A wearable hyperthermia and drainage device for lymphedema

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of lymphedema wearable type baking therapy drainage devices, including pressure sleeve, pressure sleeve includes multiple independent control outer layer air bag and multiple independent control inner layer air bag, outer layer air bag and inner layer air bag staggered arrangement and along the axial distribution of limb;Each outer layer air bag and each inner layer air bag independent control, along the direction of far end to near end, in turn, air bag is inflated and deflated control, to complete a cycle air bag progressive drainage pressurization.The pressure sleeve of the application has double-layer air bag, each air bag is independently controlled, and can extrude tissue fluid from far end to near end, so that tissue fluid moves to near end, and pushes and extrudes tissue fluid from limb to trunk direction.Because inner layer air bag and outer layer air bag are staggered arrangement, can avoid effusion to remain in the gap of adjacent annular air bag;The pressure sleeve of the application is provided with inner support tube, and forms circumferential block.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a wearable thermal therapy drainage device for lymphedema. Background Technology

[0002] Lymphedema: Lower extremity lymphedema is swelling caused by the accumulation of lymph fluid in the leg tissues. It is usually due to damage or blockage of the lymphatic system, which prevents lymph fluid from circulating normally and returning to the blood circulation system.

[0003] Currently, the following methods are commonly used to treat lymphedema: First, use elastic sleeves to tighten them and prevent the edema from becoming too severe; second, use an air wave pressure varicose vein device, similar to measuring blood pressure, to drain the edema by applying pressure; third, use manual drainage, which involves gently squeezing to push the fluid from the distal end towards the proximal end. This method is effective but labor-intensive and inefficient.

[0004] Therefore, the best current solution is the second one, which uses air wave pressurization. However, this solution cannot control the flow of fluid from the distal end to the proximal end. Specifically: 1. The pressurization sleeve is cylindrical, but the human leg or arm is irregularly shaped. Therefore, when the airbag inflates, the actual force is uneven. This leads to the following: the intended flow of fluid from the foot to the hip is instead directed to the back of the thigh after being compressed during the compression of the calf or thigh, instead of flowing towards the hip. 2. During pressurization, the entire leg is subjected to circular force. When the top ring is pressurized, the fluid tends to flow towards both ends. To direct the fluid in one direction, the airbags inflate sequentially, squeezing the fluid in one direction. However, the intervals between each airbag are large. During the squeezing process, a significant amount of fluid remains in the gaps between the airbags. Figure 5 As shown, the fluid will remain in the gaps within the blue box; 3. Prolonged pressure, due to lack of ventilation, will cause dampness and itching on the legs; 4. Without temperature heating, the fluid has poor flowability. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to solve the technical problems existing in the background art. To this end, a wearable thermal therapy drainage device for lymphedema is provided.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows: A wearable thermal drainage device for lymphedema includes a pressure sleeve, which comprises multiple independently controlled outer air bladders and multiple independently controlled inner air bladders, the outer and inner air bladders being staggered and distributed along the axial direction of the limb. Each outer and inner airbag is controlled independently. Along the direction from the distal to the proximal end, the inner airbag 1, which is furthest from the heart, is inflated to the specified pressure and held for a specified time. Then, the outer airbag 1, which is adjacent to and interspersed with the inner airbag 1, is inflated to the specified pressure, and the inner airbag 1 is deflated. The outer airbag 1 is held for a specified time, and then the inner airbag 2, which is adjacent to and interspersed with the outer airbag 1, is inflated to the specified pressure, and the outer airbag 1 is deflated. The inner airbag 2 is held for a specified time, and so on, until the airbag closest to the heart is inflated, held for a specified time, and then deflated. This completes one cycle of progressive airbag drainage compression. The air pump is controlled to operate, causing the air inside the inner support tube to flow, so that the flowing gas is discharged from the exhaust port and carries away the moisture. At the same time, the heating wire is controlled to heat the air inside the inner support tube, so that warm gas is discharged from the exhaust port.

[0007] The following is a further defined technical solution of the present invention: the pressure sleeve further includes a skin-contact layer, a heating layer, a heat insulation layer and an outer fabric, wherein the skin-contact layer, heating layer, heat insulation layer, inner air bladder, outer air bladder and outer fabric are arranged sequentially from the inside to the outside.

