US20200008975A1 - Heating/Cooling Therapy System - Google Patents
Heating/Cooling Therapy System Download PDFInfo
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- US20200008975A1 US20200008975A1 US16/452,943 US201916452943A US2020008975A1 US 20200008975 A1 US20200008975 A1 US 20200008975A1 US 201916452943 A US201916452943 A US 201916452943A US 2020008975 A1 US2020008975 A1 US 2020008975A1
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F7/00—Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body
- A61F7/0085—Devices for generating hot or cold treatment fluids
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F7/00—Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body
- A61F7/007—Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body characterised by electric heating
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F7/00—Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body
- A61F7/02—Compresses or poultices for effecting heating or cooling
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F7/00—Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body
- A61F7/10—Cooling bags, e.g. ice-bags
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F7/00—Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body
- A61F2007/0054—Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body with a closed fluid circuit, e.g. hot water
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F7/00—Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body
- A61F2007/0054—Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body with a closed fluid circuit, e.g. hot water
- A61F2007/0056—Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body with a closed fluid circuit, e.g. hot water for cooling
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F7/00—Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body
- A61F7/007—Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body characterised by electric heating
- A61F2007/0075—Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body characterised by electric heating using a Peltier element, e.g. near the spot to be heated or cooled
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F7/00—Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body
- A61F7/007—Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body characterised by electric heating
- A61F2007/0075—Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body characterised by electric heating using a Peltier element, e.g. near the spot to be heated or cooled
- A61F2007/0076—Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body characterised by electric heating using a Peltier element, e.g. near the spot to be heated or cooled remote from the spot to be heated or cooled
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- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F7/00—Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body
- A61F2007/0093—Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body programmed
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
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- A61F7/00—Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body
- A61F2007/0095—Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body with a temperature indicator
- A61F2007/0096—Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body with a temperature indicator with a thermometer
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F7/00—Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body
- A61F7/02—Compresses or poultices for effecting heating or cooling
- A61F2007/0203—Cataplasms, poultices or compresses, characterised by their contents; Bags therefor
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F7/00—Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body
- A61F7/02—Compresses or poultices for effecting heating or cooling
- A61F2007/0295—Compresses or poultices for effecting heating or cooling for heating or cooling or use at more than one temperature
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F7/00—Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body
- A61F7/02—Compresses or poultices for effecting heating or cooling
- A61F2007/0295—Compresses or poultices for effecting heating or cooling for heating or cooling or use at more than one temperature
- A61F2007/0296—Intervals of heating alternated with intervals of cooling
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F7/00—Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body
- A61F7/0097—Blankets with active heating or cooling sources
Abstract
Description
- This patent application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/116,316, filed Aug. 29, 2018, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. ______, which claims priority from provisional U.S. patent application No. 62/694,281, filed Jul. 5, 2018, entitled “Heating/cooling Therapy System,” and naming William J. Rittman III, Marsha Calise, and Steven Woolfson as inventors, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein, in its entirety, by reference.
- The present invention relates to therapy systems, and particularly to thermal therapy systems.
- The uses of heating or cooling applicators to the skin for the treatment of injuries and pain have been used for a long time. These techniques are also known to improve the flexibility of tendons and ligaments, reduce muscle spasms and alleviate pain.
- Heat therapy (also known as thermotherapy) is the heating of tissue by using various techniques, such as hot water bottles filled with hot water or cloth soaked in hot water, blankets or pads heated by internal electrical heating coils, or the application of ultrasound energy. Heat therapy leads to vasodilation, which in turn increases the blood flow in the affected tissues. The increased blood flow in the target area provides extra oxygen and other nutrients, thus accelerating the healing process. Additionally, the application of heat reduces muscle spasm and relaxes stretched muscles leading to pain relief. Heat or thermotherapy is generally used to treat chronic pain such as low back pain, spinal, neck pain, neuropathic pain, and other muscular spasms. Thermotherapy is generally applied in temperature range of 40-50° C.
- Cold therapy (also known as cryotherapy), can be accomplished by using ice or a chemical gel. Cold therapy is typically used during the first one to two days after an injury, typically to get relief from bruises, bumps and sprains. Cold therapy soothes damaged tissues, causes vasoconstriction, which reduces blood circulation and thus numbs the nerves, decreasing inflammation, pain, and muscle spasm. Cold or cryotherapy is generally used to treat acute pain caused due to injuries such as runner's knee and freshly pulled muscle. Cryotherapy is generally applied in temperature range of 5-20° C.
- Both therapies are effective for the treatment of edema and pain while being non-addictive and non-invasive.
- Contrast therapy is another form of treatment which combines hot and cold therapy. It is performed through the alternate application of hot and cold packs on the skin of an injured area. It decreases pain, increases circulation, and speeds healing. Contrast therapy is used on sports injuries, chronic or repetitive injuries and injuries in the subacute stages of healing
- In terms of available products, the hot and cold therapy packs market can be divided into dry and moist hot and cold packs or compresses, gel packs, and electric hot/cold packs. There are many drawbacks to the products currently on the market that compromise their application:
- Regarding heating, there are several techniques used to create a hot applicator. For example, some packs are designed to be microwaved, which suffer from drawbacks such as difficulty in controlling the temperature, can become too hot causing burns, and lose heat rapidly, necessitating the need to be reheated. Chemical packs are also commonly used, but they also have limitations based on lack of temperature control; they can leak and are therefore prone to cause chemical burns. The use of an electric heating coil in the pad is commonly used, but often does not have temperature control.
- For cooling, ice packs that are kept in the freezer are most commonly used. They do not control temperature—the affected area can become too cold causing possible cold burns, they heat up rapidly, requiring the pack be frequently exchanged with a freshly cooled pack and placed back in the freezer to be refrozen. Chemical ice packs have the same drawbacks as the chemical heating packs. Pumped water from a container containing ice and water for cold therapy are bulky, require ice and water on hand. Further, the water can spill/leak, and there is no true temperature control.
- To do combined heating and cooling therapy (contrast therapy) using these standard products would obviously require the purchase of two separate sets of products thus being expensive, requiring extra storage space and consuming a lot of time during application.
- Described herein is an apparatus and a treating pad, being connected to each other via flexible conduits for enabling the pad to selectively cool or heat tissue. The apparatus includes at least one Peltier device attached to two reservoirs-one reservoir which is cooled and the other reservoir which is heated. Both reservoirs are filled with fluid such that using two pumps cold or hot water can be selectively pumped thru the conduit to the applicator pad in contact with the tissue. When using one Peltier device, this novel approach allows the device to cool and heat separate reservoirs simultaneously without the need of a second thermoelectric device or the need to reverse the current, which causes delays and expense. The cold reservoir at the cold side of the Peltier device should be encased in thermal insulation to prevent heat from being absorbed from the environment. The hot reservoir should have a heat sink disposed adjacent to it and a fan may be included on the heat sink. When using more than one Peltier device, including separate Peltier devices for heating and cooling, the cool side of the heating Peltier device, when in heating mode, can be used to cool the inside of the apparatus.
- The apparatus also includes a control circuit including temperature and other controls, accessible to the user or operator for adjusting said temperatures and for selection of heating therapy, cooling therapy or contrast therapy. There is at least one temperature sensor that measures the temperature entering and/or leaving the applicator pad. The control circuit can maintain control over the temperature of the fluid in the applicator pad responsive to the at least one temperature sensor, by controlling the pumps, the Peltier device and/or the fan on the heat sink. Additionally, a thermal heater could be placed in the hot reservoir to provide additional heating.
