Abstract:
The present invention relates to a system and method for providing therapy to a portion of a body. The system and method use an elastic band to hold a pack against an injured area on a body. The system and method are particularly effective in supporting packs that require access to the ambient environment in order to maintain a chemical reaction within the pack. The system comprises an elastic band that includes an opening and a pack that includes a gas-permeable portion. The pack is secured to the elastic band such that the gas-permeable portion of the pack is exposed through the opening in the elastic band. The elastic band provides support to the pack without covering the gas-permeable portions of the pack. Therefore, the elastic band does not inhibit the chemical reaction within the pack when the elastic band is applied to the portion of the body.

Description:
FIELD 
   This invention relates in general to a system and method for providing therapy to a portion of a body, and in particular to a system and method that use a elastic band to support the portion of the body. 
   BACKGROUND 
   Applying therapy to various parts of a body is a recognized practice for curing or alleviating multiple kinds of physical problems. One example therapy involves cooling an injured portion of a body by applying ice packs near the injured portion of the body in an effort to reduce swelling, inflammation and/or muscle pain. Another cooling method utilizes a cold pack that generates cooling via an endothermic chemical reaction which takes place within the cold pack. 
   Another example therapy utilizes heat to treat symptoms such as stiffness, muscle pain, cold hands and feet, lumbago, rheumatism and neuralgia (among others). Some known heat-treating methods include direct application of heat to the body using items such as a towel, jelly and/or paste. Another example heating therapy includes applying a heating pad to an injured portion of a body to alleviate discomfort caused by injury (e.g., muscular strain). 
   There are other heat-treating methods that utilize heat patches to apply heat to a body. One such heat patch generates heat via an exothermic chemical reaction that takes place within the heat patch. Heat patches that generate heat using an exothermic reaction typically include an enclosure and a heating composition stored within the enclosure. At least a portion of the enclosure is gas-permeable such that exposing the heating composition to air generates a heat-producing exothermic reaction within the heat patch. 
   Some other therapies include applying an analgesic (for pain) or an antibiotic (for infection) to the injured portion of the body. The analgesic and/or antibiotic may be incorporated into a pack/patch that is applied directly or indirectly to the body. 
   One concern with using heating pads and ice bags is that they are difficult to attach to an injured area of a body because they often need to be manually held in place by the injured person or someone assisting the injured person. 
   One method of maintaining hot or cold packs in place against an injured area of the body includes placing a pack against the body and wrapping a towel several times around the body such that the pack is sandwiched between the injured area and the towel. The free end of the towel is then is attached to an exposed and already-wrapped section of the towel to prevent the towel from unwinding. 
   Wrapping towels around the body in this manner can be quite cumbersome. Furthermore, the towels are seldom able to maintain a pack in its desired location, especially when a patient moves around. In addition, when a towel is wrapped more tightly around the body in an attempt to help keep the ice or cold pack in place, the towel may cause patient discomfort. 
   Another method of treating an injured area of a body includes using a elastic band to support the injured area of the body. Elastic bands may also be used to hold hot or cold packs against the injured area of the body. 
   As discussed above, many of the packs that generate a chemical reaction within the pack require access to the air in the ambient environment in order to maintain the chemical reaction. One concern with using a elastic band to secure this type of pack to a body is that the elastic band covers the gas-permeable portions of the pack thereby inhibiting the chemical reaction. 
   Another concern with using elastic bands to hold hot or cold packs against the injured area of the body is that they must typically be discarded along with the pack once the chemical reaction has expired within the pack. Therefore, an entirely new elastic band is required to hold a new pack against the injured area of the body. 
   Some elastic bands include pockets that are adapted to retain hot or cold packs. The packs are positioned against an injured portion of a body as the elastic band is wrapped around the body. 
   One drawback with including pockets in elastic bands is that the pockets add unwanted expense to the cost of producing elastic bands. A pocket also limits the size and/or number of pack(s) that may be inserted into the pocket. In addition, pockets often provide inadequate support to a pack, especially when the pocket is much bigger than the pack. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a system and method for providing therapy to a portion of a body. The system and method use an elastic band to hold a pack against an injured area on a body. The system and method are particularly effective in supporting packs that require access to the ambient environment in order to maintain a chemical reaction within the pack. 
