Design and Simulation of a Novel Pneumotronic System Aimed to the Investigation of Vascular Phenomena Induced by Limb Compression

Intermittent Pneumatic Compression (IPC) devices can be used to analyze the mechanisms underlying several vascular phenomena, such as hyperaemia. Commercial devices have limited dynamics and do not allow the delivery of customizable compressive pressure patterns, making the analysis of such phenomena difficult, which may require the application of long stimulations with low amplitude as well as fast compressions with higher pressure level. To overcome these issues, a novel pneumotronic device aimed to the investigation of the physiological effects induced by limb compressions is conceived and presented in this work. The design requirements of the system, capable of delivering customizable compressive patterns in the range 0 mmHg - 200 mmHg, are outlined. The final prototype architecture is described, and a mathematical model of the entire system, also including the interaction between the device and the limb tissues, is proposed. The performance of the device was evaluated in several conditions by means of simulations, whose results were compared to the data collected from experimental trials in order to validate the model. The outcomes of both experimentation and simulation trials proved the effectiveness of the solution proposed. A possible employment of this device for the investigation of the rapid compression-induced hyperaemia is presented. Other potential applications concern the wide range of intermittent-pneumatic compression treatments.