- The applicator pad is designed to conform to the shape of the tissue and is configured with at least one continuous liquid flow channel. The applicator pad also includes an insulation layer to ensure that no heat is lost to or absorbed by the environment on the non-treating side. The liquid flow channel can be created with a mold and two sheets of TPU (thermal polyurethane) or other flexible plastic or flexible tubing which is attached to the insulation layer. The applicator pad connects to the apparatus through an insulated flexible tube. There are two flexible conduits within the insulated tube, one serving as an intake fluid path for cooling or heating liquid to flow from the thermoelectric cooling apparatus to the pad and the other serving as a return fluid path. Preferably, self-sealing fluid connectors that allow the pad and/or conduit to be replaced or removed are used as opposed to permanent connection. Applicator pads can be supplied pre-loaded with fluid. By using the self-sealing fluid connectors, an applicator pad can be easily attached or detached without introducing air into the system. By using separate reservoirs to chill and to heat the tissue during use, the cooling and warming delays are greatly reduced no delay is needed to switch the thermoelectric device from cooling mode to warming mode.
- The user interface is buttons on the apparatus and could also be controlled from a computer device or smart phone by Bluetooth or some other wireless means.
- An illustrative embodiment of an electrical cooling/heating system includes at least one Peltier device having a heating side and a cooling side; a cold fluid reservoir adjacent the cooling side of the Peltier device; a hot fluid reservoir adjacent the heating side of the Peltier device; a cooling fluid pump in fluid communication with the cold fluid reservoir; a heating fluid pump in fluid communication with the hot fluid reservoir; a flexible pad having an application side, an insulation side and a continuous liquid flow channel, the channel having an inlet and an outlet; an intake fluid path having an end connected to the inlet and fed from each of the cooling fluid pump and the heating fluid pump; and a return fluid path having an end connected to the outlet and splitting to connect with each of the cold fluid reservoir and the hot fluid reservoir.
- In some embodiments, the cold fluid reservoir includes a serpentine channel adjacent the cooling side of the Peltier device.
- In some embodiments, the intake fluid path is unidirectional. To that end, some embodiments include, in each branch of the intake fluid path (one branch for the cooling fluid pump and one branch for the heating fluid pump), a one-way valve.
- Some embodiments include a first temperature sensing device in the intake fluid path, and/or a second temperature sensing device in the return fluid path. Some such embodiments also include a controller responsive to the first temperature sensing device for controlling any of the cooling fluid pump, the heating fluid pump and/or the Peltier device.
- Some embodiments include a heat sink adjacent the hot fluid reservoir and a fan operable for cooling the heat sink. In such embodiments, the controller may further respond to the first temperature sensing device by adjusting operation of the fan.
- Some embodiments include a controller responsive to the first temperature sensing device and the second temperature sending device for controlling any of the cooling fluid pump, the heating fluid pump and/or the Peltier device.
- In some embodiments, the flexible pad is detachable from the intake and return fluid paths. To that end, some embodiments include a first self-sealing valved connector comprised of a male connector part and a female connector part for connecting the intake fluid path to the inlet, and/or a second self-sealing valved connector comprised of a male connector part and a female connector part for connecting the return fluid path to the outlet.
- Some embodiments further include an insulator pad, and a securable strap coupled to the insulator pad. The securable strap is and configured to secure the insulator pad against the flexible pad, and in some embodiments is also configures to secure the insulator pad and flexible pad to the user.
- Illustrative embodiments of a flexible applicator pad for application of thermal therapy include an application side and an opposing side; a continuous liquid flow channel, the channel having an inlet and an outlet; a self-sealing inflow connector coupled to the inlet; a self-sealing outflow connector at the outlet; and a liquid sealed within the continuous liquid flow channel. Some such embodiments include an insulation layer on the opposing side.
- Illustrative embodiments of an electrical cooling/heating system include a heating and cooling means for heating a first stream of liquid to produce a hot stream, and cooling a second stream of liquid to produce a cool stream; and a pump means for independently driving each of the hot stream and the cool stream, and for producing a single stream of liquid to an applicator pad, wherein the single stream of liquid is selected from one of the hot stream, the cool stream, or a mixture of the hot and cool stream.
- In illustrative embodiments, the heating and cooling means includes a Peltier device having a heating side and a cooling side, a hot reservoir coupled to the heating side, and a cold reservoir coupled to the cooling side. In other embodiments, the heating and cooling means includes a heating Peltier device having a heating side; a hot reservoir coupled to the heating side of the Peltier device; a cooling Peltier device separate from the heating Peltier device, the cooling Peltier device having a cooling side; and a cold reservoir coupled to the cooling side.
- In some embodiments, the pump means includes a hot pump in fluid communication with the heating and cooling means to drive the hot stream; and a cold pump in fluid communication with the heating and cooling means to drive the cool stream, the hot pump and the cold pump being independently controllable.
- The foregoing features of embodiments will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description, taken with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
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FIG. 1A andFIG. 1B schematically illustrate an embodiment of a heating/cooling system; -
FIG. 1C andFIG. 1D schematically illustrate an embodiment of a heating/cooling system; -
FIG. 1E ,FIG. 1F andFIG. 1G schematically illustrate another embodiment of a heating/cooling system; -
FIG. 1H schematically illustrates another embodiment of a heating/cooling system; -
FIG. 2A schematically illustrates an embodiment of a fluid heater/cooler; -
FIG. 2B schematically illustrates an embodiment of a reservoir; -
FIG. 2C schematically illustrates an alternate embodiment of a of a fluid heater/cooler; -
FIG. 2D schematically illustrates an alternate embodiment of a of a fluid heater/cooler; -
FIG. 2E schematically illustrates another embodiment of a fluid heater; -
FIG. 2F schematically illustrates another embodiment of a fluid heater and fluid cooler system; -
FIG. 3A schematically illustrates an embodiment of a pump system; -
FIG. 3B schematically illustrates another embodiment of a pump system; -
FIG. 4A schematically illustrates an embodiment of an applicator pad; -
FIG. 4B schematically illustrates an embodiment of a self-sealing connector for use with the applicator pad ofFIG. 4 , in a detached condition; -
FIG. 4C schematically illustrates the embodiment of a self-sealing connector for use with the applicator pad ofFIG. 4 , in a coupled condition; -
FIG. 4D schematically illustrates the opposites side of an applicator pad; -
FIG. 4E schematically illustrates an embodiment of an insulator strap; -
FIG. 5A andFIG. 5B schematically illustrate two embodiments of an insulated flexible tube for connecting the applicator pad ofFIG. 4 ; -
FIG. 6 is a plan view of a user interface panel for the apparatus; -
FIG. 7A is a flow chart of a method of operating a heating/cooling system; -
FIG. 7B schematically illustrates a heating and cooling ramp. - Embodiments described herein provide to a user a compact and efficient personal heating and cooling system that is more reliable than previous heating and cooling systems. Preferred embodiments are controllable by the user to provide heating, or cooling, or alternate heating and cooling. To that end, illustrative embodiments produce a stream of hot water that is controllable for at least one of its temperature and flow rate, and a stream of cold water that is controllable (independently of the hot stream) for at least one of its temperature and flow rate, and provide heating, cooling, or alternate heating and cooling, by selectively forwarding to an applicator pad one of the hot stream or cold stream, or a mixture of the hot stream and cold stream.
