FR3135390A3 - Thermotherapy splint - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a thermotherapy splint for a part of the body of a wearer, said splint comprising a compressible sheath (1, 1a) around said part of the body, said sheath further integrating a gel which has suitable thermal properties for applying a thermo-therapeutic treatment to said part of the body, the gel being arranged in at least two compartments (2, 2a, 2b) of the sheath (1, 1a) to be compressed on the part of the body, said gel comprising: between 10 and 25% by weight of propylene glycol as a thermal agent; between 1 and 5% by weight of hydroxyethyl cellulose as a thickening and texturing agent; less than 3% by weight of triethanolamine as a conditioning agent neutralization of carbomers and/or pH compensating agent; the salt water supplement. Figure 4a

Description

Thermotherapy splint

The invention relates to a thermotherapy splint for a part of the body of a wearer, in particular for post-traumatic or post-operative treatment, or for sports recovery of said part of the body.

It applies in particular to a splint intended to be placed around a joint of a human wearer, such as the knee or ankle joint, or an end of a limb, for example a foot. .

Thermotherapy splints are known comprising a sheath which is compressible around the part of the body to be treated, and which further integrates a gel which has thermal properties adapted to apply a thermo-therapeutic treatment to said part of the body.

In particular, splints are known in which the sheath is inflatable, for example by means of a manually operated pump or a portable electronic inflation module, as taught by document FR-3 080 986, in order to inflate a chamber provided for this purpose in said sheath with a suitable inflation fluid, and thus exert a compressive force on the part of the body by means of said sheath.

For good distribution of cold or heat around the part of the body to be treated, the thermal gel is generally packaged in a compartment of large dimensions, preferably with an area substantially equal to the area of said sheath.

In this type of sheath, the gel is generally packaged as is in its compartment, which, due to its low viscosity, can cause a heterogeneous distribution of said gel around the part of the body, and thus alter the quality of the treatment provided by the splint. In particular, when the sheath is arranged vertically, for example around the knee or ankle of a standing human wearer, the thermal gel can collapse in its compartment under the effect of gravity.

The invention aims to improve the prior art by proposing a splint in which the thermal gel is distributed so as to be able to homogeneously surround the part of the body to be treated, said gel also having improved thermal properties to facilitate transfers of heat or cold within said sheath.

• entre 10 et 25% en poids de propylène glycol en tant qu’agent thermique ;
• entre 1 et 5% en poids d’hydroxyéthylcellulose en tant qu’agent épaississant et texturant ;
• moins de 3% en poids de triéthanolamine en tant qu’agent de neutralisation des carbomères et/ou agent compensateur de pH ;
• le complément en eau salée.

For this purpose, the invention proposes a thermotherapy splint for a part of the body of a wearer, said splint comprising a compressible sheath around said part of the body, said sheath further integrating a gel which has thermal properties adapted to apply a thermotherapeutic treatment to said part of the body, the gel being placed in at least two compartments of the sheath to be compressed on the part of the body, said gel comprising:

• between 10 and 25% by weight of propylene glycol as thermal agent;
• between 1 and 5% by weight of hydroxyethylcellulose as a thickening and texturizing agent;
• less than 3% by weight of triethanolamine as a carbomer neutralizing agent and/or pH compensating agent;
• the salt water supplement.

Other particularities and advantages of the invention will appear in the description which follows, made with reference to the appended figures, in which:

[Fig.1 represents in perspective view from above a sheath of a splint according to a first embodiment of the invention, adapted to be placed around a knee of a human wearer;

shows in perspective an inflation pump suitable for a splint according to all the embodiments shown;

represents in front view a holding element for arranging a splint according to the around a knee of a human carrier;

,

And

each represent in a top view and in a partially transparent manner a sheath according to respectively an alternative embodiment of the ;

represents in perspective view from above a sheath of a splint according to a second embodiment of the invention, adapted to be placed around an ankle of a human wearer;

,

And

each represent in view from above (on the left) and from below (on the right) and in a partially transparent manner a sheath according to respectively an alternative embodiment of the ;

represents in perspective view from above a sheath of a splint according to a third embodiment of the invention, adapted to be placed around a foot of a human wearer;

,

And

each represent in a bottom view and in a partially transparent manner a sheath according to respectively an alternative embodiment of the .

