Some intermittent pneumatic compression devices work , at least in part , by compressing the tissues adjacent to the vessels of the PVP causing the vessels to collapse and eject the blood contained within them into the post tibial veins . Therefore we have force transmitted from the skin collapsing veins located more deeply in the foot musculature . So can this concept be taken and applied to advantage in other areas of medicine ?

What about the following .

If you wanted to inject a medicine into a muscle but not into a vein and a self aspirating syringe could not be used , could you apply compression to the skin at the injection site and collapse the veins in the muscle during the injection of the medicine , so that the injected material could not be injected directly into the venous system .

For example , and speaking hypothetically , lets say you inject a material into a muscle with a standard syringe and a needle penetration depth of 2cm . You would ,of course , run the risk , however small ,of injecting directly into a vein (I realise that this risk is site and depth dependent and for example considered low if the injection is made on the outside of the thigh to a prescribed depth ) .
However ,what if you took a circular disc of metal ( with a diameter of 3-4cm ) with a small hole at its center and first firmly pressed this disc down onto the skin at the injection site . Then whilst maintaining pressure on the disc , inject the hypothetical medication into the muscle through the hole in the disc. Might it be that the pressure from the disc would collapse the veins at the injection site and thus prevent any material being injected into them ?

Perhaps , if research shows the concept is valid , the disc and injection apparatus could be incorporated into an auto injector system .

Tests might initially involve ballistics gel , pressure applying apparatus with different end point diameters and pressure sensors at the appropriate depth in the gel .

Any thoughts ?
Gerry
NB The above merely introduces a point for discussion and should not replace the advice and direction of a prescribing physician .

Gerrard Farrell

Glasgow