COLD AIR THERAPY DEVICE, METHOD OF APPLYING A COOLED AIR FLOW AND USE OF AN AIR DISINFECTION DEVICE

Abstract

The present invention provides a cold air therapy device (1) for applying a cooled air flow to a body surface, comprising: cooling means (2) configured to cool the air flow to be applied to the body surface; air guiding means (3) coupled to the cooling means (2) and configured to direct the air flow, in order to direct the air flow to be applied to the body surface, which is cooled by the cooling device (2), to a cold air outlet (4); and an air disinfection device (5) which is configured to at least reduce the germ load and/or the bacterial load of the air flow to be applied to the body surface.

Claims

1. Cold air therapy device (1) for applying a cooled air flow to a body surface, comprising: a cooling device (2) which is configured to cool the air flow to be applied to the body surface; an air guiding device (3) which is coupled to the cooling device (2) and which is configured in such a way as to direct the air flow cooled by the cooling device (2) and to be applied to the body surface to a cold air outlet (4); and an air disinfection device (5) which is configured to at least reduce the germ load and/or the bacterial load of the air flow to be applied to the body surface.

2. Cold air therapy device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the air disinfection device (5) comprises at least one UV light source (7).

3. Cold air therapy device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the air disinfection device (5) comprises a housing (6) and is arranged in such a way that, during operation, the air flow to be applied to the body surface flows through it, wherein the UV light source (7) is arranged inside the housing (6).

4. Cold air therapy device (1) according to claim 3, wherein the housing (6) of the air disinfection device (5) comprises a funnel-shaped outlet region (9).

5. Cold air therapy device (1) according to claim 3, wherein the at least one UV light source (7) is arranged in a central region of the housing (6) of the air disinfection device (5) with respect to a flow direction of the air flow to be applied to the body surface.

6. Cold air therapy device (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the air disinfection device (1) comprises a tube (10) made of transparent material through which the air flow to be applied to the body surface flows, and wherein the at least one UV light source (7) is arranged outside the tube (10).

7. Cold air therapy device (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the air disinfection device (5) comprises a plurality of UV light sources (7).

8. Cold air therapy device (1) according to claim 7, wherein the UV light sources (7) are arranged in a ring shape.

9. Cold air therapy device (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the at least one UV light source (7) is arranged such that the air flow to be applied to the body surface flows through the air disinfection device (5) along a meandering or spiral path.

10. Cold air therapy device (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein at least one interior surface of the housing (6) of the air disinfection device (5) is covered or coated with a UV light-reflecting material (15), preferably with aluminum.

11. Cold air therapy device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the air disinfection device (5) is arranged at the cold air outlet (4), and is particularly formed integrally with the cold air outlet (4).

12. Cold air therapy device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an air filter (13), which is preferably arranged behind the air disinfection device (5) with respect to the flow direction of the air flow to be applied to the body surface.

13. Cold air therapy device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a ventilation device (12) is provided which is configured to generate and/or accelerate the air flow to be applied to the body surface.

14. Method of applying a cooled air flow to a body surface, in particular by means of a cold air therapy device according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of: cooling the air flow to be applied to the body surface; directing the cooled air flow to be applied to the body surface to the body surface; and reducing the germ load and/or the bacterial load of the air flow to be applied to the body surface.

15. Use of an air disinfection device for reducing the germ load and/or the bacterial load of an air flow of a cold air therapy device to be applied to a body surface before its application to the body surface.

Description

[0027] The present invention will be explained in more detail below in conjunction with the embodiments presented in the schematic figures, wherein:

[0028] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a cold air therapy device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of an air disinfection device for a cold air therapy device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of an air disinfection device for a cold air therapy device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of an air disinfection device for a cold air therapy device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of an air disinfection device for a cold air therapy device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of a cold air therapy device according to a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

[0034] FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an air disinfection device for the cold air therapy device shown in FIG. 7

[0035] The enclosed Figures are intended to provide a better understanding of the embodiments according to the present invention. The Figures illustrate embodiments and serve in connection with the description to explain the principles and concepts according to the present invention. Further embodiments and many of the advantages mentioned above may result from the drawings. The elements shown in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0036] In the Figures of the drawing, identical elements, features and components, which are functionally identical and have the same effect, are each indicated by the same reference signs, unless otherwise specified.

