Patent Application
20090227923
The field generally relates to orthopedics and a system and method for controlling the temperature of a body surface contained within an orthopedic device.
The treatment of broken bones or trauma often involves the use of a wrap or cast whereby the site of injury is stabilized and/or supported for healing purposes. Conventionally, such devices are comprised of orthopedic bandages or other flexible materials used in conjunction with a settable composition. The bandages function as a buffering fabric and comprise cotton or other flexible material. The settable composition is typically a curable liquid resin that is capable of hardening upon activation by a solvent, heat or irradiation (e.g., Plaster of Paris or fiberglass). When applied to an injured appendage, the flexible materials are first wrapped around the injured area to form a flexible sleeve. Thereafter, the settable composition is applied to the outer portion of the flexible sleeve and allowed to harden, thereby immobilizing the injured limb contained therein.
While the hardened cast provides sufficient rigidity to support the limb, conventional casts are often uncomfortable to wear because they retain heat and cause discomfort such as itching. Further, the trauma itself often manifests itself in the form of swelling which results from the accumulation of bodily fluids underlying the skin adjacent to the site of the trauma. When the patient is wearing a hardened cast to support the area, such swelling not only results in patient discomfort, but also inhibits recovery, as the cast results in the increased application of pressure against the tissue and surrounding nerve and organ structures. Conventional hardened casts do not facilitate the reduction of swelling as such casts are not meant to be easily removed and do not expand to alleviate the increased pressure caused by such swelling. In an attempt to remedy the discomforts provided by casts of the prior art, it is known to use porous or woven base materials for the flexible sleeve. This, however, has not proven ideal because the interstices of the woven material are blocked by the curable composition when it is applied to the exterior of the flexible sleeve.
Alternatively, other types of conventional casts attempt to actively cool the body part within the cast. Several mechanisms have been developed to achieve this goal, including the application of cold compresses such as ice packs for prescribed periods of time to the site of trauma. This method has met with only limited success as the cold compresses are oftentimes initially too cold for the patient to comfortably endure and, as a result, the patient is unable to tolerate the cooling effects of the compresses for the prescribed period of time. Furthermore, because the compress removes heat from the body, the temperature of the compress itself progressively increases, thereby diminishing its temperature reducing affects. Such methods also require that the cast be removed for a period of time while the cold compress is in place, thereby leaving the site of trauma unsupported and vulnerable when the compress is in use.
It is further known to incorporate tubes into the interior of a cast such that cold fluid can be pumped therethrough to cool the limb. This method has also not proven ideal for several reasons. Primarily, the tubes must be of a sufficient diameter to allow fluid to flow therethrough, which is uncomfortable to the patient due to the resultant pressure on the injured limb within the cast. In addition, such systems require the patient to be connected to a fluid reservoir, and such systems have a tendency to leak; two undesirable characteristics given that exposure to moisture can reduce the integrity and strength of the cast. Such cast systems are also rather costly to manufacture and are not easily removed once the treatment is completed. Accordingly, it is desirable to produce a cast and therapy system that is capable of reducing the temperature of the encased body part in order to reduce swelling and to provide a more comfortable experience to the patient.
In one embodiment, a wrap comprises a first inner layer, at least one wire and an outer layer. The first inner layer is formed from a flexible material and is configured to conform to the body surface of the user. At least one wire is thereafter applied to the body surface on top of the first inner layer. Once the first inner layer and the at least one wire are applied, the outer layer is applied, thereby surrounding the first inner layer and the at least one wire. In one embodiment, the outer layer comprises a hardening substance such that the outer layer provides some rigidity and protection to the layers and the body part encased therein. The wrap further comprises a plug coupled to the outer layer of the wrap. The plug is in electrical communication with the at least one wire encased within the outer layer.
In one embodiment of a therapy system, the therapy system includes the above-described wrap and an external cooling device. The external cooling device is capable of generating a cooling effect that can be transferred to the interior of the wrap. An electrical cord is coupled with the external cooling device and may be used to transmit the cooling effect to the wrap. When the plug is mounted on the outer layer of the wrap, the electrical cord of the external cooling device can be removably coupled therewith and used to transmit the cooling effect to the interior of the wrap. In this manner, the cooling effect generated by the external cooling device is transferred to the encased body party through the at least one wire of the wrap.
