Device for treating an elevated concentration of interstitial fluid in a body area of a patient

摘要

An apparatus for treating an elevated concentration of interstitial fluid in a body area of a patient includes a pad constructed and arranged to be placed in pressure-applying, conforming relation to the body area. The pad includes inner and outer liners connected at marginal edges thereof to one another, and a foam pad having a multiplicity of resilient protrusions is encased between the inner and outer liners. A plurality of channels are formed in areas between the protrusions by securing the inner liner in close proximity to the outer liner along each channel. The channels and protrusions are constructed and arranged such that when the pad is placed in pressure-applying, conforming relation to the body area, localized pressure generated on the body area at each protrusion is greater than localized pressure generated on the body area along the channel. The pad can be rolled into a garment, such as a sleeve, a vest, or a brief, and worn by the patient over the afflicted body area, for example, a limb or the pelvic area. Effective fluid redistribution is achieved by the combination of pressure applied at the protrusions and low pressure areas between protrusions and along the channels, which provide pathways along which the excess interstitial fluid may flow out of the afflicted body area.