[54] COMPRESSIVE BRACE
[76] Inventor: Seth Goldsmith, 3326 E. Overlook, Apt. #3, Cleveland, Ohio 44118
[21] Appl. No.: 246,345
[22] Filed: May 18, 1994
[51] Int. CI.6 A61F 5/00; A61F 5/37
[52] U.S. Q 602/5; 602/13;
602/14; 602/23; 602/26; 128/882; 607/114
[58] Field of Search 128/882, 869, DIG. 15,
128/DIG. 20; 602/5, 13, 14, 23, 26; 607/114
[56] References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
2,113,253 4/1938 Grey .
2,699,165 1/1955 Ferrier 128/DIG. 20
3,548,819 12/1970 Davis 602/14
3,561,435 2/1971 Nicholson .
3.717,145 2/1973 Berndt 602/14
3,862,629 1/1975 Rotta 128/DIG. 20
3,901,225 8/1975 Sconce 128/DIG. 13
3,901.225 8/1975 Scone .
4,013,069 3/1977 Hasty .
4.030.488 6/1977 Hasty .
4,033,337 7/1977 Raczkowski 128/DIG. 20
4,039,039 8/1977 Gottfried .
4.280.489 7/1981 Johnson .
4,592,358 6/1986 Westplate .
4,628,945 12/1986 Johnson .
4,753,241 6/1988 Brannigan .
4,846.176 7/1989 Golden .
4,886,063 12/1989 Crews .
4,993,409 2/1991 Grim .
5,020,711 6/1991 Kelley 607/114
The brace includes one or more air inflatable bladders equipped with an automatic, regulated, and removable air pressure regulation valve, where different valves have different release settings. In addition, a removable, thermally responsive material for hot and cold therapy may be placed in a pocket between the outer and inner material for the brace. The inside surface of the brace is comprised of an absorbent material that absorbs body perspiration, and then releases it to the atmosphere. The brace is placed around the injured area of the patient so that the air bladder(s) lies against the injured area. Air is then introduced into the air bladder via an air inlet valve, forming a compressive force on the body part in contact. In another embodiment of the brace, pneumatic compression is obtained by the use of two or more overlapping air inflatable bladders, each having an air regulation valve with a different pressure release level, wherein the pressure is higher distally and lower ventrally.
8 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
