Abstract:
The subject matter of the invention relates to therapy wraps for the application of compression and/or thermal therapy to a patient. The wraps are formed of at least two layers of material which are sealed together to form at least one cavity between them. The wraps may be used in conjunction with a therapy machine which fills the cavity or cavities of the wraps with fluid such as a gas and/or a liquid. The unique shapes of the wraps are particularly suitable for providing therapy to the human body. The shapes permit the manipulation of the wraps around various portions of the human body such as the shoulder, back and foot.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application is a divisional application of, and claims priority to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/543,936 filed Jul. 9, 2012 on behalf of Wilford, et al., the entirety of which is incorporated herein by this reference. 
     
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]    Not Applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]    The present invention relates generally to thermal and compression systems used in the application of thermal and compression therapy to a patient&#39;s body. More particularly, the invention is directed to removable wraps that are applied to a portion of the patient&#39;s body, for example, a patient&#39;s back, shoulder or foot. The wraps include at least one fluid-tight chamber allowing for the ingress and egress of a fluid. The ingress of a fluid, which may also be heated or cooled, into the fluid-tight chamber applies compression and/or thermal therapy to the patient&#39;s body in the location of the wrap. 
         [0004]    Compression and thermal wraps similar to the invention described herein have been in use for many years. The wraps are designed to be applied an area of the patient&#39;s body where therapy is desired. Once in place, a fluid (either a gas or a liquid) is forced into a fluid-tight chamber of the wrap thereby applying therapy to the portion of the patient&#39;s body contacted by the wrap. Such wraps are often used in the treatment and prevention of deep vein thrombosis, but may have other uses as well. 
         [0005]    Prior wraps were constructed of two or more layers of material, sealed together to form a fluid tight chamber. The fluid-tight chamber, or fluid-tight chambers of such wraps could then be subdivided into smaller fluid-tight chambers, or could have one or more pathways formed within them. Such wraps have been made into a variety of shapes. Examples of different wraps are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,198,093 issued to Elkins, U.S. Pat. No. 7,211,104 issued to Edelman, U.S. Pat. No. 5,466,250 issued to Johnson, Jr. et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,442,175 issued to Meyer et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,352,550 issued to Gildersleeve et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,411,541 issued to Bell et al., and U.S. Patent Application Publication 2008/0058911 filed on behalf of Parish et al. 
         [0006]    Wraps of the aforementioned construction suffer from a number of shortcomings. Particularly, the shape of each wrap identified, as well as others in the prior art fail to adequately conform to the human body. To achieve optimal therapy, the wrap must be secured to that portion of the body where therapy is desired and remain in place throughout the therapy session. That is particularly difficult when therapy is desired on an irregularly shaped portion of the body such as, for example, a shoulder. Consequently, the therapeutic wraps associated with the present invention solve the problems plaguing prior wraps by uniquely shaping wraps to provide optimal therapy to the body. 
         [0007]    As described in detail below, the present invention provides a unique solution to the aforementioned problems. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]    The present invention relates to uniquely shaped therapy wraps. The wraps may be constructed of two or more layers of material which are sealed together to from a fluid tight cavity bounded by a cavity seal. Additionally, at least one hose is provided such that one end of the hose is in fluid communication with the interior of the cavity while the other end of the hose is in fluid communication with the environment. The hose may be provided with various valves to assist in the control of fluid moving from the environment into and/or out of the interior of the cavity. 
         [0009]    Three particularly shaped wraps are provided. The first wrap is preferably in the shape of a rectangle or a capital letter H having a small flap on one lower portion of the wrap and an elongated arm on the other lower portion. The hose or hoses are positioned at the end of the elongated arm such that fluid is forced into the elongated arm first and then permitted to travel into the main body of the wrap. Preferably, the wrap is utilized to provide therapy to a person&#39;s lower back. The main body portion of the wrap is laid across the persons lower back such that the elongated arm is allowed to curve around the person&#39;s torso. Having the hoses attached to the elongated arm prevents the hoses from being kinked or blocked by a person&#39;s body weight when the person is seated or supine. It also alleviates the discomfort that would otherwise be experienced by the person if they were resting against the hoses while therapy was being applied. Furthermore, the placement of the hoses provides easy access to the ends of the hoses open to the environment because the elongated arm wraps around the torso so as to be at the side or in front of the person utilizing the wrap. With the hoses and arm located thusly, the person can easily monitor the ingress an egress of fluid to and from the wrap by testing or feeling the elongated arm. 
         [0010]    The second wrap is generally in the shape of a capital letter T or Y. It has three lobes, one of which is equipped with one or more hoses. That wrap is preferably utilized to provide therapy to a persons shoulder. In use, the first two lobes, without the hoses, may be connected together in front of or behind the third flap having the hoses. Bringing the two lobes together in that manner alters the three-dimensional shape of the wrap, transforming it from an essentially flat wrap into a cup shape. The cup may then be placed over the persons shoulder and the three lobes will rest against and encompasses the shoulder muscles. Preferably, the wrap is further held in place by an elastic strap which is wrapped around the person&#39;s torso and connected to the exterior of the wrap. Placing the hoses in the third lobe allows the hoses to comfortably hang down along the persons arm regardless of the size of the individual. That is, the orientation of the first two lobes may be easily altered to accommodate both large and small individuals, but the orientation of the hoses will remain essentially constant, hanging down along the arm. 
