US20100198122A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20100198122A1
Application number: US12/758,956
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert M. Freund
Original assignee: Angiosome Inc
Current assignee: Angiosome Inc
Priority date: 2004-09-27
Filing date: 2010-04-13
Publication date: 2010-08-05
Also published as: US7823219B2; US20060064800A1

Abstract

An apparatus for treating or preventing decubitus ulcers includes: a garment sized and shaped to be worn by a patient; a first plurality of fluid channels and a second plurality of fluid channels coupled to the garment and disposed adjacent to one another, at least some of the first plurality of fluid channels being independently inflatable and deflatable as compared with at least some of the second plurality of fluid channels; and a fluid control mechanism coupled to the first and second plurality of fluid channels and operating to repeatably and sequentially inflate and deflate the independently inflatable and deflatable fluid channels from among the first and second plurality of fluid channels such that there is less than a predetermined level of pressure exerted on the patient's tissue under one or more of the deflated channels.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/952,349, pending and allowed, filed Sep. 27, 2004, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a therapeutic pressure-relieving device and method for preventing and treating decubitus ulcers on a portion of a patient's body.

Decubitus ulcers (commonly referred to as “bedsores”) may form on parts or portions of a patient's body when in contact for a prolonged period of time with an object such as, for example, a bed, a wheelchair, or other type of furniture. The pressure exerted on the skin covering or surrounding the bony prominences on the portions of the patient's body that are in contact with a surface on the furniture may result in the skin becoming inflamed, and may obstruct or restrict the blood flow to the skin and/or the underlying tissue, causing the skin and underlying tissue to become ischemic, eventually resulting in the formation of decubitus ulcers. Decubitus ulcers can form in any area of tissue covering a bony prominence that is in contact with the surface of the bed or sofa or other furniture upon which the patient is resting, e.g., parts of the spine, heels, elbows, and shoulders, shoulder blades, as well as the sacral, trochanteric and ischial areas in the coccyx, hips and buttocks.

Specifically, although arterial inflow can continue and withstand pressure upwards of 170-mm Hg or greater, venous return or blood flow from a region is restricted or obstructed with pressures as low as 32-mm Hg on the skin and underlying tissue. The restriction or obstruction of the venous return of blood from the skin and underlying tissue may lead to the buildup of toxins and waste products that may lead to the formation of decubitus ulcers. Initially, pressure on the skin and tissue may lead to pink coloration and/or mild inflammation, which may disappear within a few hours of relieving pressure on the area. If pressure is not relieved, superficial lesions may form on the skin, then turning into ulcers which continue growing deeper until extending through the bone to internal organs, eventually becoming fatal to the patient.

A traditional means for preventing the formation of decubitus ulcers is to physically turn the patient from side to side at short intervals of time, thus alleviating the amount of time a specific body part is subjected to straining pressures. However, this method of prevention often proves ineffective since the turning of the patient only relieves pressure from certain regions of the body. Moreover, a patient will many times return to a default position even after having been rotated. In addition, since nurses or other aids must be present to physically rotate the patient, this method is laborious, time-consuming and costly.

An alternative method for preventing the formation of decubitus ulcers is the use of air mattresses. Since air mattresses reduce the solidity of the contact surface, the mattresses relieve some of the pressure on the patient's body. However, these devices can be costly and not readily available to all patients. Furthermore, the mattresses are not easily portable in case the patient is moved to another unit or bed.

SUMMARY

This invention relates to a therapeutic device and method for treating and preventing decubitus ulcers on parts or portions of a patient's body by alleviating pressure on the tissue covering and immediately surrounding the bony prominences in the body portion and by alleviating pressure on the blood vessels in the angiosomes in the body portion to allow blood flow to continue throughout the body portion, including venous return, as well as arterial inflow. The device may be configured to act upon a particular body portion. The device may include inflatable channels or pockets positioned within the device based on the distribution of one or more angiosomes in the body portion, and pressure relievers to protect the tissue covering and immediately surrounding the bony prominences in the body portion. The channels may be sequentially or periodically inflated and deflated to alleviate pressure on the body portion while allowing blood flow throughout the angiosomes.

