Patent Application
20180207026
The subject matter described herein relates to various embodiments of a device that conforms to a body part of a user and provides cooling or heating to the body part.
Some commercially available thermal packs, such as ice packs and heating packs, are available in inconvenient or ineffective shapes for use in treating post-surgical or traumatized body parts and/or joints, e.g., knees, shoulders, ankles, elbows, wrists, spine, and hips. This can result in poor cold or heat transfer to the body part, requiring frequent repositioning of the thermal pack in order to effectively treat the body part, and inadequate therapeutic benefits realized by the body part. Other problems that can arise with some commercial thermal packs include movement restrictions by the user of the thermal pack (e.g., due to the size and/or shape of the thermal pack), discomfort caused by straps that couple the thermal pack to the body part, and/or condensation dampness occurring next to the thermal pack. Although thermal packs can provide therapeutic benefits (e.g., reduction of inflammation and/or pain relief), users of thermal packs may not receive a benefit and can even be harmed from their use (e.g., freezer or heat burns).
Disclosed herein include embodiments of a conformal thermal device that is configured to conform to one or more body parts of a user for providing thermal therapy to the body parts. In one aspect, a conformal thermal device is described that includes an outer skin that defines a body of the conformal thermal device. The outer skin can be flexible and configured to conform to a body part of a user. The conformal thermal device can further include an inner chamber defined by and enclosed within the outer skin and a thermal material that is configured to provide cooling or heating to the body part, the thermal material being contained within the inner chamber.
In some variations one or more of the following features can optionally be included in any feasible combination. The body can include one or more of a ring shape, a helical shape, and a torus shape. The body can further include one or more cutouts that extend through a disc-shaped body and are radially positioned about a center of the disc-shaped body. The conformal thermal device can include an adjustable coupling mechanism that extends from the outer skin and is configured to releasably couple the body of the conformal thermal device to the body part such that the body part is able to perform unimpeded movements. The body can include one or more heat seals that define at least two sub chambers that are in fluid communication with each other and allow the thermal material to flow therebetween. The conformal thermal device can include one or more of an elastic support and a compressible support positioned within the body and configured to expand and/or compress in response to movement of the body part. The conformal thermal device can include a first indicator that is configured to indicate when at least one of the thermal material, an outer surface of the outer skin, and a top surface of the user is at a temperature within a defined temperature range. The first indicator can be configured to change color to inform the user that the temperature is within the desired temperature range. The defined temperature range can include approximately negative five degrees Celsius to approximately 5 degrees Celsius, such as for providing cooling, and approximately 18 degrees Celsius to approximately 38 degrees Celsius, such as for providing heating. Various other temperature ranges have been contemplated. The conformal thermal device can include a second indicator that is configured to inform the user when the outer skin has been conformed to the body part for a duration that is within a defined time range. The second indicator can be configured to change color to inform the user that the duration is within the defined time range. The defined time range includes a time range of approximately 15 minutes to approximately 30 minutes. Some defined time ranges can include approximately 19 to approximately 21 minutes. Various other time ranges have been contemplated. The conformal thermal device can include an adjustable weight that is at least one of coupled to and integrated with the outer skin, wherein the adjustable weight is configured to provide adjustable compression between the outer skin and the body part. The body of the conformal thermal device can be pleated and the conformal thermal device can include a cover that is configured to extend around a part of the body and includes an insulation material that limits the release of heat away from the body part. The conformal thermal device can include a cover that is configured to extend around a part of the body and includes a moisture-wicking material that collects moisture released from and adjacent to the body. The conformal thermal device can include at least one modular extension that includes thermal material and is configured to provide cooling or heating, each of the modular extensions being configured to releasably couple to the body of the conformal thermal device. The conformal thermal device can include at least one connector along the outer skin, each of the connectors being configured to releasably couple one or more of the least one modular extension.
In another interrelated aspect of the current subject matter, a method includes conforming an outer skin of a conformal thermal device against a body part of a user, the conformal thermal device can include a thermal material that is configured to provide heating or cooling to the body part. The method can further include providing heating or cooling to the body part.
The details of one or more variations of the subject matter described herein are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages of the subject matter described herein will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, show certain aspects of the subject matter disclosed herein and, together with the description, help explain some of the principles associated with the disclosed implementations. In the drawings,
When practical, similar reference numbers denote similar structures, features, or elements.
Disclosed herein include embodiments of a conformal thermal device that can conform to one or more body parts of a user for either warming or cooling the body parts to within a desired or therapeutic temperature range. Such therapeutic temperature range can include temperatures that provide healing and/or benefits to the body parts. For example, applying a conformal thermal device that has a temperature of approximately 0 degrees to approximately 10 degrees Celsius to an injured joint can assist with healing the injured joint (e.g., reduce swelling, reduce pain, and allow mobility). In addition, in order to achieve therapeutic benefits, it can be necessary to heat or cool the body part for a specific amount of time or within a specified time frame. For example, therapeutic benefits can be lessened or not achieved if cooling of the body part is either not long enough or too long, even if the cooling temperature is within the therapeutic temperature range. Some embodiments of the conformal thermal device include shapes and features that improve the conforming of the device against one or more body parts. This can assist with effective and efficient transfer of heat between the conformal thermal device and a body part, thus allowing the body part to reach a therapeutic temperature. Some embodiments of the conformal thermal device can include modular extensions that can be releasably coupled to and removed from a main body to create a variety of shaped and sized conformal thermal devices. This can allow the conformal thermal device to adapt and provide therapy to a variety of body parts. The conformal thermal device described herein includes a variety of features and includes several benefits for providing thermal therapy (e.g., heating, cooling) to body parts, as will be described in greater detail below.