         [0011]    The third wrap is generally in the shape of a trapezoid connected to a pentagon. That is, the top of the wrap is generally in the shape of a pentagon, having a top that is shorter in length than the base. The base is connected to a lower portion of the wrap which is generally in the shape of a pentagon. The point of the pentagon is connected to the base of the trapezoid to form the entire wrap. Furthermore, one or more hoses are provided, entering the cavity of the wrap along the base of the pentagon, that is, the side of the pentagon opposite of the connecting point. Preferably the wrap is utilized to provide therapy to a person&#39;s foot and ankle. The wrap may be applied by placing a person&#39;s foot on the wrap such that the person&#39;s heal is located in the trapezoid, the arch of the foot crosses the connection point between the trapezoid and the pentagon, and the toes of the person are located in the pentagon. The wrap is then manipulates so as to wrap around the persons ankle and/or lower calf as well as around the top of the person&#39;s foot and toes. Having the hoses positioned along the base of the pentagon ensures that fluid entering the cavity of the third wrap moves from the person&#39;s toes, back along the foot toward the ankle, then up the ankle to the lower calf. By directing fluid in such a manner, it is possible to create a pressure gradient that moves along the person&#39;s foot and pushed bodily fluid, such as blood, away from the toes and back into the person&#39;s leg. 
         [0012]    The wraps constructed according to the present invention may be used to apply compression and thermal therapy to a body. It is contemplated that the wraps could be used to apply such therapy by using the wraps in conjunction with a compression and thermal therapy machine such as the device disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. U.S. 2001/0257565. That device is equipped with a number of ports which may be connected to the hose or hoses of the wraps discussed herein. The device provides fluid in the form of a thermal liquid or gas through the hoses connected to the ports and into the wraps in order to provide thermal and or compression therapy. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of a wrap having an elongated arm. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of a wrap having an elongated arm and a gradient fluid pathway. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of a wrap having an elongated arm and a fluid pathway as well as a seal pattern. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a plan view of a wrap having a shape similar to the capital letter T or Y and having a fluid pathway and seal pattern. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4A  is an exemplary cross-sectional view of cross-section A referenced in  FIG. 4  depicting layers of material, seals, and cavities forming the therapy wraps. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of a wrap having a shape similar to the capital letter T or Y and having a gradient fluid pathway. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5A  is an exemplary cross-sectional view of cross-section B referenced in  FIG. 5  depicting layers of material, seals, and hoses forming the therapy wraps with the hoses traversing the seals that surround the therapy wraps. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a plain view of a wrap having a shape similar to that of a trapezoid connected to a pentagon and a fluid pathway. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a plan view of a wrap having a shape similar to that of a trapezoid connected to a pentagon and having a gradient fluid pathway. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0022]    Throughout the specification, wherever practicable, like structures will be identified by like reference numbers. 
         [0023]    It is preferable that the therapy system of the present invention is used to apply thermal and/or compression therapy utilizing various specially designed wraps. The particular shape and benefits afforded by the various specially designed wraps for use with the therapy system will be described in detail below. The wraps may be constructed for the application of thermal treatment using a circulated heated or cooled fluid, the application of compression therapy, or both. Thermal therapy only wraps may be constructed utilizing at least two layers of material and at least two hoses. The two or more layers of material and two or more hoses are laminated together at least about the perimeter of the two layers of material thereby forming a cavity between at least two or more layers and such that the two hoses provide pathways for the ingress and egress of fluid to and from the cavity. Alternately, the wrap designs could be utilized for compression therapy utilizing two or more layers of material and at least one hose. In such an embodiment the two or more layers of material and the at least one hose are sealed together about the perimeters of the material thereby forming a cavity between them with the one or more hoses providing a pathway for the ingress and egress of fluid, preferably compressed gas, to the cavity. In the preferred embodiments, the basic construction of each is essentially the same. Each wrap includes at least three, but preferably four, fluid tight layers of material and at least three hoses. The three or more layers of material and at least three hoses are sealed together, for example using radio frequency (RF) welding, so as to create at least two fluid tight chambers between them, such that fluid is permitted ingress to and egress from the chambers by way of the hoses. Material suitable for constructing wraps include 200 Denier nylon oxford laminated to polyurethane for use in creating the exterior layers, with interior layers being made of polyurethane alone. Such material may be purchased from a variety of companies including Lamcotec of 152 Bethany Road, PO Box 279, Monson, Mass. 01057. 
