Simultaneous Thermal and Cooling Therapeutic Device

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A simultaneous thermal and cooling therapeutic device, comprising: said therapeutic device having an outer perimeter edge, said outer perimeter edge of said therapeutic device is a first pack having a first temperature; said therapeutic device having a substantially central portion configured to receive a removable second pack having a second temperature, said removable second pack having a first side located opposite a second side; a layer of material, said layer of material is removably connected to said first side of said removable second pack; and, said first temperature of said first pack is of a different temperature than said second temperature of said second pack.

2. The simultaneous thermal and cooling therapeutic device of claim 1, further comprising said outer perimeter edge of said therapeutic device being made of a thermally conductive material.

3. The simultaneous thermal and cooling therapeutic device of claim 1, further comprising said first pack configured to be heated to said first temperature.

4. The simultaneous thermal and cooling therapeutic device of claim 3, further comprising said first pack having a compartment retaining water.

5. The simultaneous thermal and cooling therapeutic device of claim 3, further comprising said first pack having a compartment retaining a thermally conductive gel.

6. The simultaneous thermal and cooling therapeutic device of claim 3, further comprising said first pack having a compartment retaining a liquid.

7. The simultaneous thermal and cooling therapeutic device of claim 3, further comprising said first pack is a hot pack.

8. The simultaneous thermal and cooling therapeutic device of claim 1, further comprising said removable second pack is configured to be cooled to said second temperature.

9. The simultaneous thermal and cooling therapeutic device of claim 8, further comprising said removable second pack having a compartment retaining a refrigerant gel.

10. The simultaneous thermal and cooling therapeutic device of claim 8, further comprising said removable second pack having a compartment retaining ice.

11. The simultaneous thermal and cooling therapeutic device of claim 8, further comprising said removable second pack having a compartment retaining water.

12. The simultaneous thermal and cooling therapeutic device of claim 1, further comprising said substantially central portion of said therapeutic device having a pocket, said pocket configured to retain said removable second pack.

13. The simultaneous thermal and cooling therapeutic device of claim 1, further comprising said substantially central portion of said therapeutic device having a first portion of a fastener, said removable second pack having a second portion of a fastener, said first portion of said fastener removably connects to said second portion of said fastener.

14. The simultaneous thermal and cooling therapeutic device of claim 1, further comprising said substantially central portion of said therapeutic device having a length of material having a first end located opposite a second end, said first end of said length of material and said second end of said length of material are connected to said therapeutic device, said length of material is configured to retain said removable second pack when said removable second pack is inserted under said length of material.

15. The simultaneous thermal and cooling therapeutic device of claim 1, further comprising said first side of said removable second pack having a retaining structure configured to retain at least a portion of said layer of material, said retaining structure having at least one flange, said at least one flange is configured to overlay at least a portion of an outer perimeter edge of said layer of material.

16. The simultaneous thermal and cooling therapeutic device of claim 1, further comprising said layer of material having a first side located opposite a second side, said first side of said layer of material having a removable barrier element, said second side of said layer of material having an adhesive, said adhesive is configured to connect said layer of material to said first side of said removable second pack.

17. The simultaneous thermal and cooling therapeutic device of claim 1, further comprising said layer of material retaining at least one substance.

18. The simultaneous thermal and cooling therapeutic device of claim 17, further comprising said at least one substance is a topical anesthetic.

19. The simultaneous thermal and cooling therapeutic device of claim 17, further comprising said at least one substance is a topical antibiotic.

20. The simultaneous thermal and cooling therapeutic device of claim 17, further comprising said at least one substance having a first substance being Eucalyptus Essential Oil and a second substance being Capsicum Oleoresin in a carrier oil.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0028] FIG. 1 is a side cut-away view of the novel therapeutic device having an outer perimeter edge having a compartment retaining a thermally conductive material and a substantially central portion having a first portion of a fastener receiving a removable cold pack having a second portion of a fastener connected thereto;

[0029] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the novel therapeutic device having an outer perimeter edge being a hot pack and a substantially central portion being a removable cold pack;

[0030] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the novel therapeutic device having an outer perimeter edge being a hot pack and a substantially central portion being a removable cold pack;

