Disclosed herein is a compression apparatus useful in treating pain, inflammation, or other conditions of a joint and joint area through use of compression and optionally temperature control. The compression apparatus is configured for physical and functional flexibility in that the apparatus is flexible and can be worn over or under clothing. The compression apparatus is generally suited for support of an ankle joint, a knee joint, a wrist joint, shoulder joint, elbow joint or hip joint depending on size, shape and securement configurations. In one embodiment, the compression apparatus comprises at least one flexible compression member and at least one securement means configured for adjustably providing compression to the joint area of a wearer. In certain embodiments, an apparatus of the present disclosure may comprise temperature-control means, decorative features, devices for visual display of treatment information such as elevation and temperature, as well as other information useful in treatment.

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.

An expandable, exothermic gel-forming composition that is predominately useful in the consumer products and medical industries. More particularly, it relates to the use of expandable particulate exothermic gel-forming compositions with efficient and long-lasting heat production for heating surfaces and objects without the need for electricity or combustible fuel.

A flexible evaporative cooling pad includes a fabric base and at least two rows of fabric chambers affixed to the base. Each row of fabric chambers includes a first hydrogel-containing fabric chamber and an adjacent hydrogel-containing fabric chamber. Stitching isolates the hydrogel in each hydrogel-containing fabric chamber. The cooling pad cools under the legs or the head and neck and promotes the sleep cycle. In addition, the cooling pad may be used to treat headaches, fever, and hot flashes or just to cool down when it is hot. Use of an evaporative cooling pad may reduce the demand for air conditioning.

A securing device is shown and describe for positioning on a user's head. The securing device may be used to couple or attach an insert to the user's head in a desired position.

A medical device (10) is provided. The device comprises an elasticated textile body (12) having at least one opening (14,16) into which a limb may be inserted. The device further comprises at least one textile receptacle (17) welded to the elasticated textile body (12), the at least one receptacle containing a thermal storage medium.

A medical pad for exchanging thermal energy between a targeted temperature management (TTM) fluid and a patient. The medical pad includes a fluid containing layer configured for circulation of a TTM fluid therein. The pad may further include a bistable stiffening structure configured to transition between a first stable shape and a second stable shape. The pad may further include a thermally-conductive compressible foam layer disposed between the fluid containing layer and a patient contact side of the pad. a self-adhering stretchable band configured to secure the pad to the patient. The pad may further include a semi-permeable layer disposed between an underside of the fluid containing layer and a hydrogel layer so that the TTM fluid may migrate from the fluid containing layer to the hydrogel layer.

The invention is directed to a mouth piece for cooling of oral tissue of a patient during chemotherapy treatment. The mouth piece includes a cooling medium contained within the top element and the bottom element and able to retain a cooling environment within the mouth sufficient to reduce capillary blood flow to the patient's mouth. In one embodiment, an external chamber extends from the front of the mouth piece to house a cooling medium. The external chamber can be configured so that it is removably attached to the mouth piece. A support device can be utilized to support the external chamber during use.

A device selected from microelectrode, temperature sensor, optical sensor, optical fibre, temperature control element, and microdialysis probe for insertion into soft tissue comprises a body with a distal terminal section and a layer of an agent such as gelatin capable of forming a gel with aqueous body fluid on the terminal section. The terminal section and the gel-forming layer have a temperature of more than 30° C. below body temperature during a period of time prior and up to insertion. Also disclosed is method of insertion, an insertion assembly and a use of the device.

A sportswear cooling system for enhancing physical activity for a wearer is provided which has a first compartment containing a cooling solution and a second compartment containing water. The first compartment is positioned within the second compartment and the walls of the first compartment are adapted to be ruptured so that when the cooling solution and water combine an endothermic reaction is produced calculated to cool a portion of the body upon application.