- A first embodiment of a heating/
cooling system 100 is schematically illustrated inFIG. 1A andFIG. 1B . Thesystem 100 includes a fluid heating andcooling assembly 200 that, in operation, heats, cools, or alternately heats and cools a fluid, which fluid is then circulated through anapplicator pad 400, described in more detail below. In preferred embodiments, the fluid is liquid, and is water, but in other embodiments the liquid may be a mix of water and other additives, or a liquid that is not water-based. Several embodiments of a heating andcooling assembly 200 are presented in the figures and described below. - The
system 100 also includes apump assembly 300 that includes at least one pump for driving the fluid from the heating andcooling assembly 200 through theapplicator pad 400 and back to the heating andcooling assembly 200. Several embodiments of apump assembly 300 are presented in the figures and described below. Unless otherwise specified, any embodiment of the heating andcooling assembly 200 will work with, and can be combined in asystem 100 with, any embodiment ofpump assembly 300. -
FIG. 1A schematically illustrates fluid connections between the heating andcooling assembly 200, thepump assembly 300, and theapplicator pad 400. In operation, ahot conduit 122 couples hot fluid produced by the heating andcooling assembly 200 to thepump assembly 300, and acold conduit 123 couples cold fluid produced by the heating andcooling assembly 200 to thepump assembly 300. Hot fluid in thehot conduit 122 may be referred to as a hot stream, and cold fluid in the cold conduit may be referred to as a cold stream. As described in more detail, thepump assembly 300 controllably drives one of the hot stream or the cold stream, or a mixture of both hot stream and cold stream, to theapplicator pad 400 throughpad supply conduit 124. - In preferred embodiments, the
pad supply conduit 124 is removably coupleable to theapplicator pad 400 by a sealingconnector 120. An illustrative embodiment of a sealingconnector 120 is schematically illustrated inFIG. 4B andFIG. 4C . The sealing connector has aconduit connector 450 coupled to thepad supply conduit 124, and apad connector 451 coupled to theinput 412 of theraceway 410 in theapplicator pad 400. In preferred embodiments, such that when theconduit connector 450 is mated to thepad connector 451, the sealingconnector 120 allows fluid to pass from thepad supply conduit 124 to theraceway 410 of theapplicator pad 400 without leaking fluid out or allowing air to enter thepad supply conduit 124 and/orraceway 410. - The
system 100 also includes areturn conduit 131 coupled to theapplicator pad 400 and to the heating andcooling assembly 200. In illustrative embodiments, the return conduit is removably coupleable to anoutput 413 of theraceway 410, and to the heating andcooling assembly 200, and more specifically to both theheater 220 and cooler 240. In preferred embodiments, thepad supply conduit 124 is removably coupleable to theoutput 413 of theraceway 410 by a sealingconnector 135. In preferred embodiments, at least one (and preferably each) of theconnectors - In addition, the
system 100 includes apower supply 110 in power communication with the heating andcooling assembly 200 and thepump assembly 300. Thepower supply 110, the heating andcooling assembly 200, and thepump assembly 300 are each in control communication withcontroller 800. In illustrative embodiments, the operation of thesystem 100 is controllable in one or more modes, under control of thecontroller 800. In preferred embodiments, thecontroller 800 is a BGM11S Blue Gecko System-in-Package Bluetooth Module available from Silicon labs, but in other embodiments thecontroller 800 may be a microcontroller such as the ATtiny88 available from Microchip Technology, Inc., to name but a few examples. -
FIG. 1B schematically illustrates control and sensor connections within thesystem 100. For clarity,FIG. 1B omits the fluid conduits illustrated inFIG. 1A . - In some embodiments, it may be desirable to record the temperature of the fluid at one or more points of the
raceway 410, and/or to control the operation of the heating andcooling system 100 based on one or more such temperature readings. - To that end, in preferred embodiments, the
controller 800 is in sensing communication with one or both ofsupply temperature sensor 125 and returntemperature senor 135. Thesupply temperature sensor 125 is in thermal communication with the fluid supplied to theraceway 410 to measure the temperature of the incoming fluid, and thereturn sensor 135 is in thermal communication with the fluid at theoutput 413 of theraceway 410 to measure the temperature of the fluid leaving theapplicator pad 400 after the fluid has circulated through theraceway 410. - In preferred embodiments, the
controller 800 measures the temperature (Tin) of the fluid at theinput 412 of theraceway 410 and the temperature (Tout) of the fluid at theoutput 413 of theraceway 410, and calculates the average of those temperatures as (Tin−Tout)/2. Thecontroller 800 then uses that average temperature to control the operation of the heating andcooling system 100. Other embodiments may control the operation of the heating and cooling system based on only one of those temperatures (Tin or Tout), or based on the temperature (Tmid) of the fluid in theraceway 410 measured by atemperature sensor 136 disposed at a point of the fluid flow between theinput 412 of theraceway 410 and theoutput 413 of theraceway 410. - The
controller 800 is also in control communication with thepower supply 110, the heating andcooling assembly 200, and thepump assembly 300. As described in more detail below, in various embodiments thecontroller 800 controls thepower supply 110, the heating andcooling assembly 200, and thepump assembly 300 to operate the heating andcooling system 100 in one or more of several operational modes. -
FIG. 1C andFIG. 1D schematically illustrate an embodiment of a heating/cooling system 100, which system includes a heating/cooling apparatus 200 for connection to anapplicator pad 400. The heating/cooling apparatus 200 is designed to pump hot or cold fluid through anoutlet port 302. Returning fluid is received in aninlet port 204. In order to provide hot and a cold fluid, aPeltier device 230, also known as a thermoelectric cooling unit (“TEC”), is sandwiched between acold fluid reservoir 241 and ahot fluid reservoir 221. DC power is provided to thePeltier device 230 from apower supply 110. Thepower supply 110 may be sourced from an AC adaptor or from one or more batteries. - The
hot fluid reservoir 221 is disposed next to the heating side of thePeltier device 230. To help keep the hot fluid from overheating, aheat sink 225 is attached to thehot fluid reservoir 221. In some embodiments, so as to provide additional cooling, afan 226 is attached to theheat sink 225. Control over the rate of heating or cooling can be achieved by switching on or off thefan 226. Further control may be provided if thefan 226 is a variable speed fan that is electronically controlled, for example bycontroller 800. Thecold fluid reservoir 241 is juxtaposed next to the cooling side of thePeltier device 230. On the external side of thecold fluid reservoir 241 an insulation layer 248 is provided to reduce environmental warming of the cooled fluid. In accordance with one embodiment of the reservoirs, they may be provided as a serpentine channel adjacent the Peltier device to promote heating or cooling as the case may be.FIG. 2B shows an example of such aserpentine channel 211 for use as the cold fluid reservoir. Such a channel could similarly be provided as the hot fluid reservoir. When aserpentine channel 211 is active through operation of the associated pump, fluid moves through the serpentine channel providing prolonged exposure to the heating or cooling effects of thePeltier device 230. - In order to move fluid in and out of the apparatus, a