In an example embodiment, the device may include a portable, washable, removable, durable garment that provides pressure relief from sacral, trochanteric and ischial pressure sores or decubitus ulcers. The device may use sequential air channel technology to relieve pressure and allow blood flow to and from the sacral, trochanteric and ischial regions of the coccyx, hips and buttocks based on the angiosome distribution or location of angiosomes in the coccyx, hips and buttocks.

The garment may include rib-shaped or rib-patterned inflatable cushions, pockets or channels radially oriented around a position of an angiosome in each area. The channels are sequentially inflated and deflated to vary and relieve pressure around a center of the angiosome and maximize blood flow around the angiosomes. Air, water or other fluids may be pumped into the channels and removed from the channels with a bedside pump or motor attached to ports that are connected to the channels in the garment. The garment may be made with plastic or another material that may be washable and collapsible for storage purposes. The garment may also be made with a breathable fabric. For example, an inner liner made out of cotton can be provided to line the interior of the garment. The inner liner may be washable and replaceable or disposable. The garment may also have one or more ports to releasably connect the pump or motor to the garment.

The pump or motor can inflate and/or deflate the channels in the garment through the ports on the garment. For example, the garment may have two ports, with each half of the channels in the garment being inflated and deflated by the pump through each of the ports. Specifically, one set of channels may be deflated through one port, while the channels in between the deflated channels are being inflated through the other port.

In an example embodiment, an apparatus includes a portable garment configured to be placed on a portion of a body to provide a varying pressure on the body portion. The provided pressure varying within a range sufficient for at least one of treating and preventing a decubitus ulcer in the body portion.

In an example embodiment, an apparatus includes a mechanism configured to alleviate pressure on a portion of a body. The mechanism provides a varying pressure on the body portion. The mechanism may include channels or pockets that are inflatable with a fluid (e.g., air or water), or with a gel-like substance (e.g., silicon or another pliable material or substance). The pressure provided by the sequential or periodic inflation and deflation of the channels or pockets may vary continuously, e.g., by fluctuating through a range of pressures, or it may vary periodically, providing different levels of pressure at different time periods. The mechanism is positioned based on, inter alia, the location or distribution of one or more angiosomes in the body portion.

In an example embodiment, an apparatus comprises a device including a plurality of inflatable channels configured to be periodically or sequentially inflated and deflated to provide a varying pressure on a portion of a body of a patient that varies within a range sufficient for at least one of treating and preventing a decubitus ulcer.

In an example embodiment, a garment for treating and preventing decubitus ulcers around one or more of the coccygeal, hip and buttocks areas of a patient's body includes one or more cushions in the garment, and one or more adjustable bands removably attaching the garment to the body. The cushions are positioned radially away from one or more of the sacrum, ischial and trochanter areas. The cushions are positioned in the garment as a function of the location or distribution of the angiosomes in one or more of the sacrum, ischial and trochanter areas.

In an example embodiment, an apparatus for treating and preventing decubitus ulcers around at least one of a coccygeal, buttocks and hip areas of a body includes a garment and a pump releasably connectable to the garment. The garment includes a plurality of inflatable channels and a plurality of pressure relievers. The channels are configured to be alternately inflated and deflated in order to provide a variety of pressures on a body portion in or around the coccygeal, buttocks and hip areas of the body. The channels and the pressure relievers are positioned in the garment based on the locations of angiosomes or angiosome distribution in one or more of the sacrum, ischial and trochanter regions in the coccygeal, buttocks and hip areas. The pump is configured to pump and remove air from the inflatable channels in the garment.

