CRYOTHERAPY DEVICE

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for manipulating core body temperature of a human subject by convection and conduction, the device comprising: an open topped liquid carrier vessel adapted to receive a liquid, the liquid carrier vessel having an inlet and an outlet in the base thereof; a removable splash guard for covering the majority of the liquid carrier vessel opening and for resting thereon of a human extremity having an exposed glabrous skin surface; chiller means for cooling liquid received in the vessel and for maintaining the liquid at a predetermined temperature; a jet in the vessel inlet for discharging liquid, or a combination of liquid and air into the liquid carrier vessel; an air valve for controlling the amount of air flowing through the jet; a pump configured to suck liquid from the liquid carrier vessel via the vessel outlet into a suction side of the pump and propel liquid out of a pressure side of the pump into the liquid carrier vessel through the vessel inlet via the chiller means to create a jet stream within the liquid carrier vessel at the predetermined temperature; first conduit means interconnecting the vessel outlet with the suction side of the pump; second conduit means interconnecting the chiller means with the pressure side of the pump; third conduit means interconnecting the chiller means with the jet; and fourth conduit means interconnecting the jet with the air valve; wherein the splash guard is provided with an aperture to allow the jet stream to contact the exposed glabrous skin surface of the subject during operation of the device; and wherein when the splash guard is in place, the aperture is located directly above the jet.

Claims

1-13. (canceled)

14. An apparatus for manipulating core body temperature of a human, the apparatus comprising: a liquid carrier vessel comprising an opening and adapted to receive a liquid, the liquid carrier vessel having an inlet and an outlet; a splash guard for covering the majority of the opening of the liquid carrier vessel and for resting thereon a human extremity having an exposed glabrous skin surface, wherein the splash guard is removable; a chiller for cooling the liquid received in the liquid carrier vessel and for maintaining the liquid at a predetermined temperature; a jet in the vessel inlet for discharging the liquid, or a combination of the liquid and air into the liquid carrier vessel; an air valve for controlling the amount of air flowing through the jet; a pump configured to suck the liquid from the liquid carrier vessel via the vessel outlet into a suction side of the pump and propel the liquid out of a pressure side of the pump into the liquid carrier vessel through the vessel inlet via the chiller to create a jet stream within the liquid carrier vessel at the predetermined temperature, wherein the splash guard comprises an aperture to allow the jet stream to contact the exposed glabrous skin surface during operation of the apparatus, and wherein the aperture of the splash guard is located directly above the jet; a first conduit interconnecting the vessel outlet with the suction side of the pump; a second conduit interconnecting the chiller with the pressure side of the pump; a third conduit interconnecting the chiller with the jet; and a fourth conduit interconnecting the jet with the air valve.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the apparatus comprises a plurality of jets and the splash guard comprises a corresponding plurality of apertures.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the apparatus comprises one air valve per jet.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the apparatus further comprises a plurality of removable plugs for sealing the apertures of the splash guard.

18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the apparatus comprises two jets and two air valves and the splash guard comprises two apertures.

19. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the apparatus further comprises one or more removable plugs for sealing the aperture of the splash guard.

20. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the splash guard is smaller than the opening of the liquid carrier vessel and is supported on legs.

21. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the splash guard has sides which are curved inwardly thereby forming gaps that are located between the splash guard and the vessel.

22. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the splash guard comprises a removable plug.

23. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the splash guard comprises a flexible gasket.

24. A method for manipulating core body temperature of a human using an apparatus, the apparatus comprising: a liquid carrier vessel comprising an opening and adapted to receive a liquid, the liquid carrier vessel having an inlet and an outlet; a splash guard for covering the majority of the opening of the liquid carrier vessel and for resting thereon a human extremity having an exposed glabrous skin surface, wherein the splash guard is removable; a chiller for cooling the liquid received in the vessel and for maintaining the liquid at a predetermined temperature; a jet in the vessel inlet for discharging the liquid, or a combination of the liquid and air into the liquid carrier vessel; an air valve for controlling the amount of air flowing through the jet; and a pump configured to suck the liquid from the liquid carrier vessel via the vessel outlet into a suction side of the pump and propel the liquid out of a pressure side of the pump into the liquid carrier vessel through the vessel inlet via the chiller to create a jet stream within the liquid carrier vessel at the predetermined temperature, wherein the splash guard comprises an aperture to allow the jet stream to contact the exposed glabrous skin surface during operation of the apparatus, and wherein the aperture of the splash guard is located directly above the jet; the method comprising: placing the splash guard over the opening of the liquid carrier vessel before or after the liquid carrier vessel is filled with the liquid; inserting the removable plug into the aperture of the splash guard; checking the air valve is fully closed; turning on the pump to circulate the liquid wherein the flow rate of the liquid discharged by the jet is such that the liquid does not reach the splash guard; removing the plug from the splash guard to expose the aperture of the splash guard; resting the human's extremity on the splash guard such that an exposed glabrous skin surface is located over the aperture of the splash guard; and opening the air valve to increase the flow rate of the liquid being discharged from the jet such that the liquid reaches the exposed glabrous skin surface.

