METHOD TO AUGMENT BLOOD CIRCULATION IN A LIMB

摘要

A method for augmenting blood circulation in the limb of a patient is provid ed by customizing the compression cycle based upon patient venous characteristics. The method measures the venous refill time o f the patient for use with an intermittent pneumatic compression device. A limb such as a leg is wrapped with a compression sleeve having at least one pressurizable chamber. The chamber is pressurized for a predetermined period of time to compress the limb and cause blood to flow out of the limb. The chamber is depressurized until the pressure in the chamber reaches a lower value, and the chamber is closed. Th e pressure in the chamber is sensed and the venous refill time, the time for the limb to refill with blood, is determined by sensing when th e pressure reaches or will reach a plateau. The venous refill time is used as the basis for the time between subsequent compression pulses of the compression device.