FR3113827A1 - Mobile cryotherapy treatment device and method for cooling this device - Google Patents

Abstract

[Title: Mobile cryotherapy treatment device and method of cooling this device The invention relates to a mobile cryotherapy treatment device (1) comprising a sleeve (2) configured to be slipped over a limb of a human or an animal, the sleeve (2) is delimited by an upper end (20 ) and by a lower end (21), at least one of the two ends (20, 21) being open. The sleeve (2) has an inner fabric layer (23); an outer fabric layer (24), ; at least one sealed bladder (3) disposed between the outer (24) and inner (23) fabric layers, and comprising a heat energy accumulator material; at least one heat exchanger (4) placed in contact with the bladder (3) in order to effect a heat transfer from a calorific fluid to the calorific material contained in the bladder (3); - at least one valve (5) connected to the heat exchanger (4) which is configured to receive liquid. The invention also relates to a method for cooling the mobile cryotherapy treatment device (1). Figure for the abstract: Fig.1]

Description

Mobile cryotherapy treatment device and method for cooling this device

The invention falls within the field of sport and health and more particularly in the field of the treatment of pain and edema, in particular by cryotherapy. In this sense, the invention relates to a mobile cryotherapy treatment device that can be used for the treatment of pain and/or for muscle recovery. The invention is more particularly useful for the muscular recovery of the lower limbs and in particular of the gastrocnemius muscles which belong to the calf.

It should be noted that the invention can be used to carry out cryotherapy for animals and in particular competition animals such as race or competition horses.

Physical activity is necessary to maintain the body, while physical effort occurs oxygen consumption by the muscles becomes greater in relation to the oxygen absorbed. Indeed, the muscular effort reduces the venous pressure and the repeated muscular contractions will compress the intramuscular nourishing vessels by limiting the supply of blood and oxygen.

This results in an accumulation in the muscles of toxins that the body will try to eliminate by increasing the circulation of fluids through an inflammatory response. This results in muscle fatigue, aches and pains.

In this context, the beneficial character of cryotherapy is very widely known, in particular with a view to muscle recovery after having produced significant physical effort.

However, to observe a beneficial effect of cryotherapy on muscle recovery, it is necessary to create a thermal shock on the surface of the skin of the anatomical area that one wishes to treat. It should be noted that a thermal shock is obtained when the skin temperature is lowered to a temperature less than or equal to 0°C.

It should be noted that socks are also known which, in the part around the foot, have pockets inside which gel pads can be woven which can be heated or cooled as desired, depending on whether you want to warm your feet or, on the contrary, cool them and thus relieve them of transient or chronic pain.

Such a sock, by only extending around the foot, cannot contribute to the muscular recovery of a user's leg, in particular his calf. In addition, this sock is limited to an action on the foot by supplying cold and heat by pads which are themselves cooled or heated by external means.

Of a transportable nature and of autonomous operation for a cryotherapy treatment applied to the legs, document US 2016/0051400 is known in particular, which describes a boot capable of containing a cold liquid, in particular ice water. The athlete is therefore able to put on such a boot immediately at the end of physical exercise to begin the process of muscle recovery. However, this boot has a number of design drawbacks. Like a traditional boot, it necessarily includes a configuration allowing the boot to be put on, either through its tapered shape or using a similar zipper system. Consequently, there is the problem of tightening the boot on the leg using suitable tightening means. In addition, the use of ice water does not create sufficient thermal shock for significant physiological benefits to be observed (see tables 1 and 2 below).

This boot also comprises means for ensuring the circulation of the cold fluid around the foot, these means being, in particular, often in the form of an air pump. In addition, it hardly offers the possibility of precisely targeting the areas of the leg to be cooled.

Document US 2010/0145421 also discloses a cooling or heating envelope incorporating circulation channels for the coolant, cold or hot. This envelope is likely to be applied to the leg of a person or an animal with the interposition of a thermally conductive material. The device described in this prior document also includes a fluid production unit, except in hot or cold cases, a unit which seems particularly cumbersome and difficult to transport and whose operation is a priori dependent on an electrical power supply.

