Surgery: light – thermal – and electrical application – Light – thermal – and electrical application – Thermal applicators
Patent
1998-03-25
1999-07-27
Leubecker, John P.
Surgery: light, thermal, and electrical application
Light, thermal, and electrical application
Thermal applicators
607 96, A61F 702
Patent
active
059282738
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a device for regulating the temperature of skin parts of the human body comprising a cushion which can be put on the body and which comprises a liquid channel system having an inlet opening and an outlet opening, a forward flow line connected to the inlet opening, a return flow line connected to the outlet opening, further comprising a supply device provided with a heat-insulated box comprising a cover and a pump connected at it's suction side to the interior of the box, and a supply connection connected to the pump, the supply connection connectable to the forward flow line and means connecting the return flow line to the box.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Devices of this kind are known from the WO 95/10251, EP-0039443, U.S. Pat. No. 5,411,541, U.S. Pat. No. 3,807,939, U.S. Pat. No. 5,190,033, DE-3505274. Disadvantageous in the published suggestions is the fact, that only one therapy cushion can be connected with the supply device. In practice there is an urgent need to treat several distanced skin surfaces of the patients with heat and/or cold at the same time. According to the state of the art each cushion would afford an own supply device. Another possibility would be a common forward flow line and a common return flow line for a plurality of cushions with built-in T-junctions. The disadvantage of this possibility would be the fact, that the individual cushions cannot be regulated individually.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Main object of the invention is to provide a temperature regulating device of the kind mentioned at the beginning, whereby several therapy cushions can be operated by one supply device with temperature regulated liquid and nevertheless individual supply of the cushions with temperature regulated liquid should be possible.
According to an embodiment of the invention the shut-off valves are designed as metering valves, which are assigned to the forward flow lines. The respective shut-off valves can be opened sensitively or continuously, thus the individual cushions can be supplied with different amounts of heat or cold per unit of time. Thereby a differing temperature adjustment for the cushions is indirectly possible. Preferably in the peripheral area of the box the cover of the supply device provides a number of openings equal to the number of supply connections, whereby the openings each show a cross-section minimum equal to the outer cross-section of the return flow lines, so that the return flow lines are easily insertable into the box via the openings. The return flow lines then empty off directly into the box.
As an alternative solution within the bounds of the invention the shut-off valves during coupling of the foward flow lines are designed as automatically opening check valves.
An important development of the invention is, that the liquid channel systems of the several cushions show flow resistances, which are at least nearly proportional to the surfaces of the cushions. Thereby it is managed that in small cushions--i.e. nose- or cheek-cushions--the flow cross-sections are smaller than in large surface cushions--i.e. tigh bandages--thus also the liquid flow rates are at least nearly proportional to the respective cushion sizes.
The invention furthermore provides a coupling device for connecting a coupling part of a double hose line, comprising an inner and an outer hose, with a supply connection. These coupling devices are especially advantageous for connecting the therapy cushions, because each cushion only affords one coupling device which connects the forward flow line as well as the return flow line with the supply device, thus a false connection of the lines is avoided. This coupling device can also be used for the connection of a cushion with the forward and return flow lines, so that double hose lines of differing length can be used, and it is also possible to connect double hose lines with one another or with devices.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention is described in detail for instance in connection
REFERENCES:
patent: 3606890 (1971-09-01), Gilbert
patent: 5411541 (1995-05-01), Bell et al.
Leubecker John P.
Schmidt & Lenhardt OHG
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