Intermittent Compression Pumps

Intermittent compression pumps are pneumatic pumps designed to apply external pressure to a swollen body part. The amount of pressure and the time for which it is applied are adjustable according to condition and persons blood pressure. Some appliances have multiple compartments with separate tubes and controls. These chambers can be filled sequentially and in some cases to different pressures. External pressure, when applied to a swollen extremity, will help to reduce edema by moving the fluid in the extremity to sites of normal lymphatic or venous drainage. Intermittent compression pumps are used to treat post-mastectomy lymphedema, venous insufficiency, amputations and traumatic edema.