U.S. patent application number 16/452943 was filed with the patent office on 2020-01-09 for heating/cooling therapy system.
The applicant listed for this patent is W&M Tech Advisors, LLC. Invention is credited to Marsha Calise, William J. Rittman, III, Steven Woolfson.
Application Number | 20200008975 16/452943 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 67220431 |
Filed Date | 2020-01-09 |
View All Diagrams
United States Patent
Application |
20200008975 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rittman, III; William J. ;
et al. |
January 9, 2020 |
Heating/Cooling Therapy System
Abstract
A thermal therapy system includes at least one Peltier device
having a heating side and a cooling side; a cold fluid channel
adjacent the cooling side of the at least one Peltier device, and a
hot fluid channel adjacent the heating side of the at least one
Peltier device. A controllable cooling fluid pump in fluid
communication with the cold fluid channel drives cooling fluid to
an applicator pad, and an independently-controllable heating fluid
pump in fluid communication with the hot fluid channel drives hot
fluid to the applicator pad.
Inventors: |
Rittman, III; William J.;
(Wellington, FL) ; Calise; Marsha; (Wellington,
FL) ; Woolfson; Steven; (Boston, MA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
W&M Tech Advisors, LLC |
Wellington |
FL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
67220431 |
Appl. No.: |
16/452943 |
Filed: |
June 26, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16116316 |
Aug 29, 2018 |
10350108 |
|
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16452943 |
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62694281 |
Jul 5, 2018 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 2007/0076 20130101;
A61F 2007/0296 20130101; A61F 2007/0295 20130101; A61F 7/0097
20130101; A61F 7/0085 20130101; A61F 7/007 20130101; A61F 2007/0096
20130101; A61F 2007/0075 20130101; A61F 2007/0093 20130101; A61F
2007/0203 20130101; A61F 2007/0056 20130101; A61F 2007/0054
20130101; A61F 7/10 20130101; A61F 7/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61F 7/00 20060101
A61F007/00; A61F 7/02 20060101 A61F007/02; A61F 7/10 20060101
A61F007/10 |
Claims
1. An electrical cooling/heating system comprising: at least one
Peltier device having a heating side and a cooling side; a cold
fluid channel adjacent the cooling side of the at least one Peltier
device; a hot fluid channel adjacent the heating side of the at
least one Peltier device; a cooling fluid pump in fluid
communication with the cold fluid channel; a heating fluid pump in
fluid communication with the hot fluid channel; a flexible pad
having an application side, an insulation side and a continuous
liquid flow channel, the continuous liquid flow channel having an
inlet and an outlet; an intake fluid path having an end connected
to the inlet and fed from each of the cooling fluid pump and the
heating fluid pump; and a return fluid path having an end connected
to the outlet and splitting to connect with each of the cold fluid
channel and the hot fluid channel.
2. The electrical cooling/heating system of claim 1 further
comprising a first temperature sensing device in the intake fluid
path.
3. The electrical cooling/heating system of claim 2 further
comprising a second temperature sensing device in the return fluid
path.
4. The electrical cooling/heating system of claim 2 further
comprising a controller responsive to the first temperature sensing
device for controlling any of the cooling fluid pump, the heating
fluid pump and/or the at least one Peltier device.
5. The electrical cooling/heating system of claim 4 further
comprising a heat sink adjacent the hot fluid channel and a fan
operable for cooling the heat sink.
6. The electrical cooling/heating system of claim 5, wherein the
controller may further respond to the first temperature sensing
device by adjusting operation of the fan.
7. The electrical cooling/heating system of claim 3, further
comprising a controller responsive to the first temperature sensing
device and the second temperature sending device for controlling
any of the cooling fluid pump, the heating fluid pump and/or the at
least one Peltier device.
8. The electrical cooling/heating system of claim 1 wherein the
intake fluid path is unidirectional.
9. The electrical cooling/heating system of claim 8, wherein each
branch of the intake fluid path, one for the cooling fluid pump and
one for the heating fluid pump, includes a one-way valve.
10. The electrical cooling/heating system of claim 1, wherein the
flexible pad is detachable from the intake and return fluid
paths.
11. The electrical cooling/heating system of claim 10, further
comprising a first self-sealing valved connector comprised of a
male connector part and a female connector part for connecting the
intake fluid path to the inlet.
12. The electrical cooling/heating system of claim 11, further
comprising a second self-sealing valved connector comprised of a
male connector part and a female connector part for connecting the
return fluid path to the outlet.
13. The electrical cooling/heating system of claim 1, wherein the
cold fluid channel comprises a serpentine channel adjacent the
cooling side of the at least one Peltier device.
14. The electrical cooling/heating system of claim 1 further
comprising an insulator pad, and a securable strap coupled to the
insulator pad, and configured to secure the insulator pad against
the flexible pad.
15. A flexible applicator pad for application of thermal therapy,
the pad comprising: an application side and an opposing side; a
continuous liquid flow channel, the channel having an inlet and an
outlet; a self-sealing inflow connector coupled to the inlet; a
self-sealing outflow connector at the outlet; and a liquid sealed
within the continuous liquid flow channel.
16. The flexible applicator pad of claim 15, further comprising an
insulation layer on the opposing side.
17. An electrical cooling/heating system comprising: a heating and
cooling means for heating a first stream of liquid to produce a hot
stream, and cooling a second stream of liquid to produce a cool
stream; and a pump means for independently driving each of the hot
stream and the cool stream, and for producing a single stream of
liquid to an applicator pad, wherein the single stream of liquid is
selected from one of the hot stream, the cool stream, or a mixture
of the hot and cool stream.
18. The electrical cooling/heating system of claim 17, wherein the
heating and cooling means comprises a Peltier device having a
heating side and a cooling side, a hot channel coupled to the
heating side, and a cold channel coupled to the cooling side.
19. The electrical cooling/heating system of claim 17, wherein the
heating and cooling means comprises: a heating Peltier device
having a heating side; a hot channel coupled to the heating side of
the Peltier device; a cooling Peltier device separate from the
heating Peltier device, the cooling Peltier device having a cooling
side; and a cold channel coupled to the cooling side.
20. The electrical cooling/heating system of claim 17, wherein the
pump means comprises: a hot pump in fluid communication with the
heating and cooling means to drive the hot stream; and a cold pump
in fluid communication with the heating and cooling means to drive
the cool stream.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application is a continuation application of
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/116,316, filed Aug. 29, 2018,
now issued as U.S. Pat. No. ______, which claims priority from
provisional U.S. patent application No. 62/694,281, filed Jul. 5,
2018, entitled "Heating/cooling Therapy System," and naming William
J. Rittman III, Marsha Calise, and Steven Woolfson as inventors,
the disclosure of which is incorporated herein, in its entirety, by
reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to therapy systems, and
particularly to thermal therapy systems.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] The uses of heating or cooling applicators to the skin for
the treatment of injuries and pain have been used for a long time.
These techniques are also known to improve the flexibility of
tendons and ligaments, reduce muscle spasms and alleviate pain.
[0004] Heat therapy (also known as thermotherapy) is the heating of
tissue by using various techniques, such as hot water bottles
filled with hot water or cloth soaked in hot water, blankets or
pads heated by internal electrical heating coils, or the
application of ultrasound energy. Heat therapy leads to
vasodilation, which in turn increases the blood flow in the
affected tissues. The increased blood flow in the target area
provides extra oxygen and other nutrients, thus accelerating the
healing process. Additionally, the application of heat reduces
muscle spasm and relaxes stretched muscles leading to pain relief.
Heat or thermotherapy is generally used to treat chronic pain such
as low back pain, spinal, neck pain, neuropathic pain, and other
muscular spasms. Thermotherapy is generally applied in temperature
range of 40-50.degree. C.
