U.S. patent application number 14/738078 was filed with the patent office on 2016-12-15 for apparatus for uniform total body cryotherapy.
The applicant listed for this patent is Jonas Kuehne. Invention is credited to Jonas Kuehne, Paul Sauer.
Application Number | 20160361195 14/738078 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55583316 |
Filed Date | 2016-12-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160361195 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kuehne; Jonas ; et
al. |
December 15, 2016 |
Apparatus for Uniform Total Body Cryotherapy
Abstract
In accordance with one embodiment, a uniform total body
cryotherapy apparatus operative to allow an individual in a
cryotherapy chamber to be subjected to the same cold temperatures
on their entire body at the same time. In use, the apparatus allows
active dissemination of cold air in a confined space without the
undesired consequence of wind shear commonly caused by forced
movement of cold air.
Inventors: |
Kuehne; Jonas; (Los Angeles,
CA) ; Sauer; Paul; (US) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Kuehne; Jonas |
Los Angeles |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
55583316 |
Appl. No.: |
14/738078 |
Filed: |
June 12, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 2007/0056 20130101;
F25D 17/067 20130101; F25D 3/102 20130101; A61F 2007/0062 20130101;
F25D 2317/063 20130101; A61F 2007/0064 20130101; A61F 7/0053
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61F 7/00 20060101
A61F007/00 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for uniform total body cryotherapy comprising: at
least one cryochamber, said cryochamber comprising a floor, a
ceiling, a space between said floor and said ceiling with
sufficient dimensions to contain at least one person undergoing
cryotherapy, and a first cooling apparatus capable of maintaining
the temperature of said cryochamber at any particular set point
between -80.degree. C. and -160.degree. C. from said floor to said
ceiling without any appreciable fluctuation in atmospheric
temperature in said space between said floor and said ceiling.
Wherein said cyrochamber walls are thermally insulated with a
composition comprising silica aerogel.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Pursuant to 35 USC 119, this application claims the right of
priority to patent application Ser. No. 14/501,842 filed on Sep.
30, 2014. The content of said application is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety.
NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT AND TRADE DRESS
[0002] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains
material which is subject to copyright protection. This patent
document may show and/or describe matter which is or may become
trade dress of the owner. The copyright and trade dress owner has
no objection to the facsimile reproduction by any one of the patent
disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent
files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright and trade
dress rights whatsoever.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to apparatuses for
exposing a person's body to cold temperatures as a means of
alleviating pain, decreasing inflammation, or achieving a general
sense of well-being. More particularly, the present disclosure
relates to a apparatus for facilitating the application of
cryotherapy precisely and uniformly throughout the entire body of a
person undergoing treatment.
DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART
[0004] The topical application of low temperatures have long been
recognized as a form of medical therapy to relieve a variety of
ailments ranging from inflammation to muscles spasms and even
headaches. This technique, commonly referred to as cryotherapy,
dates back to the sixteen hundreds in it's most primitive form when
ice packs were used as a means of reducing inflammation through the
constriction of blood vessels.
[0005] Various devices for utilizing cryotherapy throughout the
body have been proposed. Many of these devices, such as those
disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,753,240, and 4,676,247, are limited
to application on one region of the body at a time with particular
attention on the hands an feet. Advances in the art have inspired
more complex proposals for effectuating a desired treatment method
through decreasing tissue temperature on and around the impacted
area. U.S. Pat. No. 5,148,804 teaches an adjustable wrap structure
capable of wrapping at least partially around various joints or
body parts. While the '804 patent expands beyond just the hands and
feet of the user, it lacks the ability to accurately and
efficiently apply cryotherapy to more than one region of the body
at a time.
[0006] The aforementioned techniques place significant constraints
on how cold and for how long a practitioner could apply cryotherapy
on their patient. Though these approaches were beneficial for the
time, design constrictions only allowed small regions to be
targeted and for a short period of time. Technological restrictions
of the period meant temperatures could only be as cold as ice and
not sustained for very long due to melting.