In view of the drawbacks of the state of the art, the applicant has developed a mobile technical solution which makes it possible to generate, without the supply of electrical energy, a thermal shock on a determined anatomical zone.

To this end, a first aspect of the invention relates to a mobile cryotherapy treatment device comprising a sleeve configured to be slipped over an upper and/or lower limb of a human or an animal, the sleeve is respectively delimited at the top by an upper end and lower by a lower end, at least one of the two ends being open.

The mobile cryotherapy treatment device according to the invention is characterized in that the sleeve comprises:
- a layer of internal fabric delimiting the sleeve internally,
- an outer fabric layer which delimits the sleeve on the outside, the two fabric layers being integral at each end of the sleeve,
- at least one sealed bladder being placed between the outer fabric layer and the inner fabric layer, the bladder extending at least partially in the circumference of the sleeve, the bladder comprises a heat energy accumulator material,
- at least one heat exchanger which is placed in contact with the bladder in order to effect a transfer of thermal energy, from a calorific fluid in transit or stationary in the heat exchanger, towards the calorific material contained in the bladder,
- at least one projecting valve connected to the heat exchanger and projecting from the sleeve,
- the heat exchanger being configured to receive calorific liquid consisting of a compressed gas in the liquid state.

The advantages resulting from the present invention consist in that the mobile cryotherapy treatment device, in the form of a sleeve or a sock, can be put on by a user at the end of a major physical exercise, so immediately begin the process of muscle recovery by avoiding or limiting the risk of edema and inflammation.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the mobile muscle cryotherapy treatment device, the internal tissue layer comprises at least one yoke made of textile compression material.

The combination of the compression action and the cryotherapy action, which is targeted at an anatomical area such as the leg, is very effective in improving the user's recovery after a long or intense physical exertion.

Preferably, the device may comprise several zones made of distinct compression textile materials so as to apply a different compression force to various points of the upper and/or lower limb of a human or an animal.

A second aspect of the invention relates to a method of cooling the mobile cryotherapy treatment device defined according to the first aspect of the invention.

The cooling process is characterized in that it comprises a step of introducing a compressed gas in the liquid state which has a temperature below 0°C, the compressed gas in the liquid state being introduced into the heat exchanger through the valve, the compressed gas transferring its thermal energy to the heat energy storage material contained in the bladder of the sleeve and thus cooling the mobile cryotherapy treatment device.

Other features and advantages will appear in the following detailed description of three non-limiting embodiments of the invention illustrated by Figures 1 to 4 placed in the appendix and in which:

is a representation of a mobile muscle cryotherapy treatment device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the mobile cryotherapy treatment device cooperating with a means for injecting calorific fluid.

is a representation of a mobile cryotherapy treatment device according to a second embodiment of the invention.

is a representation of a mobile cryotherapy treatment device according to a third embodiment of the invention.

is a representation of a graph representing the oxygen consumption of a muscle in relation to the temperature of the muscle.

As illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the invention relates to a mobile muscle cryotherapy 1 treatment device. This mobile cryotherapy treatment device 1 is particularly useful for muscle recovery after endurance physical activity or intense physical activity. Nevertheless, the mobile cryotherapy treatment device 1 according to the invention can also be used for the treatment of pain and the reduction of edema. To this end, the mobile cryotherapy treatment device 1 is in particular configured to diffuse cold by transfer of thermal energy in the direction of a determined anatomical zone.

In this context, the mobile cryotherapy treatment device 1 comprises a sleeve 2 configured to be slipped over an upper and/or lower limb of a human or an animal. In the example of Figures 1 to 3, the mobile cryotherapy treatment device 1 is configured to be slipped onto the lower part of a human leg. Here, we are looking to treat the twin calf muscles of the leg otherwise called the calf.