[0005] Cold therapy (also known as cryotherapy), can be
accomplished by using ice or a chemical gel. Cold therapy is
typically used during the first one to two days after an injury,
typically to get relief from bruises, bumps and sprains. Cold
therapy soothes damaged tissues, causes vasoconstriction, which
reduces blood circulation and thus numbs the nerves, decreasing
inflammation, pain, and muscle spasm. Cold or cryotherapy is
generally used to treat acute pain caused due to injuries such as
runner's knee and freshly pulled muscle. Cryotherapy is generally
applied in temperature range of 5-20.degree. C.
[0006] Both therapies are effective for the treatment of edema and
pain while being non-addictive and non-invasive.
[0007] Contrast therapy is another form of treatment which combines
hot and cold therapy. It is performed through the alternate
application of hot and cold packs on the skin of an injured area.
It decreases pain, increases circulation, and speeds healing.
Contrast therapy is used on sports injuries, chronic or repetitive
injuries and injuries in the subacute stages of healing
[0008] In terms of available products, the hot and cold therapy
packs market can be divided into dry and moist hot and cold packs
or compresses, gel packs, and electric hot/cold packs. There are
many drawbacks to the products currently on the market that
compromise their application:
[0009] Regarding heating, there are several techniques used to
create a hot applicator. For example, some packs are designed to be
microwaved, which suffer from drawbacks such as difficulty in
controlling the temperature, can become too hot causing burns, and
lose heat rapidly, necessitating the need to be reheated. Chemical
packs are also commonly used, but they also have limitations based
on lack of temperature control; they can leak and are therefore
prone to cause chemical burns. The use of an electric heating coil
in the pad is commonly used, but often does not have temperature
control.
[0010] For cooling, ice packs that are kept in the freezer are most
commonly used. They do not control temperature--the affected area
can become too cold causing possible cold burns, they heat up
rapidly, requiring the pack be frequently exchanged with a freshly
cooled pack and placed back in the freezer to be refrozen. Chemical
ice packs have the same drawbacks as the chemical heating packs.
Pumped water from a container containing ice and water for cold
therapy are bulky, require ice and water on hand. Further, the
water can spill/leak, and there is no true temperature control.
[0011] To do combined heating and cooling therapy (contrast
therapy) using these standard products would obviously require the
purchase of two separate sets of products thus being expensive,
requiring extra storage space and consuming a lot of time during
application.
SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0012] Described herein is an apparatus and a treating pad, being
connected to each other via flexible conduits for enabling the pad
to selectively cool or heat tissue. The apparatus includes at least
one Peltier device attached to two reservoirs-one reservoir which
is cooled and the other reservoir which is heated. Both reservoirs
are filled with fluid such that using two pumps cold or hot water
can be selectively pumped thru the conduit to the applicator pad in
contact with the tissue. When using one Peltier device, this novel
approach allows the device to cool and heat separate reservoirs
simultaneously without the need of a second thermoelectric device
or the need to reverse the current, which causes delays and
expense. The cold reservoir at the cold side of the Peltier device
should be encased in thermal insulation to prevent heat from being
absorbed from the environment. The hot reservoir should have a heat
sink disposed adjacent to it and a fan may be included on the heat
sink. When using more than one Peltier device, including separate
Peltier devices for heating and cooling, the cool side of the
heating Peltier device, when in heating mode, can be used to cool
the inside of the apparatus.
[0013] The apparatus also includes a control circuit including
temperature and other controls, accessible to the user or operator
for adjusting said temperatures and for selection of heating
therapy, cooling therapy or contrast therapy. There is at least one
temperature sensor that measures the temperature entering and/or
leaving the applicator pad. The control circuit can maintain
control over the temperature of the fluid in the applicator pad
responsive to the at least one temperature sensor, by controlling
the pumps, the Peltier device and/or the fan on the heat sink.
Additionally, a thermal heater could be placed in the hot reservoir
to provide additional heating.
[0014] The applicator pad is designed to conform to the shape of
the tissue and is configured with at least one continuous liquid
flow channel. The applicator pad also includes an insulation layer
to ensure that no heat is lost to or absorbed by the environment on
the non-treating side. The liquid flow channel can be created with
a mold and two sheets of TPU (thermal polyurethane) or other
flexible plastic or flexible tubing which is attached to the
insulation layer. The applicator pad connects to the apparatus
through an insulated flexible tube. There are two flexible conduits
within the insulated tube, one serving as an intake fluid path for
cooling or heating liquid to flow from the thermoelectric cooling
apparatus to the pad and the other serving as a return fluid path.
Preferably, self-sealing fluid connectors that allow the pad and/or
conduit to be replaced or removed are used as opposed to permanent
connection. Applicator pads can be supplied pre-loaded with fluid.
By using the self-sealing fluid connectors, an applicator pad can
be easily attached or detached without introducing air into the
system. By using separate reservoirs to chill and to heat the
tissue during use, the cooling and warming delays are greatly
reduced no delay is needed to switch the thermoelectric device from
cooling mode to warming mode.
[0015] The user interface is buttons on the apparatus and could
also be controlled from a computer device or smart phone by
Bluetooth or some other wireless means.
[0016] An illustrative embodiment of an electrical cooling/heating
system includes at least one Peltier device having a heating side
and a cooling side; a cold fluid reservoir adjacent the cooling
side of the Peltier device; a hot fluid reservoir adjacent the
heating side of the Peltier device; a cooling fluid pump in fluid
communication with the cold fluid reservoir; a heating fluid pump
in fluid communication with the hot fluid reservoir; a flexible pad
having an application side, an insulation side and a continuous
liquid flow channel, the channel having an inlet and an outlet; an
intake fluid path having an end connected to the inlet and fed from
each of the cooling fluid pump and the heating fluid pump; and a
return fluid path having an end connected to the outlet and
splitting to connect with each of the cold fluid reservoir and the
hot fluid reservoir.
[0017] In some embodiments, the cold fluid reservoir includes a
serpentine channel adjacent the cooling side of the Peltier
device.
[0018] In some embodiments, the intake fluid path is
unidirectional. To that end, some embodiments include, in each
branch of the intake fluid path (one branch for the cooling fluid
pump and one branch for the heating fluid pump), a one-way
valve.
[0019] Some embodiments include a first temperature sensing device
in the intake fluid path, and/or a second temperature sensing
device in the return fluid path. Some such embodiments also include
a controller responsive to the first temperature sensing device for
controlling any of the cooling fluid pump, the heating fluid pump
and/or the Peltier device.
[0020] Some embodiments include a heat sink adjacent the hot fluid
reservoir and a fan operable for cooling the heat sink. In such
embodiments, the controller may further respond to the first
temperature sensing device by adjusting operation of the fan.
[0021] Some embodiments include a controller responsive to the
first temperature sensing device and the second temperature sending
device for controlling any of the cooling fluid pump, the heating
fluid pump and/or the Peltier device.
[0022] In some embodiments, the flexible pad is detachable from the
intake and return fluid paths. To that end, some embodiments
include a first self-sealing valved connector comprised of a male
connector part and a female connector part for connecting the
intake fluid path to the inlet, and/or a second self-sealing valved
connector comprised of a male connector part and a female connector
part for connecting the return fluid path to the outlet.
[0023] Some embodiments further include an insulator pad, and a
securable strap coupled to the insulator pad. The securable strap
is and configured to secure the insulator pad against the flexible
pad, and in some embodiments is also configures to secure the
insulator pad and flexible pad to the user.
[0024] Illustrative embodiments of a flexible applicator pad for
application of thermal therapy include an application side and an
opposing side; a continuous liquid flow channel, the channel having
an inlet and an outlet; a self-sealing inflow connector coupled to
the inlet; a self-sealing outflow connector at the outlet; and a
liquid sealed within the continuous liquid flow channel. Some such
embodiments include an insulation layer on the opposing side.
