US Patent 9107793 Compression device with structural support features

A compression sleeve for being wrapped around a leg of a wearer includes adjacent flexible sleeve sections. At least one of the sleeve sections has an air bladder therein adapted to inflate for compressing a portion of the leg. A structural component is secured to the sleeve and extends generally between the flexible sleeve sections to maintain a spacing of the adjacent sleeve sections lengthwise of the leg when the sleeve is wrapped around the leg. Bladder layers are joined together to form the air bladder. The bladder is joined together at least at two weld points on opposite sides of the structural component to locate the structural component on the sleeve so as to maintain the spacing of the adjacent sleeve sections.