         [0024]    It should be understood that the hose and/or hoses referred to herein are in the simplest sense a pieces of conduit that provide an access pathway from the exterior of a fluid tight cavity to the interior of the fluid tight cavity. The hose may be of more complex design however, such as a multiple pieces of conduit having one or more valves or connection pieces all coupled together which essentially provide the same pathway between the exterior and interior of the fluid tight cavity. Preferably, the hose is simply a hose which provides the pathway between the interior of the cavity and the exterior of the fluid tight cavity by traversing the seal between the layers of material which define the fluid tight cavity. However, the hose could alternatively be a port which is formed in the sidewall of the fluid tight cavity to which another hose may be connected. 
         [0025]    The preferred construction of each of the wraps recited below with reference to  FIGS. 4A and 5A  which are each exemplary cross-sectional views, taken along cross-sectional lines A and B, respectively, of the embodiment of the shown in  FIGS. 4-5 . A first sheet  1  of polyurethane is provided having one side coated with nylon. The nylon side is placed face down such that the polyurethane side is facing up. Two hoses  5 ,  6  are place on top of the first sheet such that the hoses each cross over the perimeter of the first sheet and thus a first end of a first hose and a first end of a second hose each rest on top of the first sheet. The second end of the first hose and the second end of the second hose are each oriented such that each is in contact with the open air. Preferably, the hoses are oriented such that the longitudinal axis of each hose aligns perpendicularly to the perimeter of the first sheet at the point at which each hose crosses the perimeter of the first sheet. A second sheet  2  of polyurethane material of substantially the same size and shape as the first sheet  1  is oriented over the first sheet  1  and laid on top of the first sheet  1  such that the perimeters of both the first and second sheets substantially line up. The second sheet  2  thus substantially covers the first sheet and covers the first end of the first hose and the first end of the second hose. A third sheet  3  of polyurethane substantially the same size and shape as the first and second sheets  1 ,  2  is laid on top of the second sheet  2 . A third hose  7  is laid on top of the third sheet  3  such that it crosses over the perimeter of the third sheet and thus a first end of the third hose rests on top of the third sheet. The second end of the third hose is oriented such that it is in contact with the open air. As with the first and second hoses  5 ,  6 , it is preferred that the third hose  7  is oriented such that the longitudinal axis of the third hose aligns perpendicularly to the perimeter of the third sheet at the point at which the third hose crosses the perimeter of the third sheet. A fourth sheet  4  of polyurethane coated with nylon, having substantially the same size and shape as the first, second and third sheets, is laid on top of the third sheet  3  such that the perimeters of all four sheets substantially align; the fourth sheet covers the first end of the third hose and is laid on top of the other sheets such that the nylon coating is facing away from the third sheet. 
         [0026]    The four sheets may then be sealed together, preferably about their perimeters. The seal is formed such that the first and second sheets  1 ,  2  are sealed  10  together thereby creating a first cavity  8   a  between the first and second sheet  1 ,  2  where the first and second hoses  5 ,  6  are sealed between the first and second sheets such that first end of the first hose and the first end of the second hose communicate with the cavity between the first and second sheets. Because the first end of the first hose and the first end of the second hose communicate with the first cavity and the second end of the first hose and the second end of the second hose communicate with the open air, fluid may be passed through the first or second hose to either fill or drain the first cavity. Similarly, the third sheet  3  and fourth sheet  4  are sealed  11  together, preferably about their perimeters, thereby creating a second cavity  8   b  between the third sheet and fourth sheet where the third hose  7  is sealed between the third sheet and fourth sheet such that the first end of the third hose is in communication with the second cavity  8   b  between the third sheet and fourth sheet. Because the first end of the third hose is in communication with the second cavity and the second end of the third hose is in communication with the open air, fluid may be passed through the third hose  7  to either fill or drain the second cavity. The first, second, third and fourth sheets are also all sealed  12  together, preferably about their perimeter, thereby creating one wrap having at least two cavities and two or more hoses such that a first cavity includes at least one hose in communication with the interior of the first cavity and a second cavity includes at least one hose in communication with the second cavity. It should be appreciated that the seals sealing together the first and second sheets and sealing together the third and fourth sheets form continuous paths encircling the entirety of the cavities formed between the first and second sheet and between the third and fourth sheet, respectively. The seal forming the first cavity further surrounds the exterior of the first and second hoses  5 ,  6 , while the seal forming the second cavity surrounds the exterior of the third hose  7  such that the only avenue for fluid to ingress to and egress from the first cavity  8   a  is through the first or second hoses  5 ,  6  and the only avenue for fluid to ingress to and egress from the second cavity  8   b  is through the third hose  7 . Additional pattern seals  9  may also be formed. The wraps may also include fasteners, such as hook and loop, snaps, buttons, eyelets or other type of fasteners. 
         [0027]    It should be apparent that additional hoses could be sealed between either the first and second layers or between the third and fourth layers or even between any number of additional layers. It should also be apparent that while it is preferable that the at least four layers of material are sealed together such that only one seal is necessary to form the first cavity, second cavity and connect the layers of material together, multiple seals could be utilized. That is, a first cavity seal could be used to seal together a first layer and a second layer to form a first cavity, a second cavity seal could be used to seal together a third layer and a fourth layer to form a second cavity and a third connecting seal could be used to seal at least one of the first or second layers of material to at least one of the third or fourth layers of material. The first cavity seal, second cavity seal, and connecting seal could each be of unique size and shape such that when the four layers of material are connected together along the connecting seal, none of the three seals overlap. Alternately, the three seals could partially overlap when the layers of material are connected together. Alternately, and preferably, all three seals, the first cavity seal, second cavity seal and connecting seal are all formed at the same time such that they are essentially one in the same seal, entirely overlapping and congruous with one another. 