In an alternative embodiment, the external cooling device comprises a Peltier thermoelectric device having a plurality of conductors and a heat sink. Further, an external power supply is coupled with the external cooling device and provides sufficient power to run the external cooling device and generate the cooling effect. The external cooling device and the power supply can be combined into a single electronics package that is portable and separate from the wrap.
The therapy system and wrap described herein may be used to treat an injured body part of a patient. In one embodiment, a therapy system is provided comprising a wrap having a first inner layer, at least one wire and an outer layer. The therapy system also comprises an external cooling device having at least one Peltier thermoelectric device, a power supply, and an electrical cord. The power supply can either be housed within the same electronics package as the Peltier thermoelectric devices, or it can be separate, such as a wall outlet or battery source. Once the wrap is secured to the patient's injured body part as previously described above, the wrap is removably coupled with the external cooling device by way of the electrical cord. The external cooling device generates a cooling effect, which is transferred through the electrical cord and the at least one wire to the body part encased within the wrap. Because the Peltier thermoelectric devices are housed within an external cooling device, the resultant heat generated through the operation of the Peltier thermoelectric device is concentrated in the heat sink and is dissipated away from the patient.
Reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of scope is intended by the description of these embodiments.
In the embodiment shown in
The outer layer 16 of the wrap 10 encases the first inner layer 12, generally does not directly contact the underlying target body surface 20 and, as is known in the art, may comprise a settable composition. For example, the outer layer 16 may be initially applied to the inner layer 12 in a series of wet, flexible strips that harden upon drying to form an orthopedic cast. Alternatively, the outer layer 16 may be pre-formed to correspond to the shape of the inner layer 12 and/or the target body surface 20 such that when the outer layer 16 is secured to the inner layer 12 it immediately provides rigidity to the wrap 10.
The outer layer 16 may comprise Plaster of Paris, fiberglass, plastic, neoprene or any other material that is capable of providing some degree of rigidity to the wrap 10. It will be appreciated that the degree of rigidity present in the outer layer 16 may vary depending on the preferred treatment for a particular ailment. In one embodiment, the outer layer 16 functions to substantially immobilize the target body surface 20 and provide protection and support thereto. In an alternative embodiment, the outer layer 16 exhibits minimal rigidity and is relatively flexible and soft to provide functional stabilization and variable support to the target body surface 20. By altering the rigidity of the outer layer 16, the wrap 10 can be used to effectively treat broken bones, bone fractures or soft tissue injuries.
The outer layer 16 of the wrap 10 further comprises a plug 18 coupled therewith. In the embodiment shown in
In the embodiment shown in
The arrangement of the wrap 10 further comprises the at least one wire 14 that is capable of transmitting a cooling effect to the target body surface 20. The at least one wire 14 is positioned between the first inner layer 12 and the outer layer 16 of the wrap 10 and comprises relatively thin, flexible, conductive members. The at least one wire 14 can be configured in any manner so long as the various parts and/or pieces of the wire 14 are in electrical communication with the plug 18. For example, the conductive members of the at least one wire 14 may be independent elements that stem from a common trunk, or the conductive members may be configured into one continuous strand. Further, the at least one wire 14 may be arranged in a specific pattern and embedded into a mesh. It will be appreciated that the most effective configuration of the at least one wire 14 will depend on the nature of the injury to be treated and the location of the target body surface 20.
Referring back to
Now referring to
As previously described, the housing 452 contains the cooling device 454. The cooling device 454 may comprise any cooling device known in the art that is capable of producing a cooling effect transmittable through a conductive material. In the embodiment shown in
Generally, the Peltier thermoelectric device is a solid-state, active heat pump that transfers heat from one side of the device to the other against a temperature gradient (from cold to hot). The conductors 456 of the Peltier thermoelectric device are comprised of dissimilar materials connected to each other at least two junctions. Due to these junctions and the use of dissimilar materials, when the Peltier thermoelectric device is connected to a DC voltage source, the current drives a transfer of heat from one junction to the other. In this manner, the Peltier thermoelectric device causes one side to cool, while the other side heats up. Accordingly, the Peltier thermoelectric device achieves heat transfer through the consumption of electrical energy.
