Patent ID: 8679170
Filing Date: 2014-03-25
Classification: A61F,A61H

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for treating a condition of a human, the apparatus comprising: an appendage chamber configured to accept a human hand, the chamber having an upper portion, a lower portion, and an appendage opening; a thermal exchange member disposed within only the lower portion, the thermal exchange member configured to contact a palm of the hand to selectively heat or cool the palm of the hand; a pressure sensor disposed under the thermal exchange member, the pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure of the hand against the thermal exchange member; wherein the measured pressure is used to determine if the pressure of the hand is within a predetermined range; a tubular sleeve having a first open end, the sleeve configured to accept a human arm, wherein the tubular sleeve is detachably coupled to the appendage chamber; a vacuum source coupled to the appendage chamber to maintain vasodilation of the hand when placed within the appendage chamber; and a programmable controller configured to monitor the pressure measured using the pressure sensor, to control the application of vacuum to the appendage chamber, and to control heating or cooling of the thermal exchange member to effect normothermic heating or cooling responsive to a preselected therapy regime.