According to the invention, the sleeve 2 is respectively delimited above by an upper end 20 and below by a lower end 21. As illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, at least one of the two ends 20, 21 is open. The opening of one end 20, 21 allows the user to put on the sleeve 2.

In a first embodiment illustrated in , the sleeve 2 comprises, at its lower end 21, a sock 22. The sock 22 is integral with the sleeve 2.

In the two other embodiments illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the sleeve 2 has an opening at each of its ends 20, 21. Here, the sleeve 2 is also configured to be slipped over a leg of a human to treat the user's calf. A sleeve 2 with double opening can also be applied to the thigh of a user, to his forearms or his arms, but also to the legs of an animal such as a horse.

The diameter of the sleeve 2 as well as the diameter of an extremal opening can vary according to the anatomical zone that one wishes to treat and/or according to the size of the user.

According to the invention, the sleeve 2 comprises an internal fabric layer 23 which delimits the sleeve 2 internally. When the mobile cryotherapy treatment device 1 is slipped over a limb of the user, the inner tissue layer 23 is in contact with the skin of the user.

The sleeve 2 also comprises an outer fabric layer 24 which delimits the sleeve 2 on the outside. It should be noted that the two fabric layers 23, 24 are integral at each end 20, 21 of the sleeve 2.

Advantageously, the inner fabric layer 23, which is in contact with the skin of the user, has thermal conduction properties greater than the thermal conduction properties of the outer fabric layer 24. This characteristic helps to direct the diffusion of cold to the upper and/or lower limb of a human or animal. The difference in thermal conduction between the inner layer 23 and the outer layer 24 can be obtained by adjusting the nature of the textile fiber which constitutes each layer 23, 24. By way of example, the outer layer 24 can comprise a composite textile incorporating thermally insulating fibers. It is also possible to use a membrane of an insulating material which would cover the outer layer 24 internally or externally.

According to the invention, the inner fabric layer 23 may include at least one yoke of compression textile material. Preferably, the inner fabric layer 23 is made entirely of a compression textile material. This feature allows compression to be applied to a specific anatomical area. In a known manner, the compression applied by the textile material stimulates the lymphatic and blood circuits and improves the vasoconstriction of the venous system. In fact, the compressive nature of the inner tissue layer 23 has an anti-edema effect contributing to a reduction in the sensation of pain and stiffness.

The combination of an internal fabric layer 23 comprising compression materials and cold diffusion means is a preferred variant of the invention.

According to one possibility of the invention, the inner fabric layer 23 may comprise several zones made of distinct compression textile materials so as to apply a different compression force to various points of the upper and/or lower limb of a human or an animal. For example, it is possible to provide a so-called degressive compression. For example, in the case of a sleeve 2 for the calf of a human leg, when the sleeve is worn, the pressure exerted by the layer of fabric 23 at the level of the ankle is 18 mmHg, at the level of the calf of 14mmHg, and at the knee 8mmHg. To achieve such results, it is possible to use a fabric whose mesh loosens from the lower end 21 towards the upper end 20 of the sleeve 2. It is also possible to assemble several pieces of compressive fabric whose elasticity varies according to the mesh or the nature of the textile fibers used.

As an indication, it is possible to use a composite fabric comprising, in mass percentage relative to the total mass:
- 60% to 90% polyamide; And
- 40% to 10% elastane.

Preferably, it is possible to use a composite fabric comprising, in mass percentage relative to the total mass:
- 75% to 85% polyamide; And
- 25% to 15% elastane.

It should be noted that the polyamide can be replaced by polyester or textiles of plant origin such as lyocell known under the brand "Tencel ®" or "Modal ®".

According to the invention, the outer fabric layer 24 consists of an elastic fabric whose stretch elongation is greater than the stretch elongation of the compression fabric used for the inner layer 23. The elasticity of the outer layer 24 is less than that of the inner layer 23, it nevertheless makes it possible to ensure good diffusion of the cold towards the chosen anatomical zone.

