U.S. patent number 3,871,381 [Application Number 05/358,899] was granted by the patent office on 1975-03-18 for cold compress device.
Invention is credited to Donald J. Roslonski.
United States Patent |
3,871,381 |
Roslonski |
March 18, 1975 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Cold compress device
Abstract
A cold compress device for treating injuries in mammals,
including a flexible inflatable compress adapted to be placed
adjacent an area to be treated and a source of compressed
refrigerant connected to the compress. A channel is formed in a
portion of the compress wall which must be traversed by incoming
refrigerant before it enters the interior of the inflatable
compress. The device also includes means interposed between the
source of refrigerant and the compress for controlling the rate of
flow of refrigerant from the source into the compress, and pressure
relief means connected to the compress for regulating the maximum
pressure therein. The compressed refrigerant expands in the
compress to thus simultaneously cool and inflate the compress, with
the temperature of the refrigerant within the compress being
controlled by the flow rate control means.
Inventors: |
Roslonski; Donald J.
(Bricktown, NJ) |
Family
ID: |
26908564 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/358,899 |
Filed: |
May 10, 1973 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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213978 |
Dec 30, 1971 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
607/104;
601/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F
7/10 (20130101); A61D 9/00 (20130101); A61F
2007/0056 (20130101); A61F 2007/0091 (20130101); A61F
2007/0001 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61F
7/00 (20060101); A61F 7/10 (20060101); A61f
007/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;128/400,382,402,82.1,24.1,24R ;168/2 ;54/82 ;119/1 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Trapp; Lawrence W.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Schuyler, Birch, Swindler, McKie
& Beckett
Parent Case Text
This application is a continuation-in-part of my co-pending
application, Ser. No. 213,978 filed Dec. 30, 1971 now abandoned.
Claims
I claim:
1. A device for treating mammals comprising:
a flexible, inflatable compress adapted to be placed adjacent a
body area to be treated;
said compress comprising a surrounding wall and an inflatable
interior cavity formed by said wall;
said compress further comprising an enclosed channel formed in a
portion of the compress wall adapted to conduct a fluid refrigerant
over said compress wall portion;
said channel opening into the inflatable interior cavity of said
compress and being connected to an external source of compressed
refrigerant whereby refrigerant from said source is constrained to
pass over said compress wall portion by traversing said channel
before entering the inflatable interior cavity of said
compress;
means interposed between said source and said channel for
controlling the rate of flow of refrigerant from the source into
the compress whereby the rate of cooling of said compress can be
controlled; and
pressure relief means connected to said compress and communicating
between the inflatable interior cavity of the compress and the
ambient atmosphere for regulating the maximum pressure in the
compress whereby the pressure applied to the body area being
treated can be controlled.
2. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein the conducting channel
is formed in a portion of the wall of the compress adapted to be
disposed adjacent the area to be treated when the device is
used.
3. A device as recited in claim 2, wherein the conducting channel
extends over the entire portion of the compress wall adapted to be
disposed adjacent the area to be treated when the device is
used.
4. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein the conducting channel
is formed in a portion of the wall of the compress adapted to be
disposed remote from the area to be treated when the device is
used.
5. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein said compress is made
from an inelastic material.
6. A device as recited in claim 5, wherein said halocarbon
refrigerant is dichlorodifluoromethane.
7. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein said compress is an
inflatable, wrap-around bandage.
8. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein the compress is an
inflatable sleeve.
9. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein the compress is an
inflatable mitten.
10. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein the compress is an
inflatable boot.
11. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein said refrigerant source
is a tank of liquified carbon dioxide.
12. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein said refrigerant source
is a tank of liquified halocarbon refrigerant.
13. A device as recited in claim 5, wherein said halocarbon
refrigerant is monochlorodifluoromethane.
14. A device as recited in claim 5, wherein said halocarbon
refrigerant is dichlorotetrafluoroethane.
15. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein said flow rate control
means is a manually operated valve.
16. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein said pressure relief
means is a pressure relief valve.
