SEGMENTED LEG HEATER SYSTEM METHOD

Abstract

A segmented limb heater system method for controlled therapeutic heating of a limb having different segments and joints, differentially heating different segments or joints of a limb, with safe, automatic controls based on sensing of the different actual temperatures, in a portable, easy to use embodiment.

Claims

1. A segmented limb heater system method for controlled therapeutic heating of a limb having different segments and joints, comprising: (i) providing a segmented limb heater system apparatus, comprising: (a) more than one individual heating segment adapted to fit on or around a particular segment or joint of the limb and to provide electrical-resistance heat essentially evenly distributed within said individual heating segment upon activation of said individual heating segment; (b) more than one individual segment controller arrayed one-for-one upon or within said individual heating segments, adapted to control the activation of the associated individual heating segment, and further comprising an isolating thermal sensor adapted to sense the temperature of the limb segment or joint without false sensing of the heat emanating from said individual heating segment; (c) a power and control bus adapted to convey heating power to said individual heating segments and to convey temperature information from said individual segment controllers; (d) a power source adapted to provide heating power to said individual heating segments via said power and control bus; and (e) a control unit adapted to activate and deactivate said individual heating segments as needed to provide a desired therapeutic regime, based on temperature readings from said isolating thermal sensors received on said power and control bus, and activation signals sent from said control unit to said individual heating segments on said power and control bus; (ii) programming said control unit to provide a therapeutic regime of a desired amount of therapeutic heat for a desired amount of time specific to each limb segment or joint; and (iii) using said segmented limb heater for controlled therapeutic heating of a limb, where said isolating thermal sensors monitor the heat of each limb segment or joint, and where said control unit activates and deactivates each said individual heating segment as needed to realize the therapeutic regime.

2. The segmented limb heater system method of claim 1, where said individual segment controller further comprises an overheat disconnect adapted to deactivate said individual heating segment upon its reaching a defined safe threshold temperature.

3. The segmented limb heater system method of claim 1, where said individual segment controller further comprises an overtime disconnect adapted to deactivate said individual heating segment upon its being activated for a defined safe threshold amount of time.

4. The segmented limb heater system method of claim 1, further comprising a remote unit adapted to interface with said control unit.

5. The segmented limb heater system method of claim 1, where said power source provides low-voltage direct-current electrical heating power over said power and control bus.

6. The segmented limb heater system method of claim 1, where said power source further comprises an electrical storage battery.

7. The segmented limb heater system method of claim 1, where said power source further comprises an AC-to-low-voltage-DC transformer.

8. The segmented limb heater system method of claim 1, where said control unit activates and deactivates said individual heating segments in a pattern that ensures that not more than a set threshold number of individual heating segments are active and drawing current at any one time.

9. The segmented limb heater system method of claim 1, where said control unit activates and deactivates said individual heating segments in a pattern that ensures that only one individual heating segment is active and drawing current at any one time.

10. The segmented limb heater system method of claim 1, where said individual heater segments are shaped such that movement of the limb segments and joints is allowed.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0017] Reference will now be made to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals, and wherein:

[0018] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the segmented limb heater system in use on a person's leg; and

[0019] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the segmented limb heater system in use on a horse's leg.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Referring to FIG. 1 & FIG. 2, the segmented limb heater system method 100 and apparatus 10 are shown schematically in use on the legs of a person and a horse. The invention is for use on other segmented limbs, such as arms, of a variety of beings, and can be worn directly against the flesh or over clothing or bandages, as appropriate.

[0021] In overview, electric power, preferably at low voltage for safety and efficiency, is supplied by a power source 11 over a power and control bus 13, for each of several heating segments 21-29 to generate heat, all under control of a control unit 12 which monitors and implements an appropriate schedule of heating events, with regard to heat intensity and time of application, individually for all of the segments.

[0022] Although higher voltage alternating current or AC could it be used in this invention, doing so would introduce a much higher risk of painful or fatal electrocution in the event of any system failure, and therefore would require more complex and expensive safety features. And AC power would provide no significant offsetting advantage here, and would be difficult to implement in a portable system.

[0023] The individual heating segments 21-29 are made out of at least moderately flexible fabric or sheeting having embedded electrical resistance heating elements, such as heater wires, within, and a heat-dispersing cover layer or separate cover to prevent burns caused by direct or under-modulated contact of heating elements and flesh.

[0024] The most useful embodiments of individual heating segments 21-29 are likely to be flexible pads which can be wrapped around the limb segment and adjustably fastened by known means such as hook and loop strips, snaps, or magnetic closures.