[0008] The following is a further technical solution of the present invention: the pressure sleeve is fixedly provided with a plurality of inner support tubes along the axial direction of the limb, and the plurality of inner support tubes are evenly distributed along the circumference of the limb.

[0009] The following is a further defined technical solution of the present invention, wherein the inner support tube is disposed between the skin-adhesive layer and the heating layer.

[0010] The following is a further technical solution of the present invention: the inner support tube is fixedly provided with multiple exhaust pipes along the axial direction of the limb, and the exhaust pipes penetrate the skin-adhesive layer.

[0011] The following is a further defined technical solution of the present invention: two exhaust pipes are fixedly arranged along the circumference of the inner support tube, and the included angle between the two exhaust pipes is α, wherein 120°≤α≤150°, and the bisector of the included angle between the two exhaust pipes passes through the axis of the limb.

[0012] The following is a further defined technical solution of the present invention: one end of the inner support tube is connected to the air outlet of the drying box through an airflow pipe, the air inlet of the drying box is connected to the air outlet of the air pump, and the air inlet of the air pump is connected to the other end of the inner support tube through an airflow pipe.

[0013] The following is a further defined technical solution of the present invention: the heating operation of the heating layer is controlled by a controller.

[0014] The following is a further defined technical solution of the present invention: the inflation and deflation of multiple outer airbags and multiple inner airbags are controlled by a controller.

[0015] The following is a further technical solution of the present invention: the pressure sleeve is provided with a Velcro fastening opening.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following technical effects: 1. The pressure sleeve of the present invention has a double-layered air bladder, each air bladder is independently controlled, and can squeeze the tissue fluid from the distal end all the way to the proximal end, pushing and squeezing the tissue fluid from the limb towards the trunk. Since the inner and outer air bladders are staggered, it can prevent fluid from accumulating in the gaps between adjacent annular air bladders; 2. The pressure sleeve of the present invention is provided with an inner support tube to form a circumferential barrier, allowing the accumulated fluid to move axially along the limb (e.g., the leg); 3. This invention adds an exhaust port to the inner support tube, which can avoid discomfort caused by prolonged pressure, ensure sufficient oxygen supply to the pores, and remove moisture. 4. The present invention is equipped with a heating wire, which can heat the air inside the inner support tube to ensure that the gas coming out of the exhaust port is warm gas, which is used in conjunction with the baking therapy during the pressure extrusion process; 5. This invention includes a drying box, which can remove moisture; 6. This invention adds a heating wire and an insulation layer, which maintain the temperature after heating to the specified temperature, keeping the internal temperature of the entire pressure sleeve at the set temperature. The heat expands the capillaries and promotes the return of lymph fluid.

[0017] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0019] Figure 1 This is a simplified structural diagram of the device of the present invention; Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Enlarged view of the structure after removing the airflow tube at point A; Figure 3 These are renderings and enlarged views of the device of the present invention worn on the leg; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the distribution structure of the inner support tube and the exhaust pipe in this invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a product based on existing technology.

[0020] Reference numerals: 1. Pressure sleeve; 2. Outer airbag; 3. Inner airbag; 4. Skin-contact layer; 5. Heating layer; 6. Insulation layer; 7. Outer fabric; 8. Inner support tube; 9. Exhaust pipe; 10. Drying box; 11. Air pump; 12. Controller; 13. Velcro fastening opening; 14. Airbag interface. Detailed Implementation

[0021] To make the above-mentioned objects, features, and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Many specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, the present invention can be practiced in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar modifications without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0022] like Figure 1-4 As shown, this embodiment provides a wearable thermal drainage device for lymphedema, which consists of a pressure sleeve 1, an air pump 11, a drying box 10, an air filling pump 11, and a controller 12.

[0023] like Figure 1 and 3 As shown, the pressure sleeve 1 consists of a skin-contact layer 4, a heating layer 5, an insulation layer 6, an inner airbag 3, an outer airbag 2, and an outer fabric 7. The skin-contact layer 4, heating layer 5, insulation layer 6, inner airbag 3, outer airbag 2, and outer fabric 7 are arranged sequentially from the inside out. In this embodiment, there are multiple independently controlled outer airbags 2 and multiple independently controlled inner airbags 3, which are staggered and distributed along the limb's axial direction. Each of the multiple independently controlled outer airbags 2 and multiple independently controlled inner airbags 3 has an airbag interface 14 for connecting to the inflation pump pipeline and for electrical connection to the controller 12.