17. A device as recited in claim 16, wherein said pressure relief
valve is detachably connected to said compress.
18. A device as recited in claim 1, further comprising a harness
for supporting said refrigerant source on the mammal being
treated.
19. A device as recited in claim 1, further comprising a quick
release valve communicating between the interior of compress and
the ambient atmosphere for facilitating rapid deflation of the
compress when treatment with the device is to be ended.
20. A device as recited in claim 1, further comprising check valve
means interposed between the refrigerant source and said channel
for preventing back-flow of the refrigerant.
21. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said compress wall
portion comprises two layers of flexible, thermoplastic material;
joined to each other by a pattern of heat seals; said pattern of
heat seals forming an elongated fluid conducting conduit between
said layers; one end of said elongated conduit opening into the
inflatable interior cavity of said compress and the other end of
said conduit being connected to said source of compressed
refrigerant whereby refrigerant from said source is constrained to
traverse the entire length of said conduit before entering said
interior cavity.
22. A device as recited in claim 21 wherein said pattern of heat
seals is a pair of interlocking combs.
23. A device as recited in claim 21 wherein said pattern of heat
seals is a spiral.
24. A flexible, inflatable compress adapted to be placed adjacent a
body area of a mammal to be treated;
said compress comprising a surrounding wall and an inflatable
interior cavity formed by said wall;
a portion of said wall comprising two layers of flexible
thermoplastic material joined to each other by a pattern of heat
seals;
said pattern of heat seals forming an elongated fluid conducting
channel extending over said wall portion between said layers;
and
one end of said channel opening into the inflatable interior cavity
of said compress, and the other end of said channel being adapted
to be connected to an external source of compressed
refrigerant.
25. A compress as recited in claim 24 wherein said pattern of heat
seals is a pair of interlocking combs.
26. A compress as recited in claim 24 wherein said pattern of heat
seals is spiral.
27. A flexible, inflatable compress adapted to be placed adjacent a
body area to be treated;
said compress comprising a surrounding wall and an inflatable
interior cavity formed by said wall;
a portion of said wall comprising two layers of flexible,
fluid-impervious material;
a pattern of secured and unsecured areas over said two layer
portion; said secured areas joining said two layers to each other;
said unsecured areas constituting an elongated, enclosed fluid
conducting channel extending over said wall portion between said
two layers; and
one end of said channel opening into the inflatable interior cavity
of said compress, and the other end of said channel being adapted
to be connected to an external source of compressed
refrigerant.
28. A compress as recited in claim 27 further comprising a pressure
relief valve communicating between the inflatable interior cavity
of the compress and the external atmosphere.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Cold packing is a well known treatment for injuries such as
bruises, muscle strain, and sprains. The conventional methods of
applying such treatment include the application of ice bags, cold
wet cloths, etc. Such methods are incapable of providing a
sustained treatment over a relatively long period of time. The use
of cold wet cloths also is objectionable in that it is difficult to
prevent the patient and his surroundings becoming soaked with water
from the cloths. Also, continuous treatment with cold wet cloths
requires the constant attention of an attendant to continually
change and rewet the cloths. To a somewhat lesser, but still
objectionable, extent, continuous treatment with ice bags suffers
from the same disadvantage.
Recently there have been introduced onto the market so-called
chemical ice-packs. Chemical ice-packs contain amounts of
separately stored chemical substances which are mixed to initiate a
strongly endothermic chemical reaction when it is desired to use
the chemical ice-pack. Chemical ice-packs also are effective only
for a limited period of time and it is not possible to adjust the
temperature of the cold pack.
Cold wet cloths, ice-packs and chemical ice-packs all have the
disadvantage that it is not possible to maintain an accurate and
uniform pressure on the area being treated since they all depend on
hand application.
Also, devices have been proposed for passing a cooled fluid through
an inflated bandage in order to treat various disorders. An example
of such a device is disclosed in Gardner U.S. Pat. No. 3,186,404.
