WEARABLE DEVICES AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING THERAPY TO A USER AND/OR FOR MEASURING PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF THE USER
Wearable devices can be used to provide therapy to users and/or to monitor various physiological parameters of the user. In some cases, therapy can be triggered automatically based on the monitored physiological parameters reaching or exceeding predefined thresholds.
1 . A wearable device for providing pressure therapy to a user, comprising:
a wearable support configured to be worn by the user and comprising a plurality of inflatable regions that are configured to be inflated;
an inflator operatively coupled to the plurality of inflatable regions;
an inflator housing configured to enclose the inflator;
a plurality of conduits fluidly connecting the inflator to the plurality of inflatable regions, wherein the plurality of conduits extend through the inflator housing;
a plurality of valves operable to open and close fluid communication between the inflator and the plurality of inflatable regions such that the plurality of inflatable regions can be inflated;
a user interface configured to receive input from the user; and
a controller coupled to the inflator and configured to control operation of the inflator to inflate the plurality of inflatable regions based on the input from the user.
2 . The wearable device of claim 1 , wherein the user interface is located on the inflator housing.
3 . The wearable device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of inflatable regions comprises a first inflatable region and a second inflatable region, wherein the first inflatable region and the second inflatable region are adjacent to each other.
4 . The wearable device of claim 3 , wherein one or more of the first inflatable region or the second inflatable region is formed from an inelastic material.
5 . The wearable device of claim 4 , wherein one or more of the first inflatable region or the second inflatable region comprises a predefined shape when fully inflated.
6 . The wearable device of claim 3 , wherein one or more of the first inflatable region or the second inflatable region is formed from an elastic material.
7 . The wearable device of claim 3 , wherein the first inflatable region and the second inflatable region are different sizes.
8 . A wearable device for providing pressure therapy to a leg of a user, comprising:
a wearable support configured to be worn on the leg of the user and comprising a plurality of inflatable bladders that are configured to be inflated;
an inflator operatively coupled to the plurality of inflatable bladders;
an inflator housing configured to enclose the inflator;
a plurality of conduits fluidly connecting the inflator to the plurality of inflatable bladders, wherein the plurality of conduits extend through the inflator housing;
a plurality of valves operable to open and close fluid communication between the inflator and the plurality of inflatable bladders such that the plurality of inflatable bladders can be inflated;
a user interface located on the inflator housing and configured to receive input from the user; and
a controller coupled to the inflator and configured to control operation of the inflator to inflate the plurality of inflatable bladders based on the input from the user.
9 . The wearable device of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of inflatable bladders comprises a first inflatable bladder and a second inflatable bladder, wherein the first inflatable bladder and the second inflatable bladder are adjacent to each other.
10 . The wearable device of claim 9 , wherein elongation of one or both of the first inflatable bladder or the second inflatable bladder is constrained relative to outer layers of the wearable support.
11 . The wearable device of claim 9 , wherein elongation of one or both of the first inflatable bladder or the second inflatable bladder is not constrained relative to outer layers of the wearable support.
12 . The wearable device of claim 9 , wherein the first inflatable bladder comprises a first flexible layer and a second flexible layer, wherein the first flexible layer is located closer to the leg of the user than the second flexible layer.
13 . The wearable device of claim 12 , wherein the first flexible layer is elastic and the second flexible layer is inelastic.
14 . The wearable device of claim 12 , wherein both the first flexible layer and the second flexible layer are elastic.
15 . A wearable device for providing pressure therapy to a leg of a user, comprising:
a wearable support configured to be worn on the leg of the user and comprising a plurality of inflatable bladders that are configured to be inflated;
an inflator operatively coupled to the plurality of inflatable bladders;
an inflator housing attached to a surface of the wearable support and configured to enclose the inflator;
a plurality of conduits fluidly connecting the inflator to the plurality of inflatable bladders, wherein the plurality of conduits extend through the inflator housing and the surface of the wearable support;
a plurality of valves operable to open and close fluid communication between the inflator and the plurality of inflatable bladders such that the plurality of inflatable bladders can be inflated;
a user interface located on the inflator housing and configured to receive input from the user; and
a controller coupled to the inflator and configured to control operation of the inflator to inflate the plurality of inflatable bladders based on the input from the user.
16 . The wearable device of claim 15 , wherein the plurality of inflatable bladders comprises a first inflatable bladder and a second inflatable bladder, wherein the first inflatable bladder and the second inflatable bladder are adjacent to each other.
17 . The wearable device of claim 16 , wherein elongation of one or both of the first inflatable bladder or the second inflatable bladder is constrained relative to outer layers of the wearable support.
18 . The wearable device of claim 16 , wherein elongation of one or both of the first inflatable bladder or the second inflatable bladder is not constrained relative to outer layers of the wearable support.
19 . The wearable device of claim 15 , wherein the first inflatable bladder comprises a first flexible layer and a second flexible layer, wherein the first flexible layer is located closer to the leg of the user than the second flexible layer.
20 . The wearable device of claim 19 , wherein the first flexible layer is elastic and the second flexible layer is inelastic.