MXPA06007295A - System and method for providing therapy to a portion of a body - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system and method for providing therapy to a portion of a body. The system and method use an elastic band to hold a pack against an injured area on a body. The system and method are particularly effective in supporting packs that require access to the ambient environment in order to maintain a chemical reaction within the pack. The system comprises an elastic band that includes an opening and a pack that includes a gas-permeable portion. The pack is secured to the elastic band such that the gas-permeable portion of the pack is exposed through the opening in the elastic band. The elastic band provides support to the pack without covering the gas-permeable portions of the pack. Therefore, the elastic band does not inhibit the chemical reaction within the pack when the elastic band is applied to the portion of the body.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING THERAPY TO A PART OF A BODY Countryside This invention relates in general to a system and method for providing therapy to a part of a body, and in particular to a system and a method that uses an elastic band to support the body part.

Background Applying therapy to various parts of a body is a recognized practice for curing or alleviating multiple types of physical problems. An example of therapy involves cooling an injured part of a body by applying ice packs near the injured part of the body in an effort to reduce swelling, inflammation and / or muscle pain. Another method of cooling uses a cold pack that generates cooled by an endothermic chemical reaction that takes place inside the cold pack.

Another example of therapy uses heat to treat symptoms such as stiffness, muscle pain, cold hands and feet, rheumatism and neuralgia (among others). Some methods of heat treatment include direct application of heat to the body using articles such as a towel, a jelly and / or a paste. Another example of warming therapy includes applying a heat pad to a damaged part of a body to relieve the discomfort caused by the injury (e.g., muscle tension).

There are other methods of heat treatment that use heat patches to apply heat to a body. One of such heat patches generates heat via an exothermic chemical reaction that takes place within the heat patch. Heat patches that generate heat using an exothermic reaction typically include an enclosure and a heat composition stored within the enclosure. At least a part of the enclosure is permeable to gas in such a way that exposing the heat composition to the air generates an exothermic heat-producing reaction within the heat patch.

Some other therapies include applying an analgesic (for pain) or an antibiotic (for infection) to the injured part of the body. The analgesic and / or the antibiotic can be incorporated into a pack / patch that is applied directly or indirectly to the body.

One concern when using heat pads and ice packs is that they are difficult to hold onto a damaged area of a body because they often need to be manually held in place by the person or someone assisting the injured person.

One method of keeping the heat or cold packets in place against the injured area of the body includes placing a packet against the body and wrapping a towel several times around the body so that the packet is sandwiched between the area hurt and the towel. The free end of the towel is then attached to an exposed and already wrapped section of the towel to prevent the towel from unrolling.

Wrapping towels around the body in this way can be a bit problematic. In addition, towels are rarely able to maintain a package in their desired location, especially when a patient moves around. In addition, when a towel is wrapped more tightly around the body in an attempt to help keep the ice pack or cold in place, the towel can cause discomfort to the patient.

Another method to treat an injured area of a body includes using an elastic band that supports the injured area of the body. Elastic bands can also be used to hold hot or cold packs against the injured area of the body.

As described above, many of the packages that generate a chemical reaction within the package require access to air in the environment in order to maintain the chemical reaction. A concern when using an elastic band to secure this type of package to the body is that the elastic band covers the gas permeable parts of the package thus inhibiting the chemical reaction.

Another concern when using elastic bands is holding cold or hot packs against the injured area of the body is that they should typically be discarded along with the package once the chemical reaction has expired within the package. Therefore, a completely new elastic band is required to hold a new package against the injured area of the body.

Some elastic bands include bags that are adapted to retain hot or cold packs. The packages are placed against a damaged part of the body as the elastic band is wrapped around the body.

A problem with including bags in the elastic bands is that the bags add undesired cost to the production cost of the elastic bands. A bag also limits the size and / or the number of packages that can be inserted into the bag. In addition, bags often provide inadequate support for a package, especially when the bag is much larger than the package.