[0024] like Figure 1 As shown, the pressure sleeve 1 has six inner support tubes 8 fixedly installed along the axial direction of the limb. The six inner support tubes 8 are evenly distributed along the circumference of the limb and are located between the skin-adhesive layer 4 and the heating layer 5. Figure 2 and 4 As shown, multiple exhaust pipes 9 are fixedly installed in the inner support tube 8 along the axial direction of the limb, and the exhaust pipes 9 penetrate the skin-adhesive layer 4. Two exhaust pipes 9 are fixedly installed in the inner support tube 8 along its circumference, and the included angle between the two exhaust pipes 9 is α, where 120°≤α≤150°, and the bisector of the included angle between the two exhaust pipes 9 passes through the axis of the limb.

[0025] like Figure 1As shown, one end of the inner support tube 8 is connected to the air outlet of the drying box 10 through an airflow pipe, the air inlet of the drying box 10 is connected to the air outlet of the air pump 11, and the air inlet of the air pump 11 is connected to the other end of the inner support tube 8 through an airflow pipe.

[0026] The heating of the heating layer 5 is controlled by the controller 12. The inflation and deflation of the multiple outer airbags 2 and the multiple inner airbags 3 are controlled by the controller 12 respectively. The pressure sleeve 1 is provided with a Velcro fastening opening 13.

[0027] Each outer airbag 2 and each inner airbag 3 are controlled independently. Along the direction from the distal end to the proximal end, the inner airbag 3 furthest from the heart is inflated first to the specified pressure and held for a specified time. Then, the outer airbag 2, which is adjacent to and interspersed with the inner airbag 3, is inflated to the specified pressure, and the inner airbag 3 is deflated. The outer airbag 2 is held for a specified time, and then the inner airbag 32, which is adjacent to and interspersed with the outer airbag 2, is inflated to the specified pressure. The outer airbag 2 is deflated, and the inner airbag 32 is held for a specified time. This pattern continues until the airbag closest to the heart is inflated, held for a specified time, and then deflated, thus completing one cycle of progressive airbag drainage compression.

[0028] Therefore, the pressure sleeve 1 has a double-layered airbag, each airbag is independently controlled, and can squeeze the tissue fluid from the distal end all the way to the proximal end, pushing and squeezing the tissue fluid from the limb towards the trunk. Since the inner airbag 3 and the outer airbag 2 are staggered, it can prevent fluid from accumulating in the gaps between adjacent annular airbags.

[0029] Multiple internal support tubes 8 are arranged inside the pressure sleeve 1, along the axial direction of the limb. When the airbag inflates, the internal support tubes 8 prevent the temporary diffusion of tissue fluid to the periphery when the limb is compressed. Adjacent internal support tubes 8 restrict the flow direction of tissue fluid, that is, restrict the flow direction of tissue fluid to: distal end → proximal end. Therefore, the function of the internal support tubes 8 is to form a circumferential barrier, allowing the accumulated fluid to move along the axial direction of the limb (e.g., the leg).

[0030] The pressure sleeve 1 has a rib at the position of the inner support tube 8 (i.e., the inner support tube 8 is used to fill the middle of the rib). Since the pressure is greatest at the rib, the skin pores are prone to discomfort due to prolonged pressure. Therefore, an exhaust port is added at this position. This can avoid the discomfort caused by prolonged pressure and ensure that the pores can have sufficient oxygen supply; it can also remove moisture, because when squeezing lymph fluid, some of the fluid will be discharged in the form of sweat; if the exhaust port of the inner support tube 8 uses a high-flow pulsed gas, the gas can impact the pressured skin surface, creating a vibration-like effect. Through vibration, the fluid that is compressed in the corner of the rib can be moved outward and subsequently discharged by the airbag.

[0031] The controller 12 controls the air pump 11 to work, which drives the air flow in the inner support tube 8, so that the flowing gas is discharged from the exhaust port and carries away the moisture. At the same time, it controls the heating wire to heat the air in the inner support tube 8, so that the exhaust port discharges warm gas.

