Apparatus for localized heat and cold therapy
US4930317A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 20, 1988 |
| Grant date | Jun 5, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 20, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2007/0075
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A hot/cold therapy device includes a hot/cold pad assembly remotely connected to a control module. The hot/cold pad assembly includes a flexible pad filled with a convection (gel) or conduction (laminated metal, rubber impregnated with metal particles, etc.), or combination thereof (a conductive metal layer immersed in a gel). A thin plate of conductive material (copper) forms an extension of the cold plate of a thermoelectric heat pump, both of which are in thermal contact with the pad. An air cooled heat sink of the thermoelectric heat sink is mounted in a housing or shroud, the shroud is connected by a flexible umbilical line to the control module. The control module includes a fan for drawing or blowing air through the shroud to maintain the temperature difference between the heat sink and attached plate of the thermoelectric heat pump element. The control module includes temperature setting and adjust mechanisms together with a display for displaying the pad temperature detected by a temperature sensing transducer. Other embodiments include placement of the fan within the shroud to cool the heat sink, using a water cooled block heat sink connected to a water reservoir, radiato…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.