Synthesis of the Invention The present invention relates to a system and method for providing therapy to a part of a body. The system and method use an elastic band to hold a package against a damaged area on a body. The system and the method are particularly effective in supporting packages that require access to the environment in order to maintain a chemical reaction within the package.

In one aspect, the present invention relates to a system for providing therapy to a part of a body. The system comprises an elastic band that includes an opening and a package that includes a gas permeable part. The package is secured to the elastic band such that the gas permeable part of the package is exposed through the opening in the elastic band.

The elastic band provides support to the package without covering the gas permeable parts of the package. Therefore, the elastic band does not inhibit a chemical reaction that can take place within the package when the elastic band is applied to the body part.

In some example forms of the system, a support at least partially surrounds the opening in the elastic band. The support can be a plastic film having a lower elasticity than the elastic band.

In addition, the package can be releasably secured to the support on the elastic band such that the system can further include another package that can be secured to the elastic band after the original package is released from the elastic band. The new package can similarly include a part that is exposed through the opening in the elastic band when the new package is secured releasable to the elastic band.

One reason for replaceable packages is that some packages, such as packages that maintain a chemical reaction within the package, have limited operational life. Therefore, the insurable release of the packages to the elastic band facilitates the replacement of expired packages without having to have the elastic band.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a system for providing therapy to a part of a body. The system comprises an elastic band that includes an opening, and a package that is secured to the elastic band. The package includes an enclosure and a heat composition that is sealed inside the enclosure. The enclosure includes a gas permeable part that is exposed through the opening in the elastic band.

The heat composition generates heat when a gas, such as air, is supplied from the environment to the heat composition through the gas permeable part of the enclosure. The opening in the elastic band allows the elastic band to support the body without inhibiting the access of the heat composition to the ambient air.

In still another aspect, the present invention relates to a method for applying therapy to a part of a body. The method includes securing a package to an elastic band such that a gas-permeable part of the package is exposed through the opening in the elastic band. The method further includes wrapping the elastic band around the body in such a way that the package engages the injured part of the body. In some sample forms of the method, the wrapping of the elastic band around the body, such that the package engages the injured part of the body includes using the package to apply a topical medication and / or a transdermal medication to the injured part of the body.

Securing the package to the elastic band may also include securing the package to the elastic band. When the package is secured releasable to the elastic band, the method may further include unwinding the elastic band from around the body, releasing the package from the elastic band, securing another package to the elastic band such that the gas-permeable part of the elastic band. second package is exposed through the opening in the elastic band; and wrapping the elastic band around the body in such a way that the new package engages the injured part of the body.

The purposes and features of the present invention will be set forth in the description that follows. Additional features of the invention will be realized and achieved by the product and the processes particularly pointed out in the written description and claims herein, as well as the attached drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings The present invention will be more fully understood, and other features will be apparent, when reference is made to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. The drawings are merely representative and are intended to limit the scope of the claims. Like parts described in the drawings are referred by the same reference numbers.

Figure 1 is an enlarged perspective view of a system.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the system shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of another elastic band that can be used in the system of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a plan view illustrating a portion of another elastic band that can be used in the system of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a plan view illustrating a portion of yet another elastic band that can be used in the system of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a plan view illustrating another packet that can be used in the system of Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a plan view illustrating yet another elastic band that can be used in the system of Figure 1.

Figure 8 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for applying therapy to a part of a body.

Detailed description of the invention In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which show specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to allow those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It should be understood that other additions can be used and structural changes made, so that the following detailed description should not be taken in a limited sense.

Figure 1 illustrates a system 10 for providing therapy to a part of a body. The system 10 includes an elastic band 11 having one or more openings 12. The system 10 further includes a package 13 having a gas permeable portion 14. As shown in Figure 2, the package 13 is secured to the elastic band. 11 so that the gas permeable part 14 of the package 13 is exposed through the opening 12 in the elastic band 11.

