WO2004012575A2

WO2004012575A2 - Hot flash alleviation apparatus and method

Info

Publication number: WO2004012575A2
Application number: PCT/US2003/023657
Authority: WO
Inventors: Donna M. Hecky
Original assignee: Hecky Donna M
Priority date: 2002-08-01
Filing date: 2003-07-28
Publication date: 2004-02-12
Also published as: WO2004012575A3

Abstract

This hot flash alleviation apparatus and method is aimed at the amelioration of hot flash symptoms. The apparatus used is a closed portable container (3) covered with insulation and filled with a substance that can be frozen or lowered in temperature. The container has an end section (4) that can be exposed by removing a portion of its insulating covering. This exposed end is then applied to various portions of the user's face, temple and wrists, i.e., primarily to portions of the skin areas affected by the hot flash. The blood vessels in these areas are dilated and blood flow is increased. Thus, application of the apparatus to these areas not only results in local topical cooling and relief; it results in the cooling of blood circulating adjacent the flushed skin surface area. This leads to rapid systemic cooling and elimination of the overheated feeling that characterizes a hot flash.

Description

HOT FLASH ALLEVIATION APPARATUS AND METHOD

This application claims the benefit of U. S. Provisional Application No. 60/400,11 1 , filed on 01 August 2002, which provisional application is incorporated by reference herein.

Background of the Invention

Menopausal women have often been neglected and under served by the medical and pharmaceutical industry. This unsympathetic attitude is probably because living through menopause is a relatively recent development. One hundred years ago, when the average life span was only around fifty years, most women saw menopause as the end of their life-and it usually was. However, now a woman may spend as much as a third (or more) of her life in menopause. Moreover, many women are active outside of the home and in ways that would have been considered incredible one hundred years ago. The physical symptoms that attend the beginning of menopause represent a serious intrusion into their active daily lives and effectiveness.

Some of the most common of these symptoms include hot flashes, night sweats and sleeplessness. The average duration for a hot flash is between three and six minutes, but they can last much longer. They occur randomly during the course of the day and can strike numerous times during an average day. Hot flashes can be disabling and physically draining. They are also associated with profuse sweating and can be quite embarrassing to women in public places. As night sweats, they can often result in sleeplessness and insomnia.

Hot flashes begin suddenly on the chest, neck and face and can be classified as "vasomotor" changes-meaning that they result from a change of the circulation (such as increased blood flow, temperature, and heart rate) and manifest as a flush in the affected area. A woman having a hot flash becomes very warm and often perspires; a cold chill may follow. Although hot flashes present no inherent health hazard, they are (as previously noted) unpleasant and annoying, and are sometimes even debilitating. Low levels of the hormone estrogen cause the brain to release a hormone — GNRH in surges. The sudden release causes the hot flash. This periodic release of GNRH is generally worse at night.

The treatment of hot flashes and other symptoms attending the beginning of menopause has typically been by the use of estrogens and related medications by affected women. However, recent medical research has shown that such use may affect a woman's health in extremely adverse ways, increasing the risk of heart disease and certain forms of cancer. Thus, there is a great need for apparatus and methods that will allow women to alleviate these symptoms without recourse to the use of dangerous hormones and medications.

Summary of the Invention

My invention is comprised of an apparatus and method for treating and alleviating hot flash symptoms. The apparatus I have invented is a closed portable container that is covered with insulation and filled with a substance that can be frozen or lowered in temperature. The container has an end section that can be exposed by removing a portion of its insulating covering. This exposed end is then applied to various portions of the user's face, temple and wrists — i.e. — primarily to portions of the skin areas affected by the hot flash. The blood vessels in these areas are, as previously discussed, dilated and blood flow is increased. Thus, application of my apparatus to these areas not only results in local topical cooling and relief; it results in the cooling of blood circulating adjacent the flushed skin surface area. This results in a rapid systemic cooling that almost immediately alleviates, and eliminates the overheated feeling that characterizes a hot flash.

My invention can be conveniently carried in a purse, placed in a desk drawer, or otherwise kept in a convenient location in the immediate vicinity of the user. It can be returned to a refrigerator or freezer as necessary to re-chill its contents, but retains the coolness absorbed from its surroundings for an extended time due to the coolant materials used and the insulated covering provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 provides a side view of my apparatus with cap removed so as to expose the application portion of its coolant core.

FIG. 2 provides an end view from the right of my apparatus with cap removed so as to expose the application portion of its coolant core.

FIG. 3 provides an end view of the cap of my apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of my apparatus with cap in place over the application portion of its coolant core.

FIG. 5 provides a side view of an alternate embodiment of my invention.

