Thermally assisted therapeutic aids for cosmetics and wound treatment

Abstract

A permeable layer associated relative to a phase change material associated relative to a securing fabric layer. The permeable layer retains a therapeutic or cosmetic agent to be transferred, in whole or in part, to the user's skin. The phase change material may be dissolved within a thermoplastic matrix or situated within a suitable container. This invention provides the novelty of a phase change material, coupled with a permeable layer and a fabric layer, which work in conjunction with a therapeutic or cosmetic agent.

Claims

1. A thermally assisted therapeutic aid comprising: a single, contiguous, material layer, wherein the material layer is composed of an open cell foam, felt, knit, weave of hydrophobic or amphiphilic or hydrophilic fibers, non-woven fabric or their combinations thereof comprising a therapeutic agent homogeneously dissolved in the material layer; a phase change material layer comprising a phase change material; and a fabric layer configured to secure the aid relative to an appendage.

2. The thermally assisted therapeutic aid of claim 1 wherein the phase change material is situated within a container.

3. The thermally assisted therapeutic aid of claim 1 wherein the phase change material is bonded to a container that contains the phase change material.

4. The thermally assisted therapeutic aid of claim 1 wherein the phase change material is situated within an elastomeric matrix.

5. The thermally assisted therapeutic aid of claim 1 wherein the phase change material is a linear alpha olefin having a melting point in the range of 0 C. to 20 C.

6. The thermally assisted therapeutic aid of claim 1 wherein the phase change material includes a hydrocarbon wax having a melting point in the range of 45 C. to 65 C.

7. The thermally assisted therapeutic aid of claim 1 wherein the phase change material layer is bonded relative to the material layer by means of adhesives, casting, molding, or heat treatments.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and its advantages, reference is now made to the following descriptions, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 depicts a thermally assisted therapeutic aid, in the shape of a facial mask, for cosmetic and wound treatments in an exploded view and in composite form.

(3) FIG. 2 depicts the phase change material.

(4) FIG. 3 depicts a thermally assisted therapeutic aid, without regard to a specific shape, for cosmetic and wound treatments in an exploded view and in composite form.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(5) The following description is of the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describing one or more preferred embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the claims.

(6) In certain aspects, the preferred elastomer is a triblock copolymer of styrene end blocks and mid blocks chosen from any of the following: polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutadiene, polybutylene, or combinations or equivalents thereof.

(7) In certain aspects, the layer of permeable material may be composed of an open cell foam, felt and/or knit and/or weave of hydrophobic or amphiphilic or hydrophilic fibers, and/or non-woven fabric.

(8) In certain aspects, the preferred PCMs are as follows: for heat application, hydrocarbon waxes which melt in the range of 45 C. to 65 C., and for cold application, linear alpha olefins which melt in the range of 0 C. to 20 C.

(9) Notably, these waxes and linear alpha olefins are miscible completely in the polymer matrix, thus not requiring a containing bag. Furthermore, they are non-toxic and safe to human tissue, thus no barrier is required between the elastomer and human tissue. The thermal conductivity of these elastomers is much lower than the conductivity of water or ice, therefore they provide a comfortable source of heat or cold at a constant temperature, without the need for a thermal barrier such as cloth or plastics.

(10) The therapeutic or cosmetic agent is dissolved into a liquid solution, which is then placed relatively within the permeable material. The solvent used in the liquid solution may be a lipid or electrolytic type. The liquid solution is then incorporated relative to the layer of permeable material, such that the permeable material retains the liquid solution.

(11) For example, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid and/or azelaic acid may be used as a therapeutic agent, coupled with heat, for the treatment of acne. Any and all equivalents of the mentioned therapeutic agents may also be used.

(12) For example, tocopherol, antiseptics, antibiotics and/or any equivalents may be used as a therapeutic agents, coupled with cold, for the treatment of the body after surgery, dermabrasion, skin peel, and/or any and all equivalents.

(13) The PCM, with the thermoplastic matrix described in the '894 application, is bonded to the layer of permeable material by means of adhesives or by casting or molding the elastomer onto the permeable layer or by heat bonding the elastomer to the permeable layer.

(14) If no shaping is required then the PCM of already used industry materials, such as pads for heating or cooling parts of the body such as the upper and lower torso, can be used when enclosed in a suitable container. Once the PCM is bonded or associated relative to the permeable layer, then the therapeutic or cosmetic agent is incorporated relatively within the permeable layer. If the PCM does not require a thermoplastic matrix as described in the '894 application, then the layer of permeable material is bonded to the container that holds the PCM.

(15) FIG. 1 shows a three layer embodiment of a thermally assisted therapeutic aid 10. The aid 10 is composed of up to three layers, one being a permeable layer 12, which is located relative to a PCM layer 14, which can be located relative to an optional securing fabric layer 16. These three layers may be situated interchangeably depending on the user's needs. Furthermore, multiples of each layer may be used depending on the user's needs. For example, more than one permeable layer 12 may be needed if the user requires more therapeutic agent to be transferred to their injured area.

(16) The permeable layer denoted as G of the invention can be physically interlocked with the PCM layer denoted as M and physically interlocked with the fabric layer F to form composites as denoted for simplicity by their combinations GM, GMG, MGM, MGG, GGM, MMMG, MMMGM, MGGM, GMGG, GMMG, GGMM, GGMGM, GMGMM, MGMGMG, GGMMG, GGMGMG, GMF, GMGF, MGMF, MGGF, GGMF, MMMGF, MMMGMF, MGGMF, GMGGF, GMMGF, GGMMF, GGMGMF, GMGMMF, MGMGMGF, GGMMGF, GGMGMGF, and the like or any of their permutations of one or more G with M.

(17) FIG. 2 shows the PCM layer 14, which may or may not be located or attached to a thermoplastic matrix.

(18) FIG. 3 shows an up to three layer embodiment of a thermally assisted therapeutic aid without regard to shape 20. The aid without regard to shape 20 is composed of up to three layers, one being a permeable layer 22, which is located relative to a PCM layer 24, which is then located relative to a securing fabric layer 26. These three layers may be situated interchangeably depending on the user's needs. Furthermore, multiples of each layer may be used depending on the user's needs. For example, more than one permeable layer 22 may be needed if the user requires more therapeutic agent to be transferred to their injured area.

(19) In certain embodiments, the present invention may be configured to be placed within or onto a fabric, structure, garment, or any equivalent that is used for the purposes of contacting a user. The fabric, structure, garment, or any equivalent may be secured to the user by way of straps, strings, hook and loop fasteners, such as Velcro, magnets, rivets or any equivalent fastening means. Also, the fastening means may include techniques that allow the material to be situated within another material, such as a bag, towel, paper cloth, or any equivalent, which is then collectively secured or introduced to the user. For example, a user may place the present material into a damp towel, which is then situated to rest on her foot. Further, the securing of the disclosed invention may be accomplished without such fastening means, especially if the materials are configured to conform to the user's geometry or dimensions.

(20) In certain embodiments, the present invention may be configured to form to a user's face, head, neck, upper or lower torso, feet, legs, or arms, or any combinations thereof. The user's specific needs for using the present invention will dictate its geometric form.