Method and apparatus for pulsing a blood flow stimulator

DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG.
1 shows a schematic view of a limb compression device 1, such as a stocking, that has a bladder chamber 2 into which fits an inflatable bladder (not shown).
A tube 3 connects a bladder within chamber 2 to a pulsing pump device 4.
The stocking and bladder form no part of this invention and are shown only for background information.
This invention relates to the pulsating pump device 4 and to its structure and method of inflating the patient compression device.
The pumping device 4 is a small portable unit weighing only approximately 16 pounds.
To provide a very quick and reliable rise time in inflating the bladder, the compressor has an output of more than 520 mm Hg (10 psi).
An output of 780 mm Hg (15 psi) works very well, but the output pressure could be 1040 mm Hg (20 psi), if desired.
The compressor provides air to the system controlled by a pressure regulator 30 (FIG.
4), to provide an intermediate control pressure of approximately 260 mm Hg (5 psi).
Depending on the rise time and plateau pressure desired, this intermediate control pressure could be within the range of 140 mm Hg (2 psi) to 520 mm Hg (10 psi).
An air compressor that merely puts out 260 mm Hg (5 psi) could be more likely to vary in its output pressure under differing loads on the motor during start up, etc.
This could change the inflation pressure at the 5 second delay time.
A compressor has been previously tried which put out 260 mm Hg (5 psi), but it was unsuccessful because of the inordinately long period of time it took to inflate the bladder.
It might be possible that a compressor putting out 260 mm Hg (5 psi) which included a very large compressed air storage tank, such as used in gasoline stations to inflate tires, might provide the proper inflation time because of the large backup air supply reservoir.
However, such large and cumbersome compressor would not be practical for portable hospital use.
The compressor described in the present application is preferably used without a storage tank to reduce costs and weight