[0025] Illustrative embodiments of an electrical cooling/heating
system include a heating and cooling means for heating a first
stream of liquid to produce a hot stream, and cooling a second
stream of liquid to produce a cool stream; and a pump means for
independently driving each of the hot stream and the cool stream,
and for producing a single stream of liquid to an applicator pad,
wherein the single stream of liquid is selected from one of the hot
stream, the cool stream, or a mixture of the hot and cool
stream.
[0026] In illustrative embodiments, the heating and cooling means
includes a Peltier device having a heating side and a cooling side,
a hot reservoir coupled to the heating side, and a cold reservoir
coupled to the cooling side. In other embodiments, the heating and
cooling means includes a heating Peltier device having a heating
side; a hot reservoir coupled to the heating side of the Peltier
device; a cooling Peltier device separate from the heating Peltier
device, the cooling Peltier device having a cooling side; and a
cold reservoir coupled to the cooling side.
[0027] In some embodiments, the pump means includes a hot pump in
fluid communication with the heating and cooling means to drive the
hot stream; and a cold pump in fluid communication with the heating
and cooling means to drive the cool stream, the hot pump and the
cold pump being independently controllable.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] The foregoing features of embodiments will be more readily
understood by reference to the following detailed description,
taken with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0029] FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B schematically illustrate an embodiment
of a heating/cooling system;
[0030] FIG. 1C and FIG. 1D schematically illustrate an embodiment
of a heating/cooling system;
[0031] FIG. 1E, FIG. 1F and FIG. 1G schematically illustrate
another embodiment of a heating/cooling system;
[0032] FIG. 1H schematically illustrates another embodiment of a
heating/cooling system;
[0033] FIG. 2A schematically illustrates an embodiment of a fluid
heater/cooler;
[0034] FIG. 2B schematically illustrates an embodiment of a
reservoir;
[0035] FIG. 2C schematically illustrates an alternate embodiment of
a of a fluid heater/cooler;
[0036] FIG. 2D schematically illustrates an alternate embodiment of
a of a fluid heater/cooler;
[0037] FIG. 2E schematically illustrates another embodiment of a
fluid heater;
[0038] FIG. 2F schematically illustrates another embodiment of a
fluid heater and fluid cooler system;
[0039] FIG. 3A schematically illustrates an embodiment of a pump
system;
[0040] FIG. 3B schematically illustrates another embodiment of a
pump system;
[0041] FIG. 4A schematically illustrates an embodiment of an
applicator pad;
[0042] FIG. 4B schematically illustrates an embodiment of a
self-sealing connector for use with the applicator pad of FIG. 4,
in a detached condition;
[0043] FIG. 4C schematically illustrates the embodiment of a
self-sealing connector for use with the applicator pad of FIG. 4,
in a coupled condition;
[0044] FIG. 4D schematically illustrates the opposites side of an
applicator pad;
[0045] FIG. 4E schematically illustrates an embodiment of an
insulator strap;
[0046] FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B schematically illustrate two embodiments
of an insulated flexible tube for connecting the applicator pad of
FIG. 4;
[0047] FIG. 6 is a plan view of a user interface panel for the
apparatus;
[0048] FIG. 7A is a flow chart of a method of operating a
heating/cooling system;
[0049] FIG. 7B schematically illustrates a heating and cooling
ramp.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
[0050] Embodiments described herein provide to a user a compact and
efficient personal heating and cooling system that is more reliable
than previous heating and cooling systems. Preferred embodiments
are controllable by the user to provide heating, or cooling, or
alternate heating and cooling. To that end, illustrative
embodiments produce a stream of hot water that is controllable for
at least one of its temperature and flow rate, and a stream of cold
water that is controllable (independently of the hot stream) for at
least one of its temperature and flow rate, and provide heating,
cooling, or alternate heating and cooling, by selectively
forwarding to an applicator pad one of the hot stream or cold
stream, or a mixture of the hot stream and cold stream.
[0051] A first embodiment of a heating/cooling system 100 is
schematically illustrated in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B. The system 100
includes a fluid heating and cooling assembly 200 that, in
operation, heats, cools, or alternately heats and cools a fluid,
which fluid is then circulated through an applicator pad 400,
described in more detail below. In preferred embodiments, the fluid
is liquid, and is water, but in other embodiments the liquid may be
a mix of water and other additives, or a liquid that is not
water-based. Several embodiments of a heating and cooling assembly
200 are presented in the figures and described below.
[0052] The system 100 also includes a pump assembly 300 that
includes at least one pump for driving the fluid from the heating
and cooling assembly 200 through the applicator pad 400 and back to
the heating and cooling assembly 200. Several embodiments of a pump
assembly 300 are presented in the figures and described below.
Unless otherwise specified, any embodiment of the heating and
cooling assembly 200 will work with, and can be combined in a
system 100 with, any embodiment of pump assembly 300.
[0053] FIG. 1A schematically illustrates fluid connections between
the heating and cooling assembly 200, the pump assembly 300, and
the applicator pad 400. In operation, a hot conduit 122 couples hot
fluid produced by the heating and cooling assembly 200 to the pump
assembly 300, and a cold conduit 123 couples cold fluid produced by
the heating and cooling assembly 200 to the pump assembly 300. Hot
fluid in the hot conduit 122 may be referred to as a hot stream,
and cold fluid in the cold conduit may be referred to as a cold
stream. As described in more detail, the pump assembly 300
controllably drives one of the hot stream or the cold stream, or a
mixture of both hot stream and cold stream, to the applicator pad
400 through pad supply conduit 124.
[0054] In preferred embodiments, the pad supply conduit 124 is
removably coupleable to the applicator pad 400 by a sealing
connector 120. An illustrative embodiment of a sealing connector
120 is schematically illustrated in FIG. 4B and FIG. 4C. The
sealing connector has a conduit connector 450 coupled to the pad
supply conduit 124, and a pad connector 451 coupled to the input
412 of the raceway 410 in the applicator pad 400. In preferred
embodiments, such that when the conduit connector 450 is mated to
the pad connector 451, the sealing connector 120 allows fluid to
pass from the pad supply conduit 124 to the raceway 410 of the
applicator pad 400 without leaking fluid out or allowing air to
enter the pad supply conduit 124 and/or raceway 410.
[0055] The system 100 also includes a return conduit 131 coupled to
the applicator pad 400 and to the heating and cooling assembly 200.
In illustrative embodiments, the return conduit is removably
coupleable to an output 413 of the raceway 410, and to the heating
and cooling assembly 200, and more specifically to both the heater
220 and cooler 240. In preferred embodiments, the pad supply
conduit 124 is removably coupleable to the output 413 of the
raceway 410 by a sealing connector 135. In preferred embodiments,
at least one (and preferably each) of the connectors 120 and 130 is
a valved connector, such that when the components of the connectors
are coupled to one another, they form a fluid flow path that allows
liquid to pass without leaking out and/or air leaking in, and when
the components of the connectors are disconnected from one another,
each component is seals such that no fluid leaks through such
component.
[0056] In addition, the system 100 includes a power supply 110 in
power communication with the heating and cooling assembly 200 and
the pump assembly 300. The power supply 110, the heating and
cooling assembly 200, and the pump assembly 300 are each in control
communication with controller 800. In illustrative embodiments, the
operation of the system 100 is controllable in one or more modes,
under control of the controller 800. In preferred embodiments, the
controller 800 is a BGM11S Blue Gecko System-in-Package Bluetooth
Module available from Silicon labs, but in other embodiments the
controller 800 may be a microcontroller such as the ATtiny88
available from Microchip Technology, Inc., to name but a few
examples.
[0057] FIG. 1B schematically illustrates control and sensor
connections within the system 100. For clarity, FIG. 1B omits the
fluid conduits illustrated in FIG. 1A.
