Lower-limb compression device and lower-limb compression method

Abstract

A device for compressing limbs and a method for compressing lower limbs by using same are provided. The limb compression device comprises: first to Nth air cells sequentially arranged from a front end of a limb toward a body in the longitudinal direction of the limb; a pressure adjustment unit, which can inject air into the N air cells and discharge the air from the air cells so as to pressurize and depressurize same; and a control unit for controlling operation of the pressure adjustment unit. The N air cells are divided into: a first cell group including one or more air cells arranged closer to the front end of the limb; and a second cell group arranged closer than the first cell group to the body. The control unit performs over-pressurization control in which the first cell group is pressurized up to an over-pressure level and then depressurized, and then performs sequential pressurization control in which the first cell group is pressurized, the second cell group is subsequently pressurized, and then the first cell group and the second cell group are depressurized.

Description

Lower limb compression device and lower limb compression method

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0154686 filed November 5, 2024, and all contents disclosed in the document of said Korean patent application are incorporated herein as part of this specification.

[0002] The present invention relates to a device for compressing the lower limbs to improve blood circulation and a method for compressing the lower limbs.

[0003] A lower limb compression device is used in the form of clothing for the purpose of preventing reduced blood circulation and deep vein thrombosis. The lower limb compression device is equipped with a plurality of pressure means arranged along the longitudinal direction of the lower limb.

[0004] The above-mentioned pressurizing means may be implemented as an air cell that surrounds the perimeter of the lower limb. A compressor that supplies high-pressure air to inflate the lower limb compression device is connected to the air cell. When compressed air is supplied to the air cell surrounding the lower limb, a predetermined pressure can be applied to the corresponding area.

[0005] The operation of the above compressor can be performed by a controller. The controller controls the compressor so that air can be supplied in a circulating manner to a plurality of air cells installed in the garment-shaped lower limb compression device.

[0006] By using such a lower limb compression device to sequentially compress the lower limbs from the extremities toward the torso, it is possible to perform a treatment that moves blood accumulated in the extremities toward the body.

[0007] However, in cases where there is a large amount of blood accumulated in the extremities of the lower extremities, where blood is concentrated in the extremities of the lower extremities, or in cases of a risk group for deep vein thrombosis, if the lower extremities are sequentially pressurized using the above circulatory pressurization method, there is a possibility that the following situations may occur.

[0008] First, if the extremities of the lower limbs, where a large amount of blood is concentrated, are simply pressurized in a circulatory manner, the amount of blood returning in the reverse direction increases compared to the amount of blood pushed upward in the forward direction, thereby increasing the time required to exert the therapeutic effect of improving blood circulation.

[0009] Next, as the volume of forcibly circulated blood increases, the likelihood of circulatory system issues, such as damage to blood vessels or congestion, also rises. Consequently, the patient receiving treatment may experience pain. However, if the pressurized pressure is lowered to prevent this, the time required for the blood circulation improvement effect to manifest increases.

[0010] To reduce this phenomenon, one can consider increasing the number of air cells—that is, increasing the number of air cells while making the length of the lower limb covered by a single air cell shorter. However, as the number of air cells increases, the number of pneumatic hoses connected to each air cell and the number of various valves installed on each pneumatic hose also increase, and the control procedure of the controller becomes significantly more complex.

[0011] The present invention was devised to solve the aforementioned problems and aims to provide a lower limb compression method and a lower limb compression device applying the same, which can enhance the effect of improving blood circulation while avoiding causing pain or side effects to the patient being treated.

[0012] In addition, the present invention aims to provide a lower limb compression method and a lower limb compression device to which the same can be applied, which can enhance the blood circulation improvement effect by improving the control method alone without complicating the configuration of the lower limb compression device or increasing the number of control targets.

[0013] The technical problems of the present invention are not limited to the purposes mentioned above, and other unmentioned purposes and advantages of the present invention may be understood from the following description and will be more clearly understood by the embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, it will be readily apparent that the purposes and advantages of the present invention can be realized by the means and combinations thereof set forth in the claims.

[0014] The present invention, for solving the above-mentioned problem, can be applied to a lower limb compression device in which a plurality of air cells are arranged in sequence from the tip of the lower limb toward the body along the longitudinal direction of the lower limb.

[0015] A plurality of the above air cells may include first to Nth air cells arranged in order. Here, N is a natural number greater than or equal to 2.

[0016] The N air cells are divided into a first cell group comprising one or more air cells positioned close to the tip of the lower limb, and a second cell group positioned closer to the body than the first cell group.

[0017] In some embodiments, N may be 4.

[0018] In some embodiments, the first cell group may include a first air cell, and the second cell group may include second to fourth air cells.

[0019] The first air cell above can wrap at least a part of the foot.

[0020] The second air cell above can wrap at least a part of the calf.

[0021] The above third air cell can wrap at least a part of the knee.

[0022] The above-mentioned fourth air cell can wrap at least a portion of the thigh.

[0023] The lower limb compression device includes a pressure regulating unit capable of pressurizing by injecting air into the air cell and depressurizing by discharging air from the air cell.

[0024] The pressure regulating unit can inject air independently into each of the N air cells.

[0025] The pressure regulating unit can simultaneously inject air into the N air cells.

[0026] The pressure regulating unit can discharge air independently from each of the N air cells.

[0027] The pressure regulating unit above can discharge air from the N air cells simultaneously.

[0028] The above lower limb compression device includes a control unit that controls the operation of the pressure regulating unit.

