Made in the USA: Bio Compression’s Breakthrough in Lymphedema Care

When you think of cutting-edge medical technology, your mind might jump to high-tech labs or international manufacturing hubs. But sometimes innovation is homegrown — literally.

That’s the story of Bio Compression Systems, a family-owned company based in New Jersey that has been quietly transforming the way patients manage lymphedema and other chronic conditions for more than 40 years.

In this exclusive conversation, PJ Ross, RN, CLT a registered nurse, Lymphedema Therapist and medical educator at Bio Compression, shared how the company’s made-in-America products, commitment to research, and hands-on patient education are improving outcomes for people living with lymphedema, chronic venous insufficiency, and arterial disease.

A Legacy of Healing, Made in the USA

“A big part of who we are is that we’re made in the USA,” PJ explains. “Everything’s done on-site — from sewing sleeves to assembling all our equipment.”

Founded in 1983, Bio Compression Systems has remained true to its roots while scaling nationwide. The company’s manufacturing facility in Moonachie, NJ, is where every sleeve, pump, and custom component is made, tested, and shipped. Unlike many medical-device companies that rely on overseas outsourcing, Bio Compression takes pride in total in-house production.

That domestic craftsmanship is about more than quality control. It ensures that every piece of equipment — whether it’s a pneumatic compression pump or a specialty garment — is made with the needs of clinicians and patients in mind. Local manufacturing also means faster turnaround for custom fittings, quicker repairs, and a level of personalized service that’s nearly unheard of in modern med-tech.

“We’ve taken pumps back that are 20 years old and can still repair them and ship them out,” PJ says with a smile. “We stand behind every single product.”

Family Leadership and a Mission That’s Personal

Bio Compression’s success story is also a family story.

PJ’s husband now serves as President, carrying on a legacy of innovation that began more than four decades ago. As a registered nurse and Certified Lymphedema Therapist, PJ herself bridges the clinical and educational sides of the business. She fields medical questions from Durable Medical Equipment (DME) providers across the country and leads ongoing medical webinars to ensure practitioners understand how pneumatic compression therapy supports patients.

“I teach the DMEs not just how to use the pump,” she explains, “but why it works — how our equipment helps move lymphatic fluid, reduce swelling, and improve quality of life.”

That educational piece is central to Bio Compression’s mission. By equipping both clinicians and patients with knowledge, the company ensures that the technology fulfills its true purpose: empowering people to live more comfortably with chronic conditions that, too often, go underdiagnosed or untreated.

Understanding Lymphedema: The Hidden Condition

Lymphedema is a chronic, often misunderstood disorder in which the lymphatic system fails to properly drain lymph fluid. The result is swelling, discomfort, and limited mobility — most often in the arms or legs, though it can occur anywhere in the body.

PJ has seen firsthand how under-recognized this condition has been in the medical community.

“It’s really been a misdiagnosed population,” she says. “For a long time, doctors weren’t even learning about it in school. Lymphedema was really under the radar.”

That’s finally changing, thanks in part to advocacy groups like the National Lymphedema Network (NLN) and LE&RN – the Lymphatic Education & Research Network.

“Kathy Bates, the actress, has been a huge advocate,” PJ adds. “LE&RN has done tremendous work getting the government involved and bringing lymphedema into the spotlight.”

Even so, many patients are left to become their own advocates. “Sadly, these patients really have to figure out what they have and tell their doctors, ‘I think this is lymphedema.’”

For that reason, awareness and education are as important as the devices themselves.

Manual Lymph Drainage and Complete Decongestive Therapy

Standard lymphedema care involves what’s known as Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) — a combination of manual lymph drainage (MLD), compression therapy, exercise, and meticulous skin care.

“MLD is great, and we believe in it wholeheartedly, but it’s not enough,” PJ notes. “Patients need all of these things in conjunction.”

