Patent ID: 9545286
Date: 2017-01-17
CPC Classifications: A61B,A61F,F28F

Claim:
1. An applicator for applying thermotherapy to a part of the human or animal body comprising: a flexible enclosure in which thermal energy transfer fluid can circulate; a connector for connecting the applicator to a control system; an interface layer attached to an outer surface of the flexible enclosure for providing a thermally conductive interface between the flexible enclosure and a part of a human or animal body; and an electrically conductive supporting layer positioned within the interface layer for supporting the interface layer and retaining the interface layer against the flexible enclosure; wherein the electrically conductive supporting layer is adapted to receive an electrical signal from the control system; and wherein the interface layer is a colloid including electrically conductive particles in suspension and held within a membranous enclosure supported by the electrically conductive supporting layer, and the colloid is activatable in response to an electric current to become more viscous and gel-like.