Patent Publication Number: US-2016235614-A1

Title: Integrated cryotherapy apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This Continuation-in-Part (CIP) Application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/964,750 entitled Ice Therapy System (confirmation no. 2103) filed on Sep. 1, 2013 by Neil J. Kay. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The embodiments shown herein relate to an integrated cryotherapy apparatus, and in particular to an integrated cryotherapy apparatus which alleviates minor aches and pains to a plurality of body parts while preventing the damaging effects of excessive icing/cooling. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Cryotherapy and cold compression are commonly used for the management of pain and inflammation associated with acute injuries, surgical procedures, and orthopedic treatment. The primary reason for cryotherapy in acute pain management is to reduce the soft tissue metabolic rate, helping damaged tissue survive. 
     However, continuous cold therapy has led to excessive cooling/icing times, which have led to severe skin and tissue damage including frostbite and amputation. Further, it has been shown that vasoconstriction occurs within 10 minutes of traditional cooling devices under 40 degrees Fahrenheit, limiting the supply of oxygen and nutrients in the blood. 
     Although there are several references to cold compression wraps and refreezable gels, there is not a single prior art reference that discloses a device to provide cryotherapy while eliminating the dangers of excessive icing. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments described herein include an integrated cryotherapy apparatus that provides minor pain alleviation using cold therapy while preventing the dangers associated with excessive icing/cooling. The apparatus further includes a flexible outer sleeve, containing element, and cap with an integrated liquid crystal display (LCD) and suspendable countdown timer. The embodiments enable a user to fill the containing element with a plurality of cooling mixtures, hermetically seal the mixture within the containing element, place the cooled containing element over the affected area, and releasably attach the containing element to an area of the body and secure in place using the flexible outer sleeve. Further, the apparatus enables both uniform compression and cooling to the affected area using a plurality of attachment means located about the periphery of the flexible outer sleeve. The cap further includes an integrated liquid crystal display and countdown timer, which allow the user to input a desired icing time and start a timer, which ensures the user is apprised of the expected ice time and prevents tissue damage associated with excessive icing/cooling. 
     Other aspects, advantages, and novel features of the embodiments shown herein will become apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete understanding of the embodiments shown, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed descriptions when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded view of the integrated cryotherapy apparatus; 
         FIG. 2  is a view of the apparatus detached from a user with the cap removed; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the containing element and cap; 
         FIG. 4  is a view of the apparatus releasably attached to a user; and 
         FIG. 5  is a view of the cap. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The specific details of a single embodiment or variety of embodiments described herein are set forth in this application. Any specific details of the embodiments are used for demonstration purposes only, and no unnecessary limitations or inferences are to be understood therefrom. 
     The embodiments shown relate to an integrated cryotherapy apparatus. The embodiments shown demonstrate an apparatus that provides minor pain alleviation by releasably attaching the apparatus to the affected area for a predetermined period of time and further alleviating any soft tissue or skin damage associated with excessive icing/cooling. 
     Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the views. There is shown in  FIG. 1  an exploded view of the integrated cryotherapy apparatus  10 . The apparatus  10  includes a containing element  12 , outer “compression” sleeve  14 , and cap  16  further including a liquid crystal display and suspendable countdown timer. The apparatus  10  further includes an interior portion  18  which may be filled with a plurality of cooling mixtures, and an exterior portion  20  configured to be releasably secured onto the user. It is contemplated that the interior portion  18  and exterior portion are composed of a single flexible material such as neoprene, rubber, or a plastic material. However, it should be understood that any suitable material may be used as long as it is flexible and capable of holding a filler material. 
     The containing element  12  is a substantially elliptical collapsible container that is configured to releasably store a plurality of cooling material. Further, the containing element has an opening  22  to enable the user to fill/empty the containing element  12 . The opening  22  is dimensioned to enable the user to insert a plurality of cooling materials such as water, ice, frozen gels, or any other material capable of being cooled and inserted within the interior portion  18 . The substantially elliptical configuration of the containing element  1  enables the user to fill the interior portion  18  and ensure the exterior portion  20  is a uniform temperature before actuating a countdown timer  24 . The containing element contains a plurality of flexible sidewalls to optimally contour the containing element around the body part of the user. Further, the flexible sidewalls help facilitate the freeflow of cooling mixture within the containing element to help maintain a uniform temperature on the exterior surface of the containing element, which is in communication with a body part of the user. Further, the opening  22  enables the user to fill to a desired level before any treatment or the countdown timer  24  is actuated. The embodiments provide a contoured interior portion  18  that is safer than current designs incorporating a “jet system,” which provides for non-uniform cooling, which has been shown to cause tissue damage and even frostbite. Further shown in  FIG. 1  is a sealable edge  26  located at the top of the containing element  12  which is releasably secured with the cap  16  when engaged, to create a hermetic seal to the interior portion  18 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a view of the compression sleeve  14 . The compression sleeve  14  may be made of a flexible synthetic polymer, rubber, or similar material, and is configured to releasably secure the containing element  12  using a plurality of attachment means  27  located along the periphery of the outward extending extremities  28  onto the user&#39;s body. The compression sleeve  14  further includes an sleeve interior portion  29  which is in contact with both containing element  12  and the user&#39;s body part, and an sleeve exterior portion  30 . Further, the compression sleeve  14  is designed to be flexed and stretch to fit a plurality of body parts, and may stretch to fit the intended body part of the user, and provide a more secure fit, and uniform compression to the desired body part. The compression sleeve may be adjustable in size, or interchangeable, and intended to fit a knee, elbow, back, or other part of the body that the user desires. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a view of the containing element  12  and cap  16 , The cap  16  further includes an integrated liquid crystal display (LCD)  32  and countdown timer  24 . The liquid crystal display  32  further includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (LED)  34  which provide for local dimming and high resolution images while simultaneously reducing the load on integrated power supply. The liquid crystal display  32  and countdown timer  24  enable the user to set a desired cooling period, actuate a timer, and ensure that overicing is prevented. Further, the countdown timer  24  may be suspended by the user for a pre-determined period, which enables the user to ensure the exterior portion  20  is a uniform temperature before the countdown is resumed. Further, the countdown timer  24  counts down in seconds, minutes, and hours. The countdown timer  24  stops at at zero, and further includes time zone support. The countdown timer  24  may display time as “4” to indicate 4 minutes, or may display “1 d 2 h 7 m” as one day, two hours, and seven minutes, and further includes a memory module that recognizes future date and time combinations and may accept command line arguments to create batch files for most frequently used countdown values. The liquid crystal display  32  allows the user to suspend (i.e., pre-determined break times) and may include a ticking background sound. Also, the countdown timer  24  includes a “countdown bar” which slowly fills as the time is counted down and the “countdown bar” is completely tilled when the time has exprired to provide visual orientation for the user. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a view of the apparatus  10  releasably secured to the knee of the user using the plurality of attachment means  27 . The compression sleeve  14  ensures the apparatus  10  remains in place and uniform compression is applied to the affected area. The cap  16  is applied to provide a hermetic seal to the interior portion  18  and the LCD  32  and countdown timer  24  are displaying a generic time of “18” to indicate minutes left until the end of the cryotherapy session. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a view of the cap  16  and LCD  32 . The LCD  32  allows an audio/visual message to be displayed to the user during the countdown, run a program, or change the display font if necessary. 
     Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the present embodiments go beyond what is particularly shown and described hereinabove. In addition, note that all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale unless otherwise noted. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above description without departing from the following claims.