[0007] More recently, proposal have been made to address
disadvantages of the the earliest disclosures. U.S. Pat. No.
8,162,930 overcomes the anatomical constraints using a method and
device for cryogenic therapy applied on the whole body of a
patient. In this disclosure, cryotherapy is performed by
introducing the patient into a treatment cabin and exposing the
body to cold air deposited into the cabin space. A vaporized
solution comprising liquefied nitrogen is introduced into a chamber
using piping and nozzles.
[0008] The manner in which cooling air is introduced into the
chambers necessarily causes frigid air to accumulate in the bottom
of the cryochamber. Over a short period, the air warms and expands
rising towards the top of the chamber. The cold frigid air remains
close to the bottom of the chamber causing a temperature gradient.
Accordingly, an individual standing in the proposed chamber will be
exposed to warmer temperatures on their upper extremities and
substantially colder temperatures at and around their lower
extremities. In practice, clinicians are limited in the amount of
time they can allow patients to spend in these chambers and must
focus on the exposure time of the lower extremities alone or risk
harming their patients. Skin burns to the lower extremities are a
well known risk associated with these devices. Accordingly patients
must be removed from the chambers before the upper extremities are
able to receive the full benefits of treatment.
[0009] All of the cyrochambers heretofore known are further limited
because they are incapable of treating the entire body of the
person within. These devices only go about as far as the upper
shoulder of the person inside. As a result, they do not supply
cooling air to the head and neck of the user. The head and neck
comprise many cold receptors and ignoring this region has a
deleterious impact on the treatments efficacy.
[0010] Proposals have also been made to use fans as a means of
forcing the cold air up towards the higher extremities. However,
attempts at this methods have proven ineffective. The movement of
cold air results in wind shear. This wind shear factor
unnecessarily exposes the patient to a high risk of skin burn
causing medical professionals to dismiss this as a viable treatment
option.
[0011] Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 8,316,652 teaches a mobile
cryotherapy system without overcoming the health hazards introduced
by the '930 patent. Furthermore, neither the '652 patent nor the
'930 patent teaches an adequate means for ensuring the cold air
introduced into the chambers does not escape. Temperatures within
the chambers may range from minus eighty to minus one hundred and
sixty degrees Celsius and yet all of the cryotherapy chambers
heretofore known utilize conventional insulation methods which have
proven inadequate for sustaining these temperatures.
[0012] Accordingly, there exists a need for a cryotherapy apparatus
that can deliver cold air uniformly to all the extremities of a
patient undergoing treatment. There further exists a need for such
an apparatus which may accomplish these objectives in an efficient
manner without substantial waste resulting from inadequate
insolation. The present invention facilitates these and other needs
currently experienced by professionals practicing in the field of
cryotherapy.
SUMMARY
[0013] An apparatus are provided for the uniform application of
cooled air simultaneously to the upper and lower body of an
individual undergoing cryotherapy. The present disclosure overcomes
the challenges presented by the prior art through the use of a
cooling and distribution apparatus capable of creating and
maintaining a temperature within a cryochamber ranging between -80
and -160 degrees Celsius. The apparatus of the present disclosure
facilitates the cryotherapy treatment process by creating an
environment comprising no significant temperature variation between
the space occupied by the patients upper and lower extremities.
[0014] Briefly described, one embodiment, among others, is a
uniform total body cryotherapy apparatus operative to allow an
individual in a cryotherapy chamber to be subjected to the same
cold temperatures on their upper and lower extremities at the same
time. In use, the apparatus allows active dissemination of cold air
in a confined space without the undesired consequence of wind shear
commonly caused by forced movement of cold air.
[0015] The apparatus of the present disclosure comprises a heat
exchanger, circulating means, ductwork, cryogenic material, or
cooling agent, and a means for containing the same, a deflecting
means, and an air-permeable shield. The refrigeration means of the
present disclosure varies in composition and function from any
other heretofore taught by the prior art. A cooling agent travels
from the containment unit through a plurality of heat exchangers to
an outlet where it can be discarded. Positioned behind the heat
exchangers is a length of ductwork comprising an entry opening and
exit opening through which air may travel.
