THERMAL THERAPY DEVICE FOR PROVIDING CONTROLLED HEATING AND COOLING VIA AN APPLIED TISSUE INTERACTING DEVICE

Abstract

A thermal therapy device has a fluid manipulating device for thermally manipulating and circulating therapy providing fluid via flexible conduit to a tissue interacting device. The thermal therapy device utilizes a thermoelectric cooling device including a chilled fluid reservoir for extracting heat from the tissue being treated during the cold therapy cycle and utilizes a resistive electric heater for heating the tissue being treated during the hot therapy cycle.

Claims

1. A thermal therapy device comprising a tissue interaction portion and a fluid manipulation portion in fluid communication therewith by conduit; wherein the tissue interacting portion, fluid manipulating portion, and conduit form a closed loop containing a fluid and are adapted to cause the fluid to flow through the closed loop; the fluid is heated by a heating source and cooled by a cooling source, the heating and cooling sources being distinct from each other; the tissue interaction portion is adapted to heat and cool patient tissue and includes a temperature sensing device to monitor the temperature of a treatment area and control the heating and cooling sources according thereto.

2. The thermal therapy device according to claim 1 wherein the fluid manipulating portion comprises the heating source, the cooling source, and a pump for causing the fluid to flow through the closed loop.

3. The thermal therapy device according to claim 2 wherein the closed loop comprises channels disposed within the tissue interaction portion and adapted for thermal communication between the fluid and the patient tissue.

4. The thermal therapy device according to claim 1 wherein the heating source is a resistive electric heater.

5. The thermal therapy device according to claim 1 wherein the tissue interactive portion comprises a flexible pad.

6. The thermal therapy device according to claim 2 wherein the cooling source is a thermo electric cooler.

7. The thermal therapy device according to claim 3 wherein the tissue interactive portion comprises a flexible pad.

8. The thermal therapy device according to claim 1 wherein the heating source is a resistive electric heater and the cooling source is a thermo electric cooler.

9. The thermal therapy device according to claim 1 wherein the tissue interactive portion comprises a flexible pad.

10. The thermal therapy device according to claim 1 wherein the fluid manipulating portion comprises the cooling source and a pump for causing the fluid to flow through the closed loop, and the tissue interaction portion comprises the heating source.

11. A thermal therapy device according to claim 10 wherein the conduit includes tubes for passage of tissue treatment fluid and electrical conductors for energizing the heating source.

12. The thermal therapy device according to claim 10 wherein the closed loop comprises channels disposed within the tissue interaction portion and adapted for thermal communication between the fluid and the patient tissue.

13. The thermal therapy device according to claim 11 wherein the heating source is a resistive electric heater.

14. The thermal therapy device according to claim 12 wherein the tissue interactive portion comprises a flexible pad.

15. The thermal therapy device according to claim 11 wherein the cooling source is a thermo electric cooler.

16. The thermal therapy device according to claim 14 wherein the tissue interactive portion comprises a flexible pad.

17. The thermal therapy device according to claim 11 wherein the heating source is a resistive electric heater and the cooling source is a thermo electric cooler.

18. The thermal therapy device according to claim 16 wherein the tissue interactive portion comprises a flexible pad.

19. A thermal therapy device comprising a tissue interaction portion and a fluid manipulation portion in fluid communication therewith by conduit; wherein the tissue interacting portion, fluid manipulating portion, and conduit form a closed loop containing a fluid and are adapted to cause the fluid to flow through the closed loop; the fluid is heated by a heating source and cooled by a cooling source; and the tissue interaction portion is adapted to heat and cool patient tissue and includes a temperature sensing device.

20. A thermal therapy device according to claim 19, wherein the fluid manipulating portion contains electronic controls for processing input from an operator and from the temperature sensing device to manipulate the fluid.