In an example embodiment, a method for treating and preventing decubitus ulcers on a portion of a body includes the step of sequentially or periodically inflating and deflating channels in a garment worn on the body portion. The maximum pressure provided by the channels in the garment on the body portion is sufficient to treat and/or prevent decubitus ulcers treating or preventing a decubitus ulcer on the body portion.

In an example embodiment, a method for treating and preventing decubitus ulcers on a portion of the body includes the step of sequentially or periodically inflating and deflating air channels in a garment worn on the body portion. The channels are positioned in the garment as a function of the location of angiosomes in the body portion.

In accordance with one or more further embodiments, methods and apparatus provide for: a garment sized and shaped to be worn by a patient; a first plurality of fluid channels and a second plurality of fluid channels coupled to the garment and disposed adjacent to one another, at least some of the first plurality of fluid channels being independently inflatable and deflatable as compared with at least some of the second plurality of fluid channels; and a fluid control mechanism coupled to the first and second plurality of fluid channels and operating to repeatably and sequentially inflate and deflate the independently inflatable and deflatable fluid channels from among the first and second plurality of fluid channels such that there is less than a predetermined level of pressure exerted on the patient's tissue under one or more of the deflated channels.

The predetermined level of pressure may be about 32 mm Hg.

The fluid control mechanism may operate to sequentially: inflate the independently inflatable and deflatable fluid channels from among the first plurality of fluid channels while deflating the independently inflatable and deflatable fluid channels from among the second plurality of fluid channels; and deflate the independently inflatable and deflatable fluid channels from among the first plurality of fluid channels while inflating the independently inflatable and deflatable fluid channels from among the second plurality of fluid channels.

According to one or more aspects, such inflation/deflation is carried out such that there is less than about 32 mm Hg pressure exerted on the patient's tissue under one or more of the deflated channels. According to one or more additional or alternative aspects, such inflation/deflation is carried out to provide a rocking motion for moving the patient from one position to another.

At least one of the independently inflatable and deflatable fluid channels from among the first plurality of fluid channels may extend in a longitudinal direction; and at least two of the independently inflatable and deflatable fluid channels from among the second plurality of fluid channels extend along either side of the at least one of the independently inflatable and deflatable fluid channels from among the first plurality of fluid channels. In such case, the fluid control mechanism may operate to sequentially and repeatably: inflate and deflate the at least one of the independently inflatable and deflatable fluid channels from among the first plurality of fluid channels; and inflate and deflate the at least two of the independently inflatable and deflatable fluid channels from among the second plurality of fluid channels, such that there is less than about 32 mm Hg pressure exerted on the patient's tissue under the at least one of the independently inflatable and deflatable fluid channels from among the first plurality of fluid channels, while in a deflated state.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a bone structure of a lower portion of a human body.

FIG. 2 illustrates angiosome distribution and location, and locations of blood vessels and tissues surrounding bony prominences in the lower portion of a standing human body.

FIG. 3 illustrates angiosome distribution and location, and locations of blood vessels and tissues surround bony prominences in the lower portion of a seated human body.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective frontal view of an embodiment of a device for preventing and treating decubitus ulcers according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective rear view of the embodiment of the device for preventing and treating decubitus ulcers ofFIG. 4.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective rear view of a person in a standing position wearing the embodiment of the device for preventing and treating decubitus ulcers ofFIG. 4.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective frontal view of a person in a seated position wearing the embodiment of the device for preventing and treating decubitus ulcers ofFIG. 4.

FIG. 8 illustrates a partial view of a portion of an embodiment of a device for preventing and treating decubitus ulcers and a partial view of the underlying blood vessels and angiosomes, according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a partial view of a portion of an embodiment of a device for preventing and treating decubitus ulcers and a partial view of the underlying blood vessels and angiosomes, according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a frontal perspective view of an embodiment of a device for preventing and treating decubitus ulcers according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates a rear perspective view of an embodiment of a device for preventing and treating decubitus ulcers according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a device and method for preventing and treating decubitus ulcers.FIGS. 1 through 3 illustrate the underlying anatomy and conditions that lead to the formation of decubitus ulcers.FIGS. 4 through 7 illustrate various aspects of the device and method according to the present invention.