The elastic band 11 can be formed of one or more layers (only one layer is shown in Figures 1 and 2). The number and type of layers will depend on the application where the system 10 is used. As an example, some layers may be more elastic while other layers may be made of softer and / or more insulating materials. The elastic band 11 may be made of an elastomeric nonwoven material or a non-woven laminate. The elastic band 11 can be created by material bent in half and secured by the edges of the material using adhesives, or some other known fastening techniques.

The proper size and shape of the elastic band 11 will depend on the application where the system 10 is used. The appropriate length and width will be determined in part by the size and shape of the injured part on the body. In some forms, the elastic band 11 may be long enough to fit around the arms, legs, head or torso of a human being.

The system 10 may further include an adhesive, such as an adhesive layer 15, which is mounted on the elastic band 11 near the end 16A of the elastic band 11. The adhesive layer 15 is adapted to initially secure the elastic band 11 relative to the body before the elastic band wraps around the injured part of the body.

In some forms, a cover (not shown) can be removably mounted to the adhesive layer 15. The cover is removed to expose the adhesive layer 15 such that the adhesive layer 15 can be used to initially secure the elastic band 11. The adhesive it can be a styrene-isoprene-styrene copolymer, silicon or hydrogel, even when any conventional adhesive can be used. In some example forms, the adhesive 15 can be a hook and loop fastener.

The system 10 is applied to the body by initially securing the package 14 to the elastic band 11 such that the gas permeable part 14 of the package 13 is exposed through the opening 12 in the elastic band 11. The elastic band 11 is then secured in relation to the body in a location near the injured part of the body.

Once the elastic band 11 is secured to the body, the elastic band 11 is wrapped around the injured part of the body 100. The elastic band 11 is wrapped around the body until a second end 16B of the elastic band 11 is secured to the body. an already wrapped and exposed section of the elastic band 11. The second end 16B can be inserted into an already wrapped section of the elastic band 11, or secured using any type of fastener (e.g., a hook and loop fastener).

In some forms, the package 13 may include an adhesive (not shown) on the side of the package 13 which is opposite the elastic band 11. The package 13 may then initially be placed against the body with pressure before being further secured by the elastic band 11.

As shown in Figure 3, the system 10 may further include a support 20 that at least partially surrounds the opening 12 in the elastic band 11. In some forms, the support 20 surrounds the entire opening 12 (see, for example, FIG. 4) . The support 20 may have a lower elasticity than the elastic band 11 to provide stability to the elastic band 11 near the opening 12. As an example, the support 20 may be a plastic film, even when another material may be used.

In some forms, package 13 may include an adhesive that is secured releasably to support 20. It should be noted that the adhesive may be a chemical adhesive, or a hook-and-loop type fastener.

In the example of incorporation illustrated in Figure 5, the support 20 is formed of a layer 21 that partially covers one side 22 of the elastic band 11. In some forms, the support extends between lateral sides 23A, 23B of the elastic band 11.

Placing the support 20 around the opening 12 minimizes the stress that is generated on the opening 12 when the elastic band 11 is stretched as part of being wrapped around the body. The location and orientation of the support 20 relative to the elastic band 11 and the package 13 allows the package 13 to be more reliably secured to the elastic band 11.

As shown in Figure 1, package 13 may include an enclosure 30 and a heat composition 31 that is sealed within enclosure 30. The heat composition may be capable of generating heat when a gas (e.g., ambient air) is supplied to the heat composition 31 through the gas permeable part 14 of the enclosure 30. As an example, the heat composition 31 can be any composition of an iron powder, water, a water retention agent, a promoter of reaction and a salt.

In some embodiments, the gas permeable portion 14 of the enclosure 30 may be aligned with the opening 12 in the elastic band 11. In addition, the gas permeable portion 14 of the enclosure 30 may be substantially the same size as the opening 12 in the elastic band. eleven.

Figure 6 shows an exemplary embodiment of another type of package 40 that can be secured to the elastic band 11. The package 40 is similar to the package 13 in that the package 40 includes an enclosure 30 having a gas permeable part 14. The package 40 further includes a portion 41 that provides support to the elastic band 11 around the opening 12 in the elastic band 11 when the package 40 is secured to the elastic band 11 (the package 40 not shown secured to the elastic band 11 in the Figure 6).