[0016] The refrigeration means further comprise a circulating
apparatus such as a motorized fan operative to direct airflow
through the ductwork entry and out the exit near which a deflecting
means is positioned. The deflecting means comprises an input side
and an output side. The deflecting means is operative to redirect
air originating from the circulating apparatus to the space
directly in front of the heat exchangers. Accordingly, the
deflecting means must be sufficiently wide so that the output side
extends beyond the plurality of heat exchangers of the
refrigeration means.
[0017] In one embodiment, cold air is blown downward through the
ductwork from a circulating apparatus positioned above the entry
side and deflected back up and past the cooling fins of the heat
exchangers. Unlike the prior art references, where the person
inside the chamber is sprayed with cooling agent onto their skin,
at no point does the apparatus of the present disclosure expose any
person inside directly to the cooling agent. The temperature of the
air is reduced as it follows a path towards the cryochamber
ceiling. This will cause the cooled air to slowly sink down towards
the bottom of the chamber. The result is an even distribution of
cold air from floor to ceiling without any wind shear effect on the
person inside the chamber.
[0018] Another embodiment may further comprise a permeable membrane
positioned between the heat exchangers and space occupied by a
user. Such a membrane will be operative to shield the user from
touching the heat exchangers while still allowing passive insertion
of cold air through the membrane. By way of example, and not
limitation, such a membrane may be comprised of wood or
plastic.
[0019] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the cooling
agent may be recycled as part of a closed loop. In this embodiment,
the cooling agent is passed through an initial set heat exchangers
but not discarded through a vent pipe. Rather than being discarded,
the used cooling agent passes through a line connected to a
separate set of heat exchangers where it facilitates the cooling of
another cryochamber. The second cryochamber is not as cool as the
original chamber. This establishes a gradient of chambers whereby
the user may begin by entering a chamber with the highest
temperature and gradually work their way into successively colder
chambers.
[0020] The chambers may be interconnected while maintaining their
respective temperatures using adequately sealed access doors as a
means for physical separation. In certain embodiments of the
present disclosure, each individual chamber may comprise it's own
refrigeration means comprising individualized heat exchangers,
circulating means, ductwork, a deflecting means, and an
air-permeable shield. Each refrigeration means may be supplied by
solution from the same cryogenic material tank or comprise an
independent tank to supply it.
[0021] By way of example, one such cryogenic material solution may
be comprised of liquid nitrogen. The amount of cooling agent
entering the heat exchangers may be regulated in a number of
different ways. In one embodiment, this is accomplished using at
least one valve on a line which connects the agent storage chamber
to the heat exchangers. In one embodiment, this valve may be
electronically coupled to a temperature sensor monitoring the
inside of any give chamber.
[0022] Having a primary chamber separated from other ancillary
chambers functions to minimize temperature loss from the chamber
with the lowest temperature. Temperature loss within a cyrochamber
can lead to wasteful energy expenditures. In another embodiment, a
specialized composition of silica aerogel may be used within the
chamber walls, floors, ceiling, and the doors as a means for
further minimizing temperature loss. Numerous other features,
objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from
the following description when read in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figures
[0023] FIG. 1 is an overhead schematic depicting a first exemplary
cryochamber of the present disclosure;
[0024] FIG. 2 is an overhead schematic depicting a second exemplary
cryochamber of the present disclosure;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a profile view illustrating the inner workings of
an exemplary cryochamber; and
[0026] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cooling apparatus of the
present disclosure.
[0027] For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing
figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and
descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may
be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention.
Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily
drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements
in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to
help improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.
The same reference numerals in different figures denote the same
elements.
[0028] The terms "first," "second," "third," "fourth," and the like
in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for
distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for
describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to
be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under
appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described
herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other
than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. Furthermore,
the terms "include," and "have," and any variations thereof, are
intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process,
method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises a list
of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may
include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such
process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus.
