Therapeutic whirlpool unit with temperature contrast

A whirlpool bath unit and more particularly a therapeutic whirlpool unit providing a container to receive a quantity of water and a portion of the human anatomy immersed in the water combined with air circulating bottom member in the container to provide a whirlpool bath and sequentially introducing and removing water having contrasting temperature levels in relation to the container while monitoring and controlling the temperature level and duration that water of a particular temperature occupies the container. The container is communicated with a pair of water reservoirs through a pump system with the water in each of the reservoirs being maintained at contrasting temperatures with the pump system removing water from the container into one of the reservoirs and introducing water into the container from the other reservoir which contains water of a contrasting temperature.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention generally relates to a whirlpool bath unit and more 
particularly a therapeutic whirlpool unit providing a container to receive 
a quantity of water and a portion of the human anatomy immersed in the 
water combined with air circulating means to provide a whirlpool bath and 
sequentially introducing and removing water having contrasting temperature 
levels in relation to the container while monitoring and controlling the 
temperature level and duration that water of a particular temperature 
occupies the container. The container is communicated with a pair of water 
reservoirs through a pump system with the water in each of the reservoirs 
being maintained at contrasting temperatures with the pump system removing 
water from the container into one of the reservoirs and introducing water 
into the container from the other reservoir which contains water of a 
contrasting temperature. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
Various types of whirlpool baths are well known in which pressurized air is 
used to circulate water in a container in which a portion of the human 
anatomy is immersed for therapeutic purposes. The following U.S. patents 
disclose known structures providing this function. U.S. Pat. Nos. 
3,373,740, 3,458,874, 3,772,714, 4,099,522, 4,385,724. 
The prior art does not disclose a tank or container associated with two 
reservoirs containing water of contrasting temperatures together with 
heating systems, pumping systems and control systems as well as air 
circulating systems to sequentially subject the portion of the human 
anatomy to water of contrasting temperatures while circulating the water 
as disclosed in this invention. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
An object of the present invention is to provide a therapeutic whirlpool 
unit capable of subjecting a portion of the human anatomy to circulating 
water in which the water in contact with the portion of the human anatomy 
is sequentially replaced by water at a contrasting temperature. 
Another object of the invention is to provide a therapeutic whirlpool unit 
with temperature contrast which includes an open topped container with an 
optional top receiving a quantity of water at contrasting temperatures 
with pump units interconnecting the reservoirs and container or tank to 
pump water from one reservoir at a predetermined temperature into the tank 
for a predetermined time period and then remove that water and pump it 
back into the reservoir and then pump water from the other reservoir at a 
contrasting temperature into the container for a predetermined duration 
with the sequence being repeated during a treatment cycle. 
A further object of the invention is to provide a therapeutic whirlpool 
unit in accordance with the preceding objects in which the container or 
tank is open topped and provided with an inclined perforated bottom 
associated with an air circulating device to cause aeration and 
circulation of the water in relation to a portion of the human anatomy 
placed on the inclined bottom surface of the container or tank. 
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a therapeutic 
unit utilizing water circulated by air discharged through perforations in 
a hollow bottom structure to provide a therapeutic modality utilizing 
contrasting water baths and whirlpools massage which is relatively simple 
in construction and inexpensive to manufacture, operate and maintain. 
These together with other objects and advantages which will become 
subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation 
as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to 
the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals 
refer to like parts throughout.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring now specifically to the drawings, the therapeutic whirlpool unit 
is generally designated by reference numeral 10 and includes a centrally 
located, generally rectangular compartment 12 forming an open topped 
container or tank 14 including vertically disposed imperforate end walls 
16 and side walls 18 which may be constructed of metal, ceramic material, 
plastic material or the like providing an internal surface which is easy 
to clean and the walls may be appropriately insulated. Positioned 
alongside of and connected with the compartment 12 is a pair of water 
reservoirs 20 and 22 with each reservoir including vertical walls 24 
forming an open topped reservoir 26. Intermediate the reservoirs 20 and 
22, a housing 28 is provided which interconnects the reservoirs 20 and 22 
and also connects with one end of the central compartment 12. The 
reservoir 20 is a cool water reservoir and the reservoir 22 is a warm 
water reservoir with the open top enabling a predetermined quantity of 
water to be placed in each reservoir. A removable cap or top may be 
provided for each of the reservoirs if desired. 
The bottom of the container or tank 14 is a hollow bottom generally 
designated by reference numeral 30 including a top wall 32 and an 
imperforate bottom wall 34 spaced therefrom to provide a hollow bottom in 
which the top wall 32 is provided with a plurality of apertures or 
perforations 36 by which air can pass upwardly through the top plate 32. 