[0058] In some embodiments, it may be desirable to record the
temperature of the fluid at one or more points of the raceway 410,
and/or to control the operation of the heating and cooling system
100 based on one or more such temperature readings.
[0059] To that end, in preferred embodiments, the controller 800 is
in sensing communication with one or both of supply temperature
sensor 125 and return temperature senor 135. The supply temperature
sensor 125 is in thermal communication with the fluid supplied to
the raceway 410 to measure the temperature of the incoming fluid,
and the return sensor 135 is in thermal communication with the
fluid at the output 413 of the raceway 410 to measure the
temperature of the fluid leaving the applicator pad 400 after the
fluid has circulated through the raceway 410.
[0060] In preferred embodiments, the controller 800 measures the
temperature (Tin) of the fluid at the input 412 of the raceway 410
and the temperature (Tout) of the fluid at the output 413 of the
raceway 410, and calculates the average of those temperatures as
(Tin-Tout)/2. The controller 800 then uses that average temperature
to control the operation of the heating and cooling system 100.
Other embodiments may control the operation of the heating and
cooling system based on only one of those temperatures (Tin or
Tout), or based on the temperature (Tmid) of the fluid in the
raceway 410 measured by a temperature sensor 136 disposed at a
point of the fluid flow between the input 412 of the raceway 410
and the output 413 of the raceway 410.
[0061] The controller 800 is also in control communication with the
power supply 110, the heating and cooling assembly 200, and the
pump assembly 300. As described in more detail below, in various
embodiments the controller 800 controls the power supply 110, the
heating and cooling assembly 200, and the pump assembly 300 to
operate the heating and cooling system 100 in one or more of
several operational modes.
[0062] FIG. 1C and FIG. 1D schematically illustrate an embodiment
of a heating/cooling system 100, which system includes a
heating/cooling apparatus 200 for connection to an applicator pad
400. The heating/cooling apparatus 200 is designed to pump hot or
cold fluid through an outlet port 302. Returning fluid is received
in an inlet port 204. In order to provide hot and a cold fluid, a
Peltier device 230, also known as a thermoelectric cooling unit
("TEC"), is sandwiched between a cold fluid reservoir 241 and a hot
fluid reservoir 221. DC power is provided to the Peltier device 230
from a power supply 110. The power supply 110 may be sourced from
an AC adaptor or from one or more batteries.
[0063] The hot fluid reservoir 221 is disposed next to the heating
side of the Peltier device 230. To help keep the hot fluid from
overheating, a heat sink 225 is attached to the hot fluid reservoir
221. In some embodiments, so as to provide additional cooling, a
fan 226 is attached to the heat sink 225. Control over the rate of
heating or cooling can be achieved by switching on or off the fan
226. Further control may be provided if the fan 226 is a variable
speed fan that is electronically controlled, for example by
controller 800. The cold fluid reservoir 241 is juxtaposed next to
the cooling side of the Peltier device 230. On the external side of
the cold fluid reservoir 241 an insulation layer 248 is provided to
reduce environmental warming of the cooled fluid. In accordance
with one embodiment of the reservoirs, they may be provided as a
serpentine channel adjacent the Peltier device to promote heating
or cooling as the case may be. FIG. 2B shows an example of such a
serpentine channel 211 for use as the cold fluid reservoir. Such a
channel could similarly be provided as the hot fluid reservoir.
When a serpentine channel 211 is active through operation of the
associated pump, fluid moves through the serpentine channel
providing prolonged exposure to the heating or cooling effects of
the Peltier device 230.
[0064] In order to move fluid in and out of the apparatus, a pump
320, 340, respectively, is provided for each reservoir. A heating
fluid pump 320 is in fluid communication with an outlet port from
the hot fluid reservoir 221. A cooling fluid pump 340 is in fluid
communication with an outlet port from the cold fluid reservoir
241. An embodiment of a pump (e.g., 320, 330, 340) may be a
centrifugal pump. As an alternative, a diaphragm pump may be used.
Each of the pumps 320, 340, propels the respective fluid toward the
outlet port 302. Since the fluid paths coincide at outlet port 302,
a one-way valve 129, such as a check valve, may be disposed in each
of the lines 122, 123 to prevent hot fluid from being pumped
backwards into the cold fluid reservoir 241 and to prevent cold
fluid from being pumped backwards into the hot fluid reservoir 221.
A unidirectional flow of fluid is desirable. An insulated tubing
500 is provided with two conduits 124, 131. One conduit 124
connects to the outlet port 302 and the other 131 connects to the
inlet port 204. At the distal end of each conduit, a self-sealing
connector part (451 or 452) is attached.
[0065] FIG. 1E, FIG. 1F, and FIG. 1G schematically illustrate
another embodiment of a heating/cooling system 100. This embodiment
includes an independently controllable heater 222 (which may be a
Peltier device), and an independently controllable cooler 242, as
described below in connection with FIG. 2A. This embodiment also
includes an independently controllable hot pump 320, and an
independently controllable cold pump 340, as described below in
connection with FIG. 3A. Some embodiments include a heat sink 225
coupled to the cooler 242, as shown in FIG. 1F, and some
embodiments include a fan 226 coupled to the heat sink, as shown in
FIG. 1G.
[0066] FIG. 1H schematically illustrates another embodiment of a
heating/cooling system 100, in which a Peltier device 222 is
disposed between the hot reservoir 221 and a heat sink 225 and fan
226, with the hot side of the Peltier device 222 adjacent to the
hot reservoir 221, and the cold side of the Peltier device 222
facing away from the hot reservoir 221 and in thermal communication
with the heat sink 225. In operation, the controller 800 controls
the fan 226 (e.g., on, off, fan speed) to blow air over the heat
sink 225 and into cool air conduit 150. The cool air conduit 150 is
in fluid communication with the housing 101, so as to conduct cool
air (i.e., air that has been cooled by the cold side of the Peltier
device 222 and the heat sink 225) into an interior of the housing
101. The flow of such cool air cools circuitry and other components
internal to the housing 101.
[0067] In some embodiments, the heater 222 may be disposed between
the hot reservoir 221 and the housing 101 of the system 100. In
embodiments that employ a Peltier device as the heater 222, the
heating side of the Peltier device faces the hot reservoir 221, and
the cold side of the Peltier device faces the housing 101. Such
embodiments cool the housing 101, and any circuitry within the
housing 101, by exposing the housing 101 to the cold side of the
Peltier device.
[0068] FIG. 2A schematically illustrates an embodiment of a fluid
heater and cooling assembly 200 having two thermal-electric
devices, a first thermal electric device 222 disposed to heat all,
or a portion of, fluid returning from the applicator pad 400, and a
second thermal electric device 242 disposed to cool all, or a
portion of, fluid returning from the applicator pad 400. In
illustrative embodiments, the first thermal electric device 222 is
a Peltier device, but in other embodiments the thermal electric
device 222 may be only an electric-powered heat source.
[0069] In illustrative embodiments, each of the first thermal
electric device 222 and the second thermal electric device 242 is a
Peltier device. As known in the art, a Peltier device has two
opposing sides. In operation, when electrical current passes
through the Peltier device in a first direction, a first side of
the Peltier device gets hot, and the opposite side gets cool.
Moreover, when electrical current passes through the Peltier device
in the opposite direction (a second direction), the first side of
the Peltier device gets cool, and the opposite side gets hot.
Consequently, a fluid may be heated by thermally coupling the fluid
to a first side of a Peltier device an passing electrical current
through the Peltier device in a first direction, and a fluid may be
cooled by thermally coupling the fluid to a second side of a
Peltier device an passing electrical current through the Peltier
device in the second (opposite) direction.