[0029] The above control unit performs overpressure control by pressurizing the first cell group to an overpressure level and then depressurizing it.

[0030] In some preferred embodiments, the pressurization of the first cell group in the overpressurization control may be achieved by simultaneously pressurizing the air cells belonging to the first cell group.

[0031] In some modified embodiments, the pressurization of the first cell group in the excess pressurization control may be achieved by sequentially pressing the air cells belonging to the first cell group from the tip of the lower limb toward the body.

[0032] In the above-mentioned overpressure control, the overpressure applied to the air cell belonging to the first cell group can correspond to each other.

[0033] In some preferred embodiments, depressurization performed after pressurizing the first cell group to an excess pressure may be performed simultaneously in the air cells belonging to the first cell group.

[0034] In some other embodiments, depressurization performed after pressurizing the first cell group to an excess pressure may be performed sequentially in the direction toward the body, starting from the air cell located at the lower extremity end among the air cells belonging to the first cell group.

[0035] In another embodiment, the depressurization performed after pressurizing the first cell group to an excess pressure may be performed sequentially in a direction from the air cells placed closer to the body toward the air cells placed further away.

[0036] In some preferred embodiments, the depressurization performed after pressurizing the first cell group to an excess pressure may be performed until the pressure of the air cell of the first cell group substantially corresponds to atmospheric pressure.

[0037] In some other embodiments, depressurization performed after pressurizing the first cell group to an excess pressure may be performed until at least the pressure of the air cell of the first cell group becomes lower than the sequential pressurization pressure of the air cell.

[0038] The control unit can perform sequential pressure control by pressurizing the first cell group, then pressurizing the second cell group, and then depressurizing the first cell group and the second cell group.

[0039] In some preferred embodiments, the control unit may perform sequential pressure control by pressurizing the first cell group and then pressurizing the second cell group, and then depressurizing the first cell group and the second cell group.

[0040] In some other embodiments, the control unit may perform sequential pressure control by simultaneously depressurizing the first cell group and the second cell group while pressurizing the first cell group and then pressurizing the second cell group.

[0041] The above excess pressure may be greater than the above sequential pressurization pressure.

[0042] The above sequential pressure may gradually decrease or remain constant as it moves from the tip of the lower limb toward the body.

[0043] In the above sequential pressure control, the pressure of the first cell group may be achieved by sequentially applying pressure to the air cells belonging to the first cell group from the tip of the lower limb toward the body, or by simultaneously applying pressure to the air cells belonging to the first cell group.

[0044] In the above sequential pressure control, the pressure of the second cell group may be achieved by sequentially applying pressure to the air cells belonging to the second cell group from the tip of the lower limb toward the body, or the pressure of the second cell group in the above sequential pressure control may be achieved by simultaneously applying pressure to the air cells belonging to the second cell group.

[0045] In some preferred embodiments, the pressurization of the first cell group and the second cell group in the sequential pressurization control may be achieved by sequentially pressurizing the air cells belonging to the first cell group from the tip of the lower limb toward the body, and sequentially pressurizing the air cells belonging to the second cell group from the tip of the lower limb toward the body. In some other embodiments, the pressurization of the first cell group and the second cell group in the sequential pressurization control may be achieved by simultaneously pressurizing the air cells belonging to the first cell group and sequentially pressurizing the air cells belonging to the second cell group from the tip of the lower limb toward the body.

[0046] In some other embodiments, the pressurization of the first cell group and the second cell group in the sequential pressurization control may be achieved by sequentially pressurizing the air cells belonging to the first cell group from the tip of the lower limb toward the body, and simultaneously pressurizing the air cells belonging to the second cell group.

[0047] In some other embodiments, the pressurization of the first cell group and the second cell group in the sequential pressurization control may be achieved by simultaneously pressurizing the air cells belonging to the first cell group and simultaneously pressurizing the air cells belonging to the second cell group.

[0048] In some preferred embodiments, the pressure reduction of the first cell group and the second cell group may be performed simultaneously.

[0049] In some other embodiments, the depressurization of the first cell group and the second cell group may be performed sequentially. Specifically, the sequential depressurization may be performed in a first order of depressurizing the second cell group after depressurizing the first cell group, or in a second order of depressurizing the first cell group after depressurizing the second cell group.

[0050] Here, the depressurization of each cell group can be carried out by simultaneously depressurizing the air cells belonging to the cell group, or by sequentially depressurizing the air cells belonging to the cell group.

[0051] In addition, sequential depressurization of the air cells belonging to each cell group may be carried out sequentially in a third sequential direction from the tip of the lower limb toward the body, or sequentially in a fourth sequential direction from the body toward the tip of the lower limb.

[0052] When sequential depressurization is performed on the cell groups in the first order above, sequential depressurization can be performed on the air cells belonging to each cell group in the third order above.

[0053] When sequential depressurization is performed in the second order for cell groups, sequential depressurization can be performed in the fourth order for air cells belonging to each cell group.

[0054] In some variations, the control unit may perform sequential pressure control to depressurize the first cell group and the second cell group while pressurizing the first cell group and then pressurizing the second cell group.

[0055] The above control unit may perform sequential pressure control by sequentially pressurizing N air cells from the tip of the lower limb toward the body, and sequentially depressurizing the N air cells from the tip of the lower limb toward the body so as to maintain a state in which n or fewer air cells are pressurized. However, N is a natural number greater than or equal to 3, and n may be a natural number greater than 1 and less than N.