While such devices are operable to provide a constant and uniform
pressure against the injured area, in order to provide the desired
cooling, they require the use of bulky and expensive external
refrigeration equipment, thereby reducing the convenience and
availability of the devices.
Another device is disclosed in Berndt U.S. Pat. No. 3,628,537. The
Berndt device comprises an inflatable bandage with a sealable
opening therein to facilitate introduction of a volatile
refrigerant into a pouch in the interior of the bandage. It has the
disadvantage that the means used to seal the bandage may fail when
flexed or placed under pressure. More importantly the Berndt device
does not provide adequate control of the temperature of the bandage
inasmuch as the total amount of refrigerant is introduced into the
bandage at one time and no means is provided for regulating the
rate at which the refrigerant volatizes. Because accurate control
of the temperature is often particularly crucial, this latter
disadvantage is most serious.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for
treating injuries in mammals by applying sustained cooling with
pressure.
It is a further object of the invention to provide such a device in
which the applied pressure may be accurately controlled.
It is also an object of this invention to provide a device of the
aforesaid type in which the temperature may be accurately
controlled.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a device in
which the cooling effect may be concentrated in a particular
portion of the device or may be uniformly distributed across the
device.
It is another object of the invention to provide a such device
which does not require the constant attention of an attendant.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a device which
is relatively compact and self-contained so as to be particularly
adapted for portable operation.
It is another object of the invention to provide a device for
treating injuries in mammals by applying sustained cooling with
pressure which is relatively inexpensive in comparison to devices
requiring external refrigeration equipment and thereby may be made
more readily available.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
These and other objects of the invention are acheived by providing
a device for treating injuries in mammals comprising a flexible,
inflatable compress adapted to be placed adjacent an area to be
treated, a conducting channel formed in one wall of the compress
opening into the interior of the compress, an external source of
compressed refrigerant connected to the channel, means for
controlling the rate of flow of refrigerant from the source into
the compress interposed between the source and the channel, and
pressure relief means connected to the compress communicating
between the interior of the compress and the ambient atmosphere for
regulating the maximum pressure in the compress.
The compressed refrigerant expands as it flows from the source
thereof through the compress, and thereby simultaneously cools and
inflates the compress.
The general temperature of the compress depends on the rate at
which heat is absorbed by the refrigerant which in turn depends on
the rate of expansion and/or volitization of the refrigerant. The
invention provides for means to control the rate of flow of
refrigerant from the source through the channel into the compress
thereby controlling the rates of expansion and volitization and
enabling accurate regulation of the general temperature of the
compress. Conveniently, such means may comprise a manually
adjustible valve interposed between the refrigerant source and the
hose leading to the inflatable compress. The compress preferably is
made from an inelastic flexible material or is surrounded by an
inelastic flexible restraint so that the volume of the compress,
when inflated, will be substantially constant to thereby provide a
substantially constant refrigerant temperature for a particular
refrigerant flow rate.
The pressure of the refrigerant within the compress is controlled
by the pressure relief means, which conveniently comprises a
conventional pressure relief valve connected to the compress and
communicating between the interior thereof and ambient
atmosphere.
The channel serves to conduct the incoming compressed refrigerant
to a desired portion of the inflatable compress. The major
expansion of the compressed refrigerant and, if the refrigerant is
liquified, most of the volitization of the liquid will take place
in the channel. Expansion and/or volitization of the refrigerant
are the processes by which heat is absorbed and cooling is
effected. Thus, by appropriately locating the channel in the
compress wall, it is possible to control the location of the
principal cooling effect. Accordingly, by extending the channel
over the entire portion of the wall of the compress which contacts
the area being treated, it is possible to distribute the cooling
effect generally uniformly over the entire area. Likewise by
disposing the channel on a particular portion of the compress wall
it is possible to concentrate and localize to a certain extent the
cooling effect of the device.
The invention will be further described in connection with the
following embodiments adapted for treating race horses and
humans.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device according to the invention
in the form of an inflatable sleeve used for treating the foreleg
of a horse.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention
in the form of a mitten used for treating the hand, wrist and
forearm of a human.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the invention
in the form of a boot for treating the foot and ankle of a
human.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention
in the form of a wrap-around bandage.