As described above, a patient who is confined to a bed, a wheelchair or other types of furniture, and cannot move or be moved for prolonged periods of time, may be prone to decubitus ulcers (also referred to as bed sores or pressure sores) in the parts of their bodies having bony prominences that are subject to constant pressure when the parts of their bodies are resting or being constrained against a surface of the furniture.FIGS. 1 through 3 illustrates a basic bone structure, highlighting the bony prominences in themiddle portion5 of a person'sbody1 over which pressure sores may form in

tissue

3,7 and11 after a period of continuous and static pressure to the overlying tissue, when a patient is left or restrained to lie or sit in a bed or in a chair for prolonged periods of time without movement. Ischial decubitus ulcers or pressure sores may form in thetissue3 covering theischium4 in thebuttocks2. Trochanteric decubitus ulcers or pressure sores may form in the tissue7 covering the trochanters6 (the broad flat bony prominence at the top of the femur9) in thehips8. Sacral decubitus ulcers or pressure sores may form in thetissue11 covering the sacrum or sacral12 in the area of thecoccyx10.

Decubitus ulcers

3,7 and11, may be prevented and/or treated with adevice20 that alleviates pressure on the

tissue

3,7 and11 that is on and surrounds the

bony prominences

4,6 and10 in aportion5 of thebody1, while allowing blood to flow through theangiosomes18 andblood vessels5 in theportion5 of thebody1, while the patient is resting or is confined or constrained in a particular position in or on a piece offurniture13.

There are angiosomes18 distributed throughout themiddle portion5 of thebody1, and through other parts or portions of thehuman body1. Anangiosome18 is a three dimensional block of tissue supplied by a single source artery. The distribution ofangiosomes18 refers to a mapping ofblood vessels19 in a block of tissue, or the tree-line pattern or arborization of blood vessels in a certain area, e.g., in thebody portion5, or for the

tissue

3,7 and11 on and surrounding the ischial orischium4,trochanteric6, and sacral orsacrum12. If external pressure cuts off the blood flow through one or more blood vessels19 (e.g., venous return), then there may be a lack of nutrients and/or build up of toxins or waste product in the 3 dimensional block of tissue being serviced by thoseblood vessels19 in aparticular angiosome18, which may lead to the formation of decubitus ulcers in the tissue. Thus, if any device that purports to relieve pressure on a part orportion5 of thebody1 cuts off blood flow in anangiosome18, the device may still affect the viability of the tissue being supplied by theblood vessels19 in theangiosome18.

Thus, adevice20 that alleviates pressure on areas of

tissue

3,7 and11 while taking into account the location or distribution ofangiosomes18 andblood vessels19 in a portion of abody1, will be able to alleviate pressure, while allowing for blood flow to continue in theportion5 of thebody1. Since the mapping ofblood vessels19 or distribution ofangiosomes18 tends to be similar from person to person, it is possible to standardize a design of adevice20 based on the location or distribution ofangiosomes18 andblood vessels19 in aportion5 of thebody1, and use thedevice20 on more than one person.

Thedevice20 illustrated inFIGS. 4 through 9 is configured to alleviate pressure on amiddle portion5 of thebody1 including thebuttocks2,hips8 andcoccyx10. Thedevice20 includes agarment25 and apump50 releasably attached or coupled or connected thereto to pump air, water or other fluids or gel-like substances and/or remove such fluids or substances from thegarment25 when thepump50 is activated or actuated. Thegarment25 is portable and configured to fit around thewaist15, and may be worn as a pair ofshorts26 on thebody1, alleviating pressure on and around the trochantericbony prominences6 in thehips8, the ischialbony prominences4 in thebuttocks2, and the sacralbony prominences12 in thecoccyx10, and allowing blood flow based on the distribution ofangiosomes18 and theblood vessels19 in theangiosomes18 in thebody portion5.