[0056] In some variations, N may be 3. That is, the plurality of air cells may sequentially include 5th to 7th air cells from the tip of the lower limb toward the body.

[0057] In some variations, n may be 2. Accordingly, sequential pressurization control can be performed in the order of i) pressurizing the 5th air cell, ii) maintaining the pressure of the 5th air cell and pressurizing the 6th air cell, iii) maintaining the pressure of the 5th air cell and maintaining the pressure of the 6th air cell, iv) depressurizing the 5th air cell, maintaining the pressure of the 6th air cell and pressurizing the 7th air cell, v) maintaining the pressure of the 6th air cell and maintaining the pressure of the 7th air cell, vi) depressurizing the 6th air cell and maintaining the pressure of the 7th air cell, and vii) depressurizing the 7th air cell.

[0058] In addition, in some variations, the sequential pressure control may be repeated. Accordingly, the control of i) to vii) may be repeated several times.

[0059] The above control unit can perform the above sequential pressure control after the above overpressure control.

[0060] The above control unit can perform the above excess pressure control after the above sequential pressure control.

[0061] The above control unit can alternately repeat the above overpressure control and sequential pressure control multiple times.

[0062] The above lower limb compression device may further include a compression intensity input section.

[0063] The above input may be entered directly by the user, or a value previously stored corresponding to the user may be entered.

[0064] As the input pressure increases, at least one of the above excess pressure and the above sequential pressure may increase.

[0065] The increase in the above sequential pressurization pressure may be an increase in the pressure applied to at least one of the N air cells.

[0066] The increase in the above sequential pressurization pressure may be that the pressure applied to each of the N air cells increases.

[0067] The increase in the above sequential pressurization pressure may be due to the pressure applied to the air cell belonging to the first cell group increasing.

[0068] The present invention provides a lower limb compression method.

[0069] The above lower limb compression method can be applied by controlling the first to Nth air cells arranged sequentially along the longitudinal direction of the lower limb from the tip of the lower limb toward the body to compress the lower limb.

[0070] The above lower limb compression method includes an overpressure control step of pressurizing the first cell group to an overpressure level and then depressurizing it.

[0071] In the above-mentioned overpressure control step, the air cells belonging to the first cell group can be pressurized simultaneously or sequentially from the tip of the lower limb toward the body.

[0072] In the above-mentioned overpressure control step, the overpressure applied to the air cell belonging to the first cell group can correspond to each other.

[0073] The above lower limb compression method includes a sequential pressure control step of applying pressure to the first cell group, then applying pressure to the second cell group, and then depressurizing the first cell group and the second cell group.

[0074] The above sequential pressure may gradually decrease or remain constant as it moves from the tip of the lower limb toward the body.

[0075] In the above sequential pressure control step, the air cells belonging to the first cell group can be sequentially pressured from the tip of the lower limb toward the body, and the air cells belonging to the second cell group can be sequentially pressured from the tip of the lower limb toward the body.

[0076] The above excess pressure may be greater than the above sequential pressurization pressure.

[0077] The above excess pressure control step and sequential pressure control step can be repeated alternately multiple times.

[0078] According to the present invention, by pressurizing an air cell placed at the tip of the lower limb with excess pressure to disperse the blood accumulated at the tip of the lower limb toward the body, it is possible to prevent strain on the blood vessels.

[0079] According to the present invention, by limiting the air cell pressurizing with excess pressure to an air cell positioned at the tip of the lower limb, the pressure of the blood pushed up through the vein with excess pressure can be suppressed so that it does not increase rapidly.

[0080] According to the present invention, sequential pressurization control is performed after excess pressurization control, so that the blood flow volume does not increase rapidly, and blood can be induced to flow more smoothly toward the body through the veins during the sequential pressurization process.

[0081] In addition to the effects described above, the specific effects of the present invention are described together with the specific details for implementing the invention below.

[0082] FIG. 1 is a simplified drawing showing a lower limb compression device according to an embodiment of the present invention and a patient to wear it.

[0083] Figure 2 is a drawing showing the patient of Figure 1 wearing a lower limb compression device.

[0084] FIG. 3 is a simplified diagram showing a system in which a pressure regulating unit is connected to the air cells of a lower limb compression device of an embodiment via an air hose, and the pressure regulating unit is controlled by a control unit.

[0085] FIG. 4 is a drawing showing the first cell group and the second cell group of air cells of the lower limb compression device of the embodiment.

[0086] Figure 5 is a graph showing the pressure of air supplied to each air cell of the lower limb compression device.

[0087] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a lower limb compression method using a lower limb compression device of an embodiment.

[0088] [Explanation of the symbol]

[0089] 10: Lower limb (limb) compression device 20: Body member 30: Air cell 30-1: First cell group 30-2: Second cell group 31: First air cell 32: Second air cell 33: Third air cell 34: Fourth air cell 40: Pressure regulating unit 50: Control unit 60: Compression intensity input unit Pmax: Excess pressure tmax: First pressurization time Pa: First sequential pressure Pb: Second sequential pressure Pc: Third sequential pressure Pd: Fourth sequential pressure to: Second pressurization time

[0090] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0091] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but can be modified and implemented in various different forms. The embodiments provided are merely intended to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the present invention should be understood not to be limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but to include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions that fall within the technical spirit and scope of the present invention, as well as substituting or adding the configuration of any one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment.