In relation to these figures, a thermotherapy splint for a part of the body of a wearer is described below, in particular for post-traumatic or post-operative treatment, or for the sports recovery of said part of the body, said splint comprising a sheath 1 which is compressible around said part of the body.

The sheath 1 can be adapted to be arranged around a joint of a human wearer, for example a knee (Figures 1, 4a-4c) or an ankle (Figures 5, 6a-6c), or an end of a member, such as for example a foot (figures 7, 8a-8c).

The sheath 1 incorporates a gel which has thermal properties adapted to apply a thermo-therapeutic treatment to the part of the body, in order to relieve, by temperature variation, pain following an injury and/or an operation. This pain can affect the joints, tendons and/or muscles, and can for example be due to contractures, aches, or even inflammation (tendinitis, etc.).

In particular, cold treatment (cryotherapy) makes it possible to reduce the diameter of blood vessels, and thus reduce swelling, hematomas and inflammations, but also to facilitate the evacuation of lactic acid after physical exercise. This treatment is therefore particularly recommended as a first-line treatment for pain and/or injuries resulting from the practice of sport, such as aches, sprains, dislocations or muscle strains.

Conversely, heat treatment dilates the blood vessels, and therefore facilitates blood circulation, but also facilitates muscle relaxation. This treatment is particularly suitable for relieving chronic muscle and/or joint pain, and can in particular be used as a second intention to treat injuries resulting from sports practice.

Advantageously, the sheath 1 incorporates a thermal gel which is suitable for both cold and hot treatments, which allows the splint to be used throughout the recovery period following trauma and/or to an operation.

• entre 10 et 25% en poids de propylène glycol en tant qu’agent thermique ;
• entre 1 et 5% en poids d’hydroxyéthylcellulose en tant qu’agent épaississant et texturant ;
• moins de 3% en poids de triéthanolamine en tant qu’agent de neutralisation des carbomères et/ou agent compensateur de pH ;
• le complément en eau salée.

To do this, the thermal gel includes:

• between 10 and 25% by weight of propylene glycol as thermal agent;
• between 1 and 5% by weight of hydroxyethylcellulose as a thickening and texturizing agent;
• less than 3% by weight of triethanolamine as a carbomer neutralizing agent and/or pH compensating agent;
• the salt water supplement.

The use of propylene glycol is particularly interesting, in that this component has heat transfer properties, particularly when it is in the aqueous state. In addition, the addition of a glycol to an aqueous formulation makes it possible to lower its freezing point, which makes it possible to limit the hardening of the thermal gel when it is subjected to low temperatures, for example when it is placed in a freezer for cryotherapy treatment.

In particular, the proportions of propylene glycol in the thermal gel make it possible to cool it without hardening it, which allows the splint to be used immediately after said gel has cooled, without hard areas remaining which could cause pain and/or discomfort. discomfort to the wearer.

Hydroxyethylcellulose makes it possible to modulate the viscosity of the gel, and also has film-forming properties, which makes it possible to form a protective barrier on the surface of said gel, in order to maintain for a prolonged period the thermal effects provided by said gel at the surface level. contact of the sheath 1 with the part of the body. This component also plays the role of a stabilizing agent, which stabilizes the composition of the gel and increases its shelf life.

Triethanolamine (TEA) is a basic component known for preparing gels, in that it complements the gelling action of carbomers which are generally used to thicken these formulations. This component is also particularly interesting due to its pH compensation properties.

The formulation presented makes it possible to obtain a thermal gel with a viscosity between 35,000 and 55,000 centipoises (cP) at 25°C, as well as a pH between 6 and 7. It also allows the gel to cool very quickly when placed in a freezer, with a temperature drop to -20°C after less than 5 minutes, then maintaining a temperature below 0°C for approximately 50 minutes, before stabilizing at a temperature between 17 and 18° C after about 90 minutes.

The thermal gel may also include additional components, depending on the desired properties. In particular, the thermal gel may include a coloring agent to give it an aesthetic appearance linked to its use, for example a blue color dye for use for cryotherapy purposes (cold treatment).

The thermal gel is placed in at least two compartments 2 of the sheath 1 to be compressed on the part of the body to be treated. Thus, the distribution of the gel around the part of the body is improved, which makes it possible to apply a thermotherapeutic treatment evenly over the entire surface of said part of the body surrounded by the sheath 1.