It should be noted that in any of the embodiments shown and described here, one or more packages 13, 40 may include a medicament, such as a transdermal and / or topical medicament, which is applied to the body part (for example, drug 19, which is on the inside of package 13 in Figures 1 and 2). In some forms, the transdermal and / or topical medicament may be part of an adhesive that is used to apply the packages 13, 40 to the body.

In addition, the elastic band 11 and / or packs 13, 40 can be treated with a variety of therapeutic additives, such as herbs, vitamins and / or botanicals. Some examples of botanicals include lavender, chamomile, moisturizers, lipids, essential oils and fragrances. The therapeutic additives can be sprayed, or printed by etching, directly onto the elastic band 11 and / or the packs 13, 40.

It should be noted that packs 13, 40 may also include non-spheroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Some examples of anti-inflammatory drugs include aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen and sodium naproxen (among others). In some forms, non-spheroidal anti-inflammatory drugs will be available by prescription only.

In some forms, packages 13, 40 may be applied to an area of the affected skin to provide treatment for various skin discomforts. Some examples of discomfort include irritation due to sunburn, heat burns, insect bites, athlete's foot, dry skin, and other chronic skin conditions.

Even though the openings 12 in Figures 1-3 are shown as diamond-shaped, Figure 7 shows that the size and shape of the openings 12 can vary. It should be noted that the number, size, shape and arrangement of the openings 12 and packages 13, 40 may vary and will largely depend on the application where the system 10 is being used.

In some embodiments of the example, the packet is a first packet (e.g., pack 13) that can be secured releasable to the elastic band 11. In some forms, the system 10 further includes a second packet (e.g. packet 40) that it is the same or different from the first package. The second package can be secured releasably to the elastic band 11 after the first package is released from the elastic band 11. The second package can similarly include a gas-permeable part 14 that is exposed through the opening 12 in the elastic band 11 when the second package is secured releasable to the elastic band 11.

Packages of releasable fastener to the elastic band 11 allow the replacement of the packages to be placed against the injured area of the body without having to use a replacement elastic band. Replacement packages are especially important in applications where the packages include compositions that generate heat via a chemical heat reaction. Once the chemical reaction expires, or becomes very slow, a replacement package is easily attached to the same elastic band 11.

A method 80 of applied therapy to a part of a body is described herein with reference to Figure 8. Method 80 includes securing a package to an elastic band such that a gas-permeable part of the package is exposed through an opening in the elastic band (82). The method further includes wrapping the elastic band around the body such that the package engages the injured part of the body (84). The method may further include supporting the opening in the elastic band (83).

Securing a package to an elastic band such that a gas-permeable part of the package is exposed through an opening in the elastic band (82) may include (i) exposing a heat composition within the package to the environment to generate heat within the package; and / or (ii) adhere the package to the elastic band. In some forms, supporting the opening in the elastic band (83) may include securing a support to the elastic band such that the support at least partially surrounds the opening in the elastic band. In addition, wrapping the elastic band around the body in such a way that the package engages the injured part of the body (84) may include using the package to apply at least one topical medicament and a transdermal medicament to the body part.

It should be noted that the package can be a first package in such a way that securing the first package to the elastic band 82 can include releasable securing of the first package to the elastic band. When the first package is secured releasable to the elastic band, the method can further include unwinding the elastic band around the body (86); releasing the first package of the elastic band (87); securing a second package to the elastic band such that a gas-permeable part of the second package is exposed through an opening in the elastic band (88); and wrapping the elastic band around the body in such a way that the second package engages the injured part of the body (89).

The operations described above with respect to the described methods can be performed in a different order from those described herein. In addition, Figures 1-8 are representative and are not necessarily drawn to scale. Certain proportions of them may be exaggerated, while others may be minimized.

While the invention has been described in detail with respect to the specific aspects thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, with the acquisition of understanding of the foregoing, can readily conceive alterations of, variations to, and equivalences to These aspects fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention, which can be evaluated accordingly to those of the appended claims.