[0092] The attached drawings are intended only to facilitate understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and the technical concept disclosed in this specification is not limited by the attached drawings; rather, it should be understood that they include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions that fall within the spirit and technical scope of the invention. In the drawings, components may be depicted as being exaggeratedly large or small in size or thickness for the sake of convenience of understanding, but the scope of protection of the invention should not be interpreted restrictively as a result thereof.

[0093] The terms used in this specification are used merely to describe specific embodiments or examples and are not intended to limit the invention. Furthermore, singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Terms such as "includes" or "consists of" in this specification are intended to indicate the existence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in this specification. That is, terms such as "includes" or "consists of" in this specification should be understood as not precluding the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0094] Terms including ordinal numbers, such as first, second, etc., may be used to describe various components, but said components are not limited by said terms. These terms are used solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. Therefore, unless otherwise stated, the first component may be the second component.

[0095] When it is stated that one component is "connected" or "in contact" with another component, it should be understood that while it may be directly connected or in contact with that other component, there may also be other components in between. On the other hand, when it is stated that one component is "directly connected" or "in direct contact" with another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between.

[0096] When it is stated that one component is "above" or "below" another component, it should be understood that it is not only placed directly above the other component, but that another component may also exist in between.

[0097] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology, and should not be interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined in this application.

[0098] Throughout the specification, "A and / or B" means A, B, or A and B unless specifically stated otherwise, and "C to D" means C or more and D or less unless specifically stated otherwise.

[0099] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the limb compression device of the embodiment is worn on a specific section of the limb of a patient subject to treatment, extending longitudinally from near the tip (end) to the body. The limb may be an arm or a leg. The embodiment illustrates that the limb compression device is a lower limb compression device (10) worn on the lower limb of a patient. The embodiment also illustrates that the lower limb compression device (10) is worn in a form that covers the entire lower limb from the foot, which is the end of the lower limb, to the thigh.

[0100] Of course, it is obvious that the wearing position of the above-mentioned compression device is not limited to the lower limbs only, and it is also obvious that the wearing area does not necessarily have to cover the entire longitudinal direction of the limbs. Specifically, the above-mentioned limb compression device does not necessarily have to be worn from the distal end of the limb, nor does it necessarily have to extend to the connection point between the limb and the body.

[0101] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, the lower limb compression device (10) has a structure in which a plurality of air cells (30) are arranged in sequence along the longitudinal direction of the lower limb from the tip of the lower limb toward the body and embedded in a flexible body member (20), such as clothing. Each air cell (30) wraps around the lower limb in a circumferential direction.

[0102] The lower limb compression device (10) of the embodiment exemplifies that four air cells are arranged sequentially along the longitudinal direction. However, the number of air cells is not necessarily limited to this.

[0103] The lower limb compression device (10) sequentially provides a first air cell (31), a second air cell (32), a third air cell (33), and a fourth air cell (34) from the tip of the lower limb toward the body.

[0104] The first air cell (31) can cover at least a portion of the foot. According to an embodiment, the first air cell (31) covers the patient's entire foot.

[0105] The second air cell (32) may wrap around at least a portion of the calf. According to an embodiment, the second air cell (30) is exemplified as extending from the patient's ankle to the knee.

[0106] The third air cell (33) may cover at least a portion of the knee. In an embodiment, the third air cell (33) is exemplified as extending from the calf portion adjacent to the knee to the thigh portion adjacent to the knee.

[0107] The fourth air cell (34) can wrap around at least a portion of the thigh. According to an embodiment, the fourth air cell (34) is exemplified as extending from above the knee to wrap around the thigh.

[0108] However, each air cell (30) is not necessarily limited to being placed in sections having the above boundaries.

[0109] The plurality of air cells are divided into a first cell group (30-1) comprising one or more air cells positioned close to the tip of the lower limb, and a second cell group (30-2) comprising one or more air cells positioned closer to the body than the first cell group. An embodiment illustrates that the first air cell (31) constitutes the first cell group (30-1), and the second to fourth air cells (32, 33, 34) constitute the second cell group (30-2).

[0110] The embodiment illustrates that one air cell constitutes the first cell group (30-1), but two or more air cells may constitute the first cell group.

[0111] Referring to FIG. 3, the lower limb compression device (10) includes a pressure control unit (40) that can pressurize a corresponding section of the limb by injecting air into the air cell (30) and reduce the pressure applied to the corresponding section of the limb by discharging air from the air cell (30).

[0112] A plurality of the air cells (30) are each connected to the pressure regulating unit (40) through independent pneumatic hoses. Accordingly, the pressure regulating unit (40) can independently inject air into each of the plurality of air cells (30).

[0113] Although not explicitly shown, each pneumatic hose is equipped with an on / off valve, a check valve, and a release valve, etc., to control whether pneumatic pressure is supplied, to control the release of the supplied pneumatic pressure, and to prevent backflow of the supplied pneumatic pressure. Since such a pneumatic circuit can be appropriately designed by a person of ordinary skill to correspond to the pneumatic control method to be implemented, a detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0114] For example, the pressure regulating unit (40) may include an air compressor. However, various other pneumatic generating or pneumatic supply devices may be applied in addition to the compressor, as long as they are capable of providing air at the required pressure.

[0115] The pressure regulating unit (40) may simultaneously inject air into four air cells (30).

[0116] Meanwhile, the pressure regulating unit (40) can discharge air independently from each of the four air cells (30). The pressure regulating unit (40) can also discharge air simultaneously from the four air cells (30). Such air release can also be appropriately applied as needed.