The sheath 1 has a flat geometry which is symmetrical with respect to a plane (not shown) which extends perpendicular to said sheath as shown in Figures 4a to 4c, 6a to 6c, 8a to 8c, the gel compartments 2 being distributed equally on either side of said plane of symmetry.

The sheath 1, 1a, 1a’, 1a’’ may in particular comprise two side compartments 2a and an upper compartment 2b each containing a portion of thermal gel, as shown in Figures 4a to 4c, in relation to a knee brace. This arrangement ensures that a portion of thermal gel remains above the joint when the wearer of the splint stands.

In the embodiments shown, the sheath 1 comprises an envelope comprising two outer layers 3a, 3b of textile material, which are associated by seams 4 along their respective peripheries, the compartments 2, 2a, 2b of thermal gel being formed between said outer layers.

In particular, the sheath 1 may comprise an outer layer 3b of elastane (Lycra) soaked in polyurethane (PU) intended to come into direct contact with the part of the body, as well as an opposite outer layer 3a based on brushed mesh.

The sheath 1 further comprises at least two interior layers 6 of plastic material, for example based on a polyurethane (PU) film, which are arranged between the exterior textile layers 3a, 3b and associated at their peripheries via a strip of common weld 5, the compartments 2, 2a, 2b of thermal gel being arranged between said interior layers.

In each of the embodiments shown, the interior layers 6 are also associated at their peripheries with the exterior layers 3a, 3b via the seam 4 and a bonding strip 9 extending between said seam and the peripheral weld 5.

In Figures 4a, 4b (knee splint), 6a, 6b (ankle splint), 8a, 8b (foot splint), the interior layers 6 are further welded together along at least one line 7 to form at least two compartments 2, 2a, 2b for receiving respectively a portion of thermal gel.

In particular, in Figures 6a and 6b, the layers 3a, 3b, 6 are associated by means of a central bonding line 10 bordered by two weld beads 7, so as to form a foldable sheath 1b, 1b' according to said line, two gel compartments 2 being formed on either side of said line.

According to a first variant, the compartments 2, 2a, 2b are arranged to each receive a portion directly in the form of gel (Figures 4a, 6a, 8a and 10a). To do this, the interior layers 6 can be reinforced, for example by internal coating with a suitable product, to be able to receive gel in a sealed manner, in particular to avoid leaks of gel between two compartments 2, 2a, 2b and/or outside the sheath 1, 1a, 1b, 1c.

According to a second variant, the compartments 2, 2a, 2b are arranged to each receive a pocket 8 in which a portion of thermal gel is packaged (Figures 4b, 6b, 6c, 8b). The pockets 8 are made of a waterproof material which is sufficiently resistant to be able to deform under the effect of the pressure exerted by the sheath 1, 1a', 1b', 1b'', 1c' when it is compressed around the part of the body, while avoiding their rupture and leaks of gel inside their respective compartments 2, 2a, 2b.

In particular, in the ankle splint variant shown on the , each compartment 2 has a closable opening formed in the sheath 1b'', for example at each side edge 11 opposite the central junction line 7, 10, to allow the insertion and removal of a pocket 8 of thermal gel in said compartment.

Figures 4c, 8c each represent a third alternative embodiment of the invention, in which the interior layers 6 are welded together only at their peripheries, so as to form a space 12 for receiving at least two pockets 8 in each of which a portion of thermal gel is packaged, said pockets each forming a compartment 2, 2a, 2b of thermal gel within said space.

Advantageously, in this third variant, the space 12 can have at least one closable opening formed in the sheath 1, 1a'', 1c'' to allow the insertion and removal of at least one pocket 8 of gel thermal in said space, for example to replace said pocket with a pocket previously cooled or reheated, depending on the treatment chosen.

For this purpose, openings can be formed locally at the peripheral junction 4, 5, 9 of the layers 3a, 3b, 6, for example by means of Velcro type hook-and-loop devices, in order to allow removal and insertion by said gel pocket openings 8 in the portion of the space 12 facing.

The sheath 1 further comprises an inflation chamber formed above the compartments 2, 2a, 2b for conditioning the thermal gel, in order to ensure their compression around the part of the body by inflation of said chamber.