[0032] The controller 12, in addition to independently controlling the airbags, is also connected to each inner support tube 8. The controller 12 can control the heating wires to heat the air, ensuring that the exhaust gas is warm, thus coordinating with heat therapy during pressure compression. Because the ribs compress the skin, a small amount of fluid may seep out from that area; therefore, heating can prevent sweat accumulation and keep the skin dry. Heating can also promote fluid circulation and accelerate lymphatic drainage.

[0033] A drying box 10 is added to the airflow circuit of the air pump 11 to remove moisture.

[0034] The pressure sleeve 1 is equipped with a heating wire and an insulation layer 6. The heating wire can be replaced by a heating film. After the heating wire / heating film heats up to the specified temperature, it maintains the temperature, keeping the internal temperature of the entire pressure sleeve 1 at a set temperature (e.g., 50°C). The heat expands the capillaries and promotes the return of lymph fluid.

[0035] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Any person skilled in the art can make many possible variations and modifications to the technical solution of the present invention, or modify it into equivalent embodiments, without departing from the scope of the present invention's technical solution. Therefore, all equivalent changes made based on the shape, structure, and principle of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention's technical solution should be covered within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A wearable thermal therapy and drainage device for lymphedema, characterized in that, It includes a pressurizing sleeve, a controller, and an air pump. The pressurizing sleeve includes multiple independently controlled outer airbags and multiple independently controlled inner airbags, which are staggered and distributed along the axial direction of the limb. Each outer and inner airbag is controlled independently. Along the direction from the distal to the proximal end, the inner airbag 1, which is furthest from the heart, is inflated to the specified pressure and held for a specified time. Then, the outer airbag 1, which is adjacent to and interspersed with the inner airbag 1, is inflated to the specified pressure, and the inner airbag 1 is deflated. The outer airbag 1 is held for a specified time, and then the inner airbag 2, which is adjacent to and interspersed with the outer airbag 1, is inflated to the specified pressure, and the outer airbag 1 is deflated. The inner airbag 2 is held for a specified time, and so on, until the airbag closest to the heart is inflated, held for a specified time, and then deflated. This completes one cycle of progressive airbag drainage compression. The pressure sleeve further includes a skin-adhesive layer, a heating layer, an insulation layer, an outer fabric layer, and heating wires. The skin-adhesive layer, heating layer, insulation layer, inner airbag, outer airbag, and outer fabric layer are arranged sequentially from the inside out. The pressure sleeve has multiple inner support tubes fixedly arranged along the axial direction of the limb. The multiple inner support tubes are evenly distributed along the circumference of the limb, and the multiple inner support tubes form a circumferential barrier, allowing the accumulated fluid to move along the axial direction of the limb. The inner support tubes have multiple exhaust pipes fixedly arranged along the axial direction of the limb, and the exhaust pipes penetrate the skin-adhesive layer. The inner support tubes have exhaust ports. The controller controls the air pump to operate, causing the air inside the inner support tube to flow, so that the flowing gas is discharged from the exhaust port and carries away the moisture. At the same time, the controller controls the heating wire to heat the air inside the inner support tube, so that warm gas is discharged from the exhaust port.

2. The wearable thermal therapy and drainage device for lymphedema as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The inner support tube is disposed between the skin-adhesive layer and the heating layer.

3. The wearable thermal drainage device for lymphedema as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The inner support tube is fixedly provided with two exhaust pipes along its circumference, and the included angle between the two exhaust pipes is α, where 120°≤α≤150°, and the bisector of the included angle between the two exhaust pipes passes through the axis of the limb.

4. The wearable thermal therapy and drainage device for lymphedema as described in claim 1, characterized in that, One end of the inner support tube is connected to the air outlet of the drying box through an airflow pipe, the air inlet of the drying box is connected to the air outlet of the air pump, and the air inlet of the air pump is connected to the other end of the inner support tube through an airflow pipe.

5. The wearable thermal therapy drainage device for lymphedema as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The heating operation of the heating layer is controlled by a controller.

6. The wearable thermal therapy drainage device for lymphedema as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The inflation and deflation of multiple outer airbags and multiple inner airbags are controlled by a controller.

7. The wearable thermal therapy drainage device for lymphedema as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The pressure sleeve is equipped with a Velcro fastening opening.

Images