pump heating fluid pump 320 is in fluid communication with an outlet port from thehot fluid reservoir 221. A coolingfluid pump 340 is in fluid communication with an outlet port from thecold fluid reservoir 241. An embodiment of a pump (e.g., 320, 330, 340) may be a centrifugal pump. As an alternative, a diaphragm pump may be used. Each of thepumps outlet port 302. Since the fluid paths coincide atoutlet port 302, a one-way valve 129, such as a check valve, may be disposed in each of thelines cold fluid reservoir 241 and to prevent cold fluid from being pumped backwards into thehot fluid reservoir 221. A unidirectional flow of fluid is desirable. Aninsulated tubing 500 is provided with twoconduits conduit 124 connects to theoutlet port 302 and the other 131 connects to theinlet port 204. At the distal end of each conduit, a self-sealing connector part (451 or 452) is attached. -
FIG. 1E ,FIG. 1F , andFIG. 1G schematically illustrate another embodiment of a heating/cooling system 100. This embodiment includes an independently controllable heater 222 (which may be a Peltier device), and an independentlycontrollable cooler 242, as described below in connection withFIG. 2A . This embodiment also includes an independently controllablehot pump 320, and an independently controllablecold pump 340, as described below in connection withFIG. 3A . Some embodiments include aheat sink 225 coupled to the cooler 242, as shown inFIG. 1F , and some embodiments include afan 226 coupled to the heat sink, as shown inFIG. 1G . -
FIG. 1H schematically illustrates another embodiment of a heating/cooling system 100, in which aPeltier device 222 is disposed between thehot reservoir 221 and aheat sink 225 andfan 226, with the hot side of thePeltier device 222 adjacent to thehot reservoir 221, and the cold side of thePeltier device 222 facing away from thehot reservoir 221 and in thermal communication with theheat sink 225. In operation, thecontroller 800 controls the fan 226 (e.g., on, off, fan speed) to blow air over theheat sink 225 and intocool air conduit 150. Thecool air conduit 150 is in fluid communication with thehousing 101, so as to conduct cool air (i.e., air that has been cooled by the cold side of thePeltier device 222 and the heat sink 225) into an interior of thehousing 101. The flow of such cool air cools circuitry and other components internal to thehousing 101. - In some embodiments, the
heater 222 may be disposed between thehot reservoir 221 and thehousing 101 of thesystem 100. In embodiments that employ a Peltier device as theheater 222, the heating side of the Peltier device faces thehot reservoir 221, and the cold side of the Peltier device faces thehousing 101. Such embodiments cool thehousing 101, and any circuitry within thehousing 101, by exposing thehousing 101 to the cold side of the Peltier device. -
FIG. 2A schematically illustrates an embodiment of a fluid heater and coolingassembly 200 having two thermal-electric devices, a first thermalelectric device 222 disposed to heat all, or a portion of, fluid returning from theapplicator pad 400, and a second thermalelectric device 242 disposed to cool all, or a portion of, fluid returning from theapplicator pad 400. In illustrative embodiments, the first thermalelectric device 222 is a Peltier device, but in other embodiments the thermalelectric device 222 may be only an electric-powered heat source. - In illustrative embodiments, each of the first thermal
electric device 222 and the second thermalelectric device 242 is a Peltier device. As known in the art, a Peltier device has two opposing sides. In operation, when electrical current passes through the Peltier device in a first direction, a first side of the Peltier device gets hot, and the opposite side gets cool. Moreover, when electrical current passes through the Peltier device in the opposite direction (a second direction), the first side of the Peltier device gets cool, and the opposite side gets hot. Consequently, a fluid may be heated by thermally coupling the fluid to a first side of a Peltier device an passing electrical current through the Peltier device in a first direction, and a fluid may be cooled by thermally coupling the fluid to a second side of a Peltier device an passing electrical current through the Peltier device in the second (opposite) direction. - Moreover, the fluid may be alternately heated and cooled by thermally coupling the fluid to a first side of a Peltier device and passing electrical current through the Peltier device in a first direction to heat, and reversing the electrical current to the second direction to cool. However, changing the direction of the electrical current is not preferred because the circuit required to controllably change the direction of the electrical current is more complex than a circuit that supplies current only in a single direction, and because changing the direction of current flow has deleterious effects on the performance of the Peltier device, including undesirably shortening the life span of the Peltier device. For that reason, some applications of Peltier devices avoid abrupt changes of electrical current direction, and instead have an intervening period of no current flow through the Peltier device prior to changing direction. Such an intervening period is undesirable in heating and cooling systems because it delays the change between heating and cooling modes.
- To avoid such problems, the embodiment of
FIG. 2A includes two Peltier devices, 222 and 242. Aheating side 224 of aheating Peltier device 222 is thermally coupled to aheating reservoir 221. Theheating side 224 is determined by the direction of electrical current flow through thePeltier device 222 from heatercurrent source 223. Thecurrent source 223 is part of thepower supply 110, and is in control communication with thecontroller 800. In preferred embodiments, the heatercurrent source 223 is a unidirectional current source. Thecontroller 800 can cause thecurrent source 223 to drive electrical current through thePeltier device 222, modulate the quantity of electrical current flow through thePeltier device 222, and/or withhold electrical current from thePeltier device 222. In operation, fluid within, or flowing through, theheating reservoir 221 is heated by theheating Peltier device 222. - A
cooling side 244 of a coolingPeltier device 242 is thermally coupled to acooling reservoir 242. Thecooling side 244 is determined by the direction of electrical current flow through thePeltier device 242 from coolercurrent source 243. Thecurrent source 243 is part of thepower supply 110, and is in control communication with thecontroller 800. In preferred embodiments, the coolercurrent source 243 is a unidirectional current source. Thecontroller 800 can cause thecurrent source 243 to drive electrical current through thePeltier device 242, modulate the quantity of electrical current flow through thePeltier device 242, and/or withhold electrical current from thePeltier device 242. In operation, fluid within, or flowing through, the coolingreservoir 241 is cooled by the coolingPeltier device 242. - An embodiment of a
reservoir 210, which may be aheating reservoir 221 or acooling reservoir 241, is schematically illustrated inFIG. 2B . Thereservoir 210 has afluid flow channel 211 through abody 215. In preferred embodiments, thefluid flow channel 211 has a serpentine configuration, and thereservoir 210 may be referred to as a “manifold.” In operation, fluid enters thefluid flow channel 211 through areservoir inlet 212 and exits thefluid flow channel 211 through areservoir outlet 213. In some embodiments, ahot reservoir 221 is the base 228 of aheat sink 225. Such a hot reservoir may be fabricated, for example, by machining thefluid flow channel 211 into the base 228 of theheat sink 225. -
FIG. 2C schematically illustrates an embodiment of a single-Peltier device heating andcooling assembly 200. In this embodiment, asingle Peltier device 230 is shared by two reservoirs. Theheating side 231 of the sharedPeltier device 230 is thermally coupled to aheating reservoir 221, and the cooling side 234 of the shared Peltier device is thermally coupled to acooling reservoir 241. - In operation, the shared
Peltier device 230 heats fluid in, or flowing through theheating reservoir 221, and cools fluid flowing through the coolingreservoir 241. The operation of the sharedPeltier device 230 is controlled by thecontroller 800. Thecontroller 800 can cause thecurrent source 233 to drive electrical current through thePeltier device 230, modulate the quantity of electrical current flow through thePeltier device 230, and/or withhold electrical current from thePeltier device 230. - As illustrated in
