System for providing thermal application to external body areas

Details System for providing thermal application to external body areas System for providing thermal application to external body areas

1998-08-06

2000-06-13

Dvorak, Linda C. M.

Surgery: light, thermal, and electrical application

Light, thermal, and electrical application

Thermal applicators

607111, 607112, 607114, A61F 700

Patent

active

060744146

ABSTRACT:
A thermal applicator for medical use which is worn upon or applied directly to the body of a patient to modify its temperature for therapeutic treatment. The preferred embodiment of the present invention contemplates the utilization of a heat pipe having first and second ends and a length, the first and second ends communicating with first and second thermally conductive plates, respectively, the first thermally conductive plate configured to communicate with an exterior portion of the body of the patient and to provide localized thermal treatment, the second thermally conductive plate placed at an area removed from the area to be treated, and configured to accept, for example, an ice pack (or other thermal material or apparatus) to affect a change in the temperature of the second thermally conductive plate, cooling the second end of the heat pipe and allowing the heat pipe to cool the first thermally conductive plate, thereby providing localized cooling of the area to which it is applied. An alternative embodiment of the invention contemplates a heat source in lieu of the ice pack, wherein the second thermally conductive plate would function as an evaporator, thereby providing a reverse cycle in the heat pipe, for heating the area to be treated via the first thermally conductive plate. The present invention may be utilized for localized thermal application on various parts of the body, and several examples are illustrated, including an exemplary system to treat plantar fasciitis.

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Brown Medical Industries Heel Huggers solication; Brown Medical Industries Homepage; on the Internet Sep. 23, 1996.
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Warren, Barbara L.; Plantar Faciitis in Runners. .; Sports Medicine Oct. 5, 1990; pp. 338-345.
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Hough, David; Ice is Important for Curing Injuries; Mississippi State University homepage www.educ.msu.edu; Spotlight, Fall, 1994.

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