21. A thermal therapy device according to claim 19, wherein the conduit contains fluid passage tubes and electrical conductors.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the thermal therapy device according to the invention;

[0023] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of a preferred embodiment of a fluid manipulating device according to the invention;

[0024] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the heat exchanger and storage block of FIG. 2 used for extracting heat from therapy providing fluid;

[0025] FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of the thermal therapy device according to the invention; and

[0026] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the tissue interacting device according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

[0027] Referring now to FIG. 1, a thermal therapy device is shown. The thermal therapy device includes a fluid manipulating device 100, interconnected via a thermally insulated flexible conduit 110 with a tissue interacting device 120. The flexible conduit 110 is firmly secured to fluid manipulating device via a collar 103. The tissue interacting device can be attached to the treatment area by Velcro strips or other fasteners, not shown. Fluid manipulating device enclosure 106 includes an integral carrying handle 107. Also shown are air outlet openings 102. Fluid manipulating device contains various electrical components used for heating or cooling and circulating the therapy providing fluid; also contained are various electrical and electronic component for operating and controlling the process of heating, cooling and fluid circulation. The tissue interacting device 120 may be placed in direct contact with the appropriate areas of the therapy-receiving person's body so that the device can cool or heat the tissue, as required.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the fluid manipulation device 100, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, including an external enclosure 106 containing all the fluid manipulating components, such as the fluid cooling block assembly 340, the thermoelectric element 330, the heat-sink 300 and the cooling fan 310, as well as air inlet 101, and air outlet 102. Also shown are the fluid pump 520, electronic controls 511, and touch key pad 512. Also shown are portions of a fluid conducting flexible tube 550 and flange 103 for connecting to flexible conduit 110. Also illustrated in oblique broken lines is the thermal insulation body 104, which surrounds the cooling components to retard heat transfer from the environment. Thermal insulating body 104 is confined to internal enclosure 105.

[0029] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the heat exchanger and cooling block assembly 340, intimately connected to the cool face of a thermoelectric cooling device 330, which is secured on all four sides by bracket 325. The hot face of the thermoelectric cooling device 330 is held in intimate contact with the heat sink 300. Heat being transferred from the cooling block plus heat generated by internal losses within the thermoelectric cooling device is conducted away from the hot surface of the thermoelectric cooling device through the heat sink 300, being cooled by air generated by fan 310. The fan is kept at a predetermined distance from the heat sink fins by mounting spacers 315. The fan/heat sink assembly is held together by four self-threading screws 320.

[0030] The cooling block assembly 340 includes a cooling block 341 and a cooling block lid 360 sealably held together to form a water tight container. Cooling block main section 345, configured to serve as a fluid storage volume and a smaller cross-sectional portion 342 configured to be of the same size as a thermoelectric cooling element 330 to which is it firmly attached to facilitate optimal heat transfer from the block to the thermoelectric cooling element. The cooling block 341 may be formed by a casting process to create a cavity in its main section 345 with a series of upstanding ribs 343, to increase the heat transfer area between the block 340 and the therapy providing fluid being circulated through the block for cooling. Also shown are two elongated recesses 344 in the main section of the block; they offer space for the securing bolts 387 which provide the tight connection between the cooling block assembly and the heat sink 300, thereby creating a good conductive pass from the cooling block to the thermoelectric cooling element 330 and from the thermoelectric cooling element to the heat sink 300. Thermally conductive paste may be used to provide maximal thermal contact. The cooling block assembly 340 is connected to a fluid circulation path. The cooling block main body 341 is capped by plate 360, with in-between gaskets 355 providing a fluid tight compartment. The circulation path of the cooling fluid also includes the ports 350, extending outwards from the plate 360. The cooling block assembly 340 is attached to the heat sink 300 using two bolts 387 passing through two washers 385, two springs 383, and two insulating bushings 380. The purpose of the springs is to maintain the entire heat transfer system in compression, and to ensure good thermal conductivity regardless of expansion or compression caused by changes in temperature of the components.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of the thermal therapy device of the first preferred embodiment where tissue interacting device 120 is shown interconnected to the fluid manipulating device 140 through flexible conduit 110 for circulating therapy providing fluid from one to the other for providing treatment to the patient. The schematic illustration shows the operating components described above such as the cooling block assembly 340, the thermoelectric cooling unit 330, the heat-sink 300, the fan 310, the pump 520 and the controls 511. In addition, there is a schematic illustration of the fluid circulation system as well as the electrical wiring.

[0032] Also shown are circulation tube 611 through which therapy providing fluid flows from the cooling block 340 to the tissue interacting device 120; from where the therapy providing fluid flows through tube 612 back to the pump 520, and back into the fluid block 340 via tube 613. Solid arrows show the flow direction of the therapy providing fluid within the fluid circulation system. Electronic controls 511 are shown connected via electrical lines 701 to all the electrical components.