Thegarment25 provides pressure varying in a range sufficient for treating and/or preventing decubitus ulcers in thebody portion5. Unlike products that provide higher pressures that periodically cut off blood flow to simulate the pumping action of arterial inflow to prevent and/or treat deep vein thrombosis, the maximum pressure provided by thedevice20 on thebody portion5 is set below the pressure for preventing and/or treating deep vein thrombosis.

Thegarment25 includes sequential air technology to provide varying pressure on thebody portion5, based on the location or distribution ofangiosomes18 in thebody portion5 to allow for maximal blood flow throughout theangiosomes18 in thebody portion5, including through theblood vessels19 therein. The sequential air technology includes sequentially or periodically inflating and deflatingchannels30 ingarment25. Thechannels30 may be integrated or intertwined in amiddle layer22 or anouter layer21 in thegarment25, andchannels30 may also refer to or include pockets or cushions.

Thechannels30 are inflatable with a fluid, e.g., air or water, or with a gel-like substance, e.g., a silicon-based gel. Thechannels30 are positioned in thegarment25 based on the location or distribution ofangiosomes18 in thebody portion5, and theblood vessels19 in thebody portion5. Thechannels30 are configured to be sequentially or periodically inflated and deflated. Thechannels30 may provide a fluctuating pressure by continuously inflating or deflating, or the channels may provide an otherwise varying pressure by remaining inflated and then deflated for certain periods of time, e.g., 5 minutes in each phase. The pressure applied by theinflated channels30 on thebody portion5 and/or the pressure on the parts of thebody portion5 under the deflatedchannels30 may be configured or set not to exceed the pressure that stops blood flow in the blood vessels, e.g., 32 mm Hg. The time periods and patterns of inflation and/or deflation ofchannels30 may be configured to minimize the obstruction or reduction of blood flow in theblood vessels19, and blood supply in theangiosomes18 in thebody portion5.

Some of thechannels38 may be rib-shaped, parallel to one another, and arranged in a rib-like pattern, as illustrated inFIG. 5. Additionally, at least some of thechannels30 may be configured to be offset from the locations ofangiosomes18 orblood vessels19 when thegarment25 is on thebody portion5. If thechannels30 were positioned in thegarment25 to crossblood vessels19, then inflation of thechannels30 may obstruct or restrict blood flow through theblood vessels19. In order to allow or promote maximal blood flow through theblood vessels19 andangiosomes18, some of thechannels30 may be positioned or configured to run adjacent to or parallel toblood vessels19 in theangiosomes18, as illustrated inFIGS. 8 and 9. The parallel placement ofchannels30 helps to minimize any interruption or disturbance to the blood flow in thebody portion5, when thechannels30 are being inflated and/or deflated.

Some or all of thechannels30 may be spaced apart from one another, as illustrated inFIG. 9. Some or all of thechannels30 may be interwoven or intertwined, as illustrated inFIG. 8. Even if the channels are interwoven or intertwined, as illustrated inFIG. 8, there is no or little pressure (e.g., less than 32 mm Hg) on theblood vessels19 under the deflated channels36, in part due to the support provided by inflated channels37, to allow blood flow, including venous return as well as arterial inflow to continue through theblood vessel19.

Thegarment25 may also include

pressure relievers

44, and42 to protect the underlying tissue from any excess pressure, such as pressure from contact with a surface of thefurniture13.

Pressure relievers

44,46 and42 may include or be made with a cushion or padding that alleviates some of the excess pressure on the

tissue

3,7 or11, when in contact with a surface of thefurniture13. Alternatively,

pressure relievers

44,46 and42 may lack any cushion or padding, but be surrounded by padded support, and the surroundingchannels30, so that the tissue thereunder does not come into contact or encounters minimal pressure from thegarment25 and from any surface on thefurniture13. The

pressure relievers

44,46 and42 may not be inflated or inflatable to reduce or eliminate pressure placed on the underlying tissue.