FIG. 5 is a plan view, partially in section, of the cold compress
mitten of FIG. 2.
FIG. 6 is a vertical section view taken along the line 6--6 of FIG.
5.
FIG. 7 is a plan view, partially in section, of the wrap-around
cold compress device of FIG. 4.
FIG. 8 is a plan view, partially in section, of a modified form of
the wrap-around cold compress device of FIG. 4 showing an alternate
arrangement for the conducting channel.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Race horses and show horses often suffer from disabling leg
injuries, such as bruises, strains and sprains. This no doubt is
the result of the strenuous training and competition to which they
are subjected. Since race horses and show horses generally are
quite valuable, and since leg injuries can drastically reduce the
value of such horses, it is desirable to provide prompt and
effective treatment for such injuries.
The device, shown in FIG. 1, is adapted to provide such prompt and
effective treatment, and includes an inflatable compress in the
form of an inflatable sleeve 1. Sleeve 1 may be made from any
suitable gas-impervions, flexible material, such as rubber; and
preferably is made from an inelastic, gas-impervious, flexible
material, such as rubberized fabric or polyvinyl plastic material.
Alternatively, sleeve 1 may be surrounded by a restraint made from
an inelastic flexible material, such as a fabric material. Sleeve 1
is slipped over the foreleg of a horse 10 to be treated prior to
inflation thereof, and is held in place by the pressure of the
inflated device against the horse's leg.
The device of the invention also includes a source of compressed
refrigerant, such as a tank 2 of liquified refrigerant. A large
number of refrigerants, such as carbon dioxide, propane,
monochlorodifluoromethane, dichlorodifluoromethane, or
dichlorotetrafluoroethane may be used in the device of the
invention. The foregoing refrigerants are mentioned merely by way
of example, and it is understood that the invention embraces the
use of any suitable hydrocarbon, halocarbon, or inert compound
refrigerant. Preferably, the refrigerant chosen is comparatively
non-toxic in accordance with the Underwriters Laboratories'
classification of refrigerants. Materials such as sulfur dioxide,
which is highly toxic, generally are not preferred.
In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1, tank 2 is
connected to sleeve 1 by a flexible pressure hose 3. This is
generally the most convenient arrangement, but it also is within
the scope of the invention to connect the tank directly to the
compress without the use of an intervening hose. Hose 3 is
insulated to limit the absorbtion of heat by the refrigerant prior
to entering the channel in the compress wall. Interposed between
tank 2 and hose 3, and affixed to tank 2, is a manually operable
valve 4 which controls the rate of flow of refrigerant from tank 2
into sleeve 1. More complex arrangements, such as an adjustable
flow-responsive solenoid valve or even a valve controlled by a
computer in response to a multiplicity of parameters affecting the
treatment, may be substituted for manual valve 4. By controlling
the rate of flow of refrigerant from tank 2 to bandage 1, valve 4
controls the temperature of the refrigerant within the
compress.
An optional harness 5 may be used to support tank 2 on the patient,
thereby providing for portable operation. If portable operation is
not necessary or desired, tank 2 or other source of refrigerant may
be supported next to the patient in any suitable manner, such as by
means of a wall or floor rack or the like.
A pressure relief means such as a conventional pressure relief
valve 6 is connected to the wall of sleeve 1 and communicates
between the interior thereof and ambient atmosphere. Valve 6 opens
and allows refrigerant vapors to escape from within sleeve 1 when
the pressure of the vapors within the compress exceeds a
predetermined level. When the pressure of the refrigerant within
the sleeve has decreased to the desired level, valve 6 will again
close. The valve may be detachably connected by threads or the like
so that a given valve readily may be exchanged for another valve
responsive to a different pressure level. Also, it is within the
scope of the invention to use an adjustable valve. Since the
pressure applied to the area being treated is equal to the pressure
of the refrigerant within sleeve 1, valve 6 ensures that a
substantially constant pressure is applied to the injured area.