[0025] Each individual heating segment 21-29 contains an individual segment controller 30 that controls the application of heat by that segment. Although in normal use the intensity and duration of heating in one segment or another is under the central control of the control unit 12, the invention provides two fail-safe devices associated with each individual segment controller 30, an overheat disconnect 32 and an overtime disconnect 33, which will prevent too much heat or too much heating time being applied by that segment no matter what larger system malfunction or maladjustment might be directing otherwise. Each individual segment controller 30 is also associated with an isolating thermal sensor 31, designed to correctly sense the heat in each limb segment without interference caused by sensing the heat of the heating segment itself. This isolation can be achieved through a combination of the design and the placement of the isolating thermal sensor 31. In use, the heat generated by any particular heating segment might be all efficiently transferred into the subject's limb segment or might be partially dissipated because of configuration or fitting. The use of isolating thermal sensors 31 ensures that the actual therapeutic heat applied to each limb segment is known and accounted for.

[0026] The control unit 12 has bi-directional communication with each individual heating segment 21-29 through the power and control bus 13. Such communication can be implemented over dedicated wires separate for each heating segment, over one dedicated pair of wires used by all heating segments, or over the low-voltage DC wires used for power transmission. Communication over power wires is accomplished by injecting and filtering a separate signal. Communication over common wires is accomplished either by signaling at different frequencies or by incorporating identifying information into the signal itself. The control unit 12 receives from the several isolating thermal sensors 31 updated information about the actual temperature applied to each limb segment. The control unit 12 can be programmed to conduct a heat-therapy session with the amount of heat applied and the time duration of application for each individual limb segment controlled under a desired therapeutic regime. Such a therapeutic regime might call for all limb segments to be maintained at the same temperature, or might call for different temperatures for different limb segments. The control unit 12 can activate and deactivate the heating elements in the various individual heating segments 21-29 in order to achieve and maintain the desired therapeutic temperature for the desired amount of time.

[0027] Optionally, a remote unit 15 can be provided to interface with the control unit 12 and provide an additional means of controlling and monitoring the heat therapy provided by the invention. Such a remote unit 15 can communicate wirelessly with the control unit. Such a remote unit might take the form of a small handheld remote that can be carried by a companion or caregiver, or might take the form of a centralized remote control and monitoring unit for a healthcare facility managing a significant number of heat-therapy subjects.

[0028] The individual heating segments 21-29 are configured such that they provide proper coverage and heating to the relevant segment of the limb, without restricting the movement of the limb unreasonably. For a hinge or pivot joint, the heating segment 22, 24, 26, 28, 29, can be of a generally wedged shape, as shown, when in use. Other heating segments can be slightly cut away at their ends, as shown, in order to provide additional space for a hinge or pivot joint. A standard configuration of heating segments 21-29, such as for an adult person's leg, as shown, can be made up into a single garment by making flexible attachments of the segments or by attaching the segments to a single flexible garment, such as a stocking. But the separate heating segments provide for a more easy putting on and taking off, especially for an immobilized person, and combination into a single garment might be disadvantageous in some circumstances.

[0029] The power source 11 can provide electric storage, such as a battery or capacitor, or can provide an electric transformer to convert higher AC voltage to lower DC voltage, or can provide both. Having a battery provides portability and allows heat therapy to be administered away from an electrical outlet, such as when driving or riding, working, or pursuing other activities. Because the heating segments are connected in parallel through the power and control bus 13, the same low DC voltage is equally available to each segment. The heating process draws considerable amperage from the power source 11, and a battery providing significant amp hours is needed. For battery operation, in order to avoid too much simultaneous draw, the control unit 12 can be programmed to ensure that not more than one or not more than two heating segments are actively heating at the same time. Because the heat from the heating wires or heating elements is intended to disburse slowly, and is retained within the closed heating segment and retained by the flesh being heated, the control unit 12 can maintain an essentially constant temperature in several segments by pulsing or actively heating segments for relatively short times and in a relatively fast rotation among the segments. Such a pulsing or rotating pattern avoids the drawing of too much amperage because only one heating segment is drawing current at any given time, and no segment is drawing excess or unneeded current when the subject limb segment is already at proper temperature. This capacity to manage and limit the draw on a battery, provided by the invention, allows heat therapy to be administered or self-administered in locations and under circumstances that would be cumbersome if an electrical outlet or a much larger battery were needed.

[0030] Many changes and modifications can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof. I therefore pray that my rights to the present invention be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.