[0031] FIG. 4 is a side cut-away view of an alternate embodiment of the novel therapeutic device having an outer perimeter edge having a compartment retaining a thermally conductive material and a substantially central portion forming a pocket with a length of material receiving a removable cold pack;

[0032] FIG. 5 is a side cut-away view of an alternate embodiment of the novel therapeutic device having an outer perimeter edge having a compartment retaining a thermally conductive material and a substantially central portion forming a pocket with a length of material being expanded to receive a removable cold pack;

[0033] FIG. 6 is a side cut-away view of another alternate embodiment of the novel therapeutic device having an outer perimeter edge having a compartment retaining a thermally conductive material and a substantially central portion forming a pocket with a length of material receiving a removable cold pack;

[0034] FIG. 7 is a top view of another alternate embodiment of the novel therapeutic device having an outer perimeter edge having a compartment retaining a thermally conductive material and a substantially central portion forming a pocket with a length of material receiving a removable cold pack;

[0035] FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the novel therapeutic device having a square shape and having an outer perimeter edge being a hot pack and a substantially central portion being a removable cold pack;

[0036] FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the novel therapeutic device having a rectangular shape with a plurality of pockets configured to receive alternating removable hot packs and removable cold packs evenly through the therapeutic device;

[0037] FIG. 10 is a side perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the novel removable second pack with a retaining structure receiving a removable layer of material having at least one substance;

[0038] FIG. 11 is a top exploded view of the alternate embodiment of the novel removable second pack with a retaining structure receiving a removable layer of material having at least one substance; and,

[0039] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the alternate embodiment of the novel removable second pack with a retaining structure receiving a removable layer of material having at least one substance.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0040] In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and within which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments by which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0041] FIG. 1 illustrates novel therapeutic device 1 having hot pack 2 located on an outer perimeter edge 15 of therapeutic device 1. Hot pack 2 has compartment 13 retaining thermally conductive material 14. Therapeutic device 1 has central portion 16 forming a chamber or a recess capable of receiving 6 (FIGS. 1 and 3) removable cold pack 3. Removable cold pack 3 has compartment 17 capable of retaining refrigerant gel 18. Central portion 16 of therapeutic device 1 has first portion of fastener 4 connected to at least one inner wall surface or bottom surface of central portion 16. The first portion of fastener 4 featured in FIG. 1 are the loops of a hook and loop fastening mechanism.

[0042] Removable cold pack 3 has at least a portion of a fastener 5 connected thereto. In particular, second portion of fastener 5 is the hook portion of a hook and loop fastener mechanism. Second portion of fastener 5 of removable cold pack 3 is configured to connect to 6 first portion of fastener 4 of central portion 16 of therapeutic device 1.

[0043] FIGS. 2-3 illustrate therapeutic deice 1 having hot pack 2 located on outer perimeter edge 15 of therapeutic device 1 and removable cold pack 3 located on central portion 16 of therapeutic device 1. FIGS. 2-3 illustrate different views of FIG. 1. Although not shown, it is within the scope of this invention for the cold pack to be located on an outer perimeter edge of the therapeutic device and a removable hot pack located on a central portion of the therapeutic device.

[0044] FIGS. 4-5 depict an alternate embodiment of therapeutic device 7 in which the fastener connecting the removable cold pack 3 to therapeutic device 1 is a length of material 10 partially overlaying at least a portion of pocket 8. Pocket 8 is located at central portion 16 of therapeutic device 7. Pocket 8 has pocket opening 9. In this embodiment, opening 9 is located on an edge of central portion 16. It is within the scope of this invention for removable cold pack 3 having a compartment 17 retaining refrigerant gel 18. Therapeutic device 7 has hot pack 2 located on an outer perimeter edge 15 of therapeutic device 7. Hot pack 2 has compartment 13 retaining thermally conductive material 14. FIG. 4 illustrates length of material 10 in a closed orientation being made of any material including, but not limited to, a stretchy material capable of retaining removable cold pack 3 within pocket 8. FIG. 5 illustrates length of material 10 being oriented in an open configuration 11 to allow for more clearance for removable cold pack 3 to slide into pocket 8. A user may grasp length of material 10 and peel it or pull it to create a larger opening 9 of pocket 8. For example, a user (not shown) may grasp at least a portion of length of material 10 and pull the length of material 10 away from central portion 16 to create a larger opening 9 for removable cold pack 3 to be inserted into pocket 8.