         [0028]    Bearing in mind the aforementioned general construction of the wraps, a number of specially designed wraps will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1  trough  7 . In  FIG. 1 , a wrap  300  is provided. Wrap  300  is constructed as described above such that at least one hose, a first sheet and a second sheet are sealed about the perimeter of the sheets thereby forming a first cavity having a hose for fluid transfer, at least one additional hose, a third sheet and a fourth sheet are sealed together about the perimeter of the sheets thereby forming a second cavity having a hose for fluid transfer, and all four of the sheets are sealed together to form the overall wrap. The wrap according to  FIG. 1  has five general portions (roughly delineated by hash lines  321 ,  322 , and  323 ) a first lobe  301 , a second lobe  302 , a third lobe  303 , a fourth lobe  304  and an elongated arm  305 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , lobe  303  of wrap  300  also includes a flap  306 . Flap  306  extends lobe  303  to so that the wrap may partially curve around an individual&#39;s lower torso during the application of therapy to a person&#39;s lower back. 
         [0029]    The four lobes,  301 ,  302 ,  303 , and  304  make up the primary body portion of the wrap, which essentially forms the shape of a rectangle or capital letter H. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the primary body portion is of greater surface area than the elongated arm. While the four lobes, flap  306  and the elongated  305  may be said to be connected, it should be appreciated that they are not necessarily brought together as separate pieces and sealed together but instead, and preferably, are constructed from a uniform sheets of material with the connection points simply being imaginary lines  320 ,  321 ,  322  and  323 . The same may be said of the connection between lobes of the wraps discussed with respect to any of  FIGS. 1-7 . 
         [0030]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , lobes  301  and  302  come together at an indentation point  307  and lobes  303  and  304  come together at indentation point  308 . Indentation points  307  and  308  are substantially shaped like the capital letters U or V. The depth indentation  307 , that is, the distance between the top of lobes  301  and  302  and the bottom well of indentation point  307 , is identified as  307   a.  The depth of indentation  308 , that is, the distance between the top of lobes  303  and  304  and the bottom well of indentation point  308 , is identified as  308   a.  The distance between indentation point  307  and indentation point  308  is identified as  309 . It is preferred that  307   a  and  308   a  are substantially the same if not equal. Additionally, it is preferred that the length  309  is greater than either  307   a  or  308   a.    
         [0031]    Surrounding the perimeter of wrap  300  is seal  310 . Seal  310  forms a first cavity between the first and second sheets of material and a second cavity between the third and fourth sheets of material. As shown in  FIG. 1 , arm  305  extends from lobe  304  and has a length  305   a.  Also as shown in  FIG. 1 , wrap  300  includes three hoses,  311 ,  312  and  313 . The three hoses are provided at the distal end of arm  305 . Preferably, the hoses cross the perimeter of the wrap  300  at the distal end of arm  305 , the seal  310  being formed around the exterior of each hose so as not to block the interior passageway of any hose. 
         [0032]    Each hose has two ends, a first end and a second end. The first ends of hoses  311  and  313  are identified as  311   a  and  313   a,  respectively.  311   a  and  313   a  communicate with the first cavity. The second ends of hoses  311  and  313  are identified as  311   b  and  313   b,  respectively. Hose ends  311   b  and  313   b  communicate with the open air. The first end of hose  312  is identified as  312   a  and it communicates with the second cavity. The second end of hose  312  is identified as  312   b  and it communicates with open air. Thus, fluid may only ingress to and egress from the first cavity by way of hoses  311  and  313 , and fluid may only ingress to and egress from the second cavity by way of hose  312 . While the hoses  311 ,  312  and  313  may be of any length, it is preferred that the portion of each hose that communicates with cavities one or two does not extend the entire length arm  305 . Preferably, length  305   a  of arm  305  is between 15-30 centimeters and the lengths of those portions of hoses  311 ,  312  and  313  which communicate with cavities one or two, that is, the portions of hoses  311 ,  312  and  313  extending from seal  310  into wrap  300 , are approximately 1 centimeter or less each. 
         [0033]    The shape of wrap  300  is dictated by the area of the body it is designed to apply therapy to, namely the lower back. In use, wrap  300  is designed to be placed on an individual&#39;s lower back such that length  309  is placed over the individual&#39;s spinal column. In such an orientation, lobe  301  may provide therapy to the individual&#39;s right latissimus dorsi area, lobe  302  may provide therapy to the individual&#39;s left latissimus dorisi area while lobes  303  and  304 , resting on or above the individual&#39;s left and right gluteus maximus, respectively, may apply therapy to the individual&#39;s lower back. Arm  305 , extending as it does from lobe  304 , wraps further around the individual&#39;s torso, providing easy access to the hoses  311 ,  312 ,  313  generally in the area of the individual&#39;s right front hip. Orienting the hoses at the distal end of arm  305  ensures that the flow of fluid is not inhibited at  311   a,    312   a  or  313   a  as a result of the individual&#39;s bodyweight resting on the wrap when sitting or supine. The location of the hoses on arm  305  also eliminates the discomfort of resting on top of the hoses when seated or supine and allows the person to easily monitor the flow of fluid. 
