CA1157730A

CA1157730A - Devices for treating the human body and others

Info

Publication number: CA1157730A
Application number: CA000371335A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Victoria Bechara; Calliopi Nassopoulos
Original assignee: ENTREPRISES BIBI Inc (LES)
Current assignee: ENTREPRISES BIBI Inc (LES)
Priority date: 1981-02-20
Filing date: 1981-02-20
Publication date: 1983-11-29
Also published as: DE3203521A1; LU83918A1; AU7927282A; FR2500298A1; BE891872A; GB2093350B; GB2093350A; NL8200140A

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

A device for use in treating a selected part of the human body comprising in combination: a sealed envelope por-tion formed by a pair of membranes sealed together adjacent the peripheral edges thereof so as to form the envelope; and a quantity of liquid in the envelope, the liquid being of such proportion that the envelope remains pliable, at least-at room temperature, the liquid being introduced into the envelope prior to the final permanent sealing of the envelope to thereby provide a permanently sealed and permanently filled device. Also disclosed is a method of treating a human female breast utilizing apparatus according to the invention.

Description

~ 157730 The present invention relates to devices for use in treating selected parts of a body, more particularly, the invention relates to devices comprising envelopes con-taining fluids which may be selectively heated or cooled, for use in treating selected parts of the human body. The invention further relates to a method of treating a particular part of the human body.
Various devices for treating the human body and others are known. Such include Padelford's U. S. patent

2,237,971 dated April 8, 1941; Freund's U. S. patent 2,29~,361 dated October 13, 1942, Lefohn's U. S. patent 2,477,883 dated August 2, 1949; Padelford's U. S. patent 2,101,628 dated December 7, 1937; Williamson's U. S.
patent 1,964,655 dated June 26, 1934, Whitmarsh's U. S.
patent 1,126,601 dated January 26, 1915 and Duffield's U. S. patent 2,783,807 dated March 5, 1957.
Substantial drawbacks are deemed to exist in respect of the prior art devices, such include their re-latively complicated and thus expensive construction, parti-cularly ones of garment like design also the requirement that they need to be filled and emptied. This could prove a problem if liquid were not readily available for use. In the case of the prior art breast treating device of aforementioned Freund, the patented device structure is not only bulky and complicated, amounting to in fact an especially designed brassiere, but does not provide en-tirely satisfactory breast treatment. The brassiere like structure of Freund does not, apart from not being aesthetic-cally pleasing, allow the breast nipple to be untreated.
Other disadvantages of the prior art devices will become apparent from the specification hereinafter.

It is therefore a principle object of the -1- ~

1 15773~
present invention to provide an improved device of the type discussed which overcomes the aforementioned dis-advantages.
In one aspect of the present invention there is provided a device, intended to be placed in a refrigerator for cooling or immersed in heated liquid for heating, for use in treating a selected part of the human body comprising in com-bination, a sealed envelope portion formed by a pair of flex-ible plastic membranes having smooth uninterrupted o~ter sur-faces, said membranes being sealed together adjacent the per-ipheral edges thereof utilizing a similar known plastic join-ing process including that of heat sealing, so as to form said envelope: a quantity of liquid and air in said evelope, said liquid and air being of such proportions that said envelope remains pliable, said liquid ~eing introduced into said envelope prior to the final permanent sealing of said en-velope to thereby provide a permanently sealed and permanently filled device.

In a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of treating a human female breast comprising the steps of: a) providing a device having a cone-like shaped envelope, said envelope con-taining liquid permanently sealed therein and said device including an aperture in the apex area thereof for entry of the breast nipple therethrough, b) cooling or heating said device to a selected temperature, and c) placing said cooled or heated device upon the breast to be treated, allowing the nipple to protrude through said aperture and retaining said device in said location for a selected period of time.