FIG. 2C , theheating reservoir 221 is in thermal communication with thefull heating side 231 of the sharedPeltier device 230. In this way, all of the heat produced by theheating side 231 of the sharedPeltier device 230 is thermally coupled to theheating reservoir 221. - In some embodiments, however, it may not be desirable to thermally couple all of the heat produced by the
heating side 231 of the sharedPeltier device 230 to theheating reservoir 221. For example, the sharedPeltier device 230 may overheat the fluid if all of the heat produced by the sharedPeltier device 230 is thermally coupled to the fluid. In some such embodiments, as schematically illustrated inFIG. 2D for example, theheating reservoir 221 is offset from the sharedPeltier device 230, so that an exposedportion 232 of theheating side 231 of the sharedPeltier device 230 is not in direct thermal contact with theheating reservoir 221. In such embodiments, heat at the exposed portion of theheating side 231 of the sharedPeltier device 230 radiates into free space, or may be conductively coupled into a heat sink. -
FIG. 2E schematically illustrates an alternate embodiment of a heatsink fluid heater 260 in which liquid in aheating conduit 261 is heated by exposure to aheat sink 225 that is coupled to aheat source 222. Such aheating conduit 261 is an embodiment of ahot reservoir 221. In the illustrative embodiment ofFIG. 2E , theheating conduit 261 is disposed betweenfins 227 of afinned heat sink 225. In particular, in this illustrative embodiment, theheat sink 225 is a finned heat sink, and asegment 263 of theheating conduit 261 is disposed between one set offins 227, andsecond segment 267 of theheating conduit 261 is disposed between a second set offins 227. Each of the twosegments input end 264 of thefirst segment 263 is coupled to returnconduit 131 to receive fluid to be heated, and anoutput end 269 of thesecond segment 267 is coupled tohot supply conduit 122. The remaining ends 265 and 268 of each of the first andsecond segments first segment 263 to thesecond segment 267. In operation liquid fromreturn conduit 131 is heated by heat from theheat sink 225 as it passes through theheating conduit 261, before exiting into thehot supply conduit 122. -
FIG. 2F schematically illustrates an alternate embodiment of a fluid heater and fluid cooler in which aheating Peltier device 222 is sandwiched between ahot reservoir 221 and aheat sink 225 such that the hot side of thePeltier device 222 is adjacent to thehot reservoir 221 and the cold side of the Peltier device is adjacent to theheat sink 225, and a coolingPeltier device 242 is sandwiched between acold reservoir 241 and theheat sink 225 such that the cold side of thePeltier device 242 is adjacent to thecold reservoir 241 and the hot side of thePeltier device 242 is adjacent to theheat sink 225. In some embodiments, afan 226 under control of thecontroller 800 blows air across thefins 227 of theheat sink 225. In these embodiments, heat generated by the coolingPeltier device 242 is conducted to theheat sink 225, and some of that heat is dissipated to the environment by theheat sink 225. Further, some heat generated by the coolingPeltier device 242 is conducted to the cold side of theheating Peltier device 222. In other words, when theheating Peltier device 222 is powered, the cold side of theheating Peltier device 222 cools theheat sink 225 directly, thereby absorbing some of the heat generated by the coolingPeltier device 242. -
FIG. 3A andFIG. 3B schematically illustrates embodiments of apump assembly 300, each of which produces an independently controllable stream of hot fluid and an independently controllable stream of cold fluid. In other words, the respective flow rates of the stream of hot fluid and the stream of cold fluid is controllable independently of one another. -
FIG. 3A schematically illustrates an embodiment of apump assembly 300 having two pumps, 320 340, each of which is independently under the control ofcontroller 800. - The
hot conduit 122 delivers to thehot pump 320 hot fluid from the heating andcooling assembly 200, and thecold conduit 123 deliver to thecold pump 340 cold fluid from the heating andcooling assembly 200. In operation, thecontroller 800 causes thehot pump 320 to drive hot fluid to theapplicator pad 400 when thesystem 100 is in a heating mode, and causes thecold pump 340 drive cold fluid to theapplicator pad 400 when thesystem 100 is in a cooling mode. In some embodiments, thepump assembly 300 may drive to theapplicator pad 400 fluid having a temperature between the temperature of the hot fluid and the temperature of the cold fluid by causing each of thepumps applicator pad 400. In such embodiments, hot fluid driven byhot pump 320 mixes, in thepad supply conduit 124 and/or in thepad 400, with cold fluid driven by thecold pump 340. Some embodiments gradually change the temperature of fluid supplied to theapplicator pad 400 by gradually changing the amount of fluid driven by thehot pump 320 and thecold pump 340. For example, to increase the temperature of fluid supplied to theapplicator pad 400, the quantity of fluid driven by thecold pump 340 may be decreased while the quantity of fluid driven by thehot pump 320 is increased. Similarly, to decrease the temperature of fluid supplied to theapplicator pad 400, the quantity of fluid driven by thehot pump 320 may be decreased while the quantity of fluid driven by thecold pump 340 is increased. -
FIG. 3B schematically illustrates another embodiment of a pump system having asingle pump 330 andcontrollable valves controller 800. In some embodiments, one or both of thecontrollable valves controllable valves - The
hot conduit 122 delivers to thehot valve 331 hot fluid from the heating andcooling assembly 200, and thecold conduit 123 delivers to thecold valve 332 cold fluid from the heating andcooling assembly 200. In operation, thecontroller 800 causes thehot valve 331 to pass hot fluid to the sharedpump 330 when thesystem 100 is in a heating mode, and causes thecold valve 332 to pass cold fluid to the sharedpump 330 when thesystem 100 is in a cooling mode. In some embodiments, the pump assembly may drive to theapplicator pad 400 fluid having a temperature between the temperature of the hot fluid and the temperature of the cold fluid by causing each of thevalves pump 330, whereby the sharedpump 330 drives a mixture of hot and cold fluid to theapplicator pad 400. Some embodiments gradually change the temperature of fluid supplied to theapplicator pad 400 by gradually changing the amount of the hot fluid and cold fluid supplied to and driven by the sharedpump 330. For example, to increase the temperature of fluid supplied to theapplicator pad 400, the quantity of fluid passed by thecold valve 332 to the shared pump may be decreased while the quantity of fluid passed by thehot valve 331 to the sharedpump 330 is increased. Similarly, to decrease the temperature of fluid supplied to theapplicator pad 400, the quantity of fluid passed by thehot valve 331 320 may be decreased while the quantity of fluid passed by thecold valve 332 is increased. -
FIG. 4A schematically illustrates an embodiment of anapplicator pad 400. Theapplicator pad 400 is flexible so that it may better conform to a body area being treated with the hot or cold therapy. A myriad of geometries ofapplicator pad 400 can be created to confirm to different body areas, and the disclosure herein is applicable to all such geometries. The figures inFIG. 4A ,FIG. 4B ,FIG. 4C andFIG. 4A are merely illustrative. A continuous liquid flow channel 410 (which may be referred to as a raceway) extends over almost the entire area of thepad 400. Thechannel 410 may be made by elongated tubing or by a use of a mold with two sheets of TPU (thermal polyurethane) or other suitable flexible plastic. Athermal insulation layer 405 extends over thenon-treating side 403 of thepad 400, as schematically illustrated inFIG. 4D . Theapplication side 402 of thepad 400 applies the heat or the cooling of the fluid in theflow channel 410 directly to the body area being treated. A self-sealingconnector 451 is attached at each of theinlet end 412 and anoutlet end 413 end of theliquid flow channel 410. The self-sealingconnector parts flexible tubing 500 are configured for making a mating connection. One of the mating connectors is in a male configuration and the other is a female configuration as shown inFIG. 4B andFIG. 4C . By including self-sealingconnectors 450 in this way, theapplicator pad 400 can be provided or sold with thechannel 410 filled withliquid 420. When theconduits flexible tubing 500 are similarly filled with liquid, connection can be made between theflexible tubing 500 and theapplicator pad 400 without introducing troublesome air bubbles in thelines channel 410, or allowing the fluid 420 to escape. Connection is therefore made simply without need for priming the continuousliquid flow channel 410. -