[0033] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the tissue interacting device according a preferred embodiment, it shows the fluid circulation portion 710 of the device having two layers of vinyl 121 and 122 or other such flexible plastic sheets fused together in a manner known in the art to form a meandering fluid passage 125, with two openings 126 and 127 for connecting to fluid tubes 111 (only one shown) projecting from flexible conduit 110. Also shown is a flexible heater 720 known in the art as etched or printed heater having a layer of high temperature plastic sheet such as polyimide with a trace of conductive material, such as copper 721, used as a resistive heating element; the ends 722 and 723 of the resistive heater are terminated with electrical conductors, connecting via the flexible conduit 110 to the electrical controls in the fluid manipulating unit.

[0034] Also shown is a backing pad 730 of thermally insulating material for preventing any passage of heat through the back of the pad. Additionally, shown is a thermal sensor 740 connected to two leads 701 that project from the flexible conduit 110. Flexible heater 720 includes a cut out 724 for the thermal sensor to get within proximity of the tissue being treated for accurate sensing of the temperature experienced at the treatment area.

[0035] As it has become apparent from the description provided above the thermal therapy device according to the present invention employs a thermoelectric cooling device to provide cold therapy and employs electric resistive heaters of one form or another to provide hot therapy. That principle is where the present invention departs from the prior art as exemplified in U.S. '109 patent referenced, which discloses a thermoelectric module being used to extract heat from therapy providing fluid when current flows in one direction through the thermoelectric module, and to heat the therapy providing fluid when current flows in the opposite direction through the thermoelectric module.

[0036] The reason for this was based on tests conducted with a thermoelectric module used for both heating and cooling where tests indicated that it took a long time for the temperature of the therapy providing fluid to cool down after being heated. The reason being that the cooling capacity of the average thermoelectric cooling unit is in the range of 40 watt, and that the combined mass of the elements being heated and cooled, including the heat transfer module the thermoelectric module and the heat sink is in the range of 400 grams. Therefore, it takes the 40 watts of cooling capability of the thermoelectric device a long time to cool that entire thermal mass from a high temperature of 40C F to a low temperature of about 5C F.

[0037] The thermal therapy device according to the invention avoids the need for the entire cooling system to switch temperatures by maintaining a reservoir of chilled fluid at a low temperature during the entire operating cycle of the unit. Thus, while a resistance heater is heating the tissue being treated the thermoelectric cooling device is energized to maintain a reservoir of chilled fluid at a low temperature of about 40 F. Therefore, when the cooling mode of the therapy is called for, simultaneously the electric resistance heater is turned off and a supply of chilled therapy providing fluid is pumped through the fluid circulation system and reaches the treatment area instantly. Not only is the fluid in the reservoir chilled to the low temperature needed for the cold treatment the reservoir itself has a relatively large thermal mass kept at the low temperature of 40 F, and due to its extended surface area, will readily absorb heat from circulating fluid as it returns from the tissue interacting device, having absorbed heat from the tissue being treated.

[0038] An additional advantage to the system according to the invention over the state of the art as exemplified in U.S. '109 lies in the fact that the thermoelectric devices must be driven by low-voltage DC current. It is a known fact that converting AC line-voltage to 12-volt DC requires specialized electronic circuitry known in the trade as Low Voltage Power Supply which is relatively expensive, and where the costs increase proportionally to the power rating of the power supply. Since the thermoelectric module of the design according to the present invention is used during the entire treatment period: to cool down the cooling block during the heating cycle, and to cool extract heat from the tissue being treated during the cooling cycle its average energy draw is significantly lower than the thermoelectric module in a system according to the U.S. '109, where it must generate the same amount of cooling capacity in about half the time. consequently, the system according to the invention would require less power allowing the use of a less expensive power supply.

[0039] Additionally, it was determined that monitoring and controlling the temperature of the treated area is of great value as it can forestall injuries caused by over heating or by inflicting cold-burns to the skin. It was also determined that the user finds it helpful to control and monitor the treatment area based on their own comfort level. Therefore, the placing of the thermal sensor in the treatment interacting device according to the invention was found to be advantageous.

[0040] Although the thermal therapy device has been shown and described with respect to a certain embodiment, it is obvious that equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. Regarding the various functions performed by the above described elements (e.g., components, assemblies, systems, devices, compositions, etc.), the terms (including a reference to a means) used to describe such elements are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any element which performs the specified function of the described element (i.e., that is functionally equivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function. In addition, while a feature may have been described above with respect to only one or more of several illustrated embodiments, such a feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other embodiments, as may be desired and advantageous for any given or application.