Method and device for applying pressure to the whole of the chest area of post chest surgery patients

摘要

The invention described is a pressure device for applying pressure to the whole of the chest area of a patient and for reducing the movement and dehesion of the sternum and chest incision after open heart and chest surgeries. The pressure device has a casing substantially in the form of a pillow, the casing having opposing lateral sides, a back side for application against the chest of the patient, the back side having top corners, a frontal side substantially on the opposite side of the back side of the casing, the frontal side having a top attachment portion and a bottom attachment portion. A membrane layer attached to the top attachment portion and the bottom attachment portion of the frontal side of the casing, the outer wall of the frontal side and the inner wall of the membrane layer forming a sleeve for receiving the hands and forearms of a patient. A contiguous strap attached to the top corners of the back side for attachment of the casing around the neck of the patient for immediate proximity of the pressure device to the patient's chest incision area. A gripping handle is provided for engagement by the patient's hands.