Patent ID: 7186225

Claim:
An apparatus for increasing blood flow in a patient, the apparatus comprising: (A) a base contoured to seat near a central region of a patient's chest; (B) an actuator; (C) a substantially inelastic belt configured to wrap around said patient's chest; and (D) a force converter, mounted on said base, coupled to said actuator, and having two belt connectors coupled to opposite extremities of said belt, for converting a force applied to said actuator and directed toward said chest into belt tightening force resultants directed substantially tangentially to said chest to cause movement of said two belt connectors in directions to tighten said belt around said patient, said converter including a toothed surface, coupled to said actuator, and gears, coupled to said belt connectors and engaged with said toothed surface, said force applied to said actuator causing said toothed surface to move along said gears in a manner to move said two belt connectors in said directions to tighten said belt around said patient.