         [0034]    When wrap  300  is not in use, its profile is substantially flat, being defined only by the thickness of the four sheets of material from which it is made and the hoses. However, when in use, the profile of wrap  300  grows and changes due to the ingress of fluid. As fluid ingresses into cavities one, two, or both, the thickness of wrap  300  increases, and the wrap begins to deform and thicken. When the wrap is applied to an individual, the wrap must curve around the individual&#39;s torso and curve along the spine as well. The indentations  307  and  308  provide flex points for the wrap such that when the wrap begins to deform and thicken, the lobes  301 ,  302 ,  303  and  304  flex at  307  and  308 , allowing a greater surface area of the back to be contacted by the wrap than would be possible were the wrap strictly square or rectangular. Thus, Indentations  307  and  308  help ensure that the wrap stays flush against the therapy area and does not kink or bunch during therapy. 
         [0035]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a first side of the wrap is identified as  300   a  and a second side is identified as  300   b.  The wrap in  FIGS. 2 and 3  is constructed using four layers of material, all sealed together about perimeter seal  310 . The wrap may be formed in two parts, which are then sealed together. In forming the first part of the wrap, a first layer of material is supplied, hoses,  311  and  313  are supplied as discussed above, and a second layer of material is supplied on top of the first layer. The first and second layers of material are sealed together about their perimeter so as to form a first cavity between them where fluid may ingress to and egress from the first cavity only by way of hoses  311  and  313 . Seal  314  is also made, sealing layers one and two together and creating a fluid pathway from hose  311  around seal  314  to hose  313 . While seal  314  may be of a variety of shapes, it is preferred that it simply bisects  300   a  leaving gap  314   a  between seal  314  and seal  310 , where the length of gap  314   a  is preferably shorter than the length of seal  314 . Additional patterned seals may also be formed, such as the pattern of comparatively large circular seals  315  and small circular seals  316  depicted in  FIG. 2 . The patterned seals minimize wrap deformation, keeping the overall profile of the wrap low. The patterned seals also help evenly distribute fluid throughout the entirety of the wrap. 
         [0036]    The second part of the wrap is formed similarly. A third layer of material is supplied and a hose  312  is also supplied as described above. A fourth layer of material is supplied on top of the third layer of material and a seal  310  is created about their perimeters to as to seal the layers together and form a cavity between them where fluid may ingress to and egress from the cavity only by way of hose  312 . Additionally, one or more additional seals may be created between the two sheets in order to create one or more channels in the cavity. As shown in  FIG. 3 , seal  317  contacts seal  310  at or near arm  305  and it extends almost the entire length of the wrap leaving gap  317   a  between seal  310  and seal  317  at the distal end of seal  317 . The length of gap  317   a  is preferably shorter than the length of seal  317 . Thus, fluid entering the cavity by way of hose  312  will be forced along the entire length of seal  317  before it is able to traverse the gap  317   a  and make its way up the wrap. 
         [0037]    Additional seals may be added to further direct fluid flow. As shown in  FIG. 3 , seal  318  extends from seal  310  at a point above gap  317   a  along nearly the entire length of the wrap leaving gap  318   a  between seal  310  and seal  318  at the distal end of seal  318 . The length of gap  318   a  is preferably shorter than the length of seal  318 . That configuration of seals forces fluid to traverse the lower portion of the wrap then flow through gap  317   a,  traverse back along the wrap and flow through gap  318   a,  before traversing the length of the wrap again. In so doing, the fluid creates a pressure gradient that forces bodily fluid, such as blood, from the lower back up toward the individual&#39;s heart. The fluid in the wrap may be repeatedly drained and refilled so as to provide a pumping effect to help blood flow in an individual. Additional seals to further direct fluid flow could also be added. 
