FIG. 7.

Chamber inflation time 50 seconds, of the entire sleeve 400 seconds. Numbers denote chamber levels. TF pressure recorded in the subcutaneous tissue of a lymphedematous thigh, stage II, under chamber 6 (first curve), 7 (second curve), and 8 (third curve) during sequential inflation. The sleeve inflation pressure was 120 mmHg. Head pressures denoted by red dot. Note that first inflation of chamber 6 (above knee) generated TF pressure of 110 mmHg (yellow), of chamber 7 100 mmHg, and of chamber 8 only 20 mmHg. This was due to dissipation of force to the groin with loose tissue. Note also that inflation of chambers 1 to 5 did not generate increase in pressure at levels 6 or 7 and 8. This can be interpreted as no transmission of pressure to the proximal segments because of low hydraulic conductivity of the lymphedematous tissue. After sleeve deflation, TF pressures dropped to 3–10 mmHg.