[0029] The terms "left," "right," "front," "back," "top," "bottom,"
"over," "under," and the like in the description and in the claims,
if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for
describing permanent relative positions. It is to be understood
that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate
circumstances such that the embodiments of the invention described
herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations
than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.
[0030] The terms "couple," "coupled," "couples," "coupling," and
the like should be broadly understood and refer to connecting two
or more elements or signals, electrically, mechanically or
otherwise. Two or more electrical elements may be electrically
coupled, but not mechanically or otherwise coupled; two or more
mechanical elements may be mechanically coupled, but not
electrically or otherwise coupled; two or more electrical elements
may be mechanically coupled, but not electrically or otherwise
coupled. Coupling (whether mechanical, electrical, or otherwise)
may be for any length of time, e.g., permanent or semi-permanent or
only for an instant.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described
below. The showings are for purposes of illustrating preferred
embodiments and not for purposes of limiting the same. The
following explanation provides specific details for a thorough
understanding of an enabling description for these embodiments. One
skilled in the art will understand that the invention may be
practiced without such details.
[0032] FIG. 1 is an overhead schematic depicting an first exemplary
cryochamber utilizing the apparatus of the present disclosure. The
exemplary embodiment illustrated therein depicts a cryochamber
comprising at least two subchambers. A primary chamber 1 and a
secondary chamber 2 are interconnected and separated by an access
door 11 which remains closed during normal operation. This
embodiment further comprises at least two cooling apparatuses, a
first apparatus 10 located in the primary chamber 1 and a second
apparatus 20 located in the secondary chamber 2. However, in
various embodiments, only one cooling apparatus will be used within
a single chamber. In addition, this embodiment comprises at least
one containment unit 30 for storing a cooling agent (not shown), at
least one control valve 32, and an outlet 36 for discarding used
cooling agent through a discharge conduit.
[0033] In another embodiment, depicted in FIG. 2, the outlet 36 is
removed and a cooling agent compressing and cooling means 34 is
added. It is further envisioned that, in some embodiments of the
present disclosure, both a cooling means 34 and outlet 36 will be
included as parts of the apparatus 10.
[0034] Opening the control valve 32 in FIG. 1, causes cooling agent
to be dispensed from the containment unit 30 to the first cooling
apparatus 10. After the agent passes through this cooling apparatus
10, the temperature in the primary chamber 1 is cooled but the
cooling agent need not be discarded. Conversely, the cooling agent
may pass from the first cooling apparatus 10 to the second cooling
apparatus 20. In this embodiment, the cooling agent passes through
the second apparatus 20 while cooling the atmosphere in the
secondary chamber 2 to a slightly lesser degree than the primary
chamber 1. Finally, it exits the secondary chamber 2 to were it may
be discarded through an outlet 36.
[0035] FIG. 2 is an overhead schematic depicting a second exemplary
cryochamber utilizing the apparatus of the present disclosure in a
closed-looped configuration. The exemplary embodiment illustrated
herein depicts a cryochamber comprising at least two subchambers. A
primary chamber 1 and a secondary chamber 2 are interconnected and
separated by an access door 11 which remains closed during normal
operation. This embodiment also comprises at least two cooling
apparatuses, a first apparatus 10 located in the primary chamber 1
and a second apparatus 20 located in the secondary chamber 2. In
addition, this embodiment comprises at least one containment unit
30 for storing a cooling agent (not shown), at least one control
valve 32, and a cooling agent compressing and cooling means 34.
[0036] Similar to the example in FIG. 1, opening the control valve
32 in FIG. 2, causes cooling agent to be dispensed from the
containment unit 30 to the first cooling apparatus 10. After the
agent passes through this cooling apparatus 10, the temperature in
the primary chamber 1 is cooled but the cooling agent need not be
discarded. Conversely, the cooling agent may pass from the first
cooling apparatus 10 to the second cooling apparatus 20. In this
embodiment, the cooling agent passes through the second apparatus
20 while cooling the atmosphere in the secondary chamber 2 to a
slightly lesser degree than the primary chamber 1. However, in this
embodiment instead of being discarded through an outlet 36, the
cooling agent is channeled through to a compression and cooling
means 34. When the agent is directed to the compression and cooling
means 34, it regains most of its original composition before moving
back into the containment unit 30 to be reused.