[0117] The lower limb compression device (10) includes a control unit (50) that controls the operation of the pressure regulating unit (40). The control unit (50) can control the operation of the compressor included in the pressure regulating unit (40) and can control the operation of the various valves. Accordingly, the control unit (50) can implement the control described below.

[0118] Referring to FIGS. 5 and FIGS. 6, the control unit (50) can perform overpressure control by pressurizing the first cell group (30-1) to an overpressure (Pmax) and then depressurizing it.

[0119] The above excess pressure control can be achieved by supplying air to the first air cell (31) belonging to the first cell group (30-1) or by releasing air from the first air cell (31).

[0120] In the embodiment, one air cell (31) constitutes the first cell group (30-1). However, two or more air cells may constitute the first cell group (30-1). When multiple air cells constitute the first cell group (30-1), the control unit (50) may simultaneously supply air to multiple air cells belonging to the first cell group (30-1) to pressurize them simultaneously, or sequentially supply air to multiple air cells from the tip of the lower limb toward the body to pressurize them sequentially, thereby performing the overpressurization control.

[0121] In the overpressure control for a first cell group (30-1) comprising a plurality of air cells, the overpressure applied to each air cell belonging to the first cell group (30-1) can correspond to each other.

[0122] The control unit (50) may release the pressure after maintaining the excess pressure state for a predetermined first pressure time (tmax). An example illustrates that the excess pressure (Pmax) is 120 mmHg and the first pressure time (tmax) is 3 seconds. Preferably, the first pressure time (tmax) may be 0 seconds or more and 20 seconds or less, but the first pressure time is not limited thereto.

[0123] After the above-mentioned overpressure control, a release can be performed. In an embodiment, the release for the first cell group (30-1) is performed simultaneously in the air cells belonging to the first cell group (30-1).

[0124] However, unlike this, the above release may be performed sequentially from the air cells of the first cell group (30-1) that are positioned further away from the body (air cells positioned at the tip of the lower limb) to the air cells positioned closer to the body.

[0125] Alternatively, the above release may be performed sequentially from the air cells placed closer to the body among the air cells belonging to the first cell group (30-1) to the air cells placed further away from the body.

[0126] The depressurization through release may proceed until the pressure of the air cell belonging to the first cell group (30-1) is lower than the sequential pressurization pressure (Pa) to be applied to the air cell in the sequential pressurization control described later. Of course, the release may be performed for a sufficient amount of time for the pressure to drop to substantially correspond to atmospheric pressure. The embodiment exemplifies that the release time (tr1) is 28 seconds. However, this is merely an example, and the release time is not necessarily limited to this.

[0127] In addition, the control unit (50) can perform sequential pressure control by sequentially applying pressure to the lower limb from the tip towards the body and sequentially releasing it.

[0128] To this end, the control unit (50) of the embodiment first pressurizes the first cell group (30-1), then pressurizes the second cell group (30-2), and then depressurizes the first cell group (30-1) and the second cell group (30-2).

[0129] For example, when pressurizing the first cell group (30-1), the air cells (30) belonging to the first cell group (30-1) can be pressed sequentially from the tip of the lower limb toward the body. In the embodiment, the first air cell (31) constitutes the first cell group (30-1), so there is no order, but if two or more air cells constitute the first cell group (30-1), such control can be applied.

[0130] The meaning of sequential pressurization encompasses not only applying pressure one by one in order, but also applying pressure two by two in order. In other words, when pressurizing multiple cells arranged along the longitudinal direction, if an air cell positioned closer to the body is not pressurized before another air cell positioned closer to the tip (end), it can be understood that the entire assembly is being pressurized sequentially, even if some are pressurized simultaneously.

[0131] Of course, when pressurizing the first cell group (30-1), it is also possible to pressurize all of the multiple air cells (30) belonging to the first cell group (30-1) simultaneously.

[0132] In addition, as an example, when pressurizing the second cell group (30-2), the air cells (30) belonging to the second cell group (30-2) can be pressurized sequentially from the tip of the lower limb toward the body. The embodiment illustrates that air is supplied sequentially to the second to fourth air cells (34) respectively, thereby enabling sequential pressurization.

[0133] Of course, when pressurizing the second cell group (30-2), it is also possible to pressurize all of the multiple air cells (30) belonging to the second cell group (30-2) simultaneously.

[0134] The control unit (50) can release the pressure after maintaining a sequential pressurization state in which sequential pressure is applied to both the first cell group (30-1) and the second cell group (30-2) for a predetermined second pressurization time (to). An example illustrates that the second pressurization time (to) is 5 seconds. For instance, preferably, the second pressurization time (to) may be 0 seconds or more and 30 seconds or less, provided that the second pressurization time is not limited thereto.

[0135] The above release may be performed for a sufficient amount of time for the pressure of the air cell to drop to substantially correspond to atmospheric pressure. The example illustrates that the release time (tr2) is 28 seconds. However, the release time is not necessarily limited to this. Also, the released pressure does not necessarily have to correspond to atmospheric pressure. For example, the release pressure (P1, P2, P3) of a certain air cell may be lower than the sequential pressurization pressure (Pb, Pc, Pd) of the next air cell in sequential pressurization, or lower than the sequential pressurization pressure (Pd) of the last pressurized air cell in sequential pressurization.