As described herein, a body part can include one or more body parts or anatomies of a person or animal, and such body parts can include a surface (e.g., skin) area, soft tissue (e.g., muscle, tendon), and/or bone without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, the thermal conformal device embodiments and features described herein can be used for either heating or cooling of the body parts.
Some embodiments of the conformal thermal device include an outer skin that defines a main body of the conformal thermal device. The outer skin can be flexible to allow the main body to flex and conform to a body part to which the conformal thermal device is placed in contact with. The main body can include at least one inner chamber and/or sub-chambers that can contain a thermal material. A sub-chamber, as described herein, includes a compartment within the body that is in fluid communication with another compartment (e.g., another sub-chamber) within the body. As such, thermal material can flow between sub-chambers whereas thermal material is confined within an inner chamber. The thermal material is configured to assist with the cooling or heating of the body part, as will be described in greater detail below.
The outer skin can be made out of a variety of materials, such as materials that are waterproof and/or control (e.g., facilitate, prevent) heat transfer. For example, the thermal material can be cooled or have cooling properties for assisting with cooling the body part the conformal thermal device is placed on or adjacent to. The outer skin can allow heat to be transferred from the body part to the conformal thermal device, including transferring at least some of such heat to the thermal material. In addition, for example, the thermal material can be heated or have heating properties for assisting with heating the body part. The outer skin can thus allow heat to be transferred from the conformal thermal device to the body part for efficiently and effectively heating the body part.
The main body can include a variety of features that assist the conformal thermal device with conforming to the adjacent body part. For example, some conformal thermal devices include an outer skin that is expandable to allow the conformal thermal device to expand and contract in one or more directions, such as during movement of the adjacent body part or during positioning of the device. Such features can thus assist with allowing the conformal thermal device to effectively conform to the body part, while also preventing or restricting interference of the functioning and/or movement of the body part. Other features for assisting the conformal thermal device with conforming to body parts can include an elastic or compressible support (e.g., spring) that can elastically deform to allow the device to conform to the adjacent body part while maintaining a desired structure. For example, some compressible supports, such as a spring, can be made out of a material (e.g., metal, stainless steel, etc.) that includes a greater thermal mass than the other components of the device such that the compressible supports can assist with maintaining the desired thermal temperature. Some embodiments of the conformal thermal device include one or more seams, slits, and/or cutouts along the main body of the conformal thermal device can also assist with allowing the device to conform to the adjacent body part. Such features also provide benefits from a manufacturing standpoint as they are relatively easy and cost effective to include in the conformal thermal device.
The thermal material can include one or more of a variety of materials, including Propylene Glycol, Ammonium Nitrate, and/or any conformable material that can provide either heating or cooling. The thermal material can fill an inner chamber or sub-chamber to any varying amount. For example, the thermal material can fill approximately 25%, 50%, 75%, and/or 100% of the inner chamber. Some conformal thermal devices include more than one inner chamber and each inner chamber can be filled with one or more materials (e.g., thermal materials) to any fill amount. For example, one inner chamber can be filled with thermal material to approximately 75% and a second inner chamber can be filled to approximately 50%. Furthermore, the fill volume of material in any one of the sub-chambers can vary, such as according to the conforming needs of the conformal thermal device. For example, at least two sub-chambers can be in fluid communication with each other thereby allowing material (e.g., thermal material) to be transferred therebetween. The material in the sub-chambers can thus move to accommodate the conformal thermal device with conforming to various body parts. Some implementations of the conformal thermal device include at least one inner chamber that is enclosed and prevents movement of the thermal material therefrom. This can be beneficial for ensuring that thermal material is placed adjacent a part of the body that can benefit from either cooling or heating. The thermal material can include a variety of viscosities, including different viscosities at various temperatures. As such, in some embodiments the thermal material can have a greater viscosity as the thermal material cools, or vice-versa.
The main body of the conformal thermal device can include any number of shapes and sizes for effectively conforming to any number of body parts of a user. For example, the body can be ring-shaped or torus-shaped to assist with encircling an injured joint, such as the knee joint. Some embodiments of the main body can include features that assist with providing cooling or heating to specific parts of the body, such as the knee cap or elbow. For example, the main body can include an extension and/or at least partially enclosed inner sub-chamber that is shaped and positioned relative to the rest of the main body such that the extension effectively heats or cools the specific body part when the device is placed on or adjacent such body part.