To this end, in the embodiments shown, the sheath 1 comprises an external valve 13 for inflating the chamber which comprises a means 15 for connection to a manual inflation device 14 ( ), said valve further comprising a switch 16 for selectively opening and closing the communication of said chamber with the outside.

The inflation device 14 comprises a tube 17 equipped at one end with a nozzle 18 for its watertight connection to the inflation valve 13, the second end of said tube being provided with a deformable pump 19 on which a user must apply pressure successive manual operations to inject air into the chamber via said inflation valve.

The inflation chamber is formed between the outer textile layer 3a opposite the compartments 2, 2a, 2b for conditioning the thermal gel and the adjacent inner layer 6, the inflation valve 13 being arranged on said outer layer. In particular, the sheath 1 may comprise a third inner layer of polyurethane film placed between the outer textile layer 3a and the adjacent inner layer 6 delimiting the gel compartments 2, 2a, 2b, said third layer being equipped with the inflation valve 13.

In relation to Figures 1, 3 and 4a to 4c, the splint comprises an element 20 for maintaining and compressing the sheath 1, 1a, 1a', 1a'' on the part of the body (represented in ), particularly around a knee of a human carrier.

In particular, the sheath 1, 1a, 1a', 1a'' shown in Figures 1 and 4a to 4c is arranged to be arranged on the front of the knee, and for this purpose comprises a central recess 21 for receiving the patella, the lateral compartments 2a and upper 2b coming respectively above and on either side of said knee. Furthermore, the holding element 20 is arranged to come to the rear of the knee, while maintaining the sheath 1, 1a, 1a', 1a'' on the front of said knee.

Advantageously, the holding element 20 comprises an envelope in which an additional compartment 2c containing thermal gel is formed, in order to be able to apply a thermotherapeutic treatment to the back of the knee. In particular, this envelope may have exterior layers 3a, 3b and interior layers 6 identical to those of the envelope of the sheath 1, 1a, 1a', 1a'', the additional compartment 2c being formed by welding 5 between said interior layers .

As a variant not shown, the holding element may comprise a textile strip intended to at least partially surround the sheath 1, 1a, 1a', 1a'' to compress it on the part of the body.

The holding element 20 comprises at least one strap 22 of gripping material, in particular Velcro® type hooks, intended to be associated with a complementary gripping material carried by the sheath 1, 1a, 1a', 1a'' and/or by the holding element 20 to compress said sheath around the knee.

For this purpose, the sheath 1, 1a, 1a', 1a'' and/or the holding element 20 may comprise an outer layer 3a covered at least in part with such a complementary gripping material, for example in brushed knit.

On the , the holding element 20 comprises two pairs of gripping straps 22 fixed on either side of its envelope, and each intended to engage with the outer layer 3a of brushed mesh of the sheath 1, 1a, 1a', 1a''.

In Figures 5 and 6a to 6c, the sheath 1b, 1b’, 1b’’ shown is arranged to be placed around an ankle of a human wearer. For this purpose, this sheath 1b, 1b', 1b'' has a substantially rectangular flat geometry, which comprises a lower edge 23 (at the top in Figures 6a to 6c) which has a central notch 24 intended to be arranged around the heel, as well as an upper edge 25 (at the bottom in these same figures) intended to be folded around the instep, said upper edge being equipped with a gripping strap 22 offset laterally which is intended to engage on the outer layer 3a of brushed mesh of said sheath, on an area laterally opposite said strap.

In Figures 7 and 8a to 8c, the sheath 1c, 1c’, 1c’’ shown is arranged to be placed on the instep of a human wearer. This sheath 1c, 1c', 1c'' also has a substantially rectangular flat geometry, from which extend two upper radial projections 26 between which is formed a rounded notch 27 intended to be arranged around the ankle, said projections being arranged to come into contact with the calcaneus bone on either side of said ankle.

Furthermore, the sheath 1c, 1c', 1c'' has a lateral edge 28 from which two gripping straps 22 extend, each intended to pass under the sole of the foot to engage the lateral zone 29 of the outer layer 3a in brushed mesh which is symmetrically opposite said lateral edge.