         [0038]    It should be appreciated that the first half of the wrap, shown in  FIG. 2 , could be utilized on its own as a complete therapy wrap as could the second half, shown in  FIG. 3 . It is preferable, however, that the first and second halves are joined together by sealing the four layers of material about seal  310 . So joined, the resultant wrap is constructed of four layers of material and at least two cavities, each of the two cavities having differing sealing patterns. One pattern, shown in  FIG. 2 , ensures that fluid supplied to a first cavity is distributed evenly throughout the wrap while the other pattern, shown in  FIG. 3 , ensures that the fluid supplied creates a pressure gradient. 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , and another wrap  400  is provided. It should be appreciated that the method of construction of wrap  400  may be achieved in essentially the same manner as the construction of wrap  300 , particularly with respect to sealing multiple sheets and hoses together to form cavities between the sheets so as to only allow for the ingress and egress of fluid through the hoses. The shape of wrap  400  is different however. Wrap  400  includes three lobes, lobe  401 , lobe  402  and lobe  403  (roughly defined in  FIG. 5  by hash lines  420 ,  421  and  422 ). Thus the shape of the wrap may be viewed as essentially triangular or clover like, or in a broad sense as the shape of the capital letter Y or T where, for example, lobes  401  and  402  form the horizontal cross member of the letter T, lobe  401  forming the first half of the cross member and lobe  402  forming the second half of the cross member, while lobe  403  forms the vertical base member of the letter T, all as shown in  FIG. 5 . Each lobe extends generally from the center point of the wrap and terminates at a distal end which is generally the area of lobe which is furthest from the center point. Wrap  400  also includes two fastening sections,  404   a  and  404   b.  Each fastening section may include any one of a variety of fasteners such as hook and loop, buttons, snaps, eyelets that may be tied together or the like. While it is preferable that the fasteners are of a variety that releasable, that is, they may be repeatedly connected and disconnected, it is possible that the fasteners are permanent, such as sealing together fastener sections  404   b  and  404   a  using RF welding. 
         [0040]    Depicted in  FIG. 4  is side  400   a,  which is constructed utilizing at least two sheets of material and at least two hoses where the two sheets are sealed together about their perimeters to from a cavity and at least two hoses are provided such that fluid may ingress to and egress from the cavity only by way of the hoses. Additionally, seals  414 ,  415  and  416  may be formed. The seals form a fluid pathway in the cavity such that fluid entering the cavity from hose  411  is forced around the seals, through the cavity before it may egresses from hose  413 . Preferably, seal  414  bisects the entirety of lobe  403  and extends partially up along the imaginary dividing line between lobes  401  and  402  leaving gap  414   a  between seal  414  and seal  410 —roughly at the imaginary line  422  between lobe  403  and  402 —leaving gap  414   b  between seal  414  and seal  410 —roughly at the imaginary line  421  between lobe  403  and  401 —and leaving gap  414   c  between the distal end of seal  414  and seal  410 —roughly along imaginary line  420 . Extending from the distal end of seal  414  are seals  415  and  416 . Seal  415  extends from seal  414  into lobe  401  toward seal  410  leaving gap  415   a  between the distal end of seal  415  and seal  410 . Seal  416  extends from seal  414  into lobe  402  toward seal  410  leaving gap  416   a  between the distal end of seal  416  and seal  410 . Preferably, gaps  414   c,    415   a  and  416   a  are shorter than the lengths of seals  414 ,  415  and  416  respectively. It is also preferable that seals  414 ,  415  and  416  form the roughly the shape of a capital letter Y. Patterned seals may also be formed in wrap  400 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 5  depicts the opposite side of wrap  400 , generally identified as  400   b  which is preferably constructed utilizing at least two sheets of material and at least one hose where the two sheets are sealed together about their perimeters to from a cavity and the hose is provided such that fluid may ingress to and egress from the cavity only by way of the hose. Additional seals may be made in the material forming the cavity. For example, seal  430  extends from seal  410  across lobe  403  such that a gap  430   a  is formed between the distal end of seal  430  and seal  410 . Seal  431  is formed so as to extend from seal  410  and traverse across lobes  401  and  402  such that a gap  431   a  is formed between the distal end of seal  431  and seal  410 . Other seals, such as seal  432  may be formed approximately at the junction point between lobe  403  and lobes  401  and  402 . Seal  432  is preferably formed between seal  410 , creating gap  432   a  and gap  432   b.  Seals  433 , formed in lower portion lobe  401 , and seal  434 , formed in the lower portion of lobe  402  may also be provided. Seals  430  and  431  assist in forming a pressure gradient as fluid flows into the cavity through hose  412 . The additional seals  432 ,  433  and  434  also assist in creating a pressure gradient in addition to preventing the wrap  400  from deforming and ballooning up. When fluid is introduced into the cavity, seals  432  through  434  prevent the layers of material forming the cavity from expanding too far away from one another and thereby maintain a thinner profile in wrap  400  than would otherwise exist without the seals when the cavity was filled with fluid. 
         [0042]    As mentioned previously, the preferable shape of wrap  400  approximates a clover, or a capital letter Y. While wrap  400  could approximate the capital letter T, the Y shape provides an indentation, or valley  417  identified in  FIG. 5 , between the uppermost portions of lobes  401  and  402 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the depth of the valley is identified as  417   a  and the span of the valley is identified as  417   b.  Preferably, the span  417   b  is grater than the depth  417   a.  The presence of the valley is preferable in that allows for the wrap to be positioned on an individual&#39;s shoulder while accommodating the sloping junction point between the individual&#39;s trapezius and levator scapulae muscles in the upper back and neck and the deltoid musculature in the shoulder. Primarily the trapezius muscles tend to slope downward from an individual&#39;s neck toward the deltoid, and the valley  417  helps minimize the wrap&#39;s contact with the slope of the trapezius. Minimizing that contact allows the wrap  400  to remain seated on the shoulder of the individual and not be lifted up or pulled away from the shoulder by the trapezius and allow for lobes  401  and  402  extend into the individual&#39;s back and chest and maximize their contact with those areas. 
