Abstract:
A therapeutic heated pocket and method of use in accordance with the present disclosure generally comprises an outer covering, edge trim, baby-dry material, insulation material, headliner material, heating coil, heating element, power cord and power adjustment controller. The pocket allows an arthritis sufferer to quickly and evenly warm an affected area in order to increase blood flow to the area. This has been shown to increase mobility and decrease pain for several hours after use.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of 35 U.S.C. §119 and the filing date of provisional application 61/375,772, filed Aug. 20, 2010. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to the field of medical devices. More specifically, the invention relates to medical devices and a therapeutic device for the treatment of arthritis. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Arthritis sufferers often experience pain and swelling in various joints of the body to the extent that they are not able to fully utilize their own body. Various methods of treating the problem, such as taking pain killers, blood thinners and inflammation reducers like Aspirin are not always the healthiest way to solve the problem. 
         [0004]    In efforts to alleviate these problems, various articles of clothing and coverings which actively supply heat to the body have been previously devised. Some of these devices involve mixing chemical solutions within internal chambers. Others involve using gel materials that can be heating before application. One attempt to solve the problem, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,173,218, employs the use of splinted fingers within a glove to minimize the impact from painful jolts. Like the previous inventions, this device also uses a fluid filled layer. 
         [0005]    Other patents, have tried to use gloves with fabrics made of metal. These often do not contain the correct amount of insulation to protect a person wearing the gloves from electric shock and can disperse heat unevenly. These devices also have obvious limitations due to a battery generated power source. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,764,665 discloses a wired material that must wrap around the fingers and uses a busbar. The instant disclosure does not rely on these restrictions nor require such complicated wiring. Instead, it uses the correct amount of layering so that any anatomical structure will receive a safe and even amount of warmth for the desired amount of time due to its insulative properties. 
         [0006]    The present invention employs a combination of material not used in the prior art to create a therapeutic pocket. After just a brief period of use, this therapeutic pocket can provide an arthritis sufferer with hours of relief. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    A therapeutic heated pocket and method of use in accordance with the present disclosure generally comprises an outer covering, edge trim, baby-dry material, insulation material, headliner material, heating coil, heating element, power cord and power adjustment controller. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  illustrates a plan view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention while in use. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  illustrates an alternate plan view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  illustrates a front elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  illustrates a rear elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  illustrates a right side elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  illustrates a left side elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  illustrates a cross section of the different layers of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0016]    In the following description of the various embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration, various embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may still be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. 
         [0017]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of a therapeutic heated pocket is shown. Amongst other elements, pocket  10  comprises outer cover  18 , edge trim  16 , baby dry material  28 , controller  14  and power cord  12 . In operation, heated pocket  10  provides therapeutic (conductive and?) radiated heat to the affected parts of the body that fit within pocket  10 , such as the hands, knees, elbows or feet. By increasing circulation and blood flow to an affected area, the device aids in reducing stiffness in joints and associated pain. In the preferred embodiment, outer cover  18  is composed of 65% polyester and 35% cotton. Outer cover  18  folds to completely cover the outer surface of pocket  10  except for an entry area on the right side of pocket  10  as shown. Edge trim  16  forms a continuous loop to seal the edges of outer cover  18 . Edge trim  16  may be stitched, glued, or permanently attached to outer cover  18  in any manner known in the art. In one embodiment, can it be unfolded and opened to apply on an area such as a back, neck or shoulder. 
         [0018]    Now referring to  FIG. 2 , a plan view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention in use is shown. For exemplary purposes, an arthritic hand  30  is shown being inserted into the entry area of pocket  10 . Being completely wrapped with the various layers of pocket  10 , including outer cover  18  and sealed with edge trim  16 , heat is transferred from the layers of the device to hand  30 . In alternate embodiments of the present invention, other anatomical and affected areas of the body can be substituted for hand  30 . Additionally, pocket  10  can be used to reduce the symptoms of a variety of diseases that involve swelling and pain, including but not limited to osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, other rare forms of arthritis, gout, lupus, psoriasis and even for physical therapy after sports injuries such as sprains of the ligaments and tears of the cartilage. Finally, power cord  12  provides an electrical connection between pocket  10  and controller  14 . Controller  14  allows the user to adjust the device to emit different amounts of heat and may have up to four different specific heat settings, or in other embodiments have a continuum of heat settings. In alternate embodiments, controller  14  may further comprise a computer that allows for a myriad of operational programs and settings. 
