Surgery: light – thermal – and electrical application – Light – thermal – and electrical application – Thermal applicators
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-19
2001-05-22
Leubecker, John P. (Department: 3739)
Surgery: light, thermal, and electrical application
Light, thermal, and electrical application
Thermal applicators
C607S112000, C607S099000, C607S098000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06235049
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART
The present invention relates to a device for heat treatment of a body part, comprising a heating element and means for holding the heating element against the body part to be heat-treated.
It is known to use heat for the treatment of infections, muscular ache and different deceases, such as fibromyalgia and rheumatism. Thereby, heat baths and different types of heating pads and the like are used. Such known heat pads often have the disadvantage that they are ungainly and not suitable to be carried against the body, if the patient wants to move. The freedom of movement of the patients is therefore very restricted and this makes the possibilities of the treatment of patients during a longer time period more difficult. A common type of heating pad is intended to be placed in a bed and presupposes that the patient is lying down during the treatment.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,108,596 shows a heating pad comprising an embodied electric heating coil. This is intended to be energized by means of a battery with a relatively low voltage so that it may be attached close to the skin without risk of electrical shocks. The heating pad is intended to be attached against the body by means of elastic bands or the like.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,467,447 shows a liquid container in the shape of a bottle having a concave shape and which may be attached to cover, for example, a portion of the upper arm. Furthermore, the bottle comprises strings by which it may be fastened to said portion of the upper arm. Furthermore, the bottle comprises an electric heating element for heating of the liquid enclosed in the bottle. The bottle is manufactured in a material being flexible per se, such as rubber, but it has a relatively stiff shape, and therefore it may not be suited in a flexible way to different body parts or to different individuals.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,073,688 shows a blanket with an embodied heating coil. This consists of either an electric wire or a tubular conduit for transportation of a heated liquid.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,628,930 shows a heating pad comprising an electric heating coil for heating of the lower abdomen. The heating pad consists of a part of a pair of briefs which, consequently, function as an attachment member for holding the heating pad against the lower abdomen. The power for the heating coil is intended to be supplied by means of a battery provided in the briefs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to remedy the above-mentioned problems and provide a device for heat treatment which may be carried by a patient without restricting the freedom of movement of the patient.
This object is achieved by the device initially defined and characterized in that the heating element comprises a plurality of separate heating cells and is flexible in such a manner that it may be adapted to abut said body part. By being constructed of a plurality of separate cells, the heating element is more flexible and bendable, and may, consequently, in a simple way be bent and shaped to abut a great portion of the surface of the body part to be heat-treated.
According to one embodiment of the invention, essentially each heating cell comprises a heating member and means for heat storage. Thereby, a more uniform distribution of the heat may be provided. Even if the supply of electric current occasionally is missing, the treatment does not need to be interrupted. Thereby, the heating member may comprise an electric heating coil. By such a device, an effective heating may be provided either by the network or by means of electric batteries. Furthermore, the heat storage means may comprise a liquid, for example at least any one of water, a mixture comprising glycerol, a mixture comprising oil or any oil-like substance, and a salt solution. Such a liquid also contributes to the possibility of the relatively concentrated heat from the electric coil being distributed to a greater area. Advantageously, essentially each heating cell forms an essentially closed inner space, in which the heat storage means is enclosed.
According to another embodiment of the invention, essentially each heating cell comprises a wall, which defines the inner space and which is manufactured of a flexible material. Thereby, the heating cells do not need to be absolutely stiff but they may be adapted to the body part they are to abut.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the heating cells are connected to each other by a flexible connection. According to another embodiment, the heating element comprises an extensible, flexible support member, to which the heating cells are provided. Thereby, the support member may advantageously comprise said flexible connection. Furthermore, the heating cells may be provided on the support member side by side with an interspace between adjacent heating cells. In such a way, a high flexibility of the heating element is obtained.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, said holding means comprises an extensible, flexible material, for example fabric, at which the support member is arranged to be attached by a hook-and-loop attachment member, for example a VELCRO connection. Advantageously, the flexible material of the holding means may have a shape adapted to the body part, to which the heating element is to be applied. Consequently, one and the same heating element may be used together with different attachment means for the treatment of different body parts.
According to another embodiment of the invention, said holding means comprises at least one locking element intended to extend around said body part. Thereby, the locking member may be arranged to be locked releasably, using a hook-and-loop fastener for example by means of a VELCRO-connection.
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http://www.birch.net/~swtech/Therapy.htm.
Leubecker John P.
Michaelson Peter L.
Michaelson & Wallace
Ram Jocelyn Debra
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