator lines, said traction force thus giving rise to compression action on the compressible region of the limb.