An air hose 38 connected with an air pump or blower 40 positioned within 
the housing 28 is connected to and provides pressurized air into the 
hollow bottom 30 in order for the pressurized air to pass upwardly through 
the apertures 36 for circulating and agitating a quantity of water 42 in 
the container or tank 14 to subject a portion of the human anatomy such as 
the hand and forearm 44 to the therapeutic benefits of a whirlpool bath 
with the arm and hand being positioned at an inclined angle corresponding 
to the inclined angle of the hollow bottom 30. 
Positioned within the housing 28 is a pumping system for transferring water 
between the reservoirs 20 and 22 and the container or tank 14. The pumping 
system includes four pumps 46 with each reservoir having two pumps 
associated therewith with one of the pumps pumping water from the 
reservoir into the container or tank and the other pump pumping water out 
of the container or tank back into the reservoir. The pumps are 
non-submersible conventional structures powered individually by a 
conventional electric motor located within each pump. The warm water 
reservoir 22 optionally includes a heating unit 48 provided with a 
thermostatic control to maintain the temperature of the water in the 
reservoir 22 at a predetermined warm temperature higher than the 
temperature in the cool water reservoir 20 which will remain at room 
temperature or, if desired, a small self-contained refrigeration unit to 
maintain a desired cooler temperature. 
Positioned in the housing 28 is a control apparatus generally designated by 
reference numeral 50 which controls operation of the therapeutic whirlpool 
unit which may include a computer which will monitor and control the water 
temperature in each reservoir and control operation of the pumps in a 
manner to introduce water at one temperature into the container or tank 14 
from one of the reservoirs and operate the air pump or blower thus 
subjecting the hand and arm 44 to a whirlpool bath at a predetermined 
temperature and a predetermined duration. After the therapeutic treatment 
at this temperature, the water in the container or tank 14 is pumped back 
into the reservoir from which it was pumped thus emptying the container or 
tank. As soon as this operation is completed, another pump unit pumps 
water at a contrasting temperature from the other reservoir into the 
container or tank 14 thus subjecting the arm and hand 44 to a therapeutic 
whirlpool bath of a contrasting temperature for a predetermined time 
period after which another pump pumps that water back into the reservoir 
from which it was taken with the treatment cycle being repeated to subject 
the portion of the human anatomy positioned in the container or tank to 
whirlpool baths of contrasting temperatures and predetermined duration 
periods. 
The therapeutic whirlpool unit 10 is particularly adapted for subjecting 
the hand and arm to contrasting temperature whirlpool baths which enables 
occupational and physical therapists to treat various conditions such as 
arthritis, hand injuries, reflex sympathetic dystrophy, burns, stroke and 
other conditions relating to the hands and forearms. Other extremities of 
the human anatomy could also be treated using the same techniques with 
possible variations in size characteristics. The therapeutic unit 10 
provides a compact and cost effective unit which incorporates the 
technique of contrasting temperature whirlpool baths which can be used in 
the home or in a therapy clinic and is effective as a means for reducing 
edema, reducing pain as well as increase the range of motion of a joint 
such a those at the elbow, wrist and fingers. In addition, the device is 
effective for cleansing of wounds and desensitization of the upper 
extremities of the human anatomy. The water capacity of the container or 
tank 14 may vary but is preferably approximately six gallons with the 
reservoirs being capable of storing at least the same amount of water. 
Thus, the device may have an overall height of 12", a length of 40" and 
width of 15" although these dimensions may vary. The generally rectangular 
structure may be constructed of a foam plastic such as polystyrene foam 
available under the trademark "Styrofoam" forming the walls of the 
container or tank and reservoirs with the thickness of the walls being 
1.5" to provide adequate strength and insulating properties with the 
interior surfaces or all surfaces of the tank and reservoirs being 
provided with a gel coat to provide a smooth, easily cleanable surface. A 
hard plastic could also be used and insulated for additional sturdiness. 
