RESUMO
BACKGROUND: This hypothesis introduces pump shoes as a method for the prevention and treatment of varicose veins. METHOD: An air pump is placed in the shoe, connected to an airbag wrapped around the leg through a hose. With each step, air is pumped into the foot airbag, applying pressure to the leg muscles and superficial veins. This action mimics muscle pumping, helping to push blood back towards the heart. Excess air is released through an outlet hose with an adjustable sphincter, allowing for increased pressure on the leg. RESULTS & CONCLUSION: These shoes offer a simple mechanism to assist in returning blood from the feet to the heart. They can be beneficial in preventing varicose veins in at-risk individuals or treating those in the early stages of the disease.
RESUMO
This in vitro experimental investigation aimed to provide a novel method for preventing blood clotting based on the electrochemical characteristics of blood. Using this method in cases such as dialysis can minimize the risk of blood clots and also avoid hemorrhagic risk for patients. Blood samples were collected from 13 sheep (45 kg) (25 mL), and the clotting time (CT) was measured using a 20-min cutoff after they were separated into control and experimental samples. The test blood sample was put in a cell designed with two aluminum electrodes (positive pole/anode) located in a container containing 0.9% sodium chloride (as a salt bridge) and a platinum (negative pole/cathode) linked to a power supply (-3.5 V, 1 mA/cm2). Biochemical and hematological tests to check blood damage and clotting were performed. The control sample coagulated after 8 min, while the electrified blood did not, even at the end of the cutoff time. Among hematologic and biochemical tests, the average time of prothrombin time (PT) and partial thromboplastin time (PTT) was significantly different between the control and test samples (p = 0.001). Our findings on electrified blood with expanding CT, PT, and PTT times revealed that the electric current passing through the blood enhanced the CT. Furthermore, no change in biochemical or hematological factors demonstrated that this current had no detrimental effect on the blood.