MLD is a gentle, hands-on technique performed by a certified lymphedema therapist to manually move lymph fluid toward areas where it can drain properly. But daily in-office visits aren’t feasible for most patients. That’s where Bio Compression’s technology bridges the gap.

How Pneumatic Compression Therapy Works

Bio Compression’s pneumatic compression pumps are designed to mimic the action of manual lymph drainage through what’s known as non-peristaltic compression.
Each sleeve contains four or eight chambers that sequentially inflate and hold pressure — never deflating until the full cycle completes.

“The way our pumps work is chamber 1 inflates and holds while chamber 2 inflates — then chamber 3 inflates and holds, and so on,” PJ explains. “That prevents backflow and pushes the lymph fluid effectively into circulation.”

She contrasts that with peristaltic pumps, where chambers inflate and deflate in quick succession. “When you push backwards, you’re not doing any service to the patient. It’s like squeezing a tube of toothpaste from the middle instead of from the bottom.”

This design isn’t just intuitive — it’s scientifically proven. Peer-reviewed studies show that non-peristaltic compression is more effective at maintaining limb-volume reduction and patient comfort. Clinicians and patients can explore the data and demonstrations in Bio Compression’s online instructional videos.

The Home-Use Advantage

Mobility is one of the greatest challenges for people living with lymphedema. Frequent clinic visits can be difficult or impossible, especially for those with limited range of motion, fatigue, or transportation barriers.

That’s why Bio Compression’s pumps are built for home use. The devices are compact, lightweight, and intuitive — making daily therapy accessible.

“The home-use option makes it so much more user-friendly for the patients,” PJ says. “MLD is great, but it’s hard for them to get there. Our pumps let them continue care on their own schedule.”

Michelle Kattine of MCB DME, a Bio Compression partner and provider, agrees:
“Most people don’t understand what lymphedema is, why they have it, or how the pump helps them. Education is key. For many, compression garments and pumping together provide the best treatment.”

This integrated approach — in-office therapy supported by home-based pneumatic compression — helps patients maintain their results, reduce swelling, and regain control over their daily lives.

Customization and Patient Comfort

Every patient’s body is unique, and Bio Compression’s products reflect that reality.
“We have the biggest selection of garments — about 50 different sizes,” PJ says. “If a customer has a unique-sized limb, there’s a form they can fill out with measurements, and we make a custom sleeve.”

That attention to detail extends to design. Zippered sleeves make the devices easier to put on, and adjustable pressure settings allow clinicians to fine-tune therapy to each individual.

When asked what tips she gives patients, PJ emphasizes simplicity and consistency:
“Once it’s set up, it’s really just a matter of on and off. The DME sets their pressure and time. After that, patients can easily manage it themselves.”

For visual learners, Bio Compression offers step-by-step videos on its Instructional Videos Page that show how to don sleeves, adjust settings, and maintain the equipment safely.

Reliable Service and Lifetime Support

One reason DMEs nationwide trust Bio Compression is its repair and warranty program.
“All our pumps have a three-year warranty, but even after that we’ll still take them back for repair,” PJ says. “We’ve had equipment come in that’s 20 years old — we can fix it and send it back out.”

Local partners like MCB DME even hand-deliver units to Bio Compression’s New Jersey facility for fast turnaround. That relationship ensures that patients never go long without their essential therapy.

When Travel Calls: Taking Therapy on the Road

Many patients rely so heavily on their pumps that they use them daily, even while traveling. Fortunately, portability is built into Bio Compression’s design.

“A lot of people are very religious about using it every day,” PJ notes. “When they fly, we actually provide a letter so they can carry it on the airplane.”

That small gesture makes a big difference — keeping therapy consistent and reducing anxiety for patients who depend on their pumps for comfort and mobility.

Beyond Lymphedema: Healing Wounds and Improving Circulation

While Bio Compression is best known for its lymphedema devices, its technology also plays a crucial role in wound care and arterial health.

