Patent Publication Number: US-2018049913-A1

Title: Post-surgery thermal pack holding apparatus and methods

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/378,179, filed Aug. 22, 2016. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates the applying of thermal therapy to help eliminate the pain and discomfort associated with post-surgical wounds. 
     “Cold”, ice, or “hot” packs (hereinafter referred to generically as “thermal packs”) are widely used to cool or heat body parts of the human anatomy as necessary to accelerate healing. Thermal packs are universally used to provide thermal therapeutic value to assist in the healing of post-surgical procedures. Thermal therapy reduces swelling and helps to minimize pain after surgery which ultimately reduces the number of painkillers a patient needs during recovery. 
     Cold in the form of ice or cold packs have been a time-honored and approved method to reduce the swelling and pain. One problem with the use of cold therapy post-surgery is the potential for introduction of moisture to the site of the surgical incision. This moisture increases the probability of a surgical incision becoming infected, thereby placing restrictions and limitations on the use of cold packs. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This problem is addressed by a thermal pack holder comprising a plurality of fabric layers configured to hold a thermal pack near a patient&#39;s skin while protecting the patient from moisture and abrasion. 
     According to one aspect of the technology described herein, a thermal pack holding apparatus includes a thermal pack holder including an interior cavity configured to receive a thermal pack, the interior cavity bounded by a face panel and an opposed back panel, the face panel is thermally conductive and the back panel is moisture-resistant. 
     According to another aspect of the technology described herein, a method for providing thermal therapy to a patient includes: placing a thermal pack at a predetermined temperature inside of an interior cavity of a thermal pack holder, wherein the interior cavity is bounded by a face panel and an opposed back panel, wherein the face panel is thermally conductive and the back panel is moisture-resistant; and applying the thermal pack holder against a patient&#39;s body, with the face panel in contact with the patient&#39;s skin. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention may be best understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective view showing an exemplary thermal pack holder, along with a conventional thermal pack that may be placed within the holder; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic, exploded perspective view showing the construction of the thermal pack holder, including an inner pocket and an outer pocket thereof; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram showing a portion of a thermal pack holder in contact with a patient&#39;s body part; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic top plan view of a belt that may be used as part of a securing apparatus for a thermal pack holder; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic top plan view of a shoulder strap assembly that may be used as part of a securing apparatus for a thermal pack holder; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic front elevation diagram showing thermal packs secured in place against a patient&#39;s body using a securing apparatus; and 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic front perspective diagram showing another arrangement of thermal packs secured in place against a patient&#39;s body using a securing apparatus. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the drawings wherein identical reference numerals denote the same elements throughout the various views,  FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary thermal pack holder  10  constructed according to an aspect of the present invention. The thermal pack holder  10  is a flexible enclosure defining an interior cavity  12  which is configured (i.e. sized and shaped) to receive a conventional thermal pack, labeled “T”. As will be described in more detail below, the thermal pack holder  10  includes a face panel  14  configured for contact with a patient&#39;s skin, and an opposed back panel  16 . 
     The thermal pack T may be any device which will fit into the thermal pack holder  10  which is effective to provide a thermal mass at a desired temperature (e.g. a “hot pack” or a “cold pack”). Numerous types of thermal packs are known and commercially available. For example, the thermal pack T may simply be a sealed container having a thermal mass (e.g. a solid or liquid material) which can be heated or cooled to a desired temperature. Alternatively, the thermal pack T may operate by combining two or more materials in an exothermic chemical reaction to produce heat. Alternatively, the thermal pack T may incorporate a material which may be frozen, such as water or water combined with a gelling material, which then thaws as it absorbs heat from a body part. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the thermal pack holder  10  comprises an outer pocket  18  with an inner pocket  20  positioned therein. 
     The outer pocket  18  comprises the face panel  14  and the back panel  16 . The panels  14 ,  16  are secured to each other along their respective peripheries in such a way as to define an opening  22 . In the illustrated example, the outer pocket  18  is depicted as having a rectangular shape, but the specific shape is not critical, and other shapes such as a polygon, circle, oval, or a curvilinear shape could be substituted. As will be described in more detail below, the outer pocket  18  may be shaped and sized to conveniently fit against different human body parts as required. 