[0037] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the cryochamber
may further comprise a system controller (not shown) which may be
programmed to regulate the temperatures within each chamber. The
system controller may receive information from a plurality of
sensors located within the chambers which may include, but are not
limited to, temperature sensors, thermostats, cooling agent control
means, control valves, and the like. The system controller
communicates with the control valves and the cooling apparatuses to
properly maintain the temperatures within a desired range. This is
accomplished by regulating the flow of cooling agent as well as the
operation of the cooling apparatuses. In one embodiment, it is
envisioned the temperatures within the cyrochambers may be further
regulated by opening and closing vents to the environment outside
any given chamber.
[0038] Preferably, the cryochamber walls and access doors are
thermally insulated to minimize temperature loss from within each
respective chamber. In one embodiment, a specialized composition of
silica aerogel may be used within the chamber walls, floor,
ceiling, and doors to further reduce wasteful temperature loss from
within.
[0039] FIG. 3 is a profile view illustrating the inner workings of
the cooling apparatus. In this instance, the first cooling
apparatus 10 is shown along with ductwork connecting it to the
cooling agent 31 containment unit 30. This figure further
illustrates the air flow through the cooling apparatus 10 which
allows the cyrochamber to maintain substantially uniform
temperatures from floor 3 to ceiling 4. The apparatus 10 depicted
in FIG. 2 comprises an air circulation means 12, such as a
motorized fan, ductwork 14 positioned behind a plurality of heat
exchangers 16, a deflecting means 18, as well as a permeable
membrane 22 that also functions to shield the occupants of the
cryochamber from contact with the heat exchangers.
[0040] In FIG. 3, the circulation means 12 is operative to channel
air through the ductwork 14 which comprises an entry 15 and an
outlet 17. The airflow in FIG. 3 travels downward from the entry 15
through the ductwork 14 and past the outlet 17 to the deflecting
means 18. The deflecting means 18 is illustrated as a U-shaped pan
by way of example, and not limitation. The deflecting means 18 is
wide enough to capture the airflow traveling through the ductwork
14 and protrudes beyond the width of the heat exchangers 16. This
ensures air traveling behind the heat exchangers 16 is redirected
upward to the area in front, after being redirected by the
deflecting means 18.
[0041] FIG. 3 illustrates the flow of circulating air once it has
been deflected towards the side of the heat exchangers 16 opposite
the ductwork 14. This air contacts a plurality of cooling fins
located on the heat exchangers 16 as it travels back up towards the
ceiling 4. The blown air moving passed these fins gets colder while
on this trajectory and gradually sinks back down towards the
chamber floor 3. As a result, the air on the chamber floor 3 has
the same temperature as the any air making it all the way up to the
ceiling 4. Furthermore, this objective has been accomplished
without any undesired generation of wind shear on the person inside
the chamber.
[0042] The system controller may be set to maintain the cryochamber
temperature within a predetermined set point, e.g. minus one
hundred and forty degrees Celsius or a range, e.g., minus eighty
degrees Celsius and minus one hundred and eighty degrees Celsius.
If one of the sensors detects a temperature rise above the set
point, the system controller responds by sending a signal operative
to open a valve 32 permitting cooling agent to flow from the
containment unit 30 therethrough and into the heat exchangers 16.
This happens until the sensed temperature drops back down below the
set point. The system controller responds accordingly by closing
the valve 32 and terminating the flow of cooling agent until the
cryochamber temperature rises above the set point temperature
[0043] Should the heat exchangers 16 contact a users skin while in
operation, the results could be harmful. The permeable shield 22
depicted in FIG. 2 is operative to shield users from the heat
exchangers 16 while continuing to allow passive insertion of cooled
air through pours, slits, or channels contained therein. Such a
membrane may be comprised of a variety of different materials
including, but not limited to, wood and plastic.
