US1739625A - Therapeutical device - Google Patents

Description

Dec, 17, 1929.- E. WOLTERS 1,739,625

THERAPEUTICAL DEVICE Filed June 6. 1923 rPatented Dec. -17, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EDGAR WOLTERS, OF HAMBURG, GERMANY THERAPEUTICAL DEVICE Application mea :une s, 195s. serial No. 283,283.

These old methods are objectionable in that a cold liquid-is insufficiently heat-absorbing because it can not\pass through a point of fusion, as its temperature is raised, with consequent heat absorption equivalent to the heat of fusion; crushed ice for filling a bag or ice cap can not be readily obtained within the home and unless it is finely crushed its uneven surfaces and edges cause bulges and projections in the surface of the bag to'present a discomfortable and ineicient working surface; and when iceand water are used in the old type bags, continuous applications necessitate frequent refilling with attendant annoyance and wet outer bag surfaces.

It is the object of the present invention to overcome these disadvantages.

More specifically, this invention contemplates the provision of acooling appliance which may permanently contain a substance for effecting heat transfer; which may'be used continuously, without emptying and refilling, by alternately removing the heat from the substance and applying it to the aiiiicted part of the body; and which will not burst open or become distorted when water is frozen therein.

Further objects will become apparent from a study of the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of the cooling device or container as inserted, ready for use, in a rubber envelope, the container being shown in dotted lines.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken on line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Figs. 1-3 represent the preferred form.

Fig. 3 is a vertical half-section taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 shows a second vform of container, it

being a modification ofthe left hand portion of the sectioned container of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 discloses the modification of Fig. 4'

with the filling opening in closed position and with a spring clip applied thereto.

Fig. 6 represents the projection of a portion of the surfaces and edges of the'modiied form of container upon a vertical plane, as would be seen when looking in the direction of the arrows on line 5 5, Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawings, 10 indicates a rubber envelope within which the container of the present invention may be inserted for use as a therapeutical device. This envelope is described and claimed per se in my co`- pendin application, Serial Number 264,804, filed arch 26, 1928,' and as its construction is readily apparent it is not thought to be necessary to describe it in detail here. It suffices to state that it is an envelope having end tabs 11 which 'close the longitudinal passage therethrough by being buttoned at 12 to the main body; having slots 18 through which a holding strap may be passed; and having a plurality of spaced studs 14 upon one surface thereof to prevent too rapid transfer of heat. Envelope 10 isonly illustrative of a covering for the container as any type of rubber bag, cloth covering, and the like, might be used. In fact, the container might be applied separately from any enclosing member.

The container 15, made of metal, composition, or rubber, and in the form of a flask, may be shaped as desired and may be flat, or

curved to fit the shape of the body to which it .y

is to be applied. The space within the container is divided into a number of compartments by intersecting cross members or walls 16 and 17. The compartments are in communication with each other through a set of apertures 18 in walls 16 and a set of apertures 19 in walls 17. The utility of this construction will later be explained.

Thevcontainer may be filled with water. water and chemicals, or chemicals only. If water is used, the container should be only partially filled in order to prevent rupture thereof by the water when it freezes and expands into ice. For the same purpose, alcohol might be mixed with the water so that,

/a freezing compartment is provided with trays for making cubes of ice. One of these trays may be withdrawn and the container of this invention inserted in place thereof to quickly freeze the water or substance contained therein.

A liquid which expands upon freezing is liable to distort the container, due to the fact that under ordinary conditions the solid'ification starts at the surface and progresses downwardly. The walls 16 and 17 prevent this conditionby conducting the heat away with such rapiditythat all portions of the liquid solidify at substantially the same time.

In fact, the freezing starts at thev bottom and sides of each compartment and works quickly inwardly. i

If a curved container (as in Fig. 2) should be partially filled with water and no interior compartments provided, the water would all run to the ends of the container, freeze there, and burst the end walls. The plurality of compartments. prevents this by segregating equal quantities .of water in uniform distribution over the curved bottom surface. Before placing the container in the refrigerator it should be vigorously shaken in a horizontal plane, first-in the direction of its transverse axis and then in the direction of its longitudinal axis, in order to cause the liquid to pass through apertures 18 and 19 for equal distribution in the various compartments.

It is unnecessary to empty and refill the container for each application or period of use thereof. It may be filled by the manufacturer or by the user, and then permanently sealed in any suitable manner, for example, by a plug 20 (Fig. 2).

As an example of a chemical that can be satisfactorily utilized in place of water or a mixture, benzene or benzole might be sealed Within the container. Vhile the latent heat of fusion of benzole is not as high as that of water, a much greater quantity of the liquid can be safely used in the container.

Because of its melting point, approximately 42 F., it can be frozen by placing the container in close surface Contact with ice or ice Water.V

This is particularly advantageous in that it can be used in homes which have no electrical or mechanical refrigeration installed.

lVhile the form shown in Fig. 2 may be made of metal, composition, or rubber, it is desirable, when employing a rubber container, to provide it with means for emptyin and airing it out to prevent deterioration an give it a longer life. The modification shown in Figs. 4, 5, and 6 is illustrative of one vform of such a rubber container. Except for the opening and closure means at one edge of the device, this modified construction is substantially identical with that shown in Fig. 2.4

No covering is necessary and, due to the fleXiy Several beads 22 are formed u on the inside of the container at one side o the hole and are adapted't'o nest, in closed position, between several beads'22 on the o posite inner wall. Endless beads can not used because when the rubber is folded along vthe line L a leak-proof seal will not be formed. For this reason the beads 22 and 22! terminate approximately at the line L. A broad, strong clip, substantially U-shaped in cross section, is slipped over the edge of the container to engage the outer surfaces thereof adjacent the beading and thereby to pinch and expand the rubber beads of each set into the corresponding depressions between the beads of the opposite set. An effective,- liquid-tight seal is thus formed.

I wish it'to be understood that the draw- 1. A therapeutical device, comprising a I comparatively thin container adapted to contain a liquid to be frozen and a plurality of intersecting walls in said container, said walls having apertures therein at points spaced from one side of the container, thereby forming a plurality of communicating compartments each adapted to hold separately a quantity of the liquid.

2. A therapeutical device, comprising a thin container slightly curved in cross section adapted tocontain a liquid to be frozen, and a plurality of intersecting walls in said container, said walls having apertures therein at points spaced from the sides of the container, so as to form a plurality of communicating compartments each ada ted to hold separately a quantity of the liquid and to prevent the concentration of the liquid in the lower parts of the container.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my signature.

, EDGAR WOLTERS.

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