METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR APPLICATION OF THERMAL THERAPY RELATIVE TO THE TREATMENT OF DEEP-VEIN THROMBOSIS AND LYMPHEDEMA

1 . A therapy system comprising:

a control unit;

a therapy cuff constructed to be wrapped around an appendage of a patient, the therapy cuff comprising:

a resistive-heating element electrically coupled to the control unit;

at least one compression bladder fluidly coupled to the control unit via a tube, the compression bladder being disposed outwardly of the resistive-heating element;

at least one compression chamber formed in the compression bladder; and

wherein the resistive-heating element dilates a plurality of vessels within the appendage facilitating removal of accumulated fluid from the appendage via inflation of the compression bladder.

2 . The therapy system of claim 1 , wherein:

the first compression chamber is fluidly coupled to a second compression chamber; and

the second compression chamber is fluidly coupled to a third compression chamber.

3 . The therapy system of claim 2 , wherein:

the second compression chamber begins to inflate after the first compression chamber; and

the third compression chamber begins to inflate after the second compression chamber.

4 . The therapy system of claim 3 , wherein inflation of the first compression chamber, the second compression chamber, and the third compression chamber delivers a compression gradient to the appendage of the patient.

5 . The therapy system of claim 1 , wherein:

the first compression chamber, the second compression chamber, and a third compression chamber are fluidly coupled to the control unit independent of each other;

the first compression chamber is inflated to a first pressure;

the second compression chamber is inflated to a second pressure; and

the third compression chamber is inflated to a third pressure.

6 . The therapy system of claim 5 , wherein the first pressure, the second pressure, and the third pressure are not equal.

7 . A therapy system comprising:

a control unit;

a therapy cuff constructed to be wrapped around an appendage of a patient, the therapy cuff comprising:

a thermal element coupled to the control unit;

a compression bladder disposed outwardly of the thermal element;

a first compression chamber formed in the compression bladder;

a second compression chamber formed in the compression bladder adjacent to the first compression chamber;

a third compression chamber formed in the compression bladder adjacent to the second compression chamber;

a first tube fluidly coupling the first compression chamber to the control unit;

a second tube fluidly coupling the second compression chamber to the control unit;

a third tube fluidly coupling the third compression chamber to the control unit;

wherein inflation of the first compression chamber, the second compression chamber, and the third compression chamber applies a compression gradient to the appendage; and

wherein the thermal element dilates a plurality of vessels within the appendage facilitating removal of accumulated fluid from the appendage via inflation of the compression bladder.

8 . The therapy system of claim 7 , wherein the thermal element comprises:

a thermal bladder constructed for receipt of a thermal fluid from the control unit;

a fourth tube fluidly coupling the thermal bladder to the control unit;

a fifth tube fluidly coupling the thermal bladder to the control unit; and

wherein, the thermal fluid is warmed in the control unit, transmitted to the thermal bladder via the fourth tube, and returned to the control unit via the fifth tube.

9 . The therapy system of claim 8 , wherein the thermal bladder comprises a plurality of welds disposed therein, the plurality of welds defining a serpentine flow path for the thermal fluid.

10 . The therapy system of claim 7 , wherein the thermal element is a resistive-heating element electrically coupled to the control unit.

11 . The therapy system of claim 7 , wherein:

the first compression chamber is inflated to a first pressure;

the second compression chamber is inflated to a second pressure; and

the third compression chamber is inflated to a third pressure.

12 . The therapy system of claim 11 , wherein the first pressure, the second pressure, and the third pressure are not equal.

13 . A method of treatment, the method comprising:

securing a therapy cuff about an appendage of a patient;

applying thermal therapy to the appendage;

dilating, via the thermal therapy, at least one vessel within the appendage;

inflating a compression bladder within the therapy cuff with a compressed fluid, the compression bladder comprising at least one first compression chamber; and

wherein the dilating facilitates removal of accumulated fluid from the appendage.

14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein said applying thermal therapy comprises circulating a heat transfer fluid through a thermal-fluid bladder disposed inwardly of the compression bladder.

15 . The method of claim 13 , wherein said applying thermal therapy comprises utilizing a resistive-heating element.

16 . The therapy system of claim 13 , wherein:

the first compression chamber is fluidly coupled to the second compression chamber; and

the second compression chamber is fluidly coupled to the third compression chamber.

17 . The therapy system of claim 16 , wherein:

the second compression chamber begins to inflate after the first compression chamber; and

the third compression chamber begins to inflate after the second compression chamber.

18 . The therapy system of claim 17 , wherein inflation of the first compression chamber, the second compression chamber, and the third compression chamber delivers a compression gradient to the appendage of the patient.

19 . The therapy system of claim 13 , wherein:

the first compression chamber, the second compression chamber, and the third compression chamber are fluidly coupled to a control unit independent of each other;

the first compression chamber is inflated to a first pressure;

the second compression chamber is inflated to a second pressure; and

the third compression chamber is inflated to a third pressure.

20 . The therapy system of claim 19 , wherein the first pressure, the second pressure, and the third pressure are not equal.