Support apparatus with localized cooling of high-contact-pressure body surface areas
US5837002A · kind A · utility
50Cited by
28References
25Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 30, 1996 |
| Grant date | Nov 17, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 30, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61G7/057
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A focal cooling apparatus includes a cooling, or heat sinking, layer over which a layer of compressible, thermally insulating material is disposed. The layer of compressible, thermally insulating material has a surface for supporting a portion of a human (or animal) body. The layer of compressible, thermally insulating material responds to pressure exerted against the surface by exhibiting a thermal resistance between the surface and the cooling layer that varies inversely with the pressure. Means are provided for maintaining the cooling layer at a predetermined temperature below normal human temperature.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.