Orthopedic device having gel pad with phase change material
US4964402A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 17, 1988 |
| Grant date | Oct 23, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 17, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/14
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An orthopedic device for treatment of injured joints or limbs having at least one gel pad including at least one phase change material for improving the thermal energy storage capacity of the gel pad. The phase change material included in the gel material inside the gel pad may be encapsulated, formed in pellets, soluble, insoluble, or in any desirable form. The gel pad may be removed from the orthopedic device, heated or cooled, and then used with the device for hot or cold therapy of injured joints or limbs, taking advantage of the increased thermal energy storage capacity of the phase change material. Two different phase change materials may be included in the gel pad, one of which may be used for cold temperature therapy while the other is used for hot temperature therapy. The gel pad may include encapsulated water as a phase change material. In addition, a sheet of encapsulated phase change material may be used inside the gel pad which prevents the phase change material from moving inside the gel pad in order to provide a uniform distribution of phase change material inside the pad, resulting in uniform temperature distribution for hot or cold therapy.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.