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The present invention provides a thermal treatment pack that includes a tubular body having a first opening, a second opening, an inner surface and an outer surface. The first opening, the inner surface and the second opening cooperate to define a passage through the tubular body for the limb. The inner surface and the outer surface of the tubular body are defined by a continuous film of flexible material such as a copolymer of polyester and polyurethane. A temperature-retaining fluid such as a water-based gel is received between the inner surface and the outer surface. Optionally, a thermal pack according to the invention can be covered with a fabric layer to provide insulation between the continuous film of flexible material and a user's skin. The diameter of the passage through the thermal treatment pack is preferably smaller than or equal to the diameter of the injured limb, which causes the inner surface of the thermal treatment pack to make contact the limb or an insulating...

Inventeurs: Jeffrey Alan Wilson, Jonathan Wendell Flick
Cessionnaire d'origine: Wendell-Alan, Ltd.
Examinateur principal: Linda C. M. Dvorak
Examinateur secondaire: Michael P. Straightiff
Conseil en propriété industrielle: Rankin, Hill, Porter & Clark LLP
Classification américaine actuelle: 607/114; 607/96; 607/108; 607/109; 607/110; 607/111; 607/112; 607/114; 602/60; 602/61; 602/62; 602/63; 602/64; 602/65
Classification internationale: A61F007/00

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Citations

Brevet cité Date de dépôt Date de délivrance Cessionnaire d'origine Titre
US393458327 sept. 197427 janv. 1976Danny W. HollingsheadTherapeutic musculoskeletal support sleeve and method of manufacturing same
US491097828 févr. 198927 mars 1990Becton, Dickinson and CompanyReusable soft fabric cold compress
US535642613 avr. 199318 oct. 1994Struckmeyer CorporationRefillable ice pack
US54115415 août 19932 mai 1995Oansh Designs Ltd.Portable fluid therapy device
US548620612 juil. 199423 janv. 1996P.I., Inc.Reusable thermal pack and flow retardant gel for use therein
US584314523 janv. 19961 déc. 1998Dura-Kold CorporationReusable hot/cold temperature pack
US662342613 mars 200123 sept. 2003Atropos LimitedLaparoscopic sealed access device
USD46414019 sept. 20008 oct. 2002Personal Climate Control, Inc.Apparatus for effecting body temperature changes with removable insert
USRE3466125 août 199212 juil. 1994Royce Medical CompanyGel and air cushion ankle brace
USRE3511313 avr. 19945 déc. 1995Royce Medical CompanyOrthopaedic gel pad assembly

Revendications

1. A thermal treatment pack for use on a limb, said pack comprising a tubular body having a first opening, a second opening, an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the first opening, the inner surface and the second opening cooperate to define a passage through the tubular body for the limb, wherein the inner surface and the outer surface are defined by a continuous eversion-limitless film of flexible material, and wherein a temperature-retaining fluid is received between the inner surface arid the outer surface.

2. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 1 wherein the temperature-retaining fluid is a gel.

3. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 2 wherein the gel is water-based.

4. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 2 further comprising a plurality of free-flowing solid structures dispersed in the gel.

5. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 4 wherein the free-flowing solid structures comprise water-filled capsules.

6. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 1 wherein the continuous film of flexible material comprises a copolymer of polyester and polyurethane.

7. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 1 wherein the continuous film of flexible material exhibits a Shore A durometer hardness of greater than or equal to 85 as measured in accordance with the ASTM 2240.00 standard.

8. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 1 wherein the continuous film of flexible material has a thickness of from about 3 to about 15 mils.

9. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 1 further comprising a fill valve for injecting the temperature-retaining fluid between the inner surface and the outer surface.

10. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 1 wherein the temperature-retaining fluid is a water-based gel and the continuous film of flexible material comprises a copolymer of polyester and polyurethane.

11. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 10 wherein the continuous film of flexible material exhibits a Shore A durometer hardness of 93±5 as measured in accordance with the ASTM 2240.00 standard.

12. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 11 wherein the continuous film of flexible material has a thickness of 5±2 mils.

13. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 12 further comprising water-filled capsules dispersed in the temperature-retaining fluid.

14. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 12 further comprising a fill valve for injecting the temperature-retaining fluid between the inner surface and the outer surface.

15. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 1 wherein the passage through the tubular body is cylindrical, tapered or flared at the first opening and/or second opening.

16. A method of treating an injured limb comprising:

providing a thermal treatment pack comprising a tubular body having a first opening, a second opening, an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the first opening, the inner surface and the second opening cooperate to define a passage through the tubular body for the limb, wherein the inner surface and the outer surface are defined by a continuous eversion-limitless film of flexible material, and wherein a temperature-retaining fluid is received between the inner surface and the outer surface;

inserting the injured limb into the passage through the tubular body; and

positioning the thermal treatment pack on the limb.

17. A thermal treatment pack for use on a limb, said pack comprising a tubular body having a first opening, a second opening, an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the first opening, the inner surface and the second opening cooperate to define a passage through the tubular body for the limb having a diameter of 2.5 inches or greater, wherein the inner surface and the outer surface are defined by a continuous eversion-limitless film of flexible material, and wherein a temperature-retaining fluid is received between the inner surface and the outer surface.

18. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 17 wherein the temperature-retaining fluid is a gel.

19. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 18 wherein the gel is water-based.

20. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 18 further comprising a plurality of free-flowing solid structures dispersed in the gel.

21. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 20 wherein the free-flowing solid structures comprise water-filled capsules.

22. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 17 wherein the continuous film of flexible material comprises a copolymer of polyester and polyurethane.

23. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 17 wherein the continuous film of flexible material exhibits a Shore A durometer hardness of greater than or equal to 85 as measured in accordance with the ASTM 2240.00 standard.

24. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 17 wherein the continuous film of flexible material has a thickness of from about 3 to about 15 mils.

25. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 17 further comprising a fill valve for injecting the temperature-retaining fluid between the inner surface and the outer surface.

26. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 17 wherein the temperature-retaining fluid is a water-based gel and the continuous film of flexible material comprises a copolymer of polyester and polyurethane.

27. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 26 wherein the continuous film of flexible material exhibits a Shore A durometer hardness of 93±5 as measured in accordance with the ASTM 2240.00 standard.

28. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 27 wherein the continuous film of flexible material has a thickness of 5±2 mils.

29. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 28 further comprising water-filled capsules dispersed in the temperature-retaining fluid.

30. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 28 further comprising a fill valve for injecting the temperature-retaining fluid between the inner surface and the outer surface.

31. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 17 wherein the passage through the tubular body is cylindrical, tapered or flared at the first opening and/or second opening.

32. A thermal treatment pack for use on a limb, said pack comprising a tubular body having a first opening, a second opening, an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the first opening, the inner surface and the second opening cooperate to define a passage through the tubular body for the limb, wherein the inner surface and the outer surface are defined by a continuous eversion-limitless film of flexible material, and wherein a non-gaseous temperature-retaining fluid that does not become a hard solid at 32° F. is received between the inner surface and the outer surface.

33. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 32 wherein the temperature-retaining fluid is a gel.

34. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 33 wherein the gel is water-based.

35. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 33 further comprising a plurality of free-flowing solid structures dispersed in the gel.

36. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 35 wherein the free-flowing solid structures comprise water-filled capsules.

37. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 32 wherein the continuous film of flexible material comprises a copolymer of polyester and polyurethane.

38. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 32 wherein the continuous film of flexible material exhibits a Shore durometer hardness of greater than or equal to 85 as measured in accordance with the ASTM 2240.00 standard.

39. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 32 wherein the continuous film of flexible material has a thickness of from about 3 to about 15 mils.

40. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 32 further comprising a fill valve for injecting the temperature-retaining fluid between the inner surface and the outer surface.

41. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 36 wherein the temperature-retaining fluid is a water-based gel and the continuous film of flexible material comprises a copolymer of polyester and polyurethane.

42. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 41 wherein the continuous film of flexible material exhibits a Shore A durometer hardness of 93±5 as measured in accordance with the ASTM 2240.00 standard.

43. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 42 wherein the continuous film of flexible material has a thickness of 5±2 mils.

44. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 43 further comprising water-filled capsules dispersed in the temperature-retaining fluid.

45. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 43 further comprising a fill valve for injecting the temperature-retaining fluid between the inner surface and the outer surface.

46. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 32 wherein the passage through the tubular body is cylindrical, tapered or flared at the first opening and/or second opening.

47. A thermal treatment pack for use on a limb, said pack comprising a tubular body having a first opening, a second opening, an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the first opening, the inner surface and the second opening cooperate to define a passage through the tubular body for the limb, wherein the inner surface and the outer surface are defined by a continuous eversion-limitless film of flexible material, and wherein a temperature-retaining fluid that is more viscous than water is received between the inner surface and the outer surface.

48. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 47 wherein the temperature-retaining fluid is a gel.

49. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 48 wherein the gel is water-based.

50. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 48 further comprising a plurality of free-flowing solid structures dispersed in the gel.

51. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 50 wherein the free-flowing solid structures comprise water-filled capsules.

52. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 47 wherein the continuous film of flexible material comprises a copolymer of polyester and polyurethane.

53. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 47 wherein the continuous film of flexible material exhibits a Shore A durometer hardness of greater than or equal to 85 as measured in accordance with the ASTM 2240.00 standard.

54. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 47 wherein the continuous film of flexible material has a thickness of from about 3 to about 15 mils.

55. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 47 further comprising a fill valve for injecting the temperature-retaining fluid between the inner surface and the outer surface.

56. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 47 wherein the temperature-retaining fluid is a water-based gel and the continuous film of flexible material comprises a copolymer of polyester and polyurethane.

57. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 56 wherein the continuous film of flexible material exhibits a Shore A durometer hardness of 93±5 as measured in accordance with the ASTM 2240.00 standard.

58. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 57 wherein the continuous film of flexible material has a thickness of 5±2 mils.

59. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 58 further comprising water-filled capsules dispersed in the temperature-retaining fluid.

60. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 58 further comprising a fill valve for injecting the temperature-retaining fluid between the inner surface and the outer surface.

61. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 57 wherein the passage through the tubular body is cylindrical, tapered or flared at the first opening and/or second opening.

Dessins