Thermal contrast therapy device
US11266523B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 17, 2021 |
| Grant date | Mar 8, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 17, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2007/0296
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for an improved contrast therapy device that delivers alternating heated and chilled temperature fluids to a contrast thermal therapy pad. Mitigation processes maintain water temperature in hot water tanks and cold water tanks in order to keep water temperatures in the respective tanks from drifting beyond a desired setpoint range when the system switches a therapy state from a cooling cycle to a heating cycle or from heating cycle to a cooling cycle. Thermal shock is reduced to the fluid tanks. Mitigation techniques include delaying actuation of a return path flow, such as via a diverting solenoid. Mitigating delay can be a static time delay based upon one or both of: a volume of water in a therapy pad and related volume and rate of flow; and meeting a threshold transition temperature for return fluid temperature.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.