An electrochemical reactor includes positive and negative electrodes. A conductive and/or dielectric liquid is provided between the positive and negative electrodes. A first isolation member provided on the positive electrode isolates the positive electrode from the liquid, and a second isolation member provided on the negative electrode isolates the negative electrode from the liquid. The first and second isolation member each includes a liquid-repellent porous membrane. The reactor further includes a pressure-applying member which pressurizes the liquid to fill the pores of the first and second liquid-repellent porous membranes with the liquid, thereby causing an electrochemical reaction involving the positive and negative electrodes.

Intra-vaginal devices and methods are disclosed for a broad range of applications in the women's health field. The devices and methods provide for placement in the cervical region, and for transferring heat to a cervical region, a barrier contraception method, collection of menstrual fluid, and release of drugs and/or hormones intra-vaginally. The device also can address multiple women's health issues.

An ice pack comprises a plastic sac with an external surface, the plastic sac forming an interior chamber, a substance within the interior chamber capable of absorbing thermal energy, and a coating, which contains one or more antimicrobial agents, on the external surface. The substance can comprise water, including polymer beads mixed with the water. The one or more antimicrobial agents can include a quaternary ammonium ion or salt thereof, such as a silane quaternary ammonium ion or salt thereof. The silane quaternary ammonium ion or salt thereof can be 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium ion, 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride, 3-(trihydroxysilyl)propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium ion, or 3-(trihydroxysilyl)propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride. Instead of an ice pack, the apparatus comprising the coating containing one or more antimicrobial agents can be an object that is used around injured people and/or perishable items such as heating pads, coolers, and ice pack carriers.

This invention relates to a bag. More particularly, the invention relates to a sling-type wearable bag having a waterproof pocket (12) for receiving a heat source, (i.e. a hot water bottle) therein, and a hand-warming pocket (30) located therein between the waterproof pocket and a layer (20, 22) of heat reflecting and/or insulating material.

This film for an outer bag is a film that is used in an outer bag for containing a chemical body warmer. The film contains at least a deposition film layer obtained by depositing a metal and/or a metal compound. and the film has an oxygen permeability. at 50? C. of 11.4 to 62.8 cc/m.sup.2?day?atm. The film forms the outer bag of a chemical body warmer.

A flexible adhesive kinesiology/physio tape of the present invention adapted adapted to provide thermo-dynamic cooling. In a most general embodiment, the inventive tape includes flexible adhesive kinesiology or physio tape with thermal cooling properties including: a first layer of flexible adhesive high quality porous fabric; a second layer of flexible self-adhesive or skin adhesive high quality porous fabric; and a third layer of flexible endothermic material, sandwiched between the first and second layers. In the illustrative embodiment, the tape is a sheet of high quality porous fabric with a blend of cotton, latex or nylon and the third layer is constructed with reactants effective to cause an endothermic chemical reaction. A breakable barrier separates the reactants so cooling can be initiated at any point by manually breaking the barrier. The third layer can be implemented with liquid, with sealed borders, or with solid reactants that could be saturated or interwoven with reactants.

A flexible adhesive kinesiology/physio tape of the present invention adapted adapted to provide thermo-dynamic cooling. In a most general embodiment, the inventive tape includes flexible adhesive kinesiology or physio tape with thermal cooling properties including: a first layer of flexible adhesive high quality porous fabric; a second layer of flexible self-adhesive or skin adhesive high quality porous fabric; and a third layer of flexible endothermic material, sandwiched between the first and second layers. In the illustrative embodiment, the tape is a sheet of high quality porous fabric with a blend of cotton, latex or nylon and the third layer is constructed with reactants effective to cause an endothermic chemical reaction. A breakable barrier separates the reactants so cooling can be initiated at any point by manually breaking the barrier. The third layer can be implemented with liquid, with sealed borders, or with solid reactants that could be saturated or interwoven with reactants.

A self-heating warming blanket includes a pliable outer shell forming a liquid impermeable enclosure. A heat generation layer disposed inside the enclosure has a plurality of liquid permeable heater compartments containing an exothermic reactant. The blanket also has a heater activation system including a sealed bladder containing an activator liquid inside the enclosure. An activation strip extends from outside the outer shell into the enclosure. One segment of the strip is an unsealing segment connected to the bladder. Another segment of the strip is a handle segment outside the outer shell. Pulling on the handle segment opens the bladder and releases the activator liquid into the enclosure where at least a portion of it permeates at least one heater compartment and combines with the exothermic reactant contained therein to initiate an exothermic chemical reaction that heats the warming blanket.

A self-heating warming blanket includes a pliable outer shell forming a liquid impermeable enclosure. A heat generation layer disposed inside the enclosure has a plurality of liquid permeable heater compartments containing an exothermic reactant. The blanket also has a heater activation system including a sealed bladder containing an activator liquid inside the enclosure. An activation strip extends from outside the outer shell into the enclosure. One segment of the strip is an unsealing segment connected to the bladder. Another segment of the strip is a handle segment outside the outer shell. Pulling on the handle segment opens the bladder and releases the activator liquid into the enclosure where at least a portion of it permeates at least one heater compartment and combines with the exothermic reactant contained therein to initiate an exothermic chemical reaction that heats the warming blanket.

A stationary massage device, system and corresponding methods are used for self-administrated or assisted soft tissue strain release (including trigger point therapy, strain-and-counterstrain therapy and neuromuscular release). The massage device comprises a body, wherein the body may include branches, each having flat surfaces, edges, ridges or corners. The surfaces, edges and ridges may be pushed along the myofilament direction of the soft tissues to produce pressing, rubbing, stretching and pulling actions on the soft tissues as stripping massages. The system can be configured to form different geometric shapes, and made of different materials of different firmness. The system can be further configured to perform unheated, or heated massages; and cooling treatments. In addition to being used alone, the system can be mounted on a piece of wall, a standing frame, furniture or a garment.