[0045] FIGS. 6-7 illustrate an alternate embodiment of therapeutic device 7 in which the fastener holding removable cold pack 3 within pocket 8 (FIG. 6) is a length of material 10A and 10B overlaying at least a portion of pocket 8 (FIG. 6). Removable cold pack 3 is inserted into pocket 8 through opening 9. In this embodiment, opening 9 is located at a central portion of central portion 16 between length of material 10A and 10B. Therapeutic device 7 has outer perimeter edge 15 being hot pack 2. FIG. 6 shows hot pack 2 having compartment 13 retaining thermally conductive material 14. It is within the scope of the therapeutic device 7 to have substantially central portion 16 having a first portion of a fastener being a magnet. Removable second pack can have a second portion of a fastener being another magnet. The first portion of the magnet removably connects to second portion of fastener being a magnet (not shown).

[0046] FIG. 8 shows an alternate embodiment of the novel therapeutic device 1 in FIGS. 1-3 having a square shape and having an outer perimeter edge 15 being hot pack 2 and substantially central portion 16 being removable cold pack 3.

[0047] FIG. 9 is an alternate embodiment of novel therapeutic device 19 having a rectangular shape with a plurality of pockets 22A-22D each having pocket openings 23A-23D respectively. Pocket openings 23A-23D are configured to receive alternating removable hot packs 20 and removable cold packs 21 evenly through therapeutic device 19. For example, removable hot packs 20 and removable cold packs 21 slide into 24 pocket openings 23A-23D.

[0048] FIG. 10 illustrates an alternate embodiment in which removable hot or cold pack 3 has a first side 32 located opposite second side 33. Layer of material 27 includes any material such as an insert, a patch, a disc, or a pad that may be saturated with at least one substance 35 and 36. A substance includes any medication, oil, cream, or combination of the aforementioned. Layer of material 27 has first side 29 located opposite second side 30. First side 29 of layer of material 27 can have barrier member 31. Barrier member 31 is any material such as wax paper, paper, plastic, a sticker, foil, or cardboard that overlays substances 35 and 36. Barrier member 31 serves the purpose of overlaying and covering substances 35 and 36 so these substances do not evaporate, become dried out, become contaminated, or become exposed when not in use. The barrier element 31 is removed from layer of material 27 during use so substances 35 and 36 are exposed during use. First side 29 of layer of material 27 is configured to be covered by a removable barrier element 31 including, but not limited to, paper, wax paper, plastic, and/or film. Second side 30 of layer of material 27 is connected to adhesive layer 34. Adhesive layer 34 may be any material capable of retaining layer of material 27 within retaining structure 25 including but not limited to, gel, rubber, glue. It is within the scope of this invention for layer of material 27 to not shift within retaining structure 25, as the importance of at least one substance 35 and/or 36 being in alignment with window 37 is critical to the layout of the structural components of this device. Second side 30 of layer of material 27 can have adhesive layer 34 that connects to first side 32 of removable second pack 3.

[0049] FIGS. 10-12 illustrate second pack 3 with retaining structure 25 connected to a layer of material 27 being a medicated pad. Second pack 3 may be a hot or cold therapeutic pack having retaining structure 25 connected to first side 32 of second pack 3. Second pack 3 has first side 32 located opposite second side 33 of second pack 3. Retaining structure 25 may be made of any material such as fabric, plastic, metal, and/or rubber capable of receiving a layer of material 27. Retaining structure 25 is configured to expose at least a portion of substance 35 and/or 36 on layer of material 27 to a user's skin during use. Layer of material 27 has first side 29 located opposite second side 30 (FIG. 10). Layer of material 27 has outer perimeter edge 28 configured to connect with flange 26 of retaining structure 25 in such a way that flange 26 directly overlays at least a portion of substance-free outer perimeter edge 28 of layer of material 27. Flange 26 is a lip that protrudes from retaining structure 25 in a direction towards the opening or window 37. Retaining structure 25 forms a pocket having an open window 37.

