Patent ID: 8114037

Claim:
An apparatus for use in counterpulsation treatment of a patient wherein pressure is applied to the patient's blood vessels to stimulate blood flow, comprising: at least one cuff to be received on a patient's body member, each said cuff having first and second ends; said at least one cuff having a pressure relief valve; at least one hydraulic actuator unit associated with said at least one cuff and controllably operable to a plurality of positions within a range of positions, said range of positions ranging from an original position to a maximum constricted position; the at least one cuff applying maximum pressure to the patient's blood vessels to constrict the blood vessels in the maximum constricted position of the plurality of positions of the actuator; the at least one cuff applying no pressure to the patient's blood vessels in the original position of the plurality of positions of the actuator; and said at least one hydraulic actuator unit controllably operable from said original position to any position within said range of positions on activation; each hydraulic actuator unit including: at least one hydraulic cylinder; a shaft for each hydraulic cylinder respectively connected to and driven by the hydraulic cylinder, said shaft adjustable to a plurality of positions within said range of positions, wherein at least one said first or second end of the at least one cuff is operationally connected to said shaft; and a curved plate attached to the at least one hydraulic actuator unit intermediate said unit and said body member, wherein the plate is shaped and sized such that at least a portion of said body member is supported against the plate.