[0070] Moreover, the fluid may be alternately heated and cooled by
thermally coupling the fluid to a first side of a Peltier device
and passing electrical current through the Peltier device in a
first direction to heat, and reversing the electrical current to
the second direction to cool. However, changing the direction of
the electrical current is not preferred because the circuit
required to controllably change the direction of the electrical
current is more complex than a circuit that supplies current only
in a single direction, and because changing the direction of
current flow has deleterious effects on the performance of the
Peltier device, including undesirably shortening the life span of
the Peltier device. For that reason, some applications of Peltier
devices avoid abrupt changes of electrical current direction, and
instead have an intervening period of no current flow through the
Peltier device prior to changing direction. Such an intervening
period is undesirable in heating and cooling systems because it
delays the change between heating and cooling modes.
[0071] To avoid such problems, the embodiment of FIG. 2A includes
two Peltier devices, 222 and 242. A heating side 224 of a heating
Peltier device 222 is thermally coupled to a heating reservoir 221.
The heating side 224 is determined by the direction of electrical
current flow through the Peltier device 222 from heater current
source 223. The current source 223 is part of the power supply 110,
and is in control communication with the controller 800. In
preferred embodiments, the heater current source 223 is a
unidirectional current source. The controller 800 can cause the
current source 223 to drive electrical current through the Peltier
device 222, modulate the quantity of electrical current flow
through the Peltier device 222, and/or withhold electrical current
from the Peltier device 222. In operation, fluid within, or flowing
through, the heating reservoir 221 is heated by the heating Peltier
device 222.
[0072] A cooling side 244 of a cooling Peltier device 242 is
thermally coupled to a cooling reservoir 242. The cooling side 244
is determined by the direction of electrical current flow through
the Peltier device 242 from cooler current source 243. The current
source 243 is part of the power supply 110, and is in control
communication with the controller 800. In preferred embodiments,
the cooler current source 243 is a unidirectional current source.
The controller 800 can cause the current source 243 to drive
electrical current through the Peltier device 242, modulate the
quantity of electrical current flow through the Peltier device 242,
and/or withhold electrical current from the Peltier device 242. In
operation, fluid within, or flowing through, the cooling reservoir
241 is cooled by the cooling Peltier device 242.
[0073] An embodiment of a reservoir 210, which may be a heating
reservoir 221 or a cooling reservoir 241, is schematically
illustrated in FIG. 2B. The reservoir 210 has a fluid flow channel
211 through a body 215. In preferred embodiments, the fluid flow
channel 211 has a serpentine configuration, and the reservoir 210
may be referred to as a "manifold." In operation, fluid enters the
fluid flow channel 211 through a reservoir inlet 212 and exits the
fluid flow channel 211 through a reservoir outlet 213. In some
embodiments, a hot reservoir 221 is the base 228 of a heat sink
225. Such a hot reservoir may be fabricated, for example, by
machining the fluid flow channel 211 into the base 228 of the heat
sink 225.
[0074] FIG. 2C schematically illustrates an embodiment of a
single-Peltier device heating and cooling assembly 200. In this
embodiment, a single Peltier device 230 is shared by two
reservoirs. The heating side 231 of the shared Peltier device 230
is thermally coupled to a heating reservoir 221, and the cooling
side 234 of the shared Peltier device is thermally coupled to a
cooling reservoir 241.
[0075] In operation, the shared Peltier device 230 heats fluid in,
or flowing through the heating reservoir 221, and cools fluid
flowing through the cooling reservoir 241. The operation of the
shared Peltier device 230 is controlled by the controller 800. The
controller 800 can cause the current source 233 to drive electrical
current through the Peltier device 230, modulate the quantity of
electrical current flow through the Peltier device 230, and/or
withhold electrical current from the Peltier device 230.
[0076] As illustrated in FIG. 2C, the heating reservoir 221 is in
thermal communication with the full heating side 231 of the shared
Peltier device 230. In this way, all of the heat produced by the
heating side 231 of the shared Peltier device 230 is thermally
coupled to the heating reservoir 221.
[0077] In some embodiments, however, it may not be desirable to
thermally couple all of the heat produced by the heating side 231
of the shared Peltier device 230 to the heating reservoir 221. For
example, the shared Peltier device 230 may overheat the fluid if
all of the heat produced by the shared Peltier device 230 is
thermally coupled to the fluid. In some such embodiments, as
schematically illustrated in FIG. 2D for example, the heating
reservoir 221 is offset from the shared Peltier device 230, so that
an exposed portion 232 of the heating side 231 of the shared
Peltier device 230 is not in direct thermal contact with the
heating reservoir 221. In such embodiments, heat at the exposed
portion of the heating side 231 of the shared Peltier device 230
radiates into free space, or may be conductively coupled into a
heat sink.
[0078] FIG. 2E schematically illustrates an alternate embodiment of
a heat sink fluid heater 260 in which liquid in a heating conduit
261 is heated by exposure to a heat sink 225 that is coupled to a
heat source 222. Such a heating conduit 261 is an embodiment of a
hot reservoir 221. In the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 2E, the
heating conduit 261 is disposed between fins 227 of a finned heat
sink 225. In particular, in this illustrative embodiment, the heat
sink 225 is a finned heat sink, and a segment 263 of the heating
conduit 261 is disposed between one set of fins 227, and second
segment 267 of the heating conduit 261 is disposed between a second
set of fins 227. Each of the two segments 263 and 267 is preferably
a copper tube. An input end 264 of the first segment 263 is coupled
to return conduit 131 to receive fluid to be heated, and an output
end 269 of the second segment 267 is coupled to hot supply conduit
122. The remaining ends 265 and 268 of each of the first and second
segments 263 and 267, respectively, are coupled to each other by a
loop 266 by which fluid passes from the first segment 263 to the
second segment 267. In operation liquid from return conduit 131 is
heated by heat from the heat sink 225 as it passes through the
heating conduit 261, before exiting into the hot supply conduit
122.
[0079] FIG. 2F schematically illustrates an alternate embodiment of
a fluid heater and fluid cooler in which a heating Peltier device
222 is sandwiched between a hot reservoir 221 and a heat sink 225
such that the hot side of the Peltier device 222 is adjacent to the
hot reservoir 221 and the cold side of the Peltier device is
adjacent to the heat sink 225, and a cooling Peltier device 242 is
sandwiched between a cold reservoir 241 and the heat sink 225 such
that the cold side of the Peltier device 242 is adjacent to the
cold reservoir 241 and the hot side of the Peltier device 242 is
adjacent to the heat sink 225. In some embodiments, a fan 226 under
control of the controller 800 blows air across the fins 227 of the
heat sink 225. In these embodiments, heat generated by the cooling
Peltier device 242 is conducted to the heat sink 225, and some of
that heat is dissipated to the environment by the heat sink 225.
Further, some heat generated by the cooling Peltier device 242 is
conducted to the cold side of the heating Peltier device 222. In
other words, when the heating Peltier device 222 is powered, the
cold side of the heating Peltier device 222 cools the heat sink 225
directly, thereby absorbing some of the heat generated by the
cooling Peltier device 242.
[0080] FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B schematically illustrates embodiments of
a pump assembly 300, each of which produces an independently
controllable stream of hot fluid and an independently controllable
stream of cold fluid. In other words, the respective flow rates of
the stream of hot fluid and the stream of cold fluid is
controllable independently of one another.
[0081] FIG. 3A schematically illustrates an embodiment of a pump
assembly 300 having two pumps, 320 340, each of which is
independently under the control of controller 800.