Pressure reliever

44 is positioned ingarment25 to protect at least part or all of thetissue3 in the area of the ischiumbony prominence4 in thebuttocks2.Pressure reliever46 is positioned ingarment25 to protect at least part or all of the tissue7 in the area of the trochantericbony prominence6 in thehips8.Pressure reliever42 is positioned ingarment25 to protect at least part of or all of thetissue11 in the area of the sacralbony prominence12 in thecoccyx10. Thegarment25 may include asacral ring48 to surround or encirclepressure reliever42. Thesacral ring48 may provide extra support for thegarment25. For example, if thesacral ring48 is integrated with theouter layer21, thesacral ring48 may maintain the integrity of thegarment10 around thesacrum12. Thesacral ring48 may be made of a rigid material or a more flexible material, such as, e.g., plastic. Alternatively, thegarment25 may have nosacral pressure reliever42, but the tissue in thesacral area11 may be protected from excess pressure by thesacral ring48 alone, for example, if it is of sufficient thickness to protecttissue11 from direct contact with a surface offurniture13.

Some of thechannels30 in thegarment25 may include one ormore channels35 configured around the

pressure relievers

44,46 and42. Thechannels35 may be configured or positioned to be offset from the center of the tissue on and surrounding a bony prominence, e.g., centers45,47 and43 of the areas of

tissue

3,7 and11, covering the ischium, trochanteric and sacral

bony prominences

4,6 and12, in the region of thebuttocks2,hips8 andcoccyx10, respectively, also referred to as the ischial, trochanteric and sacral areas of thebody portion5. Thechannels35 may be referred to as additional channels, and may be positioned to extend radially from the

centers

45,47 and43 when thegarment25 is on thebody portion5. Thechannels35 arranged radially around the

pressure relievers

44,46 and42, and around the tissue centers45,47 and43, may extend radially through the part of

tissue

3,7 and11 that surround the

centers

45,47 and43 (which may also be referred to as pressure centers). The remainder of thechannels30 may be positioned in rib-like patterns outside of the

pressure relievers

44,46 and42, and theadditional channels35 positioned around the

pressure relievers

44,46 and42.

Thedevice20 also includes apump50 releasably connectable to thegarment25 via one or more valves or ports ongarment25. Thepump50 may be small and lightweight, to be portable, and may be configured to be releasably attachable to one or more pieces of furniture (including achair13, or for example, the intravenous pole), or directly to the person using thegarment25, e.g., as on a belt around thewaist15.

As illustrated inFIGS. 4 through 6, pump50 is releasably connectable to

ports

27 and28 ongarment25. Thepump50 is configured to periodically or sequentially inflate and deflate one or more of thechannels30 in thegarment25 through valves or

ports

27 and28 ongarment25, e.g., by pumping and/or removing air, water or other fluids or gel-like substances into and/or out of thechannels30 through

ports

27 and28. Thepump50 may be configured to be able to regulate the amount of fluids or substance being pumped or removed fromchannels30. Thepump50 may also be configured to time the periods for each of the inflation and deflation cycles. Thepump50 may be configured to inflate and deflate all of the channels at the same time. Alternatively, thepump50 may be configured to inflate one subset ofchannels30 throughport27 while deflating another subset ofchannels30 throughport28. As illustrated inFIGS. 8 and 9 with arrows indicating directions of fluid movement, one subset of channels37 may be inflated throughport27 while another subset of channels36, alternating between channels37, are being deflated throughport28.

Alternatively, the first subset ofchannels30 may be configured to be one side of thegarment25, and the second subset ofchannels30 may be configured to be on another side of thegarment25. The sequential or periodic inflation and/or deflation of the first and second subsets ofchannels30 under this configuration provides a rocking motion, and may be implemented to periodically move the patient from one position to another. Thepump50 may be supplied with additional ports (not shown), so that thepump50 may be configured to act on one set ofchannels30 at a time, for example, leaving a third subset of channels entirely deflated if it is on a portion of the body not in contact with a piece offurniture13. In any case, alternately inflating and deflating different portions ofgarment25 or different subsets ofchannels30 according to different patterns will prevent pressure from inflated channels remaining on any specific location of thebody portion5 for an extended amount of time.

