Controllers for dry eye treatment apparatus and methods are described herein which generally comprise a patch or strip affixed to the skin of the upper and/or lower eyelids to deliver heat to the one or more meibomian glands contained within the underlying skin. The treatment strip or strips include one or more strips configured to adhere to an underlying region of skin in proximity to one or both eyes of a subject such that the one or more strips allow for the subject to blink naturally without restriction from the one or more patches. A controller is in communication with the one or more strips and is programmable to monitor a temperature of the one or more strips to provide a treatment therapy above a threshold temperature of, e.g., 39° C., and below a maximum temperature of, e.g., 48° C., over a treatment period of 12 minutes.

A therapy system in which one or more eye patches are used to apply thermal energy to meibomian glands of an eye of a user to improve the release of meibum. The system comprises includes a headband which is worn by a user and in which a control unit is provided. At least one eye patch is provided which is connectable to the control unit. Each eye patch includes an outer area, an inner area with a flexible heating element located in the inner area. Electrical connections are used to connect the flexible heating element to the control unit to provide at least heat therapy to at least the meibomian gland in the eyelids. A charging unit is provided for recharging a rechargeable battery in the control unit.

The present invention provides a biphasic formulation, comprising a liquid layer on the outside and an elastic hydrogel wherein the water formed on the surface of the elastic gel is physically cooling the skin by evaporating and to give a first boost of the active ingredients directly when placing on the skin of humans or animals. The biphasic formulation according to the present invention may be arranged in a hydrogel patch which creates an environment that relieves or promotes the healing process for the treatment of insect bites, sunburn, erythema, pruritus, acne, dry skin or callus. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a biphasic hydrogel composition, comprising 6% or less PVA, physical crosslinking, glycerol as humectant and the use of water impermeable packaging to reach equilibrium of the syneresis and preserve the moisture of the gel during long-term storage.

A device for a medical or cosmetic treatment based on heat is provided. The device includes an impermeable backing layer and an adhesive layer in contact with the backing layer. The device also includes an alkali metal selected from a single, free alkali metal and an alloy alkali metals, the alkali metal in contact with at least a portion of the adhesive layer to define a treatment region. The device also includes a release liner in contact with the adhesive layer and the treatment region. A heat delivery system or kit including the device and a method for its use are also provided.

A therapeutic device combines both hot and cold therapy to work simultaneously together. The therapeutic device has a first portion being made of a material capable of being heated to a first temperature and a second portion having a fastener capable of connecting to a cold pack having a second temperature. The application of both hot and cold to the site of an injury of a user stimulates blood circulation to an injured muscle with heat and reduces inflammation with cold to facilitate a faster and more efficient recovery process of the afflicted area.

The present invention is directed to a device for absorbing heat from a body. More particularly, the invention pertains to an improved device which utilizes a gel material comprising liquids and solids to absorb, over an extended period of time, heat from a body. The present invention also includes methods of providing cold therapy treatment to a user

Controllers for dry eye treatment apparatus and methods are described herein which generally comprise a patch or strip affixed to the skin of the upper and/or lower eyelids to deliver heat to the one or more meibomian glands contained within the underlying skin. The treatment strip or strips include one or more strips configured to adhere to an underlying region of skin in proximity to one or both eyes of a subject such that the one or more strips allow for the subject to blink naturally without restriction from the one or more patches. A controller is in communication with the one or more strips and is programmable to monitor a temperature of the one or more strips to provide a treatment therapy above a threshold temperature of, e.g., 39° C., and below a maximum temperature of, e.g., 48° C., over a treatment period of 12 minutes.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a heat generator that comprises an adhesive layer containing a volatile component and in which the volatile component is maintained in a stable state during storage, the volatile component is prevented from adhering to a heat-generating section, and it is possible to achieve an excellent warming effect during use. This heat generator comprises: a heat-generating section, an accommodation body that accommodates the heat-generating section and comprises an attachment surface to which an attachment body is attached, an adhesive layer provided to the attachment surface side of the accommodation body, and a release sheet provided to the attachment surface side of the adhesive layer. As a result of including a volatile component in the adhesive layer and providing a metal foil membrane to the release sheet, it is possible to maintain the volatile component in a stable state within the adhesive layer during storage. It is thereby possible to prevent the adhesion of the volatile component to the heat-generating section during storage and to achieve an excellent warming effect during use.

A thermal control unit supplies temperature controlled fluid to one or more thermal pads used to control the temperature of a patient. The thermal control unit includes a fluid outlet, fluid inlet, heat exchanger, pump, and a controller. The controller receives first and second data from at least two different sources to determine if the patient is shivering or not. The two different sources may include a temperature sensor adapted to detect a temperature of the fluid, a temperature sensor adapted to detect a temperature of the patient, a tissue oxygenation sensor, a vibration/motion sensor, a thermal image sensor, an electromyograph, and/or other sensors. In some embodiments, the thermal control unit takes one or more automatic actions in response to detection of patient shivering.

The present invention provides a weighted article for assisting sleep, wherein the weighted article includes heating and cooling means. The weighted article is perforated by a series of channels, which contribute to the weight of the weighted article and allow the passage of a fluid that is continuously pumped throughout the weighted article while the weighted article is in use. The weighted article is connected to a control unit including means to thermoelectrical heat or cool the fluid such that a user of the weighted article is able to increase or decrease their body temperature.