[0050] Referring again to FIGS. 10-12, layer of material 27 slides into 38 (FIG. 12) an opening of the retaining structure 25 and is held into place with flange 26. The retaining structure 25 may have 3 walls and may have a side opening or may have one U-shaped wall with a side opening. Flange 26 of retaining structure 25 contacts at least a portion of an outer perimeter edge 28 of layer of material 27 and exposes a substantially central portion of layer of material 27 from an opening or window 37 portion of the formed pocket. The substantially central portion of layer of material 27 can retain at least one substance 36 and/or 36. A first substance 35 and a second substance 36 are both retained on layer of material 27. It is within the scope of this current invention for the first substance 35 to fully surround the outer perimeter edge of a second substance 36. It is within the scope of this invention for first substance 35 to have an outer perimeter edge bordering the layer of material completely free of a substance. This area 28 is free of substance because it is not desirable to waste substances due to cost as this area 28 will be connected to flange 26 and not a user's skin. Also, substances should not come into contact with retaining structure 25 because the oils and/or medication may deteriorate the material over time. The substances 36 and 36 positioned on layer of material 27, when inserted into retaining structure 25, are exposed through window 37 of retaining structure 25 so they can contact a user's skin during use.

[0051] It is within the scope of this invention for layer of material 27 to provide simultaneous multiple drug delivery by topical application of a first substance 35 and a second substance 36 retained on layer of material 27 being for example, a circular absorbent portion, in which two absorbent portions deliver different medications in close proximity. For example, a first substance 35 containing menthol surrounded by a second substance 36 of camphor would result in confusion of the nervous system in such a way that a higher dose of both ingredients could be applied because camphor creates the sensation of heat while menthol creates the sensation of cold, while neither is actually delivering heat or cold. By using various combinations of active ingredients of the substance in a suitable carrier emulsion, treatment of injury or discomfort can be optimized. It is withing the scope of this invention for a carrier emulsion to include, but not be limited to, a combination of water, sodium lauryl sulfate, emulsifying wax, a preservative, and/or a carrier oil similar to the base emulsion used by pharmacists when making custom drugs. The base emulsion could be mixed with any substance including, but not limited to, topical anesthetics such as, Tetracaine, Lidocaine, or Benzocaine; topical antibiotics such as Bacitracin, Neomycin, or Polymyxin B; skin protectants such as, Dimethicone, Glycerin, or Aloe Vera, and/or transdermal conductors such as, Decamethylcyclopentasiloxane, Dimethyl Sulfoxide, or Dimethyl Isosorbide.

[0052] Layer of material 27 can be partially or fully saturated with at least one or a plurality of various substances 35, 36 and may be removably inserted into the therapeutic device 1 for manipulating local blood flow, to speed healing, or to reduce discomfort faster or better than traditional methods. The primary reason for using device 1 is to achieve more precise treatment than simply applying a cold or hot compress or using a cream or lotion to alleviate discomfort, thereby, improving quality of life for the user. The substances 35 and 36 may be liquid saturating the layer of material 27, a gel, and/or a cream.

[0053] It is within the scope of this invention for layer of material 27 to provide simultaneous multiple herbal and/or homeopathic topical delivery to a user. The delivery of two different substances 35 and 36 including, but not being limited to, an herbal, a homeopathic, and/or essential oil-type product being retained on layer of material 27 can also be extended to non-drug applications. These substances include, but are not limited to, cooling essential oils such as Eucalyptus, Peppermint, or Melaleuca; calming essential oils such as, Cardamom, Chamomile, Calendula; toxin extraction such as, Bentonite, Magnesium Sulfate, or Micronized Carbon; and/or blood flow increasing resins such as, Arnica, Capsicum, Pepper Derivatives. For example, first substance 35 may include Eucalyptus Essential Oil and second substance 36 may include Capsicum Oleoresin in a carrier oil. This application would also confuse the nervous system in such a way that it would tolerate higher doses of each ingredient which would not be tolerated if applied separately. It is within the scope of this invention for substances 35 and 36 to be in close proximity of each other to allow a user to more precisely deliver treatment, to reduce healing time, and to improve quality of life. In particular, the close proximity is achieved when the first substance 35 boarders the outer perimeter edge of second substance 36.

[0054] It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, and those made apparent from the foregoing description, are efficiently attained. Since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matters contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

[0055] It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention that, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.