Indeed, the sleeve 2 comprises at least one sealed bladder 3 being disposed between the outer fabric layer 24 and the inner fabric layer 23. As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the bladder 3 which is represented by transparency in dotted lines , extends at least partially in the circumference of the sleeve 2. It should be noted that it is possible that the bladder 3 extends over the entire circumference of the sleeve 2. This can be useful for an arm sleeve which requires a treatment of the flexor muscles and extensor muscles of the arm.

According to the invention, the bladder 3 comprises a heat energy accumulator material. A eutectic gel can be used as heat energy accumulator material to fill the bladder 3. Advantageously, the heat energy accumulator material makes it possible to prolong the exposure of the anatomical zone to the cold. Conversely, for example, cold bombs which do not provide a sufficiently durable thermal shock to induce the phenomenon of thermogenesis which is defined below.

Thus, the elastic nature of the outer layer 24 makes it possible to press the bladder 3 against the anatomical zone to be treated, which promotes a lasting heat exchange between the heat energy accumulator material and the anatomical zone. Of course, it is necessary to cool this material beforehand.

For these purposes, the sleeve 2 comprises at least one heat exchanger 4 which is placed in contact with the bladder 3 in order to effect a transfer of calorific energy from a calorific fluid in transit in the heat exchanger 4 towards the accumulator material contained in the bladder 3. The illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which the heat exchanger 4 includes a heat exchanger coil 40 which extends against the bladder 3. The coil 40 helps circulate a coolant through the heat exchanger 4. The circulation of the caloric fluid according to the coil 40 favors a homogeneous diffusion of the calorific energy of the fluid towards the bladder 3.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the mobile cryotherapy treatment device 1 comprises at least one valve 5 projecting from the sleeve 2. The valve 5 is integrated into the sleeve 2 and connected to the heat exchanger 4. The valve 5 makes it possible to introducing a calorific liquid into the heat exchanger. In the example of the , the valve 5 is arranged close to the upper end 20 of the sleeve 2 on a front portion of the sleeve 2. When the sleeve 2 comprises only one valve 5, the calorific liquid can park in the heat exchanger 4 before to be released by valve 5.

Preferably, compressed gas in a liquid state is inserted into the heat exchanger. This operation can be performed with a compressed gas storage cartridge 6 as shown in . In this sense, the cartridge 6 constitutes a means of supplying cooling liquid to the mobile cryotherapy treatment device 1.

Preferably, as illustrated by the embodiments of Figures 2 and 3, the sleeve 2 comprises two valves 5: an inlet valve and an outlet valve. In these examples, a first valve 5 is arranged close to the upper end 20 and a second valve 5 is arranged close to the lower end 21. Nevertheless, it would be possible to spare the inlet and outlet valves 5 close to one of the two ends 20, 21 of the sleeve 2. This choice essentially depends on the anatomical zone that one wishes to treat. In this case, the heat exchanger 4 is configured accordingly and may have a return circuit to the valve 5 outlet.

According to another possibility of the invention, the inlet valve 5 can be equipped with a non-return valve in order to direct the circulation of the calorific fluid towards the outlet valve 5.

According to the invention, the heat exchanger 4 is configured to receive calorific liquid consisting of a compressed gas in the liquid state. The use of a gas compressed in the liquid state makes it possible to release a greater calorific energy while the expansion of the gas causes a change of state or change of phase of the compressed gas which passes from the liquid state to the gaseous state.

Carbon dioxide or nitrogen can be used as coolants. In order to preserve the mobile character of the mobile cryotherapy treatment device 1, the compressed gas can be transported in the cartridge 6 illustrated in . This cartridge comprises a connector 60 which allows it to be connected to the valve 5 in order to deliver compressed gas in the liquid state into the heat exchanger 4 via an inlet valve.

The use of a bladder 3 inserted between the heat exchanger 4 and the inner layer of fabric 23 helps to avoid direct exposure of the user's skin to too intense cold which would be likely to generate burns.