A check valve 7 optionally may be interposed in line 3 between
valve 4 and compress 1 to prevent back-flow of refrigerant from the
compress should the flow of refrigerant from the source be
interrupted. As mentioned hereinabove valve means 4 is provided to
allow the operator to control the flow of refrigerant. The
provision of valve means 4 and check valve 7 makes it possible to
switch from an exhausted refrigerant tank to a fresh tank without
disturbing treatment in progress. This also makes it possible to
shut off the flow of refrigerant and allow gradual warm up of the
compress to ambient temperature before the compress is removed if
it is desired to avoid sudden changes in the temperature applied to
the area being treated. Check valve 7 also serves as a safety
feature to prevent deflation and loss of compress 1 should hose 3
be severed or pulled loose as sometimes may happen if an animal is
being treated. In practice the basic construction of check valve 7
may be substantially similar to the structure of the pressure
relief valve 6. If desired, the compress also may be provided with
a quick release valve 8 which communicates between the interior of
the compress and the ambient atmosphere. During treatment the valve
is maintained in closed position. Opening release valve 8
facilitates rapid deflation of the compress so that it may be
quickly and easily removed when the treatment is ended. The
structure of such valves is well known to those skilled in the art
and accordingly, will not be described in detail here.
In FIG. 1, a central portion of the outer wall of sleeve compress 1
is shown cut away to reveal the underlying conducting channel 9
formed in the inner wall of the compress adjacent the horse's leg.
Channel 9 commences at the point where hose 3 enters compress 1 and
winds its way back and forth across substantially the entire inner
wall of the sleeve before it ends at the opposite end of the
compress near the horse's foot where it opens into the interior of
the compress. The refrigerant which is passed directly into channel
9 from hose 3 is thus constrained to traverse substantially the
entire area to be treated before passing into the interior of the
compress. Accordingly, the cooling effect is distributed
substantially uniformly across the entire area being treated.
Almost all of the volitization of the refrigerant if it is a
liquid, and in any event, the principal expansion of the compressed
refrigerant whether liquid or gaseous will take place in the
channel. Since these are the primary heat absorbtion processes, the
cooling effect is thus concentrated to a certain extent immediately
adjacent the area to be treated. Details of the construction of the
channel will be explained hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 5 to
8.
In operation, sleeve 1 is placed over the area to be treated, and
valve 4 is then opened allowing compressed refrigerant to flow from
tank 2 through hose 3 and through channel 9 in the sleeve wall into
the interior of sleeve 1, thereby inflating the compress. The
pressure of the refrigerant within sleeve 1 is maintained
substantially constant by valve 6. The expansion of the refrigerant
as it flows from the tank, through the channel and the interior
chamber of the compress into ambient atmosphere cools the compress.
The amount of cooling is dependent on the particular refrigerant
used and the rate of flow of refrigerant from tank 2 into compress
1. The refrigerant flow rate is controlled by valve 4, thereby
facilitating control of the temperature of the bandage.
As described above, in the preferred embodiment of the device of
the invention, sleeve 1 is made from an inelastic material, or is
surrounded by an inelastic restraint. Therefore, the compress, when
inflated, will have a substantially constant volume. With this
arrangement, and since the pressure of the refrigerant within the
compress is maintained at a substantially constant level by valve
6, for a particular flow rate of refrigerant, the rate of
volitization and expansion and consequently the temperature of the
refrigerant within the bandage also will remain substantially
constant. The pressure and temperature applied to the area to be
treated can thus be accurately controlled by the appropriate
selection of valve 6 and regulation of valve 4.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention in
the form of an inflatable mitten for treating the hand, wrist and
forearm of a human. Mitten compress 21 takes the general form of a
triple-walled envelope which is open at one end 22 through which
the hand and arm of the patient can be extended. An inlet fitting
23 is provided in communication with a channel formed between the
second and third wall layers. An outlet fitting 24 communicates
between the ambient atmosphere and an interior cavity formed in the
space between the first and second wall layers. A pressure relief
valve 26 is mounted in outlet fitting 24. Fittings 23 and 24 are
secured in position through the respective layers by means of
gripping collars 25. Also provided is a quick release valve 28
communicating between the ambient atmosphere and the interior
cavity between the first and second wall layers. Valve 28 may be
opened to facilitate rapid deflation of the compress when desired.