   In one aspect, the present invention relates to a system for providing therapy to a portion of a body. The system comprises an elastic band that includes an opening and a pack that includes a gas-permeable portion. The pack is secured to the elastic band such that the gas-permeable portion of the pack is exposed through the opening in the elastic band. 
   The elastic band provides support to the pack without covering the gas-permeable portions of the pack. Therefore, the elastic band does not inhibit a chemical reaction that may take place within the pack when the elastic band is applied to the portion of the body. 
   In some example forms of the system, a support at least partially surrounds the opening in the elastic band. The support may be a plastic film that has a lower elasticity than the elastic band. 
   In addition, the pack may be releasably secured to the support on the elastic band such that the system may further include another pack that can be secured to the elastic band after the original pack is released from the elastic band. The new pack may similarly include a gas-permeable portion that is exposed through the opening in the elastic band when the new pack is releasably secured to the elastic band. 
   One reason for replaceable packs is that some packs, such as packs that maintain a chemical reaction within the pack, have limited operating life. Therefore, releasably securing the packs to the elastic band facilitates replacement of expired packs without having to dispose of the elastic band. 
   In another aspect, the present invention relates to a system for providing therapy to a portion of a body. The system comprises an elastic band that includes an opening, and a pack that is secured to the elastic band. The pack includes an enclosure and a heating composition that is sealed within the enclosure. The enclosure includes a gas-permeable portion that is exposed through the opening in the elastic band. 
   The heating composition generates heat when a gas, such as air, is supplied from the ambient environment to the heating composition through the gas-permeable portion of the enclosure. The opening in the elastic band allows the elastic band to support the body without inhibiting the heating composition&#39;s access to the ambient air. 
   In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to a method of applying therapy to a portion of a body. The method includes securing a pack to an elastic band such that a gas-permeable portion of the pack is exposed through an opening in the elastic band. The method further includes wrapping the elastic band around the body such that the pack engages the injured portion of the body. 
   In some sample forms of the method, wrapping the elastic band around the body such that the pack engages the injured portion of the body includes using the pack to apply a topical medication and/or transdermal medication to the injured portion of the body. 
   Securing the pack to the elastic band may also include releasably securing the pack to the elastic band. When the pack is releasably secured to the elastic band, the method may further include unwrapping the elastic band from around the body; releasing the pack from the elastic band; securing another pack to the elastic band such that a gas-permeable portion of the second pack is exposed through the opening in the elastic band; and wrapping the elastic band around the body such that the new pack engages the injured portion of the body. 
   The purposes and features of the present invention will be set forth in the description that follows. Additional features of the invention will be realized and attained by the product and processes particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof, as well as from the appended drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will be more fully understood, and further features will become apparent, when reference is made to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. The drawings are merely representative and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims. Like parts depicted in the drawings are referred to by the same reference numerals. 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a system. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the system shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of another elastic band that may be used in the system of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4  is a plan view illustrating a portion of another elastic band that may be used in the system of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 5  is a plan view illustrating a portion of still another elastic band that may be used in the system of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 6  is a plan view illustrating another pack that may be used in the system of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 7  is a plan view illustrating yet another elastic band that may be used in the system of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 8  is a flow diagram illustrating a method of applying therapy to a portion of a body. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which show specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes made, such that the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense. 
     FIG. 1  illustrates a system  10  for providing therapy to a portion of a body. The system  10  includes an elastic band  11  having one or more openings  12 . The system  10  further includes a pack  13  having a gas-permeable portion  14 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the pack  13  is secured to the elastic band  11  such that the gas-permeable portion  14  of the pack  13  is exposed through the opening  12  in the elastic band  11 . 
   The elastic band  11  may be formed from one or more of layers (only one layer is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). The number and type of layers will depend on the application where the system  10  is used. As an example, some layers may be more elastic while other layers may be made of softer and/or more insulating materials. The elastic band  11  may be made out of an elastomeric non-woven material or a non-woven laminate. The elastic band  11  may be created by folding material in half and securing the edges of the material together using adhesives, or some other known fastening techniques. 