         [0043]    The unique shape of wrap  400  facilitates its manipulation into the formation of a cup which can then, preferably, be applied over an individual&#39;s shoulder. In practical application, considering  FIG. 4 , lobe  403  is lifted up and lobes  402  and  403  are slid underneath lobe  403  bringing fastener sections  404   a  and  404   b  together. Wrap  400  may then be inverted such that, side  400   b  forms the exterior of the cup while side  400   a  forms the interior of the cup. In such a configuration, wrap fastening sections  404   a  and  404   b  may be fastened together in order to maintain the cup shape. Once joined, lobes  401  and  402  will help maintain the position of lob  403  against the individual&#39;s body when the wrap is applied. 
         [0044]    The cup shape of wrap  400  is particularly suitable for applying therapy to an individual&#39;s shoulder. With fastening sections  404   a  and  404   b  fastened, the wrap may be placed over, for example, an individual&#39;s right shoulder. Preferably, wrap  400  is further secured to the individual&#39;s shoulder by way of a harness or strap that connects to wrap  400 , using hook and loop fasteners for example, and surrounds the individual&#39;s torso. Fluid may then be allowed to ingress to and egress from the wrap through hoses  411 ,  412  and  413 . Fastening sections  404   a  and  404   b  keep lobe  403  against the individual&#39;s shoulder and arm in order to ensure that therapy is applied to that area of the body. The cup formation ensures that lobes  401  and  402  each maintain contact with shoulder area as well, one lobe essentially contacting the pectoralis major and the frontal area of the deltoid while the other lobe essentially contacts the lower trapezius and rear area of the deltoid. Thus, the cup shape of wrap  400  ensures that the wrap maintains contact with the body even when filled with fluid and does not deform and balloon away from the area of the body requiring therapy. 
         [0045]    Another wrap is wrap  600  depicted in  FIGS. 6 and 7 .  FIG. 6  shows a first side  600   a  of wrap  600  and  FIG. 7  shows a second side  600   b  of wrap  600 . Wrap  600  is designed to surround an individual&#39;s foot, ankle and lower calf. The basic construction of wrap  600  is similar to the other wraps discussed herein in that four sheets of material are sealed together to create at least two chambers and three hoses are also provided to allow for fluid to ingress to and egress from the chambers. However, wrap  600  differs in shape than the previously discussed wraps. As shown in  FIG. 6 , wrap  600  includes four lobes,  601 ,  602 ,  603 , and  604 . The overall shape wrap, defined by perimeter seal  610 , is essentially symmetrical when bisected along a longitudinal axis. That is, lobe  601  mirrors lobe  602  and lobe  603  mirrors lobe  604 . 
         [0046]    The basic shape of wrap  600  is that of a trapezoid joined to a pentagon. The trapezoid may be said to have a top and a base, where the length of the top is less than the length of the base, and the sides form acute angles as they extend away from the base toward the top while also forming obtuse angles as they extend away from the top toward the base. The pentagon may be said to be formed of a triangle and a trapezoid, where one side of the triangle forms the base of the trapezoid, and the point of the triangle, opposite that base, constitutes the top of the pentagon. 
         [0047]    The two upper lobes,  601  and  602 , generally form a trapezoid (roughly outlined by hash line  615 ), each lobe  601  and  602  forming half of the trapezoidal shape, while the two lower lobes,  603  and  604 , generally form a pentagon, each lobe  603  and  604  forming half of the pentagonal shape. All of the lobes meet approximately in the middle of the base trapezoid formed by lobes  601  and  602 , and at the top point of the pentagon formed by lobes  603  and  604  thereby forming a cavity bounded by seal  610 . 
         [0048]    In the preferred embodiment, as can be seen in  FIG. 6 , the perimeters of lobes  601  and  602  vary from the traditional trapezoidal shape  615 . The base of each of lobes  601  and  602  are angled upward from the base of the trapezoid such that gaps  614   a  and  614   b  are created. The side of each of lobe  601  and  602  are also indented so as to form a wide U, V or L shape, the distance between the well of each indention and the sides of trapezoid  615  being  609   b  and  609   a,  respectively. The tops of lobes  601  and  602  also curve down towards a middle point where they are joined together such that the top of the wrap exhibits a slight curve over the majority, if not the entirety, of its length. The curvature of the top of lobes  601  and  602  creates a gap  608  between the tops of the lobes and trapezoid  615 . 
         [0049]    The shape of wrap  600  is designed to allow the wrap to conform to the unique shape of an individual&#39;s foot, ankle and lower calf. In practice, an individual aligns his foot such that the individual&#39;s heal is placed in the upper trapezoidal portion, the individual&#39;s arch bridges the connection point between the upper and lower portions, and the individual&#39;s toes are located in the pentagonal section, oriented closest to hoses  611 ,  612 , and  613 . To secure the wrap  600 , lobe  601  is lifted up then wrapped around the individual&#39;s ankle. Lobe  602  is lifted up and wrapped over lobe  601 , also around the individual&#39;s ankle. Fastener segment  605 , which includes a fastener such as hooks, is then secured to the exterior of lobe  601 . Thus the upper portions of lobes  601  and  602  surround the individual&#39;s ankle and lower calf. 