Some implementations of the conformal thermal device can include one or more indicators that are configured to indicate either a temperature or a time associated with the heating or cooling provided by the conformal thermal device. For example, a temperature indicator can indicate when at least the surface temperature of the conformal thermal device is within a desired temperature range or at a desired temperature. For example, the desired temperature range can include approximately negative five degrees Celsius to approximately 5 degrees Celsius, such as for providing cooling, and approximately 18 degrees Celsius to approximately 38 degrees Celsius, such as for providing heating. Various other temperature ranges have been contemplated. A time indicator can indicate how long the conformal thermal device has been in contact with a body part and/or whether the conformal thermal device has been in contact with the body part for a desired amount of time. For example, the desired amount of time can include a time range of approximately 15 minutes to approximately 30 minutes. Some desired time ranges can include approximately 19 to approximately 21 minutes. Various other time ranges have been contemplated. Such indicators can provide, for example, their respective information in a variety of ways. For example, some indicators can change color to provide either the desired temperature range or indicate the desired time has been achieved. Some embodiments of the indicator can include audio and/or tactile features that provide information to a user regarding temperature and/or time. Any number of visual, tactile, and/or audio features can be included in one or more indicators associated with eh conformal thermal device for indicating temperature and/or time, as discussed above.
Some implementations of the conformal thermal device can include a main body having one or more coupling features or connectors for releasably coupling various sized and shaped modular extensions to the main body. Such modularity can allow the conformal thermal device to be sized and shaped to effectively conform to a variety of body parts for efficiently heating or cooling the body parts.
Some implementations of the conformal thermal device can include an adjustable weight that is either coupled to or integrated with the body of the device. The adjustable weight can be configured to provide adjustable compression between the body and the body part of the user. For example, the body of the conformal thermal device can include a compliant metal that can be formed and shaped to allow the outer surface of the body to conform to the body parts of the user thus providing various compressions against the body part. Such compliant material can also be a cold or heat sink to provide additional cooling or heating properties.
Some implementations of the conformal thermal device include one or more adjustable coupling features that are configured to assist with securing a position of the conformal thermal device relative to the user, such as the one or more body parts in need of thermal therapy (e.g., heating or cooling). The adjustable coupling features, along with the main body and any modular extensions, are configured to allow articulation and/or movement of the body parts to which the conformal thermal device is in contact with and/or adjacent to.
Some implementations of the conformal thermal device can include one or more features that can provide heat insulation and/or moisture wicking properties. For example, an insulator can be coupled to a part of the main body of the conformal thermal device for preventing or reducing heat loss from the main body that is not directed to the body part of the user. As such, this can increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the conformal thermal device heating the body part. In addition, a moisture wicking cover can be coupled to a part of the main body of the conformal thermal device for capturing moisture or condensation that can be released from the conformal thermal device. The wicking cover can thus reduce or eliminate moisture transferring to the user's skin or clothes.
Various embodiments of the conformal thermal device are described herein, of which any can include one or more of the features described herein.
For example, the ring-shape of the body 110 can assist with positioning the conformal thermal device 100 on a knee joint such that the ring-shaped portion encircles a part of the knee and the center part 112 can be positioned on or adjacent to the knee cap. This configuration can thus be beneficial for efficiently and effectively cooling or heating the knee joint. In some embodiments, the center part 112 includes an inner chamber that contains thermal material such that a sufficient amount of thermal material is positioned adjacent or on the knee cap when the conformal thermal device 100 is positioned on or adjacent the knee joint. Any of the features described in this disclosure (e.g., indicators, adjustable coupling features, etc.) can also be included in the conformal thermal device 100 or any of the other conformal thermal device embodiments shown or described herein.
In the descriptions above and in the claims, phrases such as “at least one of” or “one or more of” may occur followed by a conjunctive list of elements or features. The term “and/or” may also occur in a list of two or more elements or features. Unless otherwise implicitly or explicitly contradicted by the context in which it is used, such a phrase is intended to mean any of the listed elements or features individually or any of the recited elements or features in combination with any of the other recited elements or features. For example, the phrases “at least one of A and B;” “one or more of A and B;” and “A and/or B” are each intended to mean “A alone, B alone, or A and B together.” A similar interpretation is also intended for lists including three or more items. For example, the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C;” “one or more of A, B, and C;” and “A, B, and/or C” are each intended to mean “A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A and B and C together.” Use of the term “based on,” above and in the claims is intended to mean, “based at least in part on,” such that an unrecited feature or element is also permissible.
The implementations set forth in the foregoing description do not represent all implementations consistent with the subject matter described herein. Instead, they are merely some examples consistent with aspects related to the described subject matter. Although a few variations have been described in detail herein, other modifications or additions are possible. In particular, further features and/or variations can be provided in addition to those set forth herein. For example, the implementations described above can be directed to various combinations and sub-combinations of the disclosed features and/or combinations and sub-combinations of one or more features further to those disclosed herein. In addition, the logic flows depicted in the accompanying figures and/or described herein do not necessarily require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. The scope of the following claims may include other implementations or embodiments.
The current application claims priority to U.S. Provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/196,283, filed on Jul. 23, 2015 and entitled “Conformal Joint Thermal System,” which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US16/43737 | 7/22/2016 | WO | 00 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62196283 | Jul 2015 | US |
