Patent ID: 7276037

Claim:
A system for applying external pressure to a saphenous vein of the human leg which extends longitudinally along the leg, the device comprising: a) a flexible member having an encircling configuration that wraps around the human leg and an opened unwrapped configuration, said encircling configuration defining a central axis therethrough, said flexible member having a first length in a direction of said central axis and said flexible member having a first width when in said opened unwrapped configuration; b) an elongate air bladder of a first size supported by said flexible member in said encircling configuration, said air bladder having a second length extending in said encircling configuration in a direction substantially parallel to the central axis and to said first length, and said elongate air bladder having a second width, said second length being at least twice said second width and said second width being less than half said first width, said air bladder capable of inflation to a pressurized state which supplies compressive forces that are directed radially inward toward the central axis and adapted due to said second length and second width to apply said compressive forces to the saphenous vein of the leg when supported by said flexible member in said encircling configuration; c) an air pumping mechanism, operably coupled to said air bladder, that operates to inflate said air bladder to a pressurized state that is less than 40 mmHg, whereby in the pressurized state said air bladder provides for application of external pressure to the saphenous vein of the leg that is covered by said air bladder; and d) at least one pressurized member of a second size less than one-half said first size and having a sealed chamber filled with fluid to a pressurized state, said pressurized member separate and distinct from said flexible member and said air bladder and thus moveable relative to said flexible member and air bladder, said pressurized member having means for adhering said pressurized member to the leg such that it is operably disposed between the leg and the flexible member whereby it applies increased localized pressure to the leg.