         [0050]    The gaps  609   a  and  609   b  follow the shape of the individual&#39;s ankle and foot. Without the gaps  609   a  and  609   b,  the wrap would crease at the front of the individual&#39;s ankle, where the leg meets the top of the individual&#39;s foot, thereby inhibiting or cutting off the flow of fluid into portions of lobes  601  and  602 . Additionally, the curvature of the top of lobes  601  and  602 , resulting in gap  608 , allows the wrap to fit snuggly against the conical shape of the individual&#39;s calf and ankle. Without the gap  608 , the lobes  601  and  602  would tend to form a cylindrical shape instead of a cone and thus the wrap would fit tightly on the individual&#39;s lower calf but would be loose at the individual&#39;s ankle, or lobes  601  and  602  would have a tendency to kink and block fluid flow, in either case resulting in inadequate therapy being applied to the ankle and calf areas. 
         [0051]    With lobes  601  and  602  secured, lobe  603  is folded over the top of the individual&#39;s foot and toes and fastener section  606 , which includes a fastener such as hooks, is secured to the exterior of lobe  602 . Lobe  604  is then folded over the top of the individual&#39;s foot and toes, and over lobe  603 , and fastening section  607 , which likewise includes a fastener such as hooks, is secured to the exterior of lobe  603 . With wrap  600  so secured, fluid may be introduced to the cavities of the wrap by way of hoses  611 ,  612  and  613 . Preferably, where wrap  600  is constructed of four sheets of material having at least two cavities formed between them, hoses  611  and  613  communicate with the cavity closest to the individual&#39;s skin, referred to as the interior cavity, while hose  612  communicates with another cavity, such as the most exterior cavity. It should be appreciated that the exterior of wrap  600 , generally referenced as  600   b  in  FIG. 7 , is preferably constructed using a material havening sufficient nap such that the hooks of a hook and loop fastening system are able to engage the nap as they would normally engage loops. Alternately, loop sections could be affixed to side  600   b  such that the fastening sections  605 ,  606  and  607  would engage the loops when the wrap is properly applied to an individuals foot, or a different fastening system, such as buttons or snaps could be implemented in place of the hook and loop system. 
         [0052]    Additional seal  617  may be provided so as to create a channel in the interior cavity. When fluid is pumped into the interior cavity through hose  611 , the channel created by seal  617  forces the fluid along one half of the individual&#39;s foot, moving from the toes toward the heel. Thereafter the fluid progresses around the ankle bone and up the ankle to the lower calf where it circles around the back of the individual&#39;s calf before descending down the opposite side of the individual&#39;s ankle and around the opposite ankle bone. The fluid then progresses down to the individual&#39;s heel and back along the opposite side of the individual&#39;s foot toward the toes where it is expelled through hose  613 . As with the other wraps discussed herein, it is further contemplated that the cavity having seal  617  could have additional seals, such as pattern seals formed within it (not shown). 
         [0053]    Where wrap  600  is formed of at least four sheets of material, another chamber, the exterior chamber for example, may also include additional seals.  FIG. 7  is a depiction of the exterior side of wrap  600 , identified as  600   b.  As shown in  FIG. 7 , seal  618  is created between at least two sheets defining a cavity. Seal  618  extends from the perimeter of lobe  603  across the width of wrap  600  and nearly to seal  610  which, in  FIG. 7  is the seal defining the perimeter of the cavity, leaving gap  618   a  between the distal end of seal  618  and seal  610 . It should be apparent that additional seals could be added that would alter the perimeter of the cavity, but for explanatory purposes, the seal  610  will be identified as the perimeter of the cavity. Additionally, a seal  619  is made in the cavity extending from the perimeter of the cavity in lobe  601  across the width of wrap  600  nearly to seal  610  of the cavity, leaving gap  619   a.  Consequently, when fluid is pumped into the external cavity through hose  612 , the fluid is forced along seal  618 , through gap  618   a,  up through the wrap into lobes  601  and  602 , then through gap  619   a  and back across the wrap moving from lobe  602  into lobe  601  across the top of seal  619 . In practical application, when an individual has secured the wrap to his foot, ankle and lower calf as explained above, the movement of fluid as just described creates a pressure gradient in the individual&#39;s foot beginning at the toes, moving along the foot to the heel and ankle, then increasing pressure up the ankle and finally up into the calf. The creation of such a pressure forces fluid in the body, such as blood, from the toes and foot back up into the leg and toward the heart. 
         [0054]    Although the present invention has been described in terms of the preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that such disclosure is not intended to be limiting. Various alterations and modifications will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art. Accordingly, it is intended that the appended claims be interpreted as covering all alterations and modifications as fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.