Delivery of customizable compressive patterns to human limbs to investigate vascular reactivity

Objective: Commercial devices for pneumatic compressive treatment of the limbs generally provide predefined stereotyped compressive profiles. The possibility to deliver compressive stimuli with a customizable pressure profile would be useful to differently probe the vascular reactivity to muscle compression (MC) and improve the understanding of MC-induced hyperemia. Aim of this study was the realization of a novel pneumatic system capable of generating adjustable and stable compressive conditions, preceding and following a 'standard' MC stimulus. Approach: A custom-made pneumatic system specifically built to this purpose is tested and characterized in 10 subjects. Three different compressive patterns were delivered to the leg: (1) a constant level: 50 mmHg for 50 s; (2) MC: 200 mmHg for 1 s; (3) a complex profile: 20 mmHg for 50 s, 200 mmHg for 1 s, 50 mmHg for 50 s. Main results: The implemented system allowed to deliver graded compressions to the limb characterized by fast transitions (0 to 200 mmHg in 0.5 0.07 s) and stable plateau levels (50.4 0.5 mmHg). Significance: A new, low-cost, pneumatic prototype has been presented and tested in the present study allowing to deliver compressive stimuli with pre-and post-compressions of adjustable level. This device has been conceived for research purposes and may find application in therapeutic compressive treatments.