         [0019]    Now referring to  FIG. 3 , an alternate plan view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. Outer surface  18  can be seen encompassing the various internal layers and wiring of pocket  10 . These layers will be described in greater detail in  FIG. 8 . For now, insulation material  20  alone may contain four individual layers. These layers may be composed of various materials such as cotton, wool, aluminum foil and other materials known for their insulative properties, with the aluminum as the outer layer. Insulation  20 , with minimum heat retention of 81%, keeps a majority of generated heat within the pocket and focused on the affected area. The fabric side of insulation  20  may be glued to outer cover  18  to form a semi-waterproof barrier from the external environment. In this particular figure, heating element  22  and heating coil  24  are also shown. Heating element  22  encircles pocket  10  within insulation  20  or adjacent to insulation  20 . Heating coil  24  winds back and forth in a snake-like pattern just beneath insulation  20 , with each row between ½ inch and ¾ inch in distance from each other. This dual pattern of heating sources provided the most comprehensive capability for pocket  10  with the greatest results. In the preferred embodiment, heating element  22  and heating coil  24  may each comprise a 50 Watt and a 120 Volt electrical wire. 
         [0020]    Now referring to  FIG. 4 , a front elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown along line  8 . In this closed configuration, edge trim  16  doubles up upon itself. Near the entry area on the right, baby-dry material  28  is cut in a V-pattern. This allows pocket  10  to repel any perspiration that has formed on an affected anatomical area. Baby-dry material  28  is comprised of a waterproof yet soft material that is sometimes found covering baby crib mattresses. Similar to insulation  20 , baby-dry material  28  also further comprises several layers such as an inner cotton layer and an outer polyester layer in a ratio of 35% inner layer and 65% outer layer. The inner layer may be cut and attached to headliner material  26  (described infra). The external layer may be glued to edge trim  16  in order to keep it in place. In an alternate embodiment of the device, all inner layers may be inflatable in order to apply additional pressure and outer cover  18  may be stretchy or expandable. 
         [0021]    Now referring to  FIG. 5 , a rear elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. In contrast to the previous diagram, the horizontal midline of pocket  10  is merely a fold, instead of a seam where edge trim  16  meets itself. Baby-dry material is now on the left in its same V-pattern, with the mouth of the V at the entry area of pocket  10 . Outer cover  18  also forms an opening at the entry area. 
         [0022]    Now referring to  FIG. 6 , a right side elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. This view best illustrates the entry area of pocket  10  with edge trim  16  forming a gap. In the preferred embodiment, the gap is 1-3 inches wide, but could be envisioned to be up to a few feet wide in larger versions of the invention. 
         [0023]    Now referring to  FIG. 7 , a left side elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. Edge trim  16  and outer cover  18  are now sealed together. Power cord  12  may be extending from the front or side of pocket  10 . In alternate embodiments of the present invention, power cord  12  may be reduced in size possibly leading to a small self contained battery pack. 
         [0024]    Now referring to  FIG. 8 , a cross section of the different layers involved in the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. This figure illustrates the crucial layered elements that are necessary for the utility of the invention. At the outermost border is outer cover  18 . Next, when moving inward is insulation  20  and heating element  22 . These two elements may be separate and adjacent to each other or intertwined together. Heating coil  24  is found inside layer insulation  20  and can possibly be attached by spray glue or other means known in the mechanical arts to the next layer, headliner material  26 . In the preferred embodiment, headliner material  26  is a foam backing approximately 3/16 to ¼ inch in width with a nylon coating or covering. This provides some structural support for pocket  10 . Still moving inward further, headliner material  26  is followed by a thinner layer of baby-dry material  28 . 
         [0025]    In operation, a user may first set a desired heat level through controller  14 . Next, the user may place an affected area of the body within pocket  10 , or adjacent to the device when in an open configuration. After approximately fifteen minutes, the therapeutically radiated and conducted heat will warm the blood and allow the joints to move more freely while reducing pain. After approximately thirty minutes, the user may remove pocket  10  and enjoy a new level of comfort. 
         [0026]    The present invention includes any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein either explicitly or any generalization thereof. While the invention has been described with respect to specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations of the above described apparatus. Thus, the spirit and scope of the invention should be construed broadly as set forth in the previous specification or appended claims.