FIG. 4B schematically illustrates an embodiment of a valved connector, which in this embodiments is a self-sealingconnector 450 for use with the applicator pad ofFIG. 4 and as thesupply connector 120 and thereturn connector 130 in the apparatus ofFIG. 1A andFIG. 1B in which amale mating connector 451 and afemale mating connector 452 are schematically illustrated in a detached condition. In this condition, each of themale mating connector 451 and afemale mating connector 452 is sealed, so that no fluid can pass. -
FIG. 4C schematically illustrates the embodiment of a self-sealingconnector 450 in which amale mating connector 451 and afemale mating connector 452 are schematically illustrated in an attached condition. In this condition, themale mating connector 451 andfemale mating connector 452 form a passage through which fluid may flow without leaking out of a conduit orpad 400. -
FIG. 4E schematically illustrates an embodiment of aninsulator apparatus 460 that insulates the applicator pad to mitigate heat loss from fluid in thepad 400, or heat gain to fluid in thepad 400, in some embodiments, helps hold anapplicator pad 400 to a user. Theinsulator apparatus 460 includes astrap 461 that may be secured around a part of the user, such a limb for example. In some embodiments, the opposing ends 462 of thestrap 461 couple to one another to secure the strap in position. To that end, in some embodiments, theend 462 is a buckle or other fastening device. In other embodiments, thestrap 461 is a hook and loop material (e.g., Velcro), and the ends of thestrap 461 secure theinsulator apparatus 460 by coupling to one another, or to an opposing hook and loop material on thepad 400, in ways known for hook and loop materials. In preferred embodiments, the insulator strap includes aninsulator pad 465. In use, theinsulator pad 465 is positioned adjacent to theapplicator pad 400, as shown inFIG. 4E . More specifically, theinsulator pad 465 is secured adjacent to thenon-treating side 403 of thepad 400, to provide insulation against heating and/or cooling of fluid within thepad 400 from the environment or other heat source external to thepad 400. Theinsulator apparatus 460 is also removable. Theinsulator apparatus 460 may be described as including aninsulator pad 465, and asecurable strap 461 coupled to theinsulator pad 465 and configured to secure theinsulator pad 465 against theflexible applicator pad 400, for example when the applicator pad is secured to a user. -
FIG. 5A schematically illustrates an embodiment of aflexible tube 500 for connecting theapplicator pad 400 ofFIG. 4 to the apparatus ofFIG. 1A andFIG. 1B . Thetube 500 includes asupply conduit 124 and areturn conduit 131 coupled together by a joint 515. -
FIG. 5B schematically illustrates another embodiment of aflexible tube 500 for connecting theapplicator pad 400 ofFIG. 4 to the apparatus ofFIG. 1A andFIG. 1B . Thetube 500 includes asupply conduit 124 and areturn conduit 131 coupled within asheathing 525. In preferred embodiments, the sheathing 252 is a webbed sheathing. - In preferred embodiments of
flexible tube 500, at least one and preferably both of thesupply conduit 124 and areturn conduit 131 is insulated to mitigate loss of heat from hot fluid, and warming of cold fluid, which loss of heat or warming may occur to or from the environment surrounding theflexible tube 500, and/or to or from theadjacent conduit 121 or 131, respectively. -
FIG. 6 is a plan view of auser interface 600 for theapparatus 100 ofFIG. 1A andFIG. 1B . In some embodiments, theuser interface 600 is aphysical panel 601 on the exterior of theapparatus 100. Alternatively, it may be a virtual control panel displayed on ascreen 610 on the exterior of theapparatus 100. In some embodiments, thecontrol panel 600 may be part of a remote control apparatus 660 (seeFIG. 1B ), which may be connected wirelessly or through a wire. A wireless connection may be through a protocol such as Bluetooth. Theremote control 660 can be a dedicated controller or may be provided as an application (or “app”) on a smartphone, a personal assistant or other computer device. Activation of a control may be manual or voice activated. - The
user interface 600 has one or more control features, such as buttons or icons, by which the user may control theapparatus 100. - In preferred embodiments, the
user interface 600 includes apower control feature 610 by the user may turn theapparatus 100 on and off. - Illustrative embodiments also include a
heat control feature 620, by which the user can control the temperature of the hot fluid circulated to thepad 400. For example, illustrative embodiments allow the user to set the temperature of the hot fluid to any of several temperatures, such as low, medium, or high, by reputedly pressing or activating theheat control feature 620. The setting selected by the user may be indicated by the lighting of one or more of thelights - Illustrative embodiments also include a
cold control feature 630, by which the user can control the temperature of the cooling fluid circulated to thepad 400. For example, illustrative embodiments allow the user to set the temperature of the cold fluid to any of several temperatures, such as low, medium, or high, by reputedly pressing or activating theheat control feature 630. The setting selected by the user may be indicated by the lighting of one or more of thelights control feature 630 allows a user to set the temperature of fluid supplied to thepad 400 to any temperature within the range of hot and cold temperatures capable of being produced by theapparatus 100. For example, in such embodiments, thecontrol feature 630 may be a turnable knob, or a slider, to name but a few examples. - Preferred embodiments include a contrast therapy (or “Hot/Cold”)
control feature 640 by which a user may control theapparatus 100 to alternately apply hot therapy and cold therapy by switching between the supply of hot fluid and cold fluid. -
FIG. 7A is a flow chart of embodiments of methods of operating a heating/cooling system 100. Thecontrol electronics 800 allows the user to select hot, cold or contrast therapies. A contrast therapy calls for alternating between cold and hot at designated intervals. By making hot and cold fluid reservoirs independently available (e.g., by providing independently-controllable pumps controllable valves applicator pad 400 to the desired level. In an illustrative embodiment, when cold fluid is called for the coldfluid pump 340 is switched on and theheating fluid pump 320 is switched off. Cold temperature is adjusted by turning on or off the Peltier device that cools the liquid (e.g., 242; 230). Cooling can also be facilitated by turning on or increasing the speed offan 226. When the fluid in thecold reservoir 241 has been sufficiently cooled by the Peltier device for use, anindicator light 650 illuminates. The control electronics maintains the desired temperature by monitoring the first and second temperature sensors (125, 135). Thus, the temperature can be automatically adjusted to any level. - The method begins as
step 710, at which the user powers-up thesystem 100, including the one or more Peltier devices (222, 242) andfan 226. - At
step 720, the user selects an operating mode, for example a heating mode by activating theheat control feature 620, a cooling mode by activating thecold control feature 630, or the hot/cold mode by activating the hot/cold control feature 640. - When the user selects the heating mode, the method follows