Description of A Preferred Embodiment

The hot flash alleviation apparatus I have invented is comprised of an insulated portable container (denoted generally by arrow 1 ) having a sealed coolant core 2 that is covered at one end with insulation 3 serving as a handle and at the other end with a removable insulated cap 4. The insulated cap 4 slides on and off of the application portion 5 of my apparatus. Thus, in order to chill the coolant core 2, cap 4 is removed from application portion 5 and container 1 is placed in a refrigerated zone. Application portion 5 is exposed to the cool conditions in the refrigerated zone, allowing all of coolant core 2 to be lowered in temperature. After this occurs, cap 4 can be placed over application portion 5 in order to retain the cool temperature of coolant core 2. Container 1 can then be conveniently carried in a purse, placed in a desk drawer, or otherwise kept in a convenient location in the immediate vicinity of the user.

Insulation totally covers coolant core 2 when cap 4 is in place preventing condensate from gathering on core 2 or application portion 5 and dripping into and onto the contents of the user's purse or any other location where container 1 is stored. Container 1 can be returned to a refrigerator or freezer as necessary to re-chill its contents, but retains the coolness absorbed from its surroundings for an extended time due to the coolant materials 6 filling coolant core 2 and the insulated covering provided by handle 3 and cap 4.

To use my invention the user removes cap 4 so as to expose the application portion 5 of coolant core 2. Portion 5 is then applied to a portion of the skin areas affected by the hot flash. The blood vessels in these areas are, as previously discussed, dilated and blood flow is increased. Thus, application of my apparatus to these areas not only results in local topical cooling and relief; it results in the cooling of blood circulating adjacent the flushed skin surface area. This results in a rapid systemic cooling that almost immediately alleviates and helps to relieve the overheated feeling that characterizes a hot flash.

The skin comprising the outer layer of coolant core 2 should be formed of a thin-walled and heat conductive material to optimize the transfer of heat between the user and the coolant materials 6 filling coolant core 2. (Aluminum and copper are suitable materials for this purpose.) Coolant materials 6 may vary widely. A water based coolant may be used and coolant materials 6 may even be comprised of the same materials as the skin covering coolant core 2 such that coolant core 2 comprises a solid cylinder. However, from the standpoint of expense, ease of manufacture, and general utility, I have found that best results are achieved by mixing propylene glycol in water. Propylene glycol is a non-toxic anti-freeze material that allows the coolant material 6 to reach a temperature well below freezing without solidifying. This is important in preventing coolant core 2 from cracking and leaking and also means that the core will retain a cool temperature longer. Other suitable materials would include gels formed from starch and water (with bactericides and preservatives added) with salt added to depress the freezing point, salt solutions, and/or other mixtures including anti-freezing elements.

Insulation 3 and cap 4 may be formed from a variety of suitable materials such as sponge rubber, synthetic elastomer foam, foamed polyurethane, or foamed polyethylene. For the purposes of my invention I have found that best results are achieved by the use of a foamed polyethylene such as NOMAFOAM <§>.^' NOMAFOAM ® is an extruded low density, closed-cell thermoplastic polyethylene foam noted for its versatility of applications and characteristics. Any of these products can be glued or otherwise sealed to coolant core 2 to form the handle portion of insulation 3. However, insulation 3 can also be left unglued to coolant core 2, making it possible to remove coolant core 2 completely from insulation 3 and cap 4. This allows the total length of coolant core 2 to be exposed for application purposes and/or for more rapid chilling when placed in a refrigerated zone.

Other plans can also be used for the formation of the insulating sheath for the insulated portable container 1 of my invention. Thus, for example, a removable insulating sheath 7 in the form of a pouch or purse can be formed as illustrated in FIG. 5. Pouches made of foam materials are well known and often used for forming eyeglass cases (due to their inherent padding capabilities). Here such technology can be used to form a sheath 7 for coolant core 2. A sheath 7 has certain advantages in this application as it allows only as much of the coolant core as is desired to be slid out of the sheath to form application portion 5. The sheath 7 itself then forms a handle for using and applying portion 5 to the hot flash zones of the user. As exemplified in this embodiment, sheath 7 can easily be formed from an elongate strip of flexible insulating material. This strip is folded at 8 and sewed or sealed together along both sides leaving an opening 9 at one end that may be conveniently closed by, for example, a closure such as a VELCRO ® type strip 10.

Thus, as should be obvious, numerous changes are possible without exceeding the ambit of the inventive concept set forth. All embodiments incorporating the basic teachings of this invention are, therefore, subsumed and included within the inventive concept, as more specifically described in the claims that follow.

Claims

I Claim

1 . A portable, hand-held hot flash alleviation apparatus, comprising: an elongate and substantially cylindrical element, which element can be chilled by exposure to a lower temperature; and an insulating covering fully enclosing said element, which covering provides insulated means for gripping the element, which covering can be at least partially removed to expose a portion of said element for chilling, and which covering can be at least partially removed to expose an application portion of said element for application to the skin of a user.