[0136] The above-described embodiment illustrates that the first to fourth air cells (34) are all sequentially pressurized and then simultaneously released. However, it is not necessary for all air cells to be released only after they have been pressurized. For instance, unlike the embodiment, the control unit (50) may perform sequential pressurization control by simultaneously depressurizing the first cell group (30-1) and the second cell group (30-2) while pressurizing the first cell group (30-1) and then pressurizing the second cell group (30-2). Furthermore, the release method is not necessarily limited to this. For instance, the release can also be performed sequentially for the first to fourth air cells (34).

[0137] For example, various modifications are possible within a range that prevents blood from flowing backward. For example, it is possible to sequentially pressurize the first to third air cells (33), release the first air cell (31) after a predetermined pressurization time has elapsed, and then sequentially pressurize the fourth air cell (34), and then release the second to fourth air cells (34) after a predetermined pressurization time has elapsed.

[0138] Meanwhile, a first sequential pressure (Pa) may be applied to the first air cell (31), a second sequential pressure (Pb) may be applied to the second air cell (32), a third sequential pressure (Pc) may be applied to the third air cell (33), and a fourth sequential pressure (Pd) may be applied to the fourth air cell (34).

[0139] These sequential pressures may correspond to each other or differ. Preferably, the sequential pressure may gradually decrease from the tip of the lower limb toward the body.

[0140] For example, the sequential pressures may be in a form that gradually decreases as they progress. For example, the first sequential pressure (Pa) may be 25 mmHg, the second sequential pressure (Pb) may be 20 mmHg, the third sequential pressure (Pc) may be 15 mmHg, and the fourth sequential pressure (Pd) may be 10 mmHg.

[0141] In addition, for example, the sequential pressures may be in a form where the pressure is maintained or decreases as they follow. For example, the first sequential pressure (Pa) may be 25 mmHg, the second sequential pressure (Pb) may be 25 mmHg, the third sequential pressure (Pc) may be 20 mmHg, and the fourth sequential pressure (Pd) may be 15 mmHg.

[0142] In other words, the meaning of the form that gradually decreases as it progresses can be understood as follows: although the fourth sequential pressure (Pd) is lower compared to the first sequential pressure (Pa), it does not mean that all sequential pressures must be lower than the previous sequential pressure.

[0143] The above excess pressure (Pmax) may be greater than the above sequential pressures (Pa, Pb, Pc, Pd).

[0144] The above control unit (50) can perform the above sequential pressure control after the above excess pressure control.

[0145] The above control unit (50) can perform the above excess pressure control after the above sequential pressure control.

[0146] The control unit (50) above can alternately repeat the overpressure control and sequential pressure control multiple times. FIG. 6 shows a control flowchart in which the overpressure control and sequential pressure control are repeated m times. An example illustrates that the repetition is performed about 6 to 7 times.

[0147] The lower limb compression device (10) may further include a compression intensity input unit (60). The input procedure may be performed by a user directly inputting through a predetermined input interface or by inputting a value stored in correspondence with the user. For example, the input interface may be a control panel provided in the lower limb compression device (10). Additionally, the input interface may be a user terminal connected to the control unit (50) via wired or wireless communication means. For example, the user terminal may be a smartphone, tablet, PC, etc.

[0148] In addition, if the user authenticates their identity, it is also possible for input to be performed automatically based on pre-stored user data. In other words, all commonly applicable input methods can be applied to the input of the aforementioned intensity.

[0149] Meanwhile, the above excess pressure and sequential pressure can be set in correspondence with the input pressure intensity. In this case, as the input pressure intensity increases, at least one of the above excess pressure (Pmax) and the above sequential pressure may increase.

[0150] For example, the increase in the sequential pressurization pressure may be an increase in the pressure applied to at least one of the four air cells.

[0151] For example, the increase in the sequential pressurization pressure may be such that the pressure applied to each of the four air cells increases.

[0152] For example, the increase in the sequential pressurization pressure may be due to the pressure applied to the air cell belonging to the first cell group (30-1).

[0153] The example illustrates that the compression strength consists of 1 to 9 levels.

[0154] When the above compression strength is 1 stage, the above excess pressure (Pmax) is 120 mmHg, the above first sequential pressure (Pa) is 25 mmHg, the above second sequential pressure (Pb) is 20 mmHg, the above third sequential pressure (Pc) is 15 mmHg, and the above fourth sequential pressure (Pd) is 10 mmHg.

[0155] When the above compression strength is at level 2, the excess pressure (Pmax) is 120 mmHg, the first sequential pressure (Pa) is 35 mmHg, the second sequential pressure (Pb) is 30 mmHg, the third sequential pressure (Pc) is 25 mmHg, and the fourth sequential pressure (Pd) is 20 mmHg.

[0156] When the above compression strength is at level 3, the above excess pressure (Pmax) is 120 mmHg, the above first sequential pressure (Pa) is 45 mmHg, the above second sequential pressure (Pb) is 40 mmHg, the above third sequential pressure (Pc) is 35 mmHg, and the above fourth sequential pressure (Pd) is 30 mmHg.

[0157] When the above compression strength is at level 4, the above excess pressure (Pmax) is 120 mmHg, the above first sequential pressure (Pa) is 55 mmHg, the above second sequential pressure (Pb) is 50 mmHg, the above third sequential pressure (Pc) is 45 mmHg, and the above fourth sequential pressure (Pd) is 40 mmHg.