Claims (18)

Thermotherapy splint for a part of the body of a wearer, said splint comprising a compressible sheath (1, 1a, 1a', 1a'', 1b, 1b', 1b'', 1c, 1c', 1c'') around said part of the body, said sheath further integrating a gel which has thermal properties suitable for applying a thermo-therapeutic treatment to said part of the body, said splint being characterized in that the gel is arranged in at least two compartments ( 2, 2a, 2b) of the
sheath (1, 1a, 1a’, 1a’’, 1b, 1b’, 1b’’, 1c, 1c’, 1c’’) to be compressed on the part of the body, said gel comprising:

• between 10 and 25% by weight of propylene glycol as thermal agent;
• between 1 and 5% by weight of hydroxyethylcellulose as a thickening and texturizing agent;
• less than 3% by weight of triethanolamine as a carbomer neutralizing agent and/or pH compensating agent;
• the salt water supplement.

Thermotherapy splint according to claim 1, characterized in that the thermal gel further comprises a coloring agent. Thermotherapy splint according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the sheath (1, 1a, 1a', 1a'') comprises two side compartments (2a) and an upper compartment (2b) each containing a portion of thermal gel. Thermotherapy splint according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the sheath (1, 1a, 1a', 1a'', 1b, 1b', 1b'', 1c, 1c', 1c'') comprises an envelope comprising two outer layers (3a, 3b) of textile material, the compartments (2, 2a, 2b) of thermal gel being formed between said outer layers. Thermotherapy splint according to claim 4, characterized in that the sheath (1, 1a, 1a', 1a'', 1b, 1b', 1b'', 1c, 1c', 1c'') further comprises at least two layers inner layers (6) of plastic material arranged between the outer textile layers (3a, 3b) and welded together, the compartments (2, 2a, 2b) for conditioning thermal gel being arranged between said inner layers. Thermotherapy splint according to claim 5, characterized in that the interior layers (6) are welded together to form at least two compartments (2, 2a, 2b) for receiving respectively a portion of thermal gel. Thermotherapy splint according to claim 6, characterized in that the compartments (2, 2a, 2b) are arranged to each receive a portion directly in the form of gel. Thermotherapy splint according to claim 6, characterized in that the compartments (2, 2a, 2b) are arranged to each receive a pocket (8) in which a portion of thermal gel is packaged. Splint according to claim 8, characterized in that each compartment (2, 2a, 2b) has a closable opening formed in the sheath (1, 1a', 1b'', 1c') to allow the insertion and removal of a pocket (8) of thermal gel in said compartment. Thermotherapy splint according to claim 5, characterized in that the interior layers (6) are welded together to form at least one space (12) for receiving at least two pockets (8) in each of which a portion is packaged of thermal gel, said pockets each forming a compartment (2, 2a, 2b) of thermal gel within said space. Thermotherapy splint according to claim 10, characterized in that the space (12) has a closable opening formed in the sheath (1, 1a'', 1c'') to allow the insertion and removal of at least one pocket (8) of thermal gel in said space. Thermotherapy splint according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the sheath (1, 1a, 1a', 1a'', 1b, 1b', 1b'', 1c, 1c', 1c'') comprises an inflation chamber formed above the gel conditioning compartments (2, 2a, 2b) to ensure their compression around the part of the body by inflation of said chamber. Thermotherapy splint according to claim 12, characterized in that the sheath (1, 1a, 1a', 1a'', 1b, 1b', 1b'', 1c, 1c', 1c'') comprises an external valve (13 ) for inflating the chamber which comprises means (15) for connection to a manual inflation device (14), said valve further comprising a switch (16) for selectively opening and closing the communication of said chamber with the outside. Thermotherapy splint according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it comprises an element (20) for maintaining and compressing the sheath (1, 1a, 1a', 1a'') on the part of the body. Thermotherapy splint according to claim 14, characterized in that the holding element (20) comprises an envelope in which an additional compartment (2c) containing thermal gel is formed. Thermotherapy splint according to claim 14, characterized in that the holding element (20) comprises a textile strip intended to at least partially surround the sheath (1, 1a, 1a', 1a'') to compress it on the part from the body. Thermotherapy splint according to any one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that the holding element (20) comprises at least one strap (22) of gripping material intended to be associated with a complementary gripping material (3a) worn by the sheath (1, 1a, 1a', 1a'') and/or by the holding element (20) to compress said sheath on the part of the body. Thermotherapy splint according to claim 17, characterized in that the sheath (1, 1a, 1a', 1a'') and/or the holding element (20) comprises an outer layer (3a) covered at least in part with a complementary gripping material.