Further details of the wall construction of mitten 21 will be
explained hereinafter in conjunction with FIGS. 5 and 6.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the instant
invention in the form of an inflatable boot adapted to be used to
treat the foot and ankle of a human. Except for its L-shape, boot
31 essentially is the same in construction as mitten 21. The foot
and leg of the patient are inserted through opening 32 at the top
of the boot. Inlet fitting 33, outlet fitting 34, pressure release
valve 36 and quick release valve 38 correspond to the fittings and
valves 22-28 previously discussed in conjunction with FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of yet another preferred embodiment of
the instant invention which takes the form of an inflatable
wrap-around bandage. Inflatable bandage 41 takes the form of a
tri-layer pad with an inlet fitting 43 provided in communication
with a channel formed between the second and third layers and a
quick release valve 48 and an outlet fitting 44 with a pressure
relief valve 46 therein both communicating between the ambient
atmosphere and the interior cavity formed in the space between the
first and second layers. Locking strips 45 on the outside of the
bandage mate with corresponding strips (not shown) on the back of
the bandage when the bandage is wrapped around a portion of the
body of a patient being treated to secure the bandage in position.
Suitable locking strips are distributed by the 3M Company,
Minneapolis, Minnesota, under the trademark VELCRO. When the
bandage is inflated, the internal pressure which forces the bandage
against the body of the patient firmly holds the bandage in place.
Further details of the construction of the bandage shown in FIG. 4
will be discussed hereinafter in conjuction with FIGS. 7 and 8.
FIG. 5 is a plan view of the inflatable mitten shown in FIG. 2, and
FIG. 6 is a vertical section of the same mitten taken along line
6--6 of FIG. 5. As previously mentioned each of the walls of mitten
21 comprises three layers of flexible thermoplastic material
designated respectively from the outside to the inside by reference
numerals 50, 51 and 52. Layers 50 and 51 are shown partially cut
away in FIG. 5 to reveal the underlying structure. The outer
margins of all three of the layers are joined together by means
such as heat seal 53 forming a closed interior chamber 54 between
layer 50 and layers 51 and 52. Layer 51 and layer 52 are further
joined to each other by a pattern of heat seals 55 which may be
visualized as a pair of interlocking combs extending generally over
the entire surface of the two layers, whereby a continuous channel
56 extending back and forth between the "teeth" of the comb-like
seals 55 is formed between layer 51 and layer 52. One end of
channel 56 communicates with inlet fitting 23. At the opposite end
of channel 56, a hole 57 is provided in layer 51 through which
channel 56 opens into the interior cavity 54 between layer 50 and
layers 51 and 52. Refrigerant entering the compress through inlet
fitting 23 is thus constrained to pass through channel 56 over
substantially the entire surface of layer 52 immediately adjacent
the hand, wrist and arm of the patient being treated before the
refrigerant enters the interior cavity 54 thereby inflating the
bandage. Thus, the cooling effect of the refrigerant is
substantially uniformly distributed over the entire surface of the
inflatable mitten, and uneven warm and cool spots are largely
prevented. Since almost all of the volitization and most of the
expansion of the refrigerant will take place in the channel, the
channel arrangement also assures that the principal cooling effect
will be concentrated immediately adjacent the portion of the
patient's body being treated thus reducing the absorbtion of heat
from the ambient atmosphere and thereby conserving on the amount of
refrigerant necessary to maintain the cold compress mitten at a
given temperature. Refrigerant vapors in excess of the amount
needed to maintain the desired pressure in the inflated compress
are gradually released from interior chamber 54 through outlet
fitting 24 and pressure relief valve 26.