[0158] When the above compression strength is 5 levels, the above excess pressure (Pmax) is 120 mmHg, the above first sequential pressure (Pa) is 65 mmHg, the above second sequential pressure (Pb) is 60 mmHg, the above third sequential pressure (Pc) is 55 mmHg, and the above fourth sequential pressure (Pd) is 50 mmHg.

[0159] That is, in the embodiment, as the compression strength increases in stages 1 to 5, the first to fourth sequential pressures (Pa, Pb, Pc, Pd) applied to the four air cells all increase.

[0160] When the above compression strength is 6 levels, the above excess pressure (Pmax) is 130 mmHg, the above first sequential pressure (Pa) is 65 mmHg, the above second sequential pressure (Pb) is 60 mmHg, the above third sequential pressure (Pc) is 55 mmHg, and the above fourth sequential pressure (Pd) is 50 mmHg.

[0161] That is, in the implementation, the excess pressure (Pmax) applied to the first cell group (30-1) is increased in the 6th stage compared to the 5th stage.

[0162] When the above compression strength is level 7, the above excess pressure (Pmax) is 130 mmHg, the above first sequential pressure (Pa) is 70 mmHg, the above second sequential pressure (Pb) is 60 mmHg, the above third sequential pressure (Pc) is 55 mmHg, and the above fourth sequential pressure (Pd) is 50 mmHg.

[0163] When the above compression strength is 8 levels, the above excess pressure (Pmax) is 130 mmHg, the above first sequential pressure (Pa) is 80 mmHg, the above second sequential pressure (Pb) is 60 mmHg, the above third sequential pressure (Pc) is 55 mmHg, and the above fourth sequential pressure (Pd) is 50 mmHg.

[0164] That is, in the embodiment, as the pressure intensity increases in stages 6 to 8, the sequential pressure (Pa) applied to the first cell group (30-1) increases.

[0165] When the above compression strength is level 9, the above excess pressure (Pmax) is 140 mmHg, the above first sequential pressure (Pa) is 90 mmHg, the above second sequential pressure (Pb) is 60 mmHg, the above third sequential pressure (Pc) is 55 mmHg, and the above fourth sequential pressure (Pd) is 50 mmHg.

[0166] That is, in the implementation, compared to the 8th stage, the excess pressure (Pmax) and sequential pressurization pressure are both increased in the 9th stage. Specifically, the sequential pressurization pressure is such that the sequential pressure (Pa) applied to the first cell group (30-1) increases.

[0167] In the preceding embodiment, each pressure value is expressed as a single numerical value. However, this should be understood as a representative setting value rather than implying that the pressure value must be continuously maintained. For instance, due to the pulsation of a patient's heart, pulsation may exist in the pressure actually measured by the air cell; and in correspondence with the pulsation cycle of the patient's heart, the pressure value provided by the pressure regulator to the air cell may be assigned a wave value proportional to the pulsation value and a corresponding cycle. In other words, the embodiment can be understood as explaining this as a single numerical value to aid in understanding the technical concept of the disclosure.

[0168] The lower limb compression method applied to the lower limb compression device (10) described above includes an overpressure control step of pressurizing the first cell group (30-1) to an overpressure (Pmax) and then depressurizing it, and a sequential pressure control step of sequentially pressurizing the first cell group (30-1) and the second cell group (30-2) and then depressurizing them.

[0169] The above excess pressure control step and sequential pressure control step can be repeated alternately multiple times.

[0170] When the first cell group (30-1) includes a plurality of air cells (30), the excess pressure control may be to simultaneously pressurize the air cells belonging to the first cell group (30-1) or to sequentially pressurize from the tip of the lower limb toward the body.

[0171] At this time, the excess pressure (Pmax) applied to the plurality of air cells belonging to the first cell group (30-1) can correspond to each other.

[0172] The sequential pressure applied in the above sequential pressure control can be gradually or stepwise lowered from the tip of the lower limb toward the body side.

[0173] When the first cell group (30-1) includes a plurality of air cells (30), in the sequential pressure control step, the air cells belonging to the first cell group (30-1) can be sequentially pressured from the tip of the lower limb toward the body.

[0174] When the second cell group (30-2) includes a plurality of air cells (30), in the sequential pressure control step, the air cells belonging to the second cell group (30-2) can be sequentially pressured from the tip of the lower limb toward the body.

[0175] In the above sequential pressure control, the sequential pressure applied to the first cell group (30-1) and the second cell group (30-2) can be released all at once or sequentially.

[0176] The all-in-one release method is advantageous compared to the sequential release method in that it can further increase blood flow by accumulating venous blood flow over a long section while keeping the decompression time short. In contrast, the sequential release method is more advantageous in terms of blood flow stability because the accumulation of blood flow proceeds as it is partially relieved starting from the tail end of the section, which reduces the likelihood of turbulence and backflow.

[0177] Sequential release may proceed in a first method of releasing the first cell group (30-1) all at once and then releasing the second cell group (30-2) all at once, or in a second method of releasing the air cells belonging to the first cell group (30-1) sequentially from the tip of the lower limb toward the body and then releasing the air cells belonging to the second cell group (30-2) sequentially from the tip of the lower limb toward the body.

[0178] Optionally, the sequential release may proceed in a third manner in which the second cell group (30-2) is released all at once and then the first cell group (30-1) is released all at once, or in a fourth manner in which the air cells belonging to the second cell group (30-2) are released sequentially from the body to the tip of the lower limb, and then the air cells belonging to the first cell group (30-1) are released sequentially from the body to the tip of the lower limb.

