Surgery: light – thermal – and electrical application – Light – thermal – and electrical application – Thermal applicators
Utility Patent
1999-03-24
2001-01-02
Dvorak, Linda C. M. (Department: 3739)
Surgery: light, thermal, and electrical application
Light, thermal, and electrical application
Thermal applicators
C607S108000
Utility Patent
active
06168613
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a thermal compress and holder having separate chambers for holding a thermal compress, preferably in the shape of a novelty character and for inserting the user's hand. The holder allows the user to position the thermal compress over a site of injury while protecting the user's hand and the injury site from direct contact with the hot or cold compress.
2. Description of the Related Art
Thermal compresses including a plastic envelope containing a gel capable of maintaining gel-like properties over a wide temperature range are known in the art. Thermal compresses capable of withstanding heating by microwave are also known as evidenced by U.S. Pat. No. 4,756,311. Thermal compresses which are chilled in a freezer and which provide prolonged cooling are also known, and have been made in a variety of shapes, including novelty animal shapes. Instant hot or cold packs in which a chemical reaction creates the temperature change are also known as evidenced by U.S. Pat. No. 4,462,224. These thermal compresses are characterized in that no outside heat or cold source is required, and are generally single-use items because the chemical reaction is not reversible.
In use, conventional thermal compresses are placed on the site of injury and held by the user or, in the case of child, by a parent or helper. The outer plastic envelope of the compresses are generally not insulated, causing the user's hand to be in direct contact with the hot or cold compress. To reduce the discomfort of holding a hot or cold compress, a towel or other covering may be placed over the thermal compress. The user often places a similar covering between the skin of the injured area and the thermal compress to avoid burning or freezing the skin.
The use of conventional thermal compresses on children is awkward as an adult must generally hold the compress and care must be taken to avoid burning or freezing the child's skin. Further, the amount of pressure applied may be too great or insufficient, since the adult does not sense what the child it feeling.
Accordingly, there is a need for a thermal compress suitable for use on children, that is insulated and easy for a child or parent to use, and is comforting to the child. It is an object of the present invention to provide such a thermal compress in combination with a holder.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The thermal compress and holder of the invention are designed to be easily held by a child or adult. The thermal compress and holder are designed to avoid burning or freezing the skin on which they are placed as well to protect the user's hand. Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the compress and the holder are designed to have a pleasing and comforting appearance for children. In a further embodiment, the compress and/or holder are designed as characters known to children to provide comfort to a child.
In accordance with the instant invention, a conventional thermal compress is disposed within a holder. The holder has two pockets, one for receiving the compress and a second for receiving the hand of the user. The two pockets are separated by an insulated member, so that the user's hand placed in one pocket is thermally isolated from a thermal compress placed within the other pocket.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the thermal compress has a novelty shape, for example the shape of an animal or cartoon character, having a definite head portion. In this case, the holder is sized so that the head portion of the thermal compress extends out of the holder, making the combination of the thermal compress and the holder into a kind of puppet which can be used to provide emotional comfort at the same time that therapeutic heating or cooling is made available.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3893834 (1975-07-01), Armstrong
patent: 4462224 (1984-07-01), Dunshee et al.
patent: 4756311 (1988-07-01), Francis, Jr.
patent: 5111810 (1992-05-01), Fortney
patent: 5230333 (1993-07-01), Yates et al.
patent: 5584086 (1996-12-01), VanWinkle et al.
Dvorak Linda C. M.
Kearney R.
Oppedahl & Larson LLP
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