As illustrated in the , lowering the temperature of a muscle to 38°C leads to a sharp reduction in the oxygen consumption of the muscle in question. In this example, at 38°C the muscle consumes only 25% of oxygen compared to its maximum consumption capacity. In response to this decrease in temperature and oxygen consumption, the hypothalamus activates thermogenesis. Thermogenesis is a metabolic phenomenon that will lead in particular to cutaneous vasoconstriction. The latter involves an increase in blood pressure, an increase in venous return but also a drop in heart rate combined with an increase in stroke volume. In fact, the cardiac output becomes almost constant. These phenomena make it possible to reduce local inflammation around the cooled muscle, this helps to reduce the sensations of stiffness and pain.

In fact, the vasoconstriction generated by the thermal shock cooperates with the vasoconstriction resulting from the internal tissue layer 23 of compression. The mobile cryotherapy treatment device 1 responds in a particularly advantageous manner to the wish of athletes consisting in effectively starting their muscular recovery, in particular in the legs, as soon as a physical exercise is finished. The device, according to the invention, is also particularly effective in the treatment of pain and the reduction of edema. In addition, the mobile nature of the mobile cryotherapy treatment device 1 allows it to be used after any sports activity, whether outdoor or near sports equipment.

In addition, the use of a compressed gas in the liquid state has a temperature below 0°C. For example, carbon dioxide at 5 bars has a temperature of around -50°C. Liquid nitrogen is even more efficient, at atmospheric pressure, it reaches a temperature of -195° C. Other gases can be used in the liquid state such as Helium, however the latter is much more expensive.

The intense cold of these gases in the liquid state optimizes the drop in muscle temperature. Generally speaking, the muscle wall and superficial veins lie about 25 mm deep from the surface of the dermis. In fact, the shallowest perforating muscles and veins are found at a depth of between 30 mm and 40 mm from the surface of the dermis. Therefore, if one wishes to induce the vasoconstriction of the perforating veins, the lowering of the temperature must be effective at the cutaneous level but also in depth.

Tables 1 and 2 below show temperature data compared to cooling dynamics under cryotherapy by vaporized liquid nitrogen and by application of ice to the skin at 5 and 25 mm depth on six male subjects. A first measurement is made at each depth level before application of the cryotherapy treatment, a second measurement is made 30 minutes after the start of the application and a third measurement is applied 40 minutes after the application of cold. Temperature measurements are made using an optical thermometer. Table 1 relates to cryotherapy experiments by application of ice, it should be noted that the ice is applied for 40 minutes. Table 2 relates to cryotherapy experiments by vaporization of liquid nitrogen on the anatomical area to be treated. The spray is applied for 5 minutes.

The study of tables 1 and 2, allows us to note for the measurement carried out 30 minutes after the start of cryotherapy, a drop in skin temperature of 52% for cryotherapy by application of ice and a drop in skin temperature of 100% for liquid nitrogen cryotherapy.

Regarding the temperature at 5 mm depth which corresponds to the subcutaneous venous network, the temperature decreased by 49% for cryotherapy by application of ice and by 75% for cryotherapy by application of liquid nitrogen.

Finally, the measurements at a depth of 25 mm, which corresponds to the superficial veins and the wall of the muscles, the temperature decreased by 42% for cryotherapy by application of ice and by 64% for cryotherapy by application of liquid nitrogen.

These tables highlight the efficiency of cryotherapy by applying intense cold using a compressed gas in the liquid state compared to the traditional application of ice. The application of intense cold lowers the temperature of the anatomical area, both at the cutaneous level and in depth, by 50% more compared to the application of ice for 40 minutes.

In view of these elements, it is possible to develop a recovery protocol using the mobile cryotherapy treatment device 1 of the invention. The protocol may present the application of the mobile cryotherapy treatment device for a period of 15 minutes after physical exertion.