Thegarment25 itself may be made with a durable washable material, e.g., plastic. Thegarment25 may be configured with layers, as illustrated inFIG. 4. Thechannels30 may be integrated into amiddle layer22 ofgarment25.Outer layer21 may provide a protective plastic covering over thechannels30 and the remainder of thegarment25. Theouter layer21 may have holes or pores29 to allow air to pass through to and from themiddle layer22, theinner layer23 and thebody portion5.Outer layer21 may be detachable from the rest of thegarment25, to be washed or rinsed off, or replaced.

Theinner layer23 may include a liner or lining24 that is made with a breathable or softer or hypoallergenic fabric or other material, e.g., cotton, nylon, polyester, rayon, or lycra, or a combination or blend of any two or more of the foregoing materials. The lining24 may be releasably attachable to theinner layer23 of thegarment25. The lining24 may cover all or part of theinner layer23 of thegarment25. The lining may be removable to be washable or disposable, and in any case, replaceable.

Thegarment25 may be releasably attachable to thebody portion5 via one ormore straps60 on afront side70 of thegarment25, as illustrated inFIG. 4. Thestraps60 may beelastic bands61 or otherwise adjustable, asadjustable band62. Thestraps60 may be made with a material including cotton, to increase the comfortability of thedevice20. Thestraps60 may make it easier for thegarment25 to be placed on or removed from thebody portion5.

Thestraps60 may be spaced apart from one another in order to permit the frontal area of thebody portion5 to remain exposed for further examination and follow up by a doctor, nurse or other care giver. The straps also provide a way of attaching thegarment25 to thebody portion5, without unnecessarily covering the frontal area of thebody portion5. Thestraps60 may allow the person wearing thegarment25 to be more comfortable and cooler, then if the frontal area of thebody portion5 were fully covered as well.

Thestraps60 may be permanently attached at adistal end64 to afirst side72 of thegarment25, and releasably attached at aproximal end65 to anopposite side73 of thefront side70 of thegarment25. Thestraps60 may be releasably attachable withvelcro63 onsides73, or with buttons, snaps, zippers and other modes of releasably attaching or fastening thestraps60 to thesides73 of thegarment25.

Thedevice20 illustrated inFIGS. 4 through 9 is configured forbody portion5, including thebuttocks2,hips8, andcoccyx10. As illustrated inFIG. 10, thedevice20 may extend further down the legs and further along the arms, withchannels30 and

pressure relievers

41 and49 for the elbows and calves. As illustrated inFIG. 11,device20 may include agarment80 configured to fit on an upper body portion, with shoulderblade pressure relievers84, and withelbow pressure relievers82. Thedevice20 may be configured with pressure relievers in a variety of locations, and a variety of patterns for the distribution ofchannels30, depending on the position of thebody1, the type offurniture13, and other conditions.

In the preceding specification, the present invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereunto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims that follow. The specification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a garment sized and shaped to be worn by a patient;

a first plurality of fluid channels and a second plurality of fluid channels coupled to the garment and disposed adjacent to one another, at least some of the first plurality of fluid channels being independently inflatable and deflatable as compared with at least some of the second plurality of fluid channels; and

a fluid control mechanism coupled to the first and second plurality of fluid channels and operating to repeatably and sequentially inflate and deflate the independently inflatable and deflatable fluid channels from among the first and second plurality of fluid channels such that there is less than a predetermined level of pressure exerted on the patient's tissue under one or more of the deflated channels.

2. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the predetermined level of pressure is about 32 mm Hg.