In a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of treating a human female breast comprising the steps of: a) providing a device having a cone-like shaped envelope, said envelope con-taining liquid permanently sealed therein and said device `I 157730 including an aperture in the apex area thexeof for entry of the breast nipple therethrough, b) providing a form having a cone-shaped outer surface adapted to be received within the cone-like shaped envelope por-tion of the device for use in shaping said device so as to conform the same substantially to the shape of the breast to be treated; c) cooling or heating said device to a selected temperature while on said form; and d) removing said cooled or heated device from said form and placing the same upon the breast to be treated permitting the nipple to protrude through said aperture and retaining said device in said location for a selected period of time.
In a further aspect of the present invention there is provided methods as recited above including the step of retaining said device in place on the breast by a conventional type brassiere.
The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings wherein:-Figure 1 is a plan view of a device for use in treating a selected part of the human body in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 is a side view of the device shown in Figure l;
Figure 3 is,a plan view of a further device in accordance with the present invention for use in treating the facial part of the human body:
Figure 4 is a side view of the device shown in Figure 3, Figure 5 shows a further embodiment in.accordance with the present invention, being a device for use in treating the human female breast, including a form for use in the shaping the device, `~ I 157730 Figure 6 is an end view of the device shown in Figure 5 taken along line 6 - 6 with the form removed, and Figure 7 is an oblique view of a further device shaping form, being an alternative to that shown in Figure 5.
Referring now in detail to the drawings. Figure 1 discloses a device 10 having a sealed envelope 20 formed by a pair of membranes 30 and 40 which are sealed together adjacent their respective peripheral edges 50 and 51 so as to form en-velope 20. Envelope 20 (as in the case of all the envelopes of other embodiments described) contains a selected quantity of liquid 60 and air 60a being of such proportions that envelope 20 remains pliable, at least at room temperature. Liquid 60 is introduced into envelope 20 prior to the final permanent seal-ing of envelope 20 and to thereby provide a permanently sealed and permanently filled device 10. Liquid 60 although not essen-tial, is preferably water, which is capable of readily being heated or cooled together with the device prior to application to the body portion to be treated.
The device of Figure 1 further includes extending portions 70 and 80 which extend outwardly from envelope 20 on respective opposite sides thereof to provide means for se-curing device 10 and accordingly envelope 20 in a selected position on the body to be treated. As will be apparent from Figure 1, extending portions 70 and 80 comprise membranes 30 and 40 which are joined and sealed across their opposing faces inwardly of their respective peripheral edges, to pro-vide a strap. Accordingly, the sealing of envelope 20 includes sealed edge portions 50a and 51a. A buckle 81 is provided and secured by suitable known means adjacent the terminal free end of extending portion 80 for cooperation with the terminal free end 71 of extending portion 70. Membranes 30 and 40 may be of any suitable flexible material in-~ 157730 cluding plastic material which will withstand selectedtemperatures of heat and cold without cracking or other-wise deteriorating. Plastic material of well Xnown suitable type is a preferred material since it may be readily joined one piece to another by for example heat process, to form a positive sealed joint therebetween.
As in the case of all the devices in accordance with the present invention, it will be evident they may be used for treating bodies other than human ones includ-ing for example animals.
Referring now to Figure 3, such device shown is constructed in similar manner to that of the device shown in Figure 1 and discussed in detail hereinbefore.
As in the case of the device of Figure 1, it may be constructed using a pair of membranes 30a and 40a sealed together in aforementioned similar manner to provide envelope 20a contoured as shown to provide a facial mask including a pair of apertures 90 for viewing therethrough when the mask is in wearing position. Extending portions 70a and 80a comprising straps, may include as shown, the extended membranes 30a and 40a which are partially joined together within their peripherally sealed edges i.e. along lines 70b and 80b located within the relatively wider surface areas of the straps, such may simplify manufacture.
Attention is now directed to the further embodi-ment disclosed in Figures 5 and 6, namely breast treating device 100. Again, such may be constructed in similar manner to the aforementioned devices using a pair of mem-branes 30b and 40b suitable sealed together to provide a sealed envelope portion 20b of cone-like shape. The inner surface 101 is adapted to conform substantially with the shape of a human female breast. ~evice 100 further includes aperture 102 adjacent the apex area thereof, aperture 102 being of sufficient diameter to permit entry therethrough of the nipple of the breast, such resulting, as further discussed hereinafter, in the desired non-treatment of the nipple by the device.
In order to facilitate manufacture and if desired, mem-brane 30b for example may also include envelope sealed edge 102. Thus, the cone-like shaped device 100 may be constructed using a number of suitably developed membranes including in accordance with that disclosed which includes sealed peripheral edges 103, 104, 105 and 106.
A form 110, seen in Figure 5, is provided for use in shaping device 100. Form 110 as further seen has a cone-shaped outer surface 111 adapted to be received within the cone-like shaped envelope 20b whereby the apex portion 112 protrudes through apex 102 of envelope 20b Thus cone-shaped outer surface 111 abuts inner surface 101 so as to conformly mould envelope 20b, substantially to the shape of cone-shaped outer surface 111. The combination of form 110 and device 100 may be placed in for example a refri-gerator for cooling, cooled to a selected temperature and thereafter removed for application to a breast, as discussed further hereinafter. Form 110 may be of any suitable type including as shown in Figure 5, of the inflatable type. Thus form 110 may be constructed in similar manner to that of the devices discussed above, namely of plastic sheet material providing an envelope which is blown up with air to thus provide the cone-shaped shown. An air valve 113 of suitable type is provided in the base of form 110 for receiving, retaining and releasing air from the form. An obvious benefit in regard to the inflatable form is that it takes up less carrying and storage space.
Attention is directed to Figure 7 showing alterna-tive design of form llOa which may be used in place of form 110. Form llOa, having a resting base portion llOb, is a rigid structure, which may be moulded from plastic materials.
In order to facilitate manufacture, the apex portion llOc, shown in dotted line in Figure 7, may be omitted if desired.
As will be evident, the embodiment of Figure 7 represents a stand upon which device 100 may be placed, prior to, for example, cooling the same.
From the foregoing it will be evident there is provided by the present invention, various devices which may be used in the treatment of selected parts of the human body and which may be selectively heated or cooled and thereafter applied to the body and retained thereon for a selected period of time. The benefits derived from the use of hot and cold compress type devices on various parts of the body are well known. By way of example, in the case of female breast feeding, it is sometimes desired to change the viscosity of the breast milk and/or induce increased flow and removal of the breast milk. Such may be readily and conveniently accomplished by the present breast treat-ing device. The devices in accordance with the present invention are simple, inexpensive to produce and provide convenience in use including requiring no liquids, no filling and no emptying. Furthermore, as particularly seen in respect of the breast treating device, are very convenient in use. In this regard, the breast treating device in accordance with the present invention may be, for example, cooled to a selected temperature, there-I 1~7730 after placed on the breast so that the breast nippleprotrudes through the aperture provided and the device retained in place for a selected period of time by a conventional type brassiere. Such is particularly convenient requiring no special design of brassiere to be purchased and worn. Furthermore, the wearer may continue to benefit from the aspect provided by the conventional type brassiere while wearing the treating device.

Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A device, intended to be placed in a refrigerator for cooling or immersed in heated liquid for heating, for use in treating a selected part of the human body comprising in combination:
a) a sealed envelope portion formed by a pair of flexible plastic membranes having smooth uninterrupted outer surfaces, said membranes being sealed together adjacent the peripheral edges thereof utilizing a suitable known plastic joining process including that of heat sealing, so as to form said envelope, and b) a quantity of liquid and air in said envelope, said liquid and air being of such proportions that said envelope remains pliable, said liquid being introduced into said envelope prior to the final permanent sealing of said envelope to thereby provide a permanently sealed and per-manently filled device.

2. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said sealed envelope portion is of cone-like shape, the inner surface of which is adapted to conform with the shape of a human female breast, said device also in-cluding an aperture therein adjacent the apex area thereof, said aperture being of sufficient diameter to permit entry therethrough of the nipple of said breast.

3. A device as defined in claim 2 including a form having cone-shaped outer surface adapted to be received within said cone-like shaped envelope portion whereby said cone-shaped outer surface abuts said inner surface of said envelope to conformly mould said envelope substantially to the shape of said cone-shaped outer surface.

4. A device as defined in claim 3, wherein said form includes valve means and said device is inflatable.

5. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said membranes extend continuously and in side by side relation outwardly from said envelope portion on respective oppostie sides thereof to provide means for securing said sealed envelope portion in a selected position on the human body to be treated, and said envelope has an elongated band-like configuration of sub-stantially uniform width throughout its length.

6. A device as defined in claim 5, wherein said sealed envelope portion comprises a facial mask shape including a pair of apertures therein for viewing therethrough and said mask is adapted to cover the temple areas of the wearer.

7. A device as defined in claims 1, 2 or 5, wherein said liquid is water.

8. A device as defined in claim 6, wherein said liquid is water.