The duration of the application is calculated from the insertion of the gas in the liquid state into the heat exchanger 4 of the mobile cryotherapy treatment device 1.

In this context, the invention also relates to a method of cooling the mobile cryotherapy treatment device 1 according to the invention. In practice, the cooling process cools, by heat exchange, the heat energy storage material placed in the bladder 3

The cooling method according to the invention comprises a step of introducing a compressed gas in the liquid state which has a temperature below 0° C., into the heat exchanger 4 through the valve 5 of the sleeve 2. Preferably , the introduction of the compressed gas in the liquid state is operated by an inlet valve 5 . The gas compressed in the liquid state can be chosen from the following list: carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, helium, or a mixture of these gases.

When the compressed gas circulates in the heat exchanger 4, the compressed gas expands, a phase change then takes place, the gas passing from the liquid state to the gaseous state. This phase change increases the heat transfer between the gas and the heat energy storage material contained in the bladder 3 of the sleeve 2.

According to the invention, the compressed gas is introduced into the heat exchanger 47 by a gas cartridge 6 which comprises connection means 60 to the valve 5.

After having circulated within the heat exchanger 4, the gas thus escapes from the outlet valve 5 in the gaseous state. During its transit, the gas operates a continuous heat transfer with the heat energy storage material.

Claims (8)

Mobile cryotherapy treatment device (1) comprising a sleeve (2) configured to be slipped over an upper and/or lower limb of a human or an animal, the sleeve (2) is respectively delimited superiorly by an upper (20) and below by a lower end (21), at least one of the two ends (20, 21) being open, characterized in that the sleeve (2) comprises:
To. an internal fabric layer (23) delimiting the sleeve (2) internally,
b. an outer fabric layer (24) which delimits the sleeve (2) on the outside, the two fabric layers (23, 24) being integral at each end (20, 21) of the sleeve (2),
vs. at least one sealed bladder (3) being disposed between the outer fabric layer (24) and the inner fabric layer (23), the bladder (3) extending at least partially in the circumference of the sleeve (2), the bladder (3) comprises a heat energy accumulator material,
d. at least one heat exchanger (4) which is placed in contact with the bladder (3) in order to effect a heat transfer from a calorific fluid in transit or stationary in the heat exchanger (4), towards the calorific material contained in the bladder (3),
e. at least one valve (5) connected to the heat exchanger (4) and projecting from the sleeve (2),
f. the heat exchanger (4) being configured to receive a calorific fluid consisting of a compressed gas in the liquid state. Mobile cryotherapy treatment device (1), according to Claim 1, characterized in that the internal fabric layer (23) comprises at least one insert made of compression textile material. Mobile cryotherapy treatment device (1), according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises several zones made of distinct compression textile materials so as to apply a different compression force to various points of the upper and/or lower limb of a human or an animal. Mobile cryotherapy treatment device (1), according to one of Claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the outer fabric layer (23) consists of an elastic fabric whose stretching elongation is greater than the stretch elongation of the compression textile material. Mobile cryotherapy treatment device (1), according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the internal tissue layer (23) has thermal conduction properties greater than the thermal conduction properties of the outer tissue (24) to direct the diffusion of heat transfer from the bladder (3) to the upper and/or lower limb of a human or animal. Mobile cryotherapy treatment device (1), according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the heat exchanger (4) comprises a coil (40) for the heat exchanger (40) which extends against the bladder (3). Method of cooling the mobile cryotherapy treatment device (1) defined according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises a step of introducing a compressed gas in the liquid state which has a temperature below 0°C, the compressed gas in the liquid state being introduced into the heat exchanger (4) through the valve (5), the compressed gas transferring its thermal energy to the heat energy storage material contained in the bladder (3) of the sleeve (2) and thus cooling the mobile cryotherapy treatment device (1). Cooling method according to Claim 7, characterized in that the gas compressed in the liquid state is introduced into the heat exchanger (4) by a gas cartridge which comprises means of connection to the valve (5) of the sleeve ( 2).