A whirlpool bath effect is achieved by the use of the air pump or blower 
powered by a small motor which blows air through the hose into the hollow 
bottom unit for discharge through the air outlet holes 36. The control 
unit or computer 50 monitors the temperature in the reservoirs as 
indicated by thermostats and enables adjustments of and provides a display 
of the water temperature in both of the reservoirs as well as in the 
container or tank. In most treatment modalities, the reservoirs may simply 
be tank-like containers having an inclined bottom with a drain at the 
lower end which enables one reservoir to be filled with warm water and the 
other reservoir filled with cold water at predetermined temperatures with 
both reservoirs being monitored for the appropriate temperature. Warm 
water is then initially pumped into the tank 14 and the air pump or blower 
operates for about 4 minutes to provide a warm whirlpool bath. The tank 
would then be emptied by pumping the warm water back into the reservoir 22 
and cold water is then introduced into the tank by pumping cold water from 
the reservoir 20 into the tank. While the cold water is in the tank, the 
warm water is being monitored at a predetermined temperature in the 
reservoir 22 and if necessary, a heater can be provided and actuated or if 
the warm water maintains a predetermined temperature, a heater may or may 
not be necessary. The cold water provides a cold whirlpool bath as the air 
pump or blower is continually operating and the cold whirlpool bath would 
last for a predetermined time period such as one minute before the cold 
water is drained and pumped back to the cold water reservoir 20 with warm 
water then being again pumped into the tank. 
As a general rule, the contrast bath is a sequence of three temperature 
changes, beginning with warm water, then cool water and ending with warm 
water with the total treatment time including filling of the reservoirs 
with warm and cold water, going through the treatment cycle and then 
draining all water from the therapeutic unit through drains 52 not 
exceeding about twenty minutes. 
Three drains 52 are provided in the front of the unit for easy access with 
each drain including a discharge nozzle, manual valve and a clear plastic 
hose 54 extending between the drain and the storage compartments and 
central compartment respectively along the floor of the computer/blower 
floor. Each hose may have a screen in the inlet end and may be removable 
to facilitate cleaning. The central compartment is provided with a floor 
56 which is inclined downwardly at a small angle toward the front of the 
unit to promote water drainage in relation to the pumps and the clear 
plastic hose leading to the drains 52. Each of the storage compartments or 
reservoirs 20 and 22 is provided with an inclined bottom 58 at a slight 
angle to promote water drainage. 
Below the floor 56 of the central compartment 12, a storage area 60 is 
provided which houses the pumps 46 and is isolated from the compartment or 
tank 12. Access can be had to the storage area from both sides by a 
closure door 62 which can be opened to enable articles to be stored in the 
area or removed therefrom. The storage area 62 includes a bottom wall 64 
forming a closure for the bottom of the unit. 
The pump units 46 are positioned in one end of the storage area 60 with 2 
pumps adjacent each side of the storage area 60 in their own compartment 
66. The pumps adjacent the storage area 60 drain the water from the 
central compartment 12 and pump it into the reservoirs and the pumps 
remote from the storage area 60 fill the central compartment with the 
pumps providing complete drainage and refilling the central compartment 12 
and the reservoirs 20 and 22. The portion of the bottom wall 64 which 
closes the pump compartment 66 is removable to provide access to the pumps 
in the event maintenance becomes necessary. Likewise, the bottom of the 
compartment 68 for the blower unit 40 and control computer 50 has a 
removable cover to provide access if maintenance is required. 
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the aeration floor or hollow bottom 30 has a 
plurality of passageways 70 around the periphery thereof which enables 
water to pass therethrough when the water pumps are filling or draining 
the central compartment 12 which has notches 73 aligned with the 
passageways 70. The aeration floor 30 is removably supported in the 
central compartment 12 by a peripheral inwardly extending rib or flange 72 
on the interior wall of the central compartment 12. This enables the 
aeration floor 30 to be removed by disconnecting the air hose 38 for 
cleaning the aeration floor and the interior of the central compartment. 
Also, as illustrated, the open top of the central compartment can be closed 
by a transparent cover 74 to prevent spillage of water during use. The 
cover 74 sits on a depending lip 76 which telescopes into the upper end of 
the peripheral wall 16 and includes a notch 78 in one end receiving air 
hose 38 and a waterproof fabric member 80 at the other in the form of an 
openable sleeve secured around the upper arm 82 by a strap 84 provided 
with hook and loop fasteners such as "Velcro". The flexible fabric member 
80 is removably attached peripherally of an opening 86 in the cover 74 for 
cleaning by a "Velcro" fastener base flange 90. 
During the treatment cycle, a therapist can be engaged in other activities 
such as providing similar treatment cycles to other clients thus enabling 
the therapist to more effectively treat multiple clients in an effective 
manner. The open top of the tank and removable cover enables the therapist 
to manipulate the extremity if desired. If desired, the unit can be 
permanently installed with plumbing connections for filling the reservoirs 
and draining water from the unit or it may be constructed as a mobile unit 
independent of plumbing connections. A suitable electric power cord 92 
provided with a conventional male plug may be used to supply electrical 
energy to the system in a conventional and well known manner. 
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the 
invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily 
occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the 
invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, 
and, accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be 
resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.