FIG. 7 is a plan view, partially in section, of the embodiment of
the invention shown in FIG. 4 in the form of an inflatable
wrap-around bandage. Bandage 41 comprises three layers of flexible
thermoplastic material designated respectively from top to bottom
by reference numerals 60, 61 and 62. The outer margins of layer 60
and layer 62 are joined to each other by a heat seal 63 forming an
enclosed interior chamber therebetween. Layer 61 is smaller in size
than either of layers 60 and 62 and is positioned in the interior
space formed between layers 60 and 62. The outer margins of layer
61 and elongated strips extending alternately from the sides into
the center region of layer 61 are joined to layer 62 by heat seals
65, thereby forming a channel 66 which winds its way back and forth
between layers 61 and 62 over substantially the entire surface of
layer 61. One end of channel 66 is in communication with inlet
fitting 43. The opposite end of channel 66 opens through a hole 67
in layer 61 into the interior chamber formed in the space between
layers 60 and 62. Outlet fitting 44 with pressure relief valve 46
attached thereto and quick release valve 48 both communicate
through layer 60 between the interior chamber of the inflatable
bandage and the ambient atmosphere. Locking strips 45 are disposed
at each end of the wrap-around bandage on opposite sides thereof so
that when the bandage is wrapped around a portion of the body of a
patient being treated, they will mate and secure the inflatable
bandage in position.
FIG. 8 illustrates a modification of the wrap-around cold compress
shown in FIGS. 4 and 7 which is designed to concentrate the cooling
effect of the refrigerant adjacent a particular area instead of
dispersing the cooling effect over substantially the entire face of
the bandage. As before, the top layer 70 and bottom layer 72 of the
inflatable compress are joined to each other around the margins by
a heat seal 73 whereby an interior chamber is formed therebetween.
An interior layer 71, corresponding in size to the general
dimensions of the area over which it is desired to concentrate the
cooling effect of the refrigerant, is disposed in the interior
chamber between layers 70 and 72. The margins and a portion of the
center region of layer 71 are joined to inner layer 72 by a heat
seal 75 which is arranged in a spiral pattern whereby a spiral
channel is formed between layers 71 and 72. A refrigerant inlet
fitting 47 is attached to the inflatable wrap-around bandage in
communication with the centrally disposed end of spiral channel 76.
Layer 71 is cut away at corner 77 to form an outlet for the outer
end of channel 76 into the interior chamber between layer 70 and
layer 72. The general operation of inflatable bandage 81 is
essentially the same as the operation of the previously described
embodiments except for the fact that the cooling effect of the
refrigerant which enters through inlet fitting 47 is more
concentrated in the region of the bandage corresponding to the area
traversed by spiral channel 76. The remainder of the bandage will
exert a somewhat lesser cooling effect on the adjacent portions of
the body of the patient being treated.
It is also contemplated within the scope of the invention to locate
the refrigerant conducting channel in a portion of the wall of the
compress which is adapted to be disposed remote from the body of
the patient being treated so that the patient is not directly
subjected to the full cooling effect of the refrigerant.
The devices of the present invention are capable of operating
throughout a wide range of temperatures and pressures. As a general
rule, the pressure of the compress should be slightly higher than
the internal pressure of the body fluids of the patient. The
temperature of the compress should be somewhere between the body
temperature of the patient and the temperature at which the body
tissue of the patient will freeze. The precise pressure and
temperature applied will of course depend on the injury being
treated and on the nature of the patient, whether a human, a horse
or another mammal.
As will be apparent from the foregoing description, the present
invention provides a means for promptly and effectively treating
injuries in mammals by cooling with pressure which is capable of
sustained operation for a substantial period of time. Moreover, the
device does not require constant attention, is not messy or
inconvenient to use, and is inexpensive in comparison to systems
which require external refrigeration equipment. In addition, the
device is compact and self-contained so as to be particularly
adapted for portable operation.
While the foregoing constitutes a detailed description of a
preferred embodiment of the device of the invention, it is
recognized that modifications thereof undoubtedly will occur to
those skilled in the art. Therefore, the scope of the invention is
to be limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.
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