25. The method of claim 24, the method further comprising, after removing the plug, placing a flexible gasket onto the top surface of the splash guard such that the gasket surrounds the aperture of the splash guard.

26. The method of claim 24, the method further comprising pre-chilling or heating the liquid to attain the predetermined temperature prior to use by: covering the opening of the liquid carrier vessel with the splash guard and plug; activating the pump and the chiller; checking the predetermined temperature and adjusting if necessary; and checking the air valve is fully closed and closing if necessary.

27. The method of claim 24, the method further comprising filling the liquid carrier vessel with liquid either through the aperture of the splash guard or through the opening of the liquid carrier vessel.

28. The method of claim 24, wherein the apparatus further comprises: a first conduit interconnecting the vessel outlet with the suction side of the pump; a second conduit interconnecting the chiller with the pressure side of the pump; a third conduit interconnecting the chiller with the jet; and a fourth conduit interconnecting the jet with the air valve.

29. A system for manipulating core body temperature of a human, the system comprising: a device comprising: a liquid carrier vessel comprising an opening and adapted to receive a liquid, the liquid carrier vessel having an inlet and an outlet; a splash guard for covering the majority of the opening of the liquid carrier vessel and for resting thereon a human extremity having an exposed glabrous skin surface, wherein the splash guard is removable; a chiller for cooling the liquid received in the vessel and for maintaining the liquid at a predetermined temperature; a jet in the vessel inlet for discharging the liquid, or a combination of the liquid and air into the liquid carrier vessel; an air valve for controlling the amount of air flowing through the jet; and a pump configured to suck the liquid from the liquid carrier vessel via the vessel outlet into a suction side of the pump and propel the liquid out of a pressure side of the pump into the liquid carrier vessel through the vessel inlet via the chiller to create a jet stream within the liquid carrier vessel at the predetermined temperature, wherein the splash guard comprises an aperture to allow the jet stream to contact the exposed glabrous skin surface during operation of the apparatus, and wherein the aperture of the splash guard is located directly above the jet; and a glove comprising a hole configured to expose the glabrous skin surface of a human hand.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein the device further comprises: a first conduit interconnecting the vessel outlet with the suction side of the pump; a second conduit interconnecting the chiller with the pressure side of the pump; a third conduit interconnecting the chiller with the jet; and a fourth conduit interconnecting the jet with the air valve.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0084] Certain preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0085] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention;

[0086] FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of the device shown in FIG. 1;

[0087] FIG. 3 shows a plan view of another preferred device according to the invention;

[0088] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the device shown in FIG. 1;

[0089] FIG. 5 shows the device shown in FIG. 1 in use;

[0090] FIG. 6a shows a plan view of a preferred plug for closing the splash guard aperture;

[0091] FIG. 6b shows a cross-sectional view of the plug in FIG. 6a in place closing a splash guard aperture; and

[0092] FIG. 7 shows a view from below of a preferred glove for use with the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0093] Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, where like reference numeral represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views.

[0094] Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5 show a preferred device according to the invention, generally referred to herein by reference numeral 100, for maintaining core body temperature of a subject by both convection and conduction. This is achieved by contact of an exposed glabrous skin surface belonging to the subject with a cold stimulus provided by jet stream 110.

[0095] As shown in FIG. 1, device 100 comprises main housing 90 with open topped liquid carrier vessel 10 for retaining a liquid L. Power switch 120 for turning device 100 on and off and air valve 60 are visible at the top of housing 90 adjacent the opening of liquid carrier vessel 10.

[0096] Liquid carrier vessel 10 is in the form of a shell with a well, for example like a small bathtub or basin, e.g. an elongated trough, Liquid carrier vessel 10 is open at the top and has inlet 12 and outlet 13 in base 102 thereof.

[0097] As shown schematically in FIG. 2, device 100 further comprises jet 20 for discharging liquid and air into liquid carrier vessel 10, chiller 30 for cooling liquid L and maintaining it at the predetermined temperature, pump 40 for circulating the liquid, electrical controller 50 for powering chiller means 30 and pump 40, air valve 60 for controlling the amount of air flowing through jet 20 and removable splash guard 70 with aperture 71.

[0098] As shown in FIG. 5, aperture 71 is of a size to allow direct contact of a subject's exposed glabrous skin surface with jet stream 110.

[0099] Side wall 103 of liquid carrier vessel 10 has minimum liquid level indicator 14, visible in FIG. 4, to guide a user as to the minimum amount of liquid L required to operate device 100. In the preferred embodiment shown in the Figures, minimum liquid level indicator 14 is a raised area on sidewall 103.

[0100] In order to avoid creating a vacuum or reducing the flow rate of jet stream 110 during use of device 100, splash guard 70 does not cover the entire opening of liquid carrier vessel L. In the preferred embodiment shown in the Figures, this is achieved due by the edges of the splash guard being curved inwards so that it is only the corners, rather than the entire outer edge, of splash guard 70 that contact the inside of liquid carrier vessel 10.