The cooling device 454 obtains the requisite electrical energy from the power supply 460. In the embodiment shown in
In an alternative embodiment, the power supply may be independent of the housing 452 and the external cooling device 450. Now referring to
Now referring back to
The wrap 410 is applied by securing the various layers thereof around the target body surface 20. It will be recognized that the layers of the wrap 410 may be applied to the target body surface 20 in any order so long as the outer layer 416 comprises the outermost component. For example, in one embodiment, the first inner layer 412 is applied first so that the first inner layer 412 is in direct contact with the target body surface 20. Thereafter the at least one wire 414 is applied over the first inner layer 412. In an alternative embodiment, the at least one wire 414 is embedded within the first inner layer 412 and the first inner layer 412 and the at least one wire 414 are applied in tandem.
After the first inner layer 412 and the at least one wire 414 are applied, the plug 418 is positioned in such a manner that the plug 418 can be easily coupled with the outer layer 416 of the wrap 10. Further, the mating surface 430 of the plug 418 is positioned to be exposed to the exterior of the wrap 410. Thereafter, any number of filler layers may be wrapped around the first layer 412 and the at least one wire 414 (e.g., second inner layer(s) 315). Such filler layers may comprise cushioning for the patient's comfort, or functional layers for compression to increase the support provided to trauma site.
Once all of the interior layers have been wrapped around the target body surface 20, the outer layer 416 is applied. The exact method used to apply the outer layer 416 will depend upon what type of material selected to form the outer layer 416. For example, when the outer layer 416 comprises Plaster of Paris, a bandage impregnated with plaster is moistened and wrapped around the interior layers of the wrap that have been previously applied to the target body surface 20. Thereafter, the bandage is allowed to set and harden, thereby forming a hard, protective coating. In an alternative embodiment, the outer layer 416 comprises a neoprene bandage, which is fitted over the previously applied interior layers. Thereafter, straps are employed to secure the neoprene-based outer layer 416 in place. Irrespective of the type of material selected for the outer layer 416, the plug 418 is embedded within the outer layer 416 such that the mating surface 430 is positioned to receive the detachable coupling of the electrical cord 462. The exact placement of the plug 418 in the outer layer 416 is dependent upon the particular requirements of the injury at issue.
In operation, the cast cooling system 400 can be used to treat an area of trauma by supporting the injured area and concurrently reducing the temperature thereof to facilitate the reduction of swelling, pain or discomfort in the area. Further, because the external cooling unit 450 is removably coupled with the wrap 410, the cooling therapy can be applied in a convenient, non-intrusive manner. For example, when the patient is experiencing pain or discomfort to the area of trauma, he or she can simply plug the external cooling unit 450 into the wrap 410 to initiate the cooling therapy. When the therapy session is complete, the patient simply unplugs the wrap 410 from the external cooling unit 450 and returns to his or her normal activities, unhindered by any extraneous equipment.
The cooling effect is generated by the external cooling unit 450 and transferred to the target body surface 20 by the at least one wire 414. As previously indicated, when the cooling device 454 operates, the current flowing through it has two effects: cooling and heating. Depending in the direction of the current flowing through the conductors 456, the cooling effect and the heating effect can be transmitted in different directions. Accordingly, current is applied to the cooling device 454 in such a manner so that the cooling effect is transmitted through the electrical cord 462 to the at least one wire 414, and the heating effect is channeled to the heat sink 458. In this manner, the at least one wire 414 within the wrap 414 cools the target body surface 20 without removing the wrap 410.
As noted above, the unwanted heating effect generated by the cooling device 454 is accumulated in the heat sink 458 and allowed to dissipate into the surrounding atmosphere. The heat sink 458 is located within the housing 452 and, as such, the heat is dispelled away from the user. Accordingly, the heat released from the heat sink 458 is not proximate to the user and therefore does not interfere with the cooling therapy. While the methods described herein are illustrated using a Peltier device as the cooling device 454, it will be recognized that any cooling device may be used, provided the cooling device is capable of transferring the cooling effect to the at least one wire 414 within the wrap 410 through the electrical cord 462.
When the treatment to the user's body part is complete and/or it is necessary to remove the wrap 410 from the target body surface 20, the wrap 410 may be removed using methods known in the art. For example, a cast saw may be used to simply cut the wrap 410 from the user's body part. The various layers of the wrap 410, including the at least one wire 414, are easily cut through and removed. Thereafter, the entire wrap 410 may be discarded and replaced if necessary. It will be recognized that the application and removal of the wrap 410 can be completed by efficient processes that are known in the art.
The embodiments described herein are only offered by way of non-limiting examples, as other versions are possible. It is anticipated that a variety of other modifications and obvious changes will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art and such modifications and changes are intended to be encompassed within this description and the following and any later added claims.