[0082] The hot conduit 122 delivers to the hot pump 320 hot fluid
from the heating and cooling assembly 200, and the cold conduit 123
deliver to the cold pump 340 cold fluid from the heating and
cooling assembly 200. In operation, the controller 800 causes the
hot pump 320 to drive hot fluid to the applicator pad 400 when the
system 100 is in a heating mode, and causes the cold pump 340 drive
cold fluid to the applicator pad 400 when the system 100 is in a
cooling mode. In some embodiments, the pump assembly 300 may drive
to the applicator pad 400 fluid having a temperature between the
temperature of the hot fluid and the temperature of the cold fluid
by causing each of the pumps 320 and 340 to drive fluid to the
applicator pad 400. In such embodiments, hot fluid driven by hot
pump 320 mixes, in the pad supply conduit 124 and/or in the pad
400, with cold fluid driven by the cold pump 340. Some embodiments
gradually change the temperature of fluid supplied to the
applicator pad 400 by gradually changing the amount of fluid driven
by the hot pump 320 and the cold pump 340. For example, to increase
the temperature of fluid supplied to the applicator pad 400, the
quantity of fluid driven by the cold pump 340 may be decreased
while the quantity of fluid driven by the hot pump 320 is
increased. Similarly, to decrease the temperature of fluid supplied
to the applicator pad 400, the quantity of fluid driven by the hot
pump 320 may be decreased while the quantity of fluid driven by the
cold pump 340 is increased.
[0083] FIG. 3B schematically illustrates another embodiment of a
pump system having a single pump 330 and controllable valves 331,
332, all under control of the controller 800. In some embodiments,
one or both of the controllable valves 331, 332 is a binary valve,
in that the valve is controllable to be either completely open or
completely closed. In other embodiments, one or both of the
controllable valves 331, 332 is an adjustable valve, where the
valve may be completely open, completely closed, or may be
controlled to be adjusted to any point in a range between
completely open and completely closed.
[0084] The hot conduit 122 delivers to the hot valve 331 hot fluid
from the heating and cooling assembly 200, and the cold conduit 123
delivers to the cold valve 332 cold fluid from the heating and
cooling assembly 200. In operation, the controller 800 causes the
hot valve 331 to pass hot fluid to the shared pump 330 when the
system 100 is in a heating mode, and causes the cold valve 332 to
pass cold fluid to the shared pump 330 when the system 100 is in a
cooling mode. In some embodiments, the pump assembly may drive to
the applicator pad 400 fluid having a temperature between the
temperature of the hot fluid and the temperature of the cold fluid
by causing each of the valves 331 and 332 to pass hot and cold
fluid, respectively, to the shared pump 330, whereby the shared
pump 330 drives a mixture of hot and cold fluid to the applicator
pad 400. Some embodiments gradually change the temperature of fluid
supplied to the applicator pad 400 by gradually changing the amount
of the hot fluid and cold fluid supplied to and driven by the
shared pump 330. For example, to increase the temperature of fluid
supplied to the applicator pad 400, the quantity of fluid passed by
the cold valve 332 to the shared pump may be decreased while the
quantity of fluid passed by the hot valve 331 to the shared pump
330 is increased. Similarly, to decrease the temperature of fluid
supplied to the applicator pad 400, the quantity of fluid passed by
the hot valve 331 320 may be decreased while the quantity of fluid
passed by the cold valve 332 is increased.
[0085] FIG. 4A schematically illustrates an embodiment of an
applicator pad 400. The applicator pad 400 is flexible so that it
may better conform to a body area being treated with the hot or
cold therapy. A myriad of geometries of applicator pad 400 can be
created to confirm to different body areas, and the disclosure
herein is applicable to all such geometries. The figures in FIG.
4A, FIG. 4B, FIG. 4C and FIG. 4A are merely illustrative. A
continuous liquid flow channel 410 (which may be referred to as a
raceway) extends over almost the entire area of the pad 400. The
channel 410 may be made by elongated tubing or by a use of a mold
with two sheets of TPU (thermal polyurethane) or other suitable
flexible plastic. A thermal insulation layer 405 extends over the
non-treating side 403 of the pad 400, as schematically illustrated
in FIG. 4D. The application side 402 of the pad 400 applies the
heat or the cooling of the fluid in the flow channel 410 directly
to the body area being treated. A self-sealing connector 451 is
attached at each of the inlet end 412 and an outlet end 413 end of
the liquid flow channel 410. The self-sealing connector parts 451,
452 of the applicator pad and the self-sealing connector part of
the flexible tubing 500 are configured for making a mating
connection. One of the mating connectors is in a male configuration
and the other is a female configuration as shown in FIG. 4B and
FIG. 4C. By including self-sealing connectors 450 in this way, the
applicator pad 400 can be provided or sold with the channel 410
filled with liquid 420. When the conduits 124 and 131 of the
flexible tubing 500 are similarly filled with liquid, connection
can be made between the flexible tubing 500 and the applicator pad
400 without introducing troublesome air bubbles in the lines 124,
131 and channel 410, or allowing the fluid 420 to escape.
Connection is therefore made simply without need for priming the
continuous liquid flow channel 410.
[0086] FIG. 4B schematically illustrates an embodiment of a valved
connector, which in this embodiments is a self-sealing connector
450 for use with the applicator pad of FIG. 4 and as the supply
connector 120 and the return connector 130 in the apparatus of FIG.
1A and FIG. 1B in which a male mating connector 451 and a female
mating connector 452 are schematically illustrated in a detached
condition. In this condition, each of the male mating connector 451
and a female mating connector 452 is sealed, so that no fluid can
pass.
[0087] FIG. 4C schematically illustrates the embodiment of a
self-sealing connector 450 in which a male mating connector 451 and
a female mating connector 452 are schematically illustrated in an
attached condition. In this condition, the male mating connector
451 and female mating connector 452 form a passage through which
fluid may flow without leaking out of a conduit or pad 400.
[0088] FIG. 4E schematically illustrates an embodiment of an
insulator apparatus 460 that insulates the applicator pad to
mitigate heat loss from fluid in the pad 400, or heat gain to fluid
in the pad 400, in some embodiments, helps hold an applicator pad
400 to a user. The insulator apparatus 460 includes a strap 461
that may be secured around a part of the user, such a limb for
example. In some embodiments, the opposing ends 462 of the strap
461 couple to one another to secure the strap in position. To that
end, in some embodiments, the end 462 is a buckle or other
fastening device. In other embodiments, the strap 461 is a hook and
loop material (e.g., Velcro), and the ends of the strap 461 secure
the insulator apparatus 460 by coupling to one another, or to an
opposing hook and loop material on the pad 400, in ways known for
hook and loop materials. In preferred embodiments, the insulator
strap includes an insulator pad 465. In use, the insulator pad 465
is positioned adjacent to the applicator pad 400, as shown in FIG.
4E. More specifically, the insulator pad 465 is secured adjacent to
the non-treating side 403 of the pad 400, to provide insulation
against heating and/or cooling of fluid within the pad 400 from the
environment or other heat source external to the pad 400. The
insulator apparatus 460 is also removable. The insulator apparatus
460 may be described as including an insulator pad 465, and a
securable strap 461 coupled to the insulator pad 465 and configured
to secure the insulator pad 465 against the flexible applicator pad
400, for example when the applicator pad is secured to a user.
[0089] FIG. 5A schematically illustrates an embodiment of a
flexible tube 500 for connecting the applicator pad 400 of FIG. 4
to the apparatus of FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B. The tube 500 includes a
supply conduit 124 and a return conduit 131 coupled together by a
joint 515.
[0090] FIG. 5B schematically illustrates another embodiment of a
flexible tube 500 for connecting the applicator pad 400 of FIG. 4
to the apparatus of FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B. The tube 500 includes a
supply conduit 124 and a return conduit 131 coupled within a
sheathing 525. In preferred embodiments, the sheathing 252 is a
webbed sheathing.
[0091] In preferred embodiments of flexible tube 500, at least one
and preferably both of the supply conduit 124 and a return conduit
131 is insulated to mitigate loss of heat from hot fluid, and
warming of cold fluid, which loss of heat or warming may occur to
or from the environment surrounding the flexible tube 500, and/or
to or from the adjacent conduit 121 or 131, respectively.