   The proper size and shape of the elastic band  11  will also depend on the application where the system  10  is used. The appropriate length and width will be determined in part by the size and shape of the injured portion on the body. In some forms, the elastic band  11  may be long enough to fit around the arms, legs, head or torso of a human being. 
   The system  10  may further include an adhesive, such as adhesive layer  15 , which is mounted on the elastic band  111  near an end  16 A of the elastic band  11 . The adhesive layer  15  is adapted to initially secure the elastic band  11  relative to the body before the elastic band  11  is wrapped around the injured portion of the body. 
   In some forms, a cover (not shown) may be detachably mounted to the adhesive layer  15 . The cover is removed to expose the adhesive layer  15  so that the adhesive layer  15  can be used to initially secure the elastic band  11 . The adhesive may be styrene-isoprene-styrene copolymer, silicone or hydrogel, although any conventional adhesive may be used. In some example forms, the adhesive  15  may be a hook-and-loop fastener. 
   The system  10  is applied to the body by initially securing the pack  14  to the elastic band  11  such that the gas-permeable portion  14  of the pack  13  is exposed through the opening  12  in the elastic band  11 . The elastic band  11  is then secured relative to the body at a location near the injured portion of the body. 
   Once the elastic band  11  is secured relative to the body, the elastic band  11  is wrapped around the injured portion of the body  100 . The elastic band  11  is wrapped around the body until a second end  16 B of the elastic band  11  is secured to an already-wrapped and exposed section of the elastic band  11 . The second end  16 B may be tucked into an already-wrapped section of the elastic band  11 , or secured using any type of fastener (e.g., a hook-and-loop fastener). 
   In some forms, the pack  13  may include an adhesive (not shown) on the side of the pack  13  that is opposite to the elastic band  11 . The pack  13  may then be initially placed against the body with pressure before being further secured by the elastic band  11 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 3 , the system  10  may further include a support  20  that at least partially surrounds the opening  12  in the elastic band  11 . In some forms, the support  20  surrounds the entire opening  12  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 4 ). The support  20  may have a lower elasticity than the elastic band  11  to provide stability to the elastic band  11  near the opening  12 . As an example, the support  20  may be a plastic film, although other materials may be used. 
   In some forms, the pack  13  may include an adhesive that is releasably secured to the support  20 . It should be noted that the adhesive may be a chemical adhesive or a hook-and-loop type fastener. 
   In the example embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the support  20  is formed of a layer  21  that partially covers one side  22  of the elastic band  11 . In some forms, the support extends between lateral sides  23 A,  23 B of the elastic band  11 . 
   Positioning the support  20  around the opening  12  minimizes the stress that is generated on the opening  12  when the elastic band  11  is stretched as part of being wrapped around the body. The location and orientation of the support  20  relative to the elastic band  11  and the pack  13  allows the pack  13  to be more reliably secured to the elastic band  11 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , the pack  13  may include an enclosure  30  and a heating composition  31  that is sealed within the enclosure  30 . The heating composition may be capable of generating heat when a gas (e.g., ambient air) is supplied to the heating composition  31  through the gas-permeable portion  14  of the enclosure  30 . As an example, the heating composition  31  may be any combination of an iron powder, water, a water-retaining agent, a reaction promoter and a salt. 
   In some embodiments, the gas-permeable portion  14  of the enclosure  30  may be aligned with the opening  12  in the elastic band  11 . In addition, the gas-permeable portion  14  of the enclosure  30  may be substantially the same size as the opening  12  in the elastic band  11 . 
     FIG. 6  shows an example embodiment of another type of pack  40  that may be secured to the elastic band  11 . The pack  40  is similar to the pack  13  in that pack  40  includes an enclosure  30  having a gas-permeable portion  14 . The pack  40  further includes a portion  41  that provides support to the elastic band  11  around the opening  12  in the elastic band  111  when the pack  40  is secured to the elastic band  11  (pack  40  not shown secured to elastic band  11  in  FIG. 6 ). 
