| 摘要 |
An abdominal decompression apparatus reduces intra-abdominal pressure in patients by application of negative pressure to the patient's abdomen. Preferably, the negative pressure is applied continuously at low negative pressures (e.g., -20 to -40 mm Hg) for extended periods of time (e.g., 6-12 hours). Changes in the patient's intra-abdominal pressure can be monitored using measurements of the patient's bladder pressure, and treatments can be designed to achieve desired decreases in bladder pressure. To alleviate pain and permit maximum decrease in intra-abdominal pressure, a countertraction mechanism is connected to the shell which encloses the patient's abdomen, and counters the negative pressure induced downward movement of the shell on the patient's chest. The countertraction mechanism is sufficient to reduce or eliminate the negative pressure induced downward movement but is less than an amount which would cause loss of vacuum pressure within said shell. |