[0037] FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of an embodiment of a cold air therapy device 1. The cold air therapy device 1 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a cooling device 2, an air guiding device 3, a cold air outlet 4 and an air disinfection device 5. The air guiding device 3 couples the cooling device 2 to the cold air outlet 4. The air disinfection device 5 is arranged directly at the cold air outlet 4 and is integrally coupled to it. The shape of the air disinfection device 5 is configured to correspond to the cross-section of the air guiding device 2.

[0038] The air guiding device 3 enables cooled air to be directed from the cooling device 2 to the cold air outlet 4 in the form of an air flow. By means of the cold air outlet 4, the cooled air flow directed from the cooling device 2 via the air guiding device 3 may be applied to a body surface to be cooled. The air disinfection device 5 reduces the germ load and/or bacterial load of the air cooled by the cooling device 2, which air flows through the air guiding device 3 to the cold air outlet 4.

[0039] The air disinfection device 5 is shown schematically in FIG. 1 to be arranged between the air guiding device 3 and the cold air outlet 4. It is of great importance that the air flow through the air guiding device 3 will not be impaired excessively by the air disinfection device 5. In order to ensure a highly efficient reduction of the germ load in the air, it is preferable that the air flows substantially smooth and without any turbulence past the air disinfection device 5.

[0040] Preferably, the air guiding device 3 is formed as a hose manufactured from a flexible, airtight material, for example plastic.

[0041] With respect to the configuration shown in FIG. 1, it is preferable that the air flow may be controlled safely, since only the transition from the air guiding device 2 to the air disinfection device 5 must be considered for and not any other transition from the air disinfection device 5 back to the air guiding device 3.

[0042] According to this embodiment, it is also preferable that the air disinfection device 5 is easy to maintain and/or to replace in the event of a malfunction, as the air disinfection device 5 may be accessed easily.

[0043] FIG. 2 shows a schematic sectional view of an air disinfection device 5. The air disinfection device 5 comprises a housing 6 and a UV light source 7. The housing 6 of the air disinfection device 5 comprises an inlet region 8 and an outlet region 9.

[0044] The UV light source 7 is arranged centrally in relation to a direction of air flow. The germ load and/or the bacterial load of the air flowing through the housing 6 is reduced by the UV light which is emitted by the UV light source 7.

[0045] The effect of the air disinfection device 5 shown in FIG. 2 depends on the radiation power acting on an air volume flowing through the air disinfection device 5. The percentage of germs, bacteria or the like inactivated by the UV light is determined by the radiation dose absorbed by the germs, bacteria or the like. The greater the radiation dose absorbed by the germs, bacteria or the like, the greater the percentage of germs, bacteria or the like inactivated by the UV light. The radiation dose absorbed by the germs, bacteria or the like results on the one hand from the radiation power generated by the at least one UV light source, and on the other hand from the dwell time of the germs, bacteria or the like in the air disinfection device in which they are exposed to the UV light. The dwell time of the germs, bacteria or the like in the air disinfection device results in turn from the dimensions and geometry of the air disinfection device and the flow velocity of the air flow. At the same time, it should also be ensured that all air flowing into the air disinfection device 5 remains inside the air disinfection device 5 for a sufficient amount of time. Flow turbulences caused by the configuration of the housing 6 or the arrangement of the UV light source 7 should therefore be prevented if possible. In addition to the configuration shown in FIG. 2, there is a large number of optional configurations for the air disinfection device with which a reduction of the germ load and/or the bacterial load of the air flow by, for example, at least 50%, preferably by at least 90% and, particularly preferred, by at least 99% may be achieved.