[0092] FIG. 6 is a plan view of a user interface 600 for the
apparatus 100 of FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B. In some embodiments, the user
interface 600 is a physical panel 601 on the exterior of the
apparatus 100. Alternatively, it may be a virtual control panel
displayed on a screen 610 on the exterior of the apparatus 100. In
some embodiments, the control panel 600 may be part of a remote
control apparatus 660 (see FIG. 1B), which may be connected
wirelessly or through a wire. A wireless connection may be through
a protocol such as Bluetooth. The remote control 660 can be a
dedicated controller or may be provided as an application (or
"app") on a smartphone, a personal assistant or other computer
device. Activation of a control may be manual or voice
activated.
[0093] The user interface 600 has one or more control features,
such as buttons or icons, by which the user may control the
apparatus 100.
[0094] In preferred embodiments, the user interface 600 includes a
power control feature 610 by the user may turn the apparatus 100 on
and off.
[0095] Illustrative embodiments also include a heat control feature
620, by which the user can control the temperature of the hot fluid
circulated to the pad 400. For example, illustrative embodiments
allow the user to set the temperature of the hot fluid to any of
several temperatures, such as low, medium, or high, by reputedly
pressing or activating the heat control feature 620. The setting
selected by the user may be indicated by the lighting of one or
more of the lights 621, 622 and 623.
[0096] Illustrative embodiments also include a cold control feature
630, by which the user can control the temperature of the cooling
fluid circulated to the pad 400. For example, illustrative
embodiments allow the user to set the temperature of the cold fluid
to any of several temperatures, such as low, medium, or high, by
reputedly pressing or activating the heat control feature 630. The
setting selected by the user may be indicated by the lighting of
one or more of the lights 631, 632 and 633. In preferred
embodiments, the control feature 630 allows a user to set the
temperature of fluid supplied to the pad 400 to any temperature
within the range of hot and cold temperatures capable of being
produced by the apparatus 100. For example, in such embodiments,
the control feature 630 may be a turnable knob, or a slider, to
name but a few examples.
[0097] Preferred embodiments include a contrast therapy (or
"Hot/Cold") control feature 640 by which a user may control the
apparatus 100 to alternately apply hot therapy and cold therapy by
switching between the supply of hot fluid and cold fluid.
[0098] FIG. 7A is a flow chart of embodiments of methods of
operating a heating/cooling system 100. The control electronics 800
allows the user to select hot, cold or contrast therapies. A
contrast therapy calls for alternating between cold and hot at
designated intervals. By making hot and cold fluid reservoirs
independently available (e.g., by providing
independently-controllable pumps 320, 330, 340, or
independently-controllable valves 331, 332, switching from one to
the other can be accomplished with speed and ease. Moreover,
temperature control can be maintained throughout the therapy
quickly getting the temperature of fluid flowing through the
applicator pad 400 to the desired level. In an illustrative
embodiment, when cold fluid is called for the cold fluid pump 340
is switched on and the heating fluid pump 320 is switched off. Cold
temperature is adjusted by turning on or off the Peltier device
that cools the liquid (e.g., 242; 230). Cooling can also be
facilitated by turning on or increasing the speed of fan 226. When
the fluid in the cold reservoir 241 has been sufficiently cooled by
the Peltier device for use, an indicator light 650 illuminates. The
control electronics maintains the desired temperature by monitoring
the first and second temperature sensors (125, 135). Thus, the
temperature can be automatically adjusted to any level.
[0099] The method begins as step 710, at which the user powers-up
the system 100, including the one or more Peltier devices (222,
242) and fan 226.
[0100] At step 720, the user selects an operating mode, for example
a heating mode by activating the heat control feature 620, a
cooling mode by activating the cold control feature 630, or the
hot/cold mode by activating the hot/cold control feature 640.
[0101] When the user selects the heating mode, the method follows
branch 730 of the flow chart. At step 731, the user selects the
desired hot temperature, and the system 100 begins circulating hot
fluid through the applicator pad 400. At step 741, the system
measures the temperature of the fluid circulating through the
applicator pad 400. In preferred embodiments, the system measures
the temperature of the fluid both at the input 412 and outlet 413
of the applicator pad 400, and determines the temperature of the
fluid as the average of those two measurements. The inventors have
found that measuring the fluid temperature in that way provides a
more reliable indication of the temperature of the fluid
circulating within the applicator pad 400. Other embodiments,
however, measure the temperature of the fluid either at the input
412 or output 413. The method assesses the measured fluid
temperature to detect whether the fluid temperature exceeds the
selected temperature (too high), or is below the selected
temperature (too low).
[0102] When the temperature is too high, the method responds to
cool the fluid. To that end, the method may reduce or stop the
current flow supplied to the heater 221 heating the fluid (step
742), and/or may turn on the fan 226 (step 743). Some embodiments
may also switch to the cooling mode 750 at step 747, at least until
the fluid temperature returns to the selected temperature.
[0103] When the temperature is too low, the method responds to heat
the fluid. To that end, the method may increase the current flow
supplied to the heater 222 heating the fluid (step 745), and/or may
turn off the fan 226 (step 746).
[0104] When the user selects the cooling mode, the method follows
branch 750 of the flow chart. At step 751, the user selects the
desired cold temperature, and the system 100 begins circulating hot
water through the applicator pad 400. At step 761, the system 100
measures the temperature of the fluid circulating through the
applicator pad 400. As described above, in preferred embodiments,
the system measures the temperature of the fluid both at the input
412 and outlet 413 of the applicator pad 400, and determines the
temperature of the fluid as the average of those two measurements,
but other embodiments measure the fluid temperature at only a
single point.
[0105] When the temperature is too high, the method responds to
cool the fluid. To that end, the method may reduce or stop the
current flow supplied to the Peltier device 242 that is cooling the
fluid (step 762).
[0106] When the temperature is too low, the method responds to heat
the fluid. To that end, the method may decrease the current flow
supplied to the Peltier device 242 or turn off or reduce the speed
of the fan 226, thereby cooling the fluid (step 765).
[0107] Some embodiments may also switch to the warming mode 730 at
step 767, at least until the fluid temperature returns to the
selected temperature.
[0108] When the user selects the hot/cold mode (or "contrast
therapy" mode), the method follows branch 770 of the flow chart. In
the hot/cold mode, the system 100 alternates between a heating mode
described above, and the cooling mode described above. Preferred
embodiments repeat that alternating cycle a set number of times, at
step 787.
[0109] FIG. 7B schematically illustrates a heating and cooling ramp
cycle. In hot/cold mode 770, the system alternates between heating
mode 730 and cooling mode 750, as illustrated by temperature
profile 790. In an illustrative embodiment, the system begins at a
cold temperature indicated by point 791 on the temperature axis. In
preferred embodiments, the system increases the temperature of
fluid applied to the applicator pad 400 up through a moderate or
embedment temperature 792, and then on to the hot temperature 793.
The system 100 may cause this warming ramp 794 by changing the mix
of hot fluid and cold fluid supplied by the pump assembly 300 to
the applicator pad 400 to gradually include more hot fluid and less
cold fluid.
[0110] The warming ramp 794 extends between time T0 and time T1.
That time span is sufficiently long so that the change of
temperature does not seem abrupt or uncomfortable for the user. For
example, in illustrative embodiments, the time between T0 and T1 is
one minute.
[0111] The cycle then holds the temperature at the hot temperature
793 for a heating period 795 between time T1 and time T3. In this
illustrative embodiment, the heating period may be 5 minutes.
[0112] Next, the cycle decreases the temperature from the hot
temperature 793, down through the moderate or embedment temperature
792, and on to the cold temperature 791. The system 100 may cause
this cooling ramp 796 by changing the mix of hot fluid and cold
fluid supplied by the pump assembly 300 to the applicator pad 400
to gradually include more cold fluid and less hot fluid.
