Morris RJ, Griffiths H, Woodcock JP.
Analysis of the operation of the SCD Response intermittent compression system.
J Med Eng Technol 2002 May-Jun;26(3):111-6

Department of Medical Physics and Bioengineering, University of Wales College of
Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK. morrisrj@cf.ac.uk

The work assessed the performance of the Kendall SCD Response intermittent
pneumatic compression system for deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis, which claimed
to set its cycle according to the blood flow characteristics of individual
patient limbs. A series of tests measured the system response in various
situations, including application to the limbs of healthy volunteers, and to
false limbs. Practical experimentation and theoretical analysis were used to
investigate influences on the system functioning other than blood flow. The
system tested did not seem to perform as claimed, being unable to distinguish
between real and fake limbs. The intervals between compressions were set to times
unrealistic for venous refill, with temperature changes in the cuff the greatest
influence on performance. Combining the functions of compression and the
measurement of the effects of compression in the same air bladder makes
temperature artefacts unavoidable and can cause significant errors in the
inter-compression interval.