[0046] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the air flows in a straight laminar flow through the housing 6. A laminar flow shows no turbulence, which is why the air flowing through the housing 6 is uniformly irradiated. In addition, the housing 6 may easily be integrated into the air guiding device 3 in a straight line, since the direction of the air flow does not change at the transition between the air guiding device 3 and the housing 6.

[0047] FIG. 3 shows a schematic sectional view of another air disinfection device 5, which comprises a housing 6 and a UV light source 7. The housing 6 of the air disinfection device 5 comprises an inlet region 8 and an outlet region 9.

[0048] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the inlet region 8 and the outlet region 9 are arranged in such a way that the air flows through the housing 6 along a spiral path around the UV light source 7. This increases the time that the air remains in the housing 6, which also means that more UV light acts on the air, resulting in an increased reduction in the bacterial load of the air.

[0049] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the outlet region 9 is configured to have a funnel-shaped configuration, and it is preferred that the outlet region 9 is adapted to prevent any turbulences of the air flow in the outlet region 9.

[0050] FIG. 4 shows a schematic sectional view of another air disinfection device 5. The configuration of the air disinfection device 5 shown in FIG. 4 comprises a housing 6 and a ring-shaped UV light source 7 which is accommodated in the housing 6. The ring-shaped UV light source 7 comprises a tube 10 of transparent material through which air may flow from an inlet region 8 to an outlet region 9.

[0051] The tube 10 separates the UV light source 7 from the air flow, which is therefore not affected by the UV light source 7, without preventing the disinfecting effect of the UV light of the UV light source 7 on the air flow.

[0052] FIG. 5 shows a schematic sectional view of a further air disinfection device 5. The configuration of the air disinfection device 5 shown in FIG. 5 comprises a housing 6 and three UV light sources 7, which are accommodated within the housing 6 in such a way that an air flow flows on its way from an inlet region 8 of the housing 6 to an outlet region 9 of the housing 6 along a meandering path between the UV light sources 7.

[0053] According to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 5, it takes a relatively long time for an amount of air to pass through the air disinfection device 5, while the amount of air is—at the same time—exposed to the radiation power of several UV light sources 6. In this way, it is preferred that the disinfection effect of the air disinfection device 5 may be increased.

[0054] In the embodiments shown so far, it has not been explicitly shown how the air disinfection device 5, in particular the housing 6 or the tube 10 thereof, is inserted into the flow path of the air flow directed towards the body region, for example within an air guiding device 3. It is preferred that the housing 6, or the tube 10, respectively, is formed to correspond to the flow path of the air flow, as defined by the cross-section of the air guiding device 3, for example. By adapting the housing to the cross-section of the air guiding device, any turbulence in the air flow may be reduced. It is preferred that a uniform irradiation acting on the air flow is achieved by a turbulence-free air flow.

[0055] FIG. 5 shows a tube 10 made of transparent material. It is also conceivable to provide individual elements of transparent material, such as flat or curved plates, to separate the UV light source from the air flow to be applied to the body surface. Transparent materials such as glass or plastic, e.g. polymethylmethacrylate, may be used.

[0056] The UV light sources 7 shown so far may preferably be configured as low-pressure mercury vapor lamps, which have a high efficiency and output, at comparatively low cost. The advantageously high intensity of the UV light emitted by low-pressure mercury vapor lamps results in a correspondingly high radiation dose absorbed by the air flowing through them.

[0057] Alternatively, the UV light sources 7 may also be configured as LEDs or lasers. LEDs have an advantageously small size and may therefore be mounted in a variety of ways, allowing more flexible configurations of the air disinfection device 5. Several UV light sources 7 may also be provided, as well as in any combination of the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0058] FIG. 6 shows a schematic side view of another exemplary embodiment of a cold air therapy device 1. The cold air therapy device 1 shown in FIG. 6 comprises a device housing 11 in which a cooling device 2, a ventilation device 12 and an air filter 13 are accommodated.