Claims (20)

R E I V I N D I C A C I O N S

1. A system for providing therapy to a part of a body, the system comprises an elastic band that includes an opening; Y a package including a gas permeable part, said package being secured to said elastic band so that the gas permeable part of said package is exposed through said opening in said elastic band.

2. The system as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that it also comprises a support that partially surrounds said opening in said elastic band.

3. The system as claimed in clause 2, characterized in that the support surrounds said opening comprises in said elastic band.

4. The system as claimed in clause 2, characterized in that said support has an elasticity lower than that of said elastic band.

5. The system as claimed in clause 2, characterized in that said support is formed of a layer partially covering one side of said elastic band.

6. The system as claimed in clause 5, characterized in that said elastic band includes lateral sides and said support extends from one lateral side to the other lateral side.

7. The system as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said package includes an enclosure and a sealed heating composition within the enclosure, the heating composition is capable of generating heat when a gas is supplied to said heating composition through of said gas permeable part of said enclosure.

8. The system as claimed in clause 7, characterized in that the gas permeable part of said enclosure is aligned with said opening in said elastic band.

9. The system as claimed in clause 8, characterized in that said gas-permeable part of said enclosure is essentially the same size as the opening in said elastic band.

10. The system as claimed in clause 7, characterized in that said package includes a topical medicament that is applied to the body part.

11. The system as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the package is secured to said elastic band so that a part of said package provides support to said elastic band around the opening in said elastic band.

12. A system to provide therapy to a part of a body, the system comprises: an elastic band that includes an opening; Y a package secured to said elastic band, wherein said package includes an enclosure and a sealed heating composition within said enclosure, wherein said enclosure includes a gas-permeable portion that is exposed through said opening in said elastic band, said The heating composition is capable of generating heat when a gas is supplied to said heating composition through said gas permeable part of said enclosure.

13. The system as claimed in clause 12, characterized in that said package includes at least one of a topical medicament and a medically transdermal medicament which are applied to the body part.

14. The system as claimed in clause 12, characterized in that the gas permeable part of said chamber is aligned with said opening in said elastic band and is essentially the same size as said openings in said elastic band.

15. The method to apply therapy to a part of the body, the method includes: securing a package to an elastic band so that a gas permeable part of the package is exposed through an opening and the elastic band; Y in returning the elastic band around the body so that the package engages the injured part of the body.

16. The method as claimed in clause 15, characterized in that securing a package to an elastic band includes adhering the package to the elastic band.

17. The method as claimed in clause 15, characterized in that it further comprises supporting the opening in the elastic band.

18. The method as claimed in clause 17, characterized in that supporting the opening in the elastic band includes fastening a support to the elastic band so that the support is at least party surrounding the opening in the elastic band.

19. The method as claimed in clause 15, characterized in that the securing of a package to an elastic band so that a gas-permeable part of the package is exposed through an opening in the elastic band and includes exposing a heating composition inside the package to the environment to generate heat inside the package.

20. The method as claimed in clause 15, characterized in that the package is a first package, and securing the first package to the elastic band includes releasably securing the first package to the elastic band, the method further comprising: wrap the elastic band from around the body; release the first package of the elastic band; securing a second package to the elastic band so that a gas permeable part of the second package is exposed through an opening in the elastic band; Y wrapping the elastic band around the body so that the second package makes contact with the injured part of the body. E S M E N The present invention relates to a system and method for providing therapy to a part of a body. The system and method use an elastic band to hold a package against an injured area on a body. The system and the method are particularly effective in supporting packages that require access to the surrounding environment in order to maintain a chemical reaction within the package. The system comprises an elastic band including an opening and a package including a gas permeable part, the package being secured to the elastic band so that the gas permeable part of the package is exposed through the opening in the elastic band . The elastic band provides support to the package without covering the permeable gas parts of the package. Therefore, the elastic band does not inhibit the chemical reaction within the package when the elastic band is applied to the body part.