[0044] In one embodiment, air traveling upwards after passing the
front of the heat exchangers 16 will be recirculated back down
through the ductwork 14 by the circulation means 12.
[0045] In yet another embodiment, the ductwork 14 entry point 15
may be wider than the outlet 17. Such a design will facilitate
acceleration of blown air by the circulating means 12. Accordingly,
air moving out of the duct 14 will be traveling at a higher rate of
speed than the air coming in. This encourages deflection while
ensuring more blown air is directed back up past the heat
exchangers 16 towards the ceiling 4.
[0046] FIG. 4 further illustrates the various components of the
cooling apparatus 12. The downward trajectory of air blown by the
circulation means 12 is facilitated by a ring member 40 surrounding
a plurality of blades 42. The blades 42, are driven by a motor 44
and may be angled to direct air flow towards the deflection means
18. In one embodiment, the distance between the distal end of the
blades 42 and the inner wall of the ring member 40 will be small.
Minimizing this distance enhances the apparatuses air channeling
capabilities ensuring optimal movement of air to the ductwork 14
below. In one embodiment, this capability is further enhanced by
positioning the blades 42 within the ring member 40 rather than
protruding from it.
[0047] Although the invention has been described with reference to
specific embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the
art that various changes may be made without departing from the
scope of the invention. Accordingly, the disclosure of embodiments
is intended to be illustrative of the scope of the invention and is
not intended to be limiting. It is intended that the scope of the
invention shall be limited only to the extent required by the
appended claims. To one of ordinary skill in the art, it will be
readily apparent that the devices discussed herein may be
implemented in a variety of embodiments, and that the foregoing
discussion of certain of these embodiments does not necessarily
represent a complete description of all possible embodiments.
Rather, the detailed description of the drawings, and the drawings
themselves, disclose at least one preferred embodiment, and may
disclose alternative embodiments.
[0048] Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are
not dedicated to the public under the doctrine of dedication if the
embodiments and/or limitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in
the claims; and (2) are or are potentially equivalents of express
elements and/or limitations in the claims under the doctrine of
equivalents
CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE
[0049] While a particular form of the invention has been
illustrated and described, it will be apparent that various
modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention. For example, the cryotherapy chamber is
illustrated as being comprised of two distinct cooling apparatuses
in two distinct cryochambers in some embodiments even though the
inventors contemplate the possibility that it may comprise only one
cooling apparatus in only one cyrochamber or more cryochambers and
event the possibility for each cryochamber having more than one
cooling apparatus. Accordingly, is not intended that the invention
be limited, except as by the appended claims.
[0050] The teachings provided herein can be applied to other
systems, not necessarily the apparatus described herein. The
elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be
combined to provide further embodiments. All of the above patents
and applications and other references, including any that may be
listed in accompanying filing papers, are incorporated herein by
reference. Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary,
to employ the systems, functions, and concepts of the various
references described above to provide yet further embodiments of
the invention.
[0051] Particular terminology used when describing certain features
or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the
terminology is being refined herein to be restricted to any
specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the apparatus for
uniform total body cryotherapy with which that terminology is
associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims
should not be constructed to limit the apparatus to the specific
embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the above
description section explicitly define such terms. Accordingly, the
actual scope encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but
also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the
disclosed apparatus. The above description of embodiments of the
apparatus is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the
precise form disclosed above or to a particular field of usage.
While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the apparatus for
uniform total body cryotherapy are described above for illustrative
purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible which those
skilled in the relevant art will recognize.
[0052] While certain aspects of the apparatus for uniform total
body cryotherapy are presented below in particular claim forms, the
inventors contemplate the various aspects of the apparatus in any
number of claim forms. Accordingly, the inventors reserve the right
to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue
such additional claim forms for other aspects of the apparatus for
uniform total body cryotherapy.
* * * * *