2. An apparatus as described in claim 1 , wherein said element is substantially solid.

3. An apparatus as described in claim 1 , wherein said element is hollow, comprising an external skin and a coolant core, the skin being comprised of heat conductive material.

4. An apparatus as described in claim 3, wherein said coolant core is comprised of material that can be cooled to a temperature below 32 degrees Fahrenheit without freezing.

5. An apparatus as described in claim 4, wherein said coolant core is comprised of at least one of water including an anti-freeze, gels formed from starch and water, and a salt solution.

6. An apparatus as described in claim 5, wherein said anti-freeze includes propylene glycol.

7. An apparatus as described in claim 1 , wherein said insulating covering includes a cap portion that can be removed to expose said application portion and an insulated handle portion for gripping the element, which handle portion encloses remaining portions of said element.

8. An apparatus as described in claim 1 , wherein said insulating covering is formed as a sheath, which sheath has an opening by which a portion of the element can be exposed, the remainder of the sheath serving as an insulated handle portion for gripping the element.

9. An apparatus as described in claim 8, further including a closure for closing said sheath.

10. An apparatus as described in claim 1 , wherein said insulating covering is comprised of at least one of sponge rubber, synthetic elastomer foam, foamed polyurethane, and foamed polyethylene.

1 1 . A portable, hand-held hot flash alleviation apparatus, comprising: an elongate and substantially cylindrical element, which element can be chilled by exposure to a lower temperature and includes an external skin and a coolant core, the skin being comprised of heat conductive material and the coolant core being comprised of material that can be cooled to a temperature below 32 degrees Fahrenheit without freezing; and an insulating covering fully enclosing said element, which covering includes a cap portion that can be removed to expose an application portion of said element for chilling and for application to the skin of a user, and an insulated handle portion for gripping said element, which handle portion encloses remaining portions of said element.

12. An apparatus as described in claim 11 , wherein said coolant core is comprised of at least one of water including an anti-freeze, gels formed from starch and water, and a salt solution.

13. An apparatus as described in claim 12, wherein said anti-freeze includes propylene glycol.

14. An apparatus as described in claim 13, wherein said insulating covering is comprised of at least one of sponge rubber, synthetic elastomer foam, foamed polyurethane, and foamed polyethylene.

15. A method for hot flash alleviation using a portable hand-held apparatus, comprising: providing an elongate and substantially cylindrical element, which element can be chilled by exposure to a lower temperature; providing an insulating covering fully enclosing said element, which covering provides insulated means for gripping the element, which covering can be at least partially removed to expose a portion of said element for chilling, and which covering can be at least partially removed to expose an application portion of said element for application to the skin of a user; and gripping the element using said insulated covering and applying said application portion to the skin of a user.

16. A method for hot flash alleviation as described in claim 15, wherein the application portion is applied to flushed areas of the user's skin.

17. A method for hot flash alleviation using a portable hand-held apparatus, comprising: providing an elongate and substantially cylindrical element, which element can be chilled by exposure to a lower temperature and includes an external skin and a coolant core, the skin being comprised of heat conductive material and the coolant core being comprised of material that can be cooled to a temperature below 32 degrees Fahrenheit without freezing; providing an insulating covering fully enclosing said element, which covering includes a cap portion that can be removed to expose an application portion of said element for chilling and for application to the skin of a user, and an insulated handle portion for gripping said element, which handle portion encloses remaining portions of said element; and gripping the element using said insulated covering and applying said application portion to the skin of a user.

18. A method for hot flash, alleviation as described in claim 17, wherein the application portion is applied to flushed areas of the user's skin.

19. A method as described in claim 18, wherein said coolant core is comprised of at least one of water including an anti-freeze, gels formed from starch and water, and a salt solution.

20. A method as described in claim 19, wherein said anti-freeze includes propylene glycol.

21 . A method as described in claim 20, wherein said insulating covering is comprised of at least one of sponge rubber, synthetic elastomer foam, foamed polyurethane, and foamed polyethylene.

22. A method as described in claim 16, further comprising chilling said element, then fully enclosing said element in its insulating covering, and then storing said element in its insulated covering prior to applying said application portion to the skin of a user.

23. A method as described in claim 18, further comprising chilling said element, then placing the cap portion over the application portion so as to fully enclose the element in its insulating covering, and then storing said element in its insulated covering prior to applying said application portion to the skin of a user.

24. A method as described in claim 21 , further comprising chilling said element, then placing the cap portion over the application portion so as to fully enclose the element in its insulating covering, and then storing said element in its insulated covering prior to applying said application portion to the skin of a user.

25. A method as described in claim 24, wherein said storage is in a non-refrigerated environment.