branch 730 of the flow chart. Atstep 731, the user selects the desired hot temperature, and thesystem 100 begins circulating hot fluid through theapplicator pad 400. Atstep 741, the system measures the temperature of the fluid circulating through theapplicator pad 400. In preferred embodiments, the system measures the temperature of the fluid both at theinput 412 andoutlet 413 of theapplicator pad 400, and determines the temperature of the fluid as the average of those two measurements. The inventors have found that measuring the fluid temperature in that way provides a more reliable indication of the temperature of the fluid circulating within theapplicator pad 400. Other embodiments, however, measure the temperature of the fluid either at theinput 412 oroutput 413. The method assesses the measured fluid temperature to detect whether the fluid temperature exceeds the selected temperature (too high), or is below the selected temperature (too low). - When the temperature is too high, the method responds to cool the fluid. To that end, the method may reduce or stop the current flow supplied to the
heater 221 heating the fluid (step 742), and/or may turn on the fan 226 (step 743). Some embodiments may also switch to thecooling mode 750 atstep 747, at least until the fluid temperature returns to the selected temperature. - When the temperature is too low, the method responds to heat the fluid. To that end, the method may increase the current flow supplied to the
heater 222 heating the fluid (step 745), and/or may turn off the fan 226 (step 746). - When the user selects the cooling mode, the method follows
branch 750 of the flow chart. At step 751, the user selects the desired cold temperature, and thesystem 100 begins circulating hot water through theapplicator pad 400. Atstep 761, thesystem 100 measures the temperature of the fluid circulating through theapplicator pad 400. As described above, in preferred embodiments, the system measures the temperature of the fluid both at theinput 412 andoutlet 413 of theapplicator pad 400, and determines the temperature of the fluid as the average of those two measurements, but other embodiments measure the fluid temperature at only a single point. - When the temperature is too high, the method responds to cool the fluid. To that end, the method may reduce or stop the current flow supplied to the
Peltier device 242 that is cooling the fluid (step 762). - When the temperature is too low, the method responds to heat the fluid. To that end, the method may decrease the current flow supplied to the
Peltier device 242 or turn off or reduce the speed of thefan 226, thereby cooling the fluid (step 765). - Some embodiments may also switch to the
warming mode 730 atstep 767, at least until the fluid temperature returns to the selected temperature. - When the user selects the hot/cold mode (or “contrast therapy” mode), the method follows
branch 770 of the flow chart. In the hot/cold mode, thesystem 100 alternates between a heating mode described above, and the cooling mode described above. Preferred embodiments repeat that alternating cycle a set number of times, atstep 787. -
FIG. 7B schematically illustrates a heating and cooling ramp cycle. In hot/cold mode 770, the system alternates betweenheating mode 730 andcooling mode 750, as illustrated by temperature profile 790. In an illustrative embodiment, the system begins at a cold temperature indicated by point 791 on the temperature axis. In preferred embodiments, the system increases the temperature of fluid applied to theapplicator pad 400 up through a moderate orembedment temperature 792, and then on to thehot temperature 793. Thesystem 100 may cause thiswarming ramp 794 by changing the mix of hot fluid and cold fluid supplied by thepump assembly 300 to theapplicator pad 400 to gradually include more hot fluid and less cold fluid. - The
warming ramp 794 extends between time T0 and time T1. That time span is sufficiently long so that the change of temperature does not seem abrupt or uncomfortable for the user. For example, in illustrative embodiments, the time between T0 and T1 is one minute. - The cycle then holds the temperature at the
hot temperature 793 for aheating period 795 between time T1 and time T3. In this illustrative embodiment, the heating period may be 5 minutes. - Next, the cycle decreases the temperature from the
hot temperature 793, down through the moderate orembedment temperature 792, and on to the cold temperature 791. Thesystem 100 may cause thiscooling ramp 796 by changing the mix of hot fluid and cold fluid supplied by thepump assembly 300 to theapplicator pad 400 to gradually include more cold fluid and less hot fluid. - The
cooling ramp 796 extends between time T2 and time T3. That time span is sufficiently long so that the change of temperature does not seem abrupt or uncomfortable for the user. For example, in illustrative embodiments, the time between T2 and T3 is one minute. - The cycle then holds the temperature at the cold temperature 791 for a
cooling period 797 between time T3 and time T4. In this illustrative embodiment, the cooling period may be 5 minutes. - Various embodiments of the present invention may be characterized by the potential claims listed in the paragraphs following this paragraph (and before the actual claims provided at the end of this application). These potential claims form a part of the written description of this application. Accordingly, subject matter of the following potential claims may be presented as actual claims in later proceedings involving this application or any application claiming priority based on this application. Inclusion of such potential claims should not be construed to mean that the actual claims do not cover the subject matter of the potential claims. Thus, a decision to not present these potential claims in later proceedings should not be construed as a donation of the subject matter to the public.
- Without limitation, potential subject matter that may be claimed (prefaced with the letter “P” so as to avoid confusion with the actual claims presented below) includes:
- P1: An electrical cooling/heating system including a heating and cooling assembly having a return fluid input; a hot fluid output and a cold fluid output; a pump assembly having a fluid interface disposed to receive hot fluid from the hot fluid output and cold fluid from the cold fluid output (in some embodiments, the fluid interface includes a hot fluid input in fluid communication with the hot fluid output, and a cold fluid input in fluid communication with the cold fluid output), and a pump output.
- P2: The electrical cooling/heating system of P1, further including a flexible pad having an application side, an insulation side and a continuous liquid flow channel, the channel having an inlet configured to sealingly couple to the pump output, and an outlet configured to sealingly couple to the return fluid input.
- P3: The electrical cooling/heating system of P1, further including a flexible pad having an application side, an insulation side and a continuous liquid flow channel, the channel having an inlet in fluid communication with the pump output, and an outlet configured in fluid communication with the return fluid input.
- P4: The electrical cooling/heating system of P1, wherein the heating and cooling assembly includes:
- a hot fluid reservoir having a hot return inlet coupled to the return fluid input, and a first output coupled to the hot fluid output;
- a cold fluid reservoir separate from the hot fluid reservoir, the cold fluid reservoir having a cold return inlet coupled to the return fluid input, and a second output coupled to the cold fluid output;
- a shared Peltier device having a heating side and a cooling side, the cooling side in thermal communication with the cold fluid reservoir, and the heating side in thermal communication with the hot fluid reservoir.
- P5: The electrical cooling/heating system of P1, wherein the heating and cooling assembly includes:
- a hot fluid reservoir having a hot return inlet coupled to the return fluid input, and a first output coupled to the hot fluid output;
- a heating Peltier device having a heating side in thermal communication with the hot fluid reservoir;
- a cold fluid reservoir separate from the hot fluid reservoir, the cold fluid reservoir having a cold return inlet coupled to the return fluid input, and a second output coupled to the cold fluid output;
- a cooling Peltier device having a cooling side in thermal communication with the cold fluid reservoir.
