Method and apparatus for facilitating the healing of bone fractures
View Patent ↗A method and apparatus are disclosed for treating bone fractures by the application of intermittent compression. In certain embodiments an energy source is applied to the limb to facilitate intermittent compression treatment. In certain embodiments, intermittent compression is applied to a limb for pre-determined periods.
1. An apparatus for treating a bone fracture, the apparatus comprising:
an inflatable cuff adapted to be applied to a user's limb at or near the site of a bone fracture,
a pump operatively connected to said cuff,
a controller for controlling the operation of the pump, such that said pump controllably inflates said inflatable cuff to apply compression at or near the site of the bone fracture at a predetermined pressure and for predetermined periods of compression and recovery, wherein the period of recovery is about equal to or less than the period of compression, and
an energy source adapted to apply energy at or near the site of the bone fracture.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said controller maintains a compression time in the range of about 1-20 minutes.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said controller maintains a compression time in the range of about 2-15 minutes.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said controller maintains a compression time in the range of about 4-10 minutes.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said controller maintains a compression time of about 5 minutes.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said controller maintains a recovery time in the range of about 0.5-10 minutes.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said controller maintains a recovery time in the range of about 0.5-4 minutes.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said controller maintains a recovery time in the range of about 2-3 minutes.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said controller maintains a recovery time of about 2.5 minutes.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said controller maintains a recovery time that is about 50% of the compression time.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pressure in said cuff is in the range of about 25-60 mmHg.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the energy source includes one or more of an implanted electrode, a magnetic field, a capacitative coupler, and an ultrasound source.
13. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a pressure relief valve.
14. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the period of recovery is less than about 50% as long as the period of compression.
15. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the inflatable cuff is adapted to apply intermittent low pressure pneumatic compression about substantially all of the circumference of the limb at or near the site of the fracture.
16. A method for treating a bone fracture, comprising
applying an inflatable cuff to a user's limb at or near the site of a bone fracture, the inflatable cuff being operatively connected to a pump,
controllably inflating said inflatable cuff to apply intermittent compression at or near the site of the bone fracture for a predetermined period of compression that is about equal to or greater than a predetermined period of recovery, and
applying a biophysical method at or near the site of the bone fracture.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the period of recovery is less than about 50% as long as the period of compression.
18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the period of recovery is sufficient to restore venous circulation in the region of the bone fracture.
19. The method of claim 16 , comprising applying an energy source at or near the site of the bone fracture.
20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the energy source includes one or more of an electrode, a magnetic field, a capacitative coupler, and an ultrasound source.
21. A method for treating a bone fracture, comprising
compressing a user's limb at or near the site of a bone fracture, the compression lasting for a first period of time,
releasing the compression, the pressure release lasting for a second period of time, and
re-initiating the compression of the limb at or near the site, such that the second period of time is about equal to or less than the first period of time.
22. The method of claim 21 , wherein the second period is less than about 50% as long as the first period.
23. The method of claim 21 , wherein the second period is sufficient to restore venous circulation in the region of the bone fracture.
24. The method of claim 21 , comprising applying an energy source at or near the site of the bone fracture.
25. The method of claim 24 , wherein the energy source includes one or more of an electrode, a magnetic field, a capacitative coupler, and an ultrasound source.