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The best of both worlds with Aircast’s new Cryo/Cuff IC System

The combination of Cryotherapy and compression has long been recognised as an effective and cost-saving method for treating acute soft tissue injuries and as part of the protocol for treating chronic injuries. Recent research has shown the positive effect of combining cold therapy with intermittent compression (IC) and in response to this, Aircast, as one of the most renowned providers of Cryotherapy solutions, has been focusing on upgrading its Cryo/Cuff Cold Therapy System, in order to provide the “next generation” in Cryotherapy units. Several recent studies (Capps et al., 20091 Knobloch et al., 20082 Dahl et al., 20073 Khanna A et al 20084) have shown that combining cold therapy with intermittent compression can enhance or accelerate the healing of injured tissue, haemarthrosis and oedema which in turn can help to quicken recovery time. With its robust and straight-forward design, Aircast’s original Cryo/Cuff Autochill system has been widely and effectively used for many years for post-operative recovery, post-traumatic care, first aid, athletic training and home use. This method is proven to be safe and effective for minimizing haemarthrosis, reducing swelling, decreasing muscle spasms, relieving pain and regaining ROM. So what’s new?

Aircast’s R&D team have spent the last year giving the Cryo/Cuff a technical upgrade in order to provide therapeutic cold and intermittent compression to the cuffs simultaneously.

On first inspection, the new Cryo/Cuff IC looks very similar to its predecessor but if you look more closely, you will see that the Cooler’s lid is now fitted with its own integrated pneumatic pressure pump.  This pump generates cycles of 45-60mmHg pressure (depending on the location inside the cuff) which produces intermittent compression to the cuffs, with an “on-off” timing sequence of 45 second ON / 30 seconds OFF.  In addition, the pressure cycle ensures that the chilled water is automatically transmitted to the cuffs via the cooler to provide continuous cold therapy.

Although it boasts a  new design and an additional pump, the new Cryo/Cuff IC remains as lightweight as the original version (1kg unfilled), and has the same capacity (3.8 litres) which provides up to eight hours cooling time. And on a financial note, the new Cryo/Cuff IC lid is compatible with the existing coolers and can be ordered on its own.

¹ Capps S G et al: Cryotherapy and Intermittent Pneumatic Compression for Soft Tissue Trauma. Athletic Therapy Today January 2009 Att 14, No. 1, pp.2-4   
² Knobloch K et al: Midportion Achilles Tendon Microcirculation After Intermittent Combined Cryotherapy and Compression Compared with Cryotherapy Alone, AJSM Dec 2006 Vol. 34 No. 12, pp. 1953-1959
³ Dahl J et al: Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Enhances Neurovascular Ingrowth & Tissue Proliferation during Connective Tissue Healing, J Orthopaedic Research 2007, Vol. 25, No. 9, pp. 1185-1192
⁴ Khanna A et al: Intermittent pneumatic compression in fracture and soft tissue injuries healing. British Medical Bulletin Dec 2008, Vol.88 No.1, pp. 147-156
 

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