[0179] The above sequential pressurization pressure may be lower than the above excess pressure. An example illustrates that the sequential pressurization pressure is 1 / 12 to 9 / 14 times lower than the excess pressure (Pmax).

[0180] According to the present invention, blood accumulated in the feet, which are the extremities of the lower limbs, is partially dispersed toward the calves through excessive pressure control, and then sequential pressure is applied; thereby, the effect of blood circulation treatment can be enhanced while suppressing side effects of blood circulation treatment. According to the present invention, the effect of blood circulation treatment can be enhanced while minimizing side effects even without subdividing the air cells.

[0181] The embodiments described above should be understood as exemplary in all respects and not limiting, and the scope of the invention will be defined by the claims set forth below rather than by the detailed description above. Furthermore, the meaning and scope of the claims set forth below, as well as all modifications and variations derived from equivalents thereof, should be interpreted as being included within the scope of the invention.

[0182] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the illustrated drawings, the present invention is not limited by the embodiments and drawings disclosed in this specification, and it is obvious that various modifications can be made by a person skilled in the art within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. Furthermore, even if the effects of the configuration according to the present invention were not explicitly described while describing the embodiments of the present invention above, it is natural to acknowledge that the effects predictable by said configuration should also be recognized.

Claims

1. First to Nth air cells arranged in order from the tip of the limb toward the body along the longitudinal direction of the limb; A pressure regulating unit capable of pressurizing by injecting air into N air cells and depressurizing by discharging air from the air cells; and A limb compression device comprising: a control unit that controls the operation of the above-mentioned pressure regulating unit; The N air cells are divided into a first cell group comprising one or more air cells positioned close to the foreskin of the limb, and a second cell group positioned closer to the body than the first cell group. A limb compression device, wherein the control unit performs sequential pressure control by pressurizing the first cell group to an excess pressure and then depressurizing it, followed by pressurizing the first cell group, then pressurizing the second cell group, and then depressurizing the first cell group and the second cell group. (However, the above N is a natural number greater than or equal to 2) 2. A limb compression device according to claim 1, wherein the pressure regulating unit can independently inject air into each of the N air cells.

3. A limb compression device according to claim 1, wherein the pressure regulating unit is capable of independently discharging air from each of the N air cells.

4. A limb compression device according to claim 1, wherein the excess pressure is greater than the sequential pressurization pressure.

5. A limb compression device according to claim 1, wherein the sequential pressure gradually decreases from the tip of the limb toward the body.

6. A limb compression device according to claim 1, wherein the excess pressure control pressurizes the air cells belonging to the first cell group simultaneously or pressurizes sequentially from the tip of the limb toward the body.

7. A limb compression device according to claim 1, wherein the excess pressure applied to each air cell belonging to the first cell group in the excess pressure control corresponds to each other.

8. A limb compression device according to claim 1, wherein the sequential pressure control sequentially pressurizes an air cell belonging to the first cell group from the tip of the limb toward the body, and sequentially pressurizes an air cell belonging to the second cell group from the tip of the limb toward the body.

9. A limb compression device according to claim 1, wherein the depressurization performed after pressurizing the first cell group to an excess pressure is performed until at least the pressure of the air cell of the first cell group becomes lower than the sequential pressurization pressure of the air cell.

10. A limb compression device according to claim 9, wherein the depressurization performed after pressurizing the first cell group to an excess pressure is performed to a pressure in which the pressure of the air cell of the first cell group substantially corresponds to atmospheric pressure.

11. A limb compression device according to claim 1, wherein the depressurization performed after pressurizing the first cell group to an excess pressure is performed by simultaneously depressurizing the air cells belonging to the first cell group, depressurizing in a direction toward the air cells located further away from the body among the air cells belonging to the first cell group, or sequentially from the air cell located at the tip of the lower limb among the air cells belonging to the first cell group toward the body.

12. A limb compression device according to claim 1, wherein the depressurization performed in the sequential pressurization control is performed until at least the release pressure of the air cell where the depressurization is performed is lower than the next sequential pressurization pressure of the sequential pressurization pressure of the air cell.

13. A limb compression device according to claim 12, wherein the depressurization performed in the sequential pressurization control is performed until at least the release pressure of the air cell where the depressurization is performed is lower than the last sequential pressurization pressure.

14. A limb compression device according to claim 13, wherein the depressurization performed in the sequential pressurization control is achieved such that the release pressure of the air cell where the depressurization is performed reaches a pressure substantially corresponding to atmospheric pressure.

15. A limb compression device according to claim 1, wherein the depressurization performed in the sequential pressure control is performed after pressurizing the first cell group and then pressurizing the second cell group.

16. A limb compression device according to claim 1, wherein the depressurization performed in the sequential pressure control is performed sequentially from the tip of the lower limb toward the body while pressing the first cell group and then pressing the second cell group.

17. A limb compression device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit alternately repeats the excess pressure control and sequential pressure control multiple times.

18. The compression strength input portion of Claim 1; further comprising, A limb compression device in which at least one of the excess pressure and the sequential pressure increases as the input compression intensity increases.

19. A limb compression device according to claim 18, wherein the sequential pressurization pressure increases by increasing the pressure applied to at least one of the N air cells.

20. A limb compression device according to claim 18, wherein the sequential pressurization pressure increases such that the pressure applied to each of the N air cells increases.

21. A limb compression device according to claim 18, wherein the sequential pressurization pressure increases as the pressure applied to the air cell belonging to the first cell group increases.

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