Patent ID: 7468048

Claim:
A joint aspirate facilitating device comprising: a main panel having first and second transverse edges and first and second longitudinal edges as said main panel is oriented with respect to a joint of a patient; an inflatable bladder secured to an interior side of said main panel, said inflatable bladder being oriented to compress at least one fluid sac of the joint, said inflatable bladder having a main portion with a generally curved configuration, said inflatable bladder further including a pair of transverse extensions protruding from said main portion and a converging area located between said pair of extensions and said main portion, said bladder extending between said longitudinal edges of said main panel; at least one access opening formed in said main panel, said access opening located at a targeted area where joint fluid is to be aspirated from the joint, said at least one access opening being formed in a gap between said pair of extensions, said extensions terminating adjacent said at least one access opening such that said extensions do not encircle the access opening; a closure element secured to at least one of said first and second longitudinal edges for is tightly securing the device to the joint.