PJ highlights the work of Dr. Oscar Alvarez, a physician associated with the company who specializes in wound healing and peripheral arterial disease.

“Wound healing, not just lymphedema, is an important part of what we do,” she says. “Chronic venous insufficiency often leads to open wounds that won’t heal — and pumping has been proven to heal those wounds much quicker than they would without.”

For home-bound elderly or post-surgical patients at risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), Bio Compression also manufactures DVT-prevention pumps.

“They’re covered by some insurances,” PJ notes, “but if a caregiver is trying to prevent clotting for a non-mobile loved one, it’s absolutely worth it.”

Lipedema vs Lymphedema: Knowing the Difference

During the interview, PJ also shed light on a topic gaining traction: lipedema, a painful fat-disorder often mistaken for lymphedema.

“Lipedema affects mostly women, and it’s always bilateral — both legs,” she explains. “It’s not lymph fluid; it’s adipose tissue. We can’t pump the fat away, but those patients are at high risk of developing lymphedema because the fat compresses the lymph vessels.”

For those patients, preventative pumping can be beneficial to reduce that risk. Understanding the distinction helps physicians and patients choose appropriate therapy early on.

Education: The Foundation of Empowerment

Ultimately, Bio Compression’s philosophy revolves around education — not just selling equipment.
“We have the studies on our site that prove why our design works,” PJ says. “But more than that, we want doctors and patients to understand how it works.”

That education starts with webinars for DME partners, continues through on-site trainings, and reaches patients through videos, brochures, and community events.

At a recent Hawthorne Day community fair in New Jersey, for example, visitors gathered around an MCB DME booth where staff demonstrated a Bio Compression pump in action. Seeing the device in real time sparked questions, conversation, and awareness — exactly what PJ hopes to see more of nationwide.

“When people see it, they get curious,” she says. “That curiosity opens the door to understanding what lymphedema is and how we can help.”

Partnerships That Put Patients First

Bio Compression doesn’t sell directly to patients; it partners with reputable DMEs who handle patient delivery, installation, and training. Companies like MCB DME visit patients’ homes, set up the pump, explain how to use it, and ensure the equipment fits comfortably.

“A good DME goes to the patient’s house, sets them up, makes sure it’s in the right position, and teaches them how to use it,” PJ says. “That first session makes all the difference.”

It’s a model that ensures continuity of care — from manufacturer to DME to patient — with accountability at every step.

Giving Old Equipment New Life

Bio Compression’s commitment to community extends beyond warranty repairs. When a patient passes away, families often ask what to do with their loved one’s pump.

“Legally, we can’t take them back,” PJ explains. “So we always suggest donating them to clinics or organizations that can repurpose them for patients in need.”

That spirit of sustainability not only reduces waste but also helps extend therapy access to those without insurance coverage.

Building a Smarter Future for Home Care

“If you’re talking about home-bound elderly, DVT prevention is very big with them,” PJ notes. “They’re not mobile, so they run the risk of clotting. Pumps can literally be lifesaving.”

By combining high-quality equipment with accessible education, Bio Compression hopes to redefine what “home health care” means — giving families the knowledge and tools to support their loved ones safely and effectively.

The Power of Partnership and Purpose

For PJ Ross, the work is deeply rewarding. “It’s about improving quality of life,” she says simply. “If a patient can move better, feel better, or sleep better because of what we build here — that’s everything.”

Her words reflect a company culture rooted in compassion, craftsmanship, and long-term care. From its New Jersey factory to clinics and living rooms across America, Bio Compression Systems continues to uphold its promise:

to make advanced, reliable, and user-friendly compression therapy available to everyone who needs it.

Learn More

• BioCompression Systems Inc. → https://biocompression.com/

• Instructional Videos → https://biocompression.com/instructional-videos/

• Lymphedema Education Resources:

  • LE&RN – Lymphatic Education & Research Network

  • National Lymphedema Network (NLN)

• MCB DME — Local Partner and Patient Resource (NJ)