   It should be noted that in any of the embodiments shown and described herein, one or more packs  13 ,  40  may include a medication, such as a transdermal and/or topical medication, that is applied to the portion of the body (see, e.g., medication  19 , which is on the underside of pack  13  in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). In some forms, the transdermal and/or topical medication may be part of an adhesive that is used to apply the packs  13 ,  40  to the body. 
   In addition, the elastic band  11  and or the packs  13 ,  40  may be treated with a variety of therapeutic additives, such as herbs, vitamins and/or botanicals. Some example botanicals include lavender, chamomile, moisturizers, lipids, essential oils and fragrances. The therapeutic additives could be sprayed, or gravure printed, directly on the elastic band  11  and/or the packs  13 ,  40 . 
   It should be noted the packs,  13 ,  40  may also include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Some example non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs include aspirin, ibuprophen, ketoprophen and naproxen sodium (among others). In some forms, the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs will be available by prescription only. 
   In some forms, packs  13 ,  40  may be applied to an affected skin area to deliver treatment from various skin ailments. Some example ailments include irritation due to sun burns, heat burns, insect bites, athletes foot, dry skin, or other chronic skin conditions. 
   Although the openings  12  in  FIGS. 1–3  are shown as diamond-shaped,  FIG. 7  shows that size and shape of the openings  12  may vary. It should be noted that the number, size, shape and arrangement of the openings  12  and packs  13 ,  40  may vary, and will depend in large part on the application where the system  10  is being used. 
   In some example embodiments, the pack is a first pack (e.g., pack  13 ) that may be releasably secured to the elastic band  11 . In some forms, the system  10  further includes a second pack (e.g., pack  40 ) that is the same or different than the first pack. The second pack can be releasably secured to the elastic band  11  after the first pack is released from the elastic band  11 . The second pack may similarly include a gas-permeable portion  14  that is exposed through the opening  12  in the elastic band  11  when the second pack is releasably secured to the elastic band  11 . 
   Releasably securing packs to the elastic band  11  allows replacement packs to be positioned against the injured area of the body without having to use a replacement elastic band. Replacing packs is especially important in applications where the packs include compositions which generate heat via a chemical heat reaction. Once the chemical reaction expires, or slows too far down, a replacement pack is easily attached to the same elastic band  11 . 
   A method  80  of applying therapy to a portion of a body is described herein with reference to  FIG. 8 . The method  80  includes securing a pack to an elastic band such that a gas-permeable portion of the pack is exposed through an opening in the elastic band [ 82 ]. The method further includes wrapping the elastic band around the body such that the pack engages the injured portion of the body [ 84 ]. The method may further include supporting the opening in the elastic band [ 83 ]. 
   Securing a pack to an elastic band such that a gas-permeable portion of the pack is exposed through an opening in the elastic band [ 82 ] may include (i) exposing a heating composition within the pack to the ambient environment to generate heat within the pack; and/or (ii) adhering the pack to the elastic band. In some forms, supporting the opening in the elastic band [ 83 ] may include attaching a support to the elastic band such that the support at least partially surrounds the opening in the elastic band. In addition, wrapping the elastic band around the body such that the pack engages the injured portion of the body [ 84 ] may include using the pack to apply at least one of a topical medication and a transdermal medication to the portion of the body. 
   It should be noted that the pack may be a first pack such that securing the first pack to the elastic band [ 82 ] may include releasably securing the first pack to the elastic band. When the first pack is releasably secured to the elastic band, the method may further include unwrapping the elastic band from around the body [ 86 ]; releasing the first pack from the elastic band [ 87 ]; securing a second pack to the elastic band such that a gas-permeable portion of the second pack is exposed through an opening in the elastic band [ 88 ]; and wrapping the elastic band around the body such that the second pack engages the injured portion of the body [ 89 ]. 
   The operations discussed above with respect to the described methods may be performed in a different order from those described herein. In addition,  FIGS. 1–8  are representational and are not necessarily drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may be exaggerated, while others may be minimized. 
   While the invention has been described in detail with respect to the specific aspects thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing, may readily conceive of alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to these aspects which fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention, which should be assessed accordingly to that of the appended claims.