[0101] A preferred alternative embodiment is shown in FIG. 3. Device 200 differs from device 100 in that splash guard 270 of device 200 has two apertures 271 and two jets 220. Liquid vessel carrier 210 therefore has two inlets 212 and device 200 has two air valves 260 such that the flow rate of each jet can be adjusted individually. As shown in FIG. 3, splash guard 270 is transparent. Splash guard 70 in the remaining Figures is also transparent.

[0102] Each jet 20, 220 independently works via the Venturi principle. Inside each jet 20, 220 independently there is a section which narrows thereby increasing the flow rate of liquid passing therethrough and causing air to be sucked in through the corresponding air valve 60, 260.

[0103] Chiller 30 is arranged to cool, or warm, liquid L within liquid carrier vessel 10 to the predetermined temperature and maintain the liquid within a few degrees, e.g. within 1° C., of the predetermined temperature.

[0104] Pump 40 is a non-submersible conventional circulating pump configured to suck liquid into suction side 41 from outlet 13 and propel liquid out of pressure side 42 through jet 20 via chiller 30.

[0105] As shown in FIG. 2, pipe 81 interconnects outlet 13 with suction side 41 of pump 40, pipe 82 interconnects chiller 30 with pressure side 42 of pump 40, pipe 83 interconnects chiller 30 with jet 20 and pipe 84 interconnects jet 20 with air valve 60. Pipe 81 is further attached to drain pipe 85 with manual valve 86 for discharging liquid L from vessel 10 after use of device 100.

[0106] Each of pipes 81, 82, 83 and 84 are preferably ¾ inch (1.9 cm) diameter flexible hoses. However, this is not to be considered limiting and rigid or flexible pipework may be used.

[0107] Electrical controller 50 provides power to chiller 30 and pump 40 to thus create jet stream 110 at the predetermined temperature and at a predetermined flow rate.

[0108] Electrical controller 50 may be a solid-state controller or a digital controller such as a programmable logic controller and is operatively connected to each of chiller 30 and pump 40. Electrical controller 50 controls operation of device 100 by controlling the temperature of liquid L in vessel 10 and the operation of pump 40 thus creating jet stream 110 at a predetermined temperature and predetermined flow rate.

[0109] In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1, jet 20, chiller 30, pump 40, electrical controller 50 and pipes 81, 82, 83 and 84 are located within housing 90.

[0110] Wheels (not shown) are preferably located in or at the base of housing 90 to increase portability of device 100.

[0111] As shown in FIG. 6b, removable plug 72 is used to seal aperture 71 when device 100 is not in use and flexible gasket 73 is placed on, or permanently attached to, the top surface of splash guard 70 such that it surrounds aperture 71. Plug 72 prevents liquid L splashing out during the chilling phase, i.e. when device 100 is not being used by a subject. Device 200 requires two removable plugs (not shown).

[0112] In order to use device 100 or 200, liquid carrier vessel 10, 210 is filled to predetermined minimum fill line 14 with liquid L either through one of apertures 71, 271 or through its top opening if splash guard 70, 270 is not yet present.

[0113] In order to pre-chill or heat liquid L to attain the desired temperature prior to use, once vessel 10, 210 is filled, it is covered with splash guard 70 and plugs 72 are inserted into each aperture 71, 271 independently. Electrical controller 50 is then switched on via power switch 120 to activate pump 40 and chiller 30. The predetermined temperature of liquid L in vessel 10, 210 is then checked and adjusted if necessary, using an actuator (not shown). A suitable actuator may for example be in the form of up/down buttons or a dial. Once the predetermined temperature has been reached, device 100, 200 is ready for use.

[0114] Ensuring the air valves are closed, pump 40 is then turned on to circulate the liquid wherein the flow rate of the liquid discharged by jets 20 is such that jet streams 110 do not reach the bottom of splash guard 70, 270. Plugs 72 are then removed from splash guard 70, 270 to expose apertures 71, 271. A subject then places the exposed palm of one hand over one aperture 71, 271 and the corresponding air valve 60, 260 is opened to increase the flow rate of the liquid being discharged from jet 20, 220 such that jet stream 110 reaches the palm of the subject's hand.

[0115] At the end of a session, air valve 60, 260 should be closed before the subject removes their hand. The above steps may then be repeated for next subject or, if use of device 100 is no longer required, plug 72 can be replaced and electrical controller 50 switched off.

[0116] When using device 100, 200 the palm of the subject's hand is the only portion of the hand that is exposed and the rest of the hand is kept warm and dry, for example by protection with insulated glove 500 with hole 501 as shown in FIG. 7. This avoids vasoconstriction and does not restrict the flow of the subject's blood to the palm of their hand.

[0117] It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described herein which are given by way of example only and that various modifications and alterations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.