[0059] The ventilation device 12 generates an air flow, by means of which ambient air is directed from outside the device housing 11 through the air filter 13 and the ventilation device 12 to the cooling device 2. From the cooling device 2, the air flow which is now cooled down is directed through an air guiding device 3 to a cold air outlet 4, by means of which the cooled air flow may be applied to a body region.

[0060] With reference to FIG. 6 a number of possible positions 14 for an air disinfection device, which is not shown in FIG. 6, are also indicated. An air disinfection device may be positioned outside the device housing 11 at a position where ambient air is drawn in by the ventilation device 12. An air disinfection device may also be positioned in the direction of the air flow directly before or directly after the air filter 13, between the ventilation device 12 and the cooling device 2, or inside or outside the device housing 11 at a position where the air flow is directed into the air guiding device 3. The air disinfection device may also be integral with the cooling device 2, the air guiding device 3 or the cold air outlet 4.

[0061] Each of the positions 14 shown in FIG. 6 for an air disinfection device has its own advantages. The closer the air disinfection device is positioned to the cold air outlet 4, the lower the probability that the air flow will be contaminated again after the air flow has passed the air disinfection device. Accommodation of the air disinfection device in or on the device housing 11 allows the provision of a larger and generally more efficient air disinfection device, which enables more effective disinfection of the air flow. Depending on the positioning of the air disinfection device, maintenance work may be performed more easily.

[0062] For the sake of simplicity, the air guiding device 3 is shown in FIG. 6 as a straight, rigid tube. A rigid tube offers the advantage that an air disinfection device may be integrated into the tube particularly easily. It is also conceivable that the air guiding device 3 is configured—in further embodiments—as a flexible hose made of plastic, for example, which makes the air guiding device easier to handle.

[0063] Even though only one exemplary embodiment of an air disinfection device has been used to explain the principles of the present invention, it is of course also conceivable to provide a number of air disinfection devices in a cold air therapy device 1, wherein the air disinfection devices may be configured similarly of differently.

[0064] FIG. 7 shows a schematic cross-sectional view in the direction of flow of an air disinfection device 5, which comprises a housing 6 and five UV light sources 7 in total. The housing 6 comprises a circular cross-section and is covered with a UV light reflecting material 15. The five UV light sources 7 are arranged in the form of a pentagon in a central area in an almost circular shape with respect to the cross-section of the housing 6.

[0065] Air flowing through the housing 6 flows between the ring of UV light sources 7 and the wall of housing 6. In this configuration, the air flow is only slightly obstructed by the UV light sources 7 such that creation of undesirable turbulence is avoided. In addition, the UV light emitted by the UV light sources 7 is reflected by the UV light reflecting material 15, which advantageously increases the effective intensity of the UV light acting on the air, and thus increases the efficiency of the disinfection.

[0066] Alternatively to the arrangement shown in FIG. 7, the UV light sources 7 may also be arranged along the circumference of the housing 6. In this way a higher radiation intensity may be achieved in the outer areas of the air flow. It is also conceivable to mount the UV light sources 7 adjacently arranged to each other, which allows an advantageously compact design of the air disinfection device 5.

[0067] Preferably, the UV light reflecting material 15 may comprise aluminum, particularly aluminum foil, polytetrafluoroethylene, particularly in the form of a foil, and/or polycarbonate. The housing 6, for example, may be made of aluminum, which simplifies the manufacturing of the air disinfection device 5. Polytetrafluoroethylene has an advantageously high reflection factor of at least 95%. It is relatively inexpensive to coat the housing 6 with aluminum foil. Using polycarbonate as a reflective material is also inexpensive and easy to produce by means of injection molding.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0068] 1 Cold air therapy device [0069] 2 Cooling device [0070] 3 Air guiding device [0071] 4 Cold air outlet [0072] 5 Air disinfection device [0073] 6 Housing [0074] 7 UV light source [0075] 8 Inlet region [0076] 9 Outlet region [0077] 10 Tube [0078] 11 Device housing [0079] 12 Ventilation device [0080] 13 Air filter [0081] 14 Position [0082] 15 UV light reflecting material