3. The apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the fluid control mechanism operates to sequentially:

inflate the independently inflatable and deflatable fluid channels from among the first plurality of fluid channels while deflating the independently inflatable and deflatable fluid channels from among the second plurality of fluid channels; and

deflate the independently inflatable and deflatable fluid channels from among the first plurality of fluid channels while inflating the independently inflatable and deflatable fluid channels from among the second plurality of fluid channels,

such that there is less than about 32 mm Hg pressure exerted on the patient's tissue under one or more of the deflated channels.

4. The apparatus according toclaim 3, wherein:

at least one of the independently inflatable and deflatable fluid channels from among the first plurality of fluid channels extends in a longitudinal direction; and

at least two of the independently inflatable and deflatable fluid channels from among the second plurality of fluid channels extend along either side of the at least one of the independently inflatable and deflatable fluid channels from among the first plurality of fluid channels.

5. The apparatus according toclaim 4, wherein the fluid control mechanism operates to sequentially and repeatably:

inflate and deflate the at least one of the independently inflatable and deflatable fluid channels from among the first plurality of fluid channels; and

inflate and deflate the at least two of the independently inflatable and deflatable fluid channels from among the second plurality of fluid channels,

such that there is less than about 32 mm Hg pressure exerted on the patient's tissue under the at least one of the independently inflatable and deflatable fluid channels from among the first plurality of fluid channels, while in a deflated state.

6. The apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the fluid control mechanism comprises a pump releaseably connectable to the channels of the garment.

7. An apparatus comprising:

a body contact element sized and shaped to engage a patient;

a first plurality of fluid channels and a second plurality of fluid channels coupled to the body contact element and disposed adjacent to one another, at least some of the first plurality of fluid channels being independently inflatable and deflatable as compared with at least some of the second plurality of fluid channels; and

a fluid control mechanism coupled to the first and second plurality of fluid channels and operating to repeatably and sequentially inflate and deflate the independently inflatable and deflatable fluid channels from among the first and second plurality of fluid channels to provide a rocking motion for moving the patient from one position to another.

8. The apparatus ofclaim 7, wherein the fluid control mechanism operates to inflate and deflate the independently inflatable and deflatable fluid channels from among the first and second plurality of fluid channels such that there is less than a predetermined level of pressure exerted on the patient's tissue under one or more of the deflated channels.

9. The apparatus ofclaim 8, wherein the predetermined level of pressure is about 32 mm Hg.

10. An apparatus comprising:

a mechanism configured to alleviate pressure on a portion of a body by providing a varying pressure on the portion, a position of the mechanism being based upon at least one of a location of an angiosome and angiosome distribution in the portion,

wherein the mechanism includes at least one pressure reliever and a plurality of channels positioned around the at least one pressure reliever for protecting an area on the portion from excess pressure, each channel:

(i) configured to be offset from a center of the pressure reliever,

(ii) configured to extend radially away from the center of the pressure reliever, and

(iii) operable to be inflated and/or deflated such that the pressure reliever provides the varying pressure on the portion.

11. The apparatus according toclaim 10, wherein the mechanism includes a pump connected to the at least one channel, the pump being configured to sequentially inflate and deflate the at least one inflatable channel such that the provided pressure in the at least one deflated channel on the portion is less than or equal to about 32 mm Hg.

12. The apparatus according toclaim 10, wherein the inflatable channel is configured to be offset from the location of the angiosome.

13. A method, comprising:

providing a garment sized and shaped to be worn by a patient;

providing a first plurality of fluid channels and a second plurality of fluid channels coupled to the garment and disposed adjacent to one another, at least some of the first plurality of fluid channels being independently inflatable and deflatable as compared with at least some of the second plurality of fluid channels; and

repeatably and sequentially inflating and deflating the independently inflatable and deflatable fluid channels from among the first and second plurality of fluid channels such that there is less than a predetermined level of pressure exerted on the patient's tissue under one or more of the deflated channels.

14. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the predetermined level of pressure is about 32 mm Hg.