- P6: The electrical cooling/heating system of P1, wherein the pump assembly includes:
- a controllable hot pump having the hot fluid input in fluid communication with the hot fluid output, a hot pump outlet; in fluid communication with the pump output; and
- a controllable cold pump having the cold fluid input in fluid communication with the cold fluid output, and a cold pump outlet in fluid communication with the pump output,
- wherein the cold pump is controllable independently of the hot pump, and wherein the pump output is fed from each of the cold pump and the hot pump.
- P7: The electrical cooling/heating system of P1, wherein the pump assembly includes:
- a shared pump having a pump input and a pump output;
- a hot controllable valve fluidly coupled between the hot fluid output and the pump input; and
- a cold controllable valve fluidly coupled between the cold fluid output and the pump input;
- wherein the hot controllable valve is controllable independently of the cold controllable valve, and wherein the shared pump drives both hot fluid supplied through the hot controllable valve, and cold fluid supplied through the cold fluid valve.
- The following reference numbers are used in the foregoing description.
- 100: Heating and cooling system;
- 101: Housing;
- 110: Power supply;
- 120: Supply connector;
- 122: Hot supply conduit;
- 123: Cold supply conduit;
- 124: Pad supply conduit;
- 125: Supply temperature sensor;
- 129: One way valve or check valve;
- 130: Return connector;
- 131: Return conduit;
- 135: Return temperature sensor;
- 136: Intra-channel temperature sensor;
- 150: Cool air conduit;
- 200: Fluid Heater/Cooler system
- 204: Return inlet;
- 210: Reservoir;
- 211: Reservoir channel;
- 220: Fluid heater;
- 221: Hot reservoir;
- 222: Heater (for example, a Peltier device);
- 223: Heater current source;
- 225: Heat sink;
- 226: Fan;
- 227: Heat sink fin;
- 228: Heat sink base;
- 230: Shared heating and cooling device;
- 231: Heating side;
- 232: Exposed portion;
- 233: Shared current source;
- 234: Cooling side;
- 240: Fluid cooler;
- 241: Cold reservoir;
- 242: Cooler device;
- 243: Cooler current source;
- 248: Insulation layer;
- 260: Heat sink fluid heater;
- 261: Heating conduit;
- 263: First segment of heating conduit;
- 264: Input end of first segment;
- 265: Output end of first segment;
- 266: Fluid connector;
- 267: Second segment of heating conduit;
- 268: Input end of second segment;
- 269 Output end of second segment;
-
- 300: Pump system;
- 301: Pump assembly input interface;
- 302: Pump assembly output;
- 320: Hot pump;
- 330: Shared pump;
- 331: Hot valve;
- 332: Cold valve;
- 340: Cold pump;
- 400: Applicator pad;
- 402: Application side of applicator pad;
- 403: Non-treating side of applicator pad;
- 405: Thermal insulation layer;
- 410: Raceway;
- 412: Raceway input;
- 413: Raceway output;
- 420: Fluid (e.g., liquid) sealed within raceway;
- 451: First self-sealing, mateable connector;
- 452: Second self-sealing, mateable connector;
- 460: Insulator apparatus;
- 461: Strap;
- 462: End of strap;
- 465: Insulator pad;
- 500: Flexible tube;
- 515: Joint;
- 525: Sheathing;
- 600: User interface;
- 601: Control panel;
- 610: Power selector;
- 620: Heat mode selector;
- 621-623: Heat setting lights;
- 630: Cold mode selector;
- 631-633: Cold setting lights;
- 640: Hot/cold mode selector;
- 650: Temperature indicator light;
- 660: Remote control;
- The embodiments of the invention described above are intended to be merely exemplary; numerous variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All such variations and modifications are intended to be within the scope of the present invention as defined in any appended claims.
Claims (20)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US16/452,943 US20200008975A1 (en) | 2018-07-05 | 2019-06-26 | Heating/Cooling Therapy System |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201862694281P | 2018-07-05 | 2018-07-05 | |
US16/116,316 US10350108B1 (en) | 2018-07-05 | 2018-08-29 | Heating/cooling therapy system |
US16/452,943 US20200008975A1 (en) | 2018-07-05 | 2019-06-26 | Heating/Cooling Therapy System |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US16/116,316 Continuation US10350108B1 (en) | 2018-07-05 | 2018-08-29 | Heating/cooling therapy system |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20200008975A1 true US20200008975A1 (en) | 2020-01-09 |
Family
ID=67220431
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US16/116,316 Active US10350108B1 (en) | 2018-07-05 | 2018-08-29 | Heating/cooling therapy system |
US16/452,943 Abandoned US20200008975A1 (en) | 2018-07-05 | 2019-06-26 | Heating/Cooling Therapy System |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US16/116,316 Active US10350108B1 (en) | 2018-07-05 | 2018-08-29 | Heating/cooling therapy system |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US10350108B1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2020009779A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
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EP4215168A1 (en) * | 2022-01-24 | 2023-07-26 | Chin-Hwa Hwang | Cold/hot compress strip device with quick replaceable compress strip and efficient cold/hot switch |
EP4215169A1 (en) * | 2022-01-24 | 2023-07-26 | Chin-Hwa Hwang | Cold/hot compress device with efficient cold/hot switch and quick compress strip replacement |
IT202200007214A1 (en) * | 2022-04-12 | 2023-10-12 | Braga Carlo | EQUIPMENT FOR EXOGENOUS THERMOTHERAPY. |
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US11883606B2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2024-01-30 | Sleep Solutions Inc. | Stress reduction and sleep promotion system |
US11633053B2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2023-04-25 | Sleepme Inc. | Weighted blanket with thermally regulated fluid |
US11896774B2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2024-02-13 | Sleep Solutions Inc. | System for enhancing sleep recovery and promoting weight loss |
US11602611B2 (en) | 2013-03-15 | 2023-03-14 | Sleepme Inc. | System for enhancing sleep recovery and promoting weight loss |
US11638675B2 (en) * | 2018-11-07 | 2023-05-02 | Zenith Technical Innovations, Llc | System and method for heat or cold therapy and compression therapy |
US20210059854A1 (en) * | 2019-09-03 | 2021-03-04 | Purdue Research Foundation | Portable Thermal Therapy System |
DE202019004595U1 (en) * | 2019-11-11 | 2021-02-12 | Hilotherm Holding Ag | Medical temperature control device |
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-
2018
- 2018-08-29 US US16/116,316 patent/US10350108B1/en active Active
-
2019
- 2019-06-07 WO PCT/US2019/035964 patent/WO2020009779A1/en active Application Filing
- 2019-06-26 US US16/452,943 patent/US20200008975A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP4215168A1 (en) * | 2022-01-24 | 2023-07-26 | Chin-Hwa Hwang | Cold/hot compress strip device with quick replaceable compress strip and efficient cold/hot switch |
EP4215169A1 (en) * | 2022-01-24 | 2023-07-26 | Chin-Hwa Hwang | Cold/hot compress device with efficient cold/hot switch and quick compress strip replacement |
IT202200007214A1 (en) * | 2022-04-12 | 2023-10-12 | Braga Carlo | EQUIPMENT FOR EXOGENOUS THERMOTHERAPY. |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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US10350108B1 (en) | 2019-07-16 |
WO2020009779A1 (en) | 2020-01-09 |
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