[0113] The cooling ramp 796 extends between time T2 and time T3.
That time span is sufficiently long so that the change of
temperature does not seem abrupt or uncomfortable for the user. For
example, in illustrative embodiments, the time between T2 and T3 is
one minute.
[0114] The cycle then holds the temperature at the cold temperature
791 for a cooling period 797 between time T3 and time T4. In this
illustrative embodiment, the cooling period may be 5 minutes.
[0115] Various embodiments of the present invention may be
characterized by the potential claims listed in the paragraphs
following this paragraph (and before the actual claims provided at
the end of this application). These potential claims form a part of
the written description of this application. Accordingly, subject
matter of the following potential claims may be presented as actual
claims in later proceedings involving this application or any
application claiming priority based on this application. Inclusion
of such potential claims should not be construed to mean that the
actual claims do not cover the subject matter of the potential
claims. Thus, a decision to not present these potential claims in
later proceedings should not be construed as a donation of the
subject matter to the public.
[0116] Without limitation, potential subject matter that may be
claimed (prefaced with the letter "P" so as to avoid confusion with
the actual claims presented below) includes:
[0117] P1: An electrical cooling/heating system including a heating
and cooling assembly having a return fluid input; a hot fluid
output and a cold fluid output; a pump assembly having a fluid
interface disposed to receive hot fluid from the hot fluid output
and cold fluid from the cold fluid output (in some embodiments, the
fluid interface includes a hot fluid input in fluid communication
with the hot fluid output, and a cold fluid input in fluid
communication with the cold fluid output), and a pump output.
[0118] P2: The electrical cooling/heating system of P1, further
including a flexible pad having an application side, an insulation
side and a continuous liquid flow channel, the channel having an
inlet configured to sealingly couple to the pump output, and an
outlet configured to sealingly couple to the return fluid
input.
[0119] P3: The electrical cooling/heating system of P1, further
including a flexible pad having an application side, an insulation
side and a continuous liquid flow channel, the channel having an
inlet in fluid communication with the pump output, and an outlet
configured in fluid communication with the return fluid input.
[0120] P4: The electrical cooling/heating system of P1, wherein the
heating and cooling assembly includes:
[0121] a hot fluid reservoir having a hot return inlet coupled to
the return fluid input, and a first output coupled to the hot fluid
output;
[0122] a cold fluid reservoir separate from the hot fluid
reservoir, the cold fluid reservoir having a cold return inlet
coupled to the return fluid input, and a second output coupled to
the cold fluid output;
[0123] a shared Peltier device having a heating side and a cooling
side, the cooling side in thermal communication with the cold fluid
reservoir, and the heating side in thermal communication with the
hot fluid reservoir.
[0124] P5: The electrical cooling/heating system of P1, wherein the
heating and cooling assembly includes:
[0125] a hot fluid reservoir having a hot return inlet coupled to
the return fluid input, and a first output coupled to the hot fluid
output;
[0126] a heating Peltier device having a heating side in thermal
communication with the hot fluid reservoir;
[0127] a cold fluid reservoir separate from the hot fluid
reservoir, the cold fluid reservoir having a cold return inlet
coupled to the return fluid input, and a second output coupled to
the cold fluid output;
[0128] a cooling Peltier device having a cooling side in thermal
communication with the cold fluid reservoir.
[0129] P6: The electrical cooling/heating system of P1, wherein the
pump assembly includes:
[0130] a controllable hot pump having the hot fluid input in fluid
communication with the hot fluid output, a hot pump outlet; in
fluid communication with the pump output; and
[0131] a controllable cold pump having the cold fluid input in
fluid communication with the cold fluid output, and a cold pump
outlet in fluid communication with the pump output,
[0132] wherein the cold pump is controllable independently of the
hot pump, and wherein the pump output is fed from each of the cold
pump and the hot pump.
[0133] P7: The electrical cooling/heating system of P1, wherein the
pump assembly includes:
[0134] a shared pump having a pump input and a pump output;
[0135] a hot controllable valve fluidly coupled between the hot
fluid output and the pump input; and
[0136] a cold controllable valve fluidly coupled between the cold
fluid output and the pump input;
[0137] wherein the hot controllable valve is controllable
independently of the cold controllable valve, and wherein the
shared pump drives both hot fluid supplied through the hot
controllable valve, and cold fluid supplied through the cold fluid
valve.
[0138] The following reference numbers are used in the foregoing
description.
[0139] 100: Heating and cooling system;
[0140] 101: Housing;
[0141] 110: Power supply;
[0142] 120: Supply connector;
[0143] 122: Hot supply conduit;
[0144] 123: Cold supply conduit;
[0145] 124: Pad supply conduit;
[0146] 125: Supply temperature sensor;
[0147] 129: One way valve or check valve;
[0148] 130: Return connector;
[0149] 131: Return conduit;
[0150] 135: Return temperature sensor;
[0151] 136: Intra-channel temperature sensor;
[0152] 150: Cool air conduit;
[0153] 200: Fluid Heater/Cooler system
[0154] 204: Return inlet;
[0155] 210: Reservoir;
[0156] 211: Reservoir channel;
[0157] 220: Fluid heater;
[0158] 221: Hot reservoir;
[0159] 222: Heater (for example, a Peltier device);
[0160] 223: Heater current source;
[0161] 225: Heat sink;
[0162] 226: Fan;
[0163] 227: Heat sink fin;
[0164] 228: Heat sink base;
[0165] 230: Shared heating and cooling device;
[0166] 231: Heating side;
[0167] 232: Exposed portion;
[0168] 233: Shared current source;
[0169] 234: Cooling side;
[0170] 240: Fluid cooler;
[0171] 241: Cold reservoir;
[0172] 242: Cooler device;
[0173] 243: Cooler current source;
[0174] 248: Insulation layer;
[0175] 260: Heat sink fluid heater;
[0176] 261: Heating conduit;
[0177] 263: First segment of heating conduit;
[0178] 264: Input end of first segment;
[0179] 265: Output end of first segment;
[0180] 266: Fluid connector;
[0181] 267: Second segment of heating conduit;
[0182] 268: Input end of second segment;
[0183] 269 Output end of second segment;
[0185] 300: Pump system;
[0186] 301: Pump assembly input interface;
[0187] 302: Pump assembly output;
[0188] 320: Hot pump;
[0189] 330: Shared pump;
[0190] 331: Hot valve;
[0191] 332: Cold valve;
[0192] 340: Cold pump;
[0193] 400: Applicator pad;
[0194] 402: Application side of applicator pad;
[0195] 403: Non-treating side of applicator pad;
[0196] 405: Thermal insulation layer;
[0197] 410: Raceway;
[0198] 412: Raceway input;
[0199] 413: Raceway output;
[0200] 420: Fluid (e.g., liquid) sealed within raceway;
[0201] 451: First self-sealing, mateable connector;
[0202] 452: Second self-sealing, mateable connector;
[0203] 460: Insulator apparatus;
[0204] 461: Strap;
[0205] 462: End of strap;
[0206] 465: Insulator pad;
[0207] 500: Flexible tube;
[0208] 515: Joint;
[0209] 525: Sheathing;
[0210] 600: User interface;
[0211] 601: Control panel;
[0212] 610: Power selector;
[0213] 620: Heat mode selector;
[0214] 621-623: Heat setting lights;
[0215] 630: Cold mode selector;
[0216] 631-633: Cold setting lights;
[0217] 640: Hot/cold mode selector;
[0218] 650: Temperature indicator light;
[0219] 660: Remote control;
[0220] The embodiments of the invention described above are
intended to be merely exemplary; numerous variations and
modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All
such variations and modifications are intended to be within the
scope of the present invention as defined in any appended
claims.
* * * * *