     The face panel  14  is intended to contact the patient&#39;s skin and comprises a material which readily permits thermal energy flow through its thickness. Stated another way, it is a thermally conductive material rather than an insulating material. While any thermally conductive material could be used, the material should be non-toxic. For example, a non-toxic synthetic material could be used. Preferably, the material of the face panel  14  is a natural material (e.g. cotton, wool, hemp, etc.) rather than a synthetic, so as to avoid any chance of including toxic compositions. The material the face panel  14  may be configured to be comfortable and avoid sticking to a patient&#39;s skin. One nonlimiting example of a suitable material is a cotton mesh fabric. 
     The back panel  16  is intended to contact the patient&#39;s clothing and may comprise a material which is moisture-proof in order to prevent the patient&#39;s clothing from getting wet. Optionally, the back panel  16  may be constructed from a material that is insulating, i.e. that tends to resist thermal energy flow through its thickness. The material of the back panel  16  may be a non-toxic synthetic material or a natural material (e.g. cotton, wool, hemp, etc.). One nonlimiting example of a suitable material is a knitted or woven wool fabric. If desired, a non-toxic chemical treatment or coating may be used with a natural material to provide moisture-proofing properties. 
     Any type of joint may be used between the face panel  14  and the back panel  16  so long as they are secured together, for example stitching, mechanical fasteners, folds, crimping, thermal bonding, or adhesives. In the illustrated example, conventional stitching  24  is used along three edges of the mutual perimeters of the panel  14  and the back panel  16 , leaving the fourth edge open to define the opening  22 . 
     The inner pocket  20  comprises a first panel  26  and a second panel  28 . The panels  26 ,  28  are secured to each other along their respective peripheries in such a way as to define an opening  30 . In the illustrated example, the inner pocket  20  is depicted as having a rectangular shape, but the specific shape is not critical, and other shapes such as a polygon, circle, oval, or a curvilinear shape could be substituted. As will be described in more detail below, the inner pocket  20  may be shaped and sized to match the shape of the outer pocket  18  as required. 
     The first and second panels  26 ,  28  are intended to directly contact the thermal pack T and comprise a material which readily permits thermal energy flow therethrough. The first panel  26  and the second panel  28  may comprise a material which is moisture-resistant in order to contain condensation generated by the thermal pack T. The material of the first panel  26  and the second panel  28  may be a non-toxic synthetic material or a natural material (e.g. cotton, wool, hemp, etc.). One nonlimiting example of a suitable material is a knitted or woven wool fabric. If desired, a non-toxic chemical treatment or coating may be used with a natural material to provide moisture-proofing properties. 
     Any type of joint may be used between the first panel  26  and the second panel  28  so long as they are secured together, for example stitching, mechanical fasteners, folds, crimping, thermal bonding, or adhesives. In the illustrated example, conventional stitching  32  is used along three edges of the mutual perimeters of the first panel  26  and the second panel  28 , leaving the fourth edge open to define the opening  30 . 
     The complete thermal pack holder  10  is formed by positioning the inner pocket  20  inside of the outer pocket  18 . If desired, the inner pocket  20  and the outer pocket  18  may be joined to each other using one of the connection methods described above. The openings  22  and  30  coincide with each other and cooperatively define a mouth  34  ( FIG. 1 ) that communicates with the interior cavity  12 . 
     Optionally, a closure  36  (shown schematically) may be provided to selectively close off the mouth  34  of the thermal pack holder. Non-limiting examples of suitable closures include buttons, snaps, hooks, turn button fasteners, clips, hook and loop fasteners, or zippers. 
     The thermal pack holder  10  is used (see  FIG. 1 ) by placing a conventional thermal pack T into the inner pocket  20  and optionally securing the closure  36 . The thermal pack holder  10  is then placed against a body part “B” ( FIG. 3 ), with the face panel  14  in contact with the skin “S”. The face panel  14  is configured so that it does not cause achieving or irritation to the skin S. Optionally, clothing “C” may overlie the thermal pack holder  10 . 
     As noted above, thermal packs T may be hot or cold. Especially in the case of a very cold or frozen cold pack, the thermal pack T may condense moisture out of the surrounding air. Because the inner pocket  20  is moisture-proof, it will retain any condensation and prevent it from touching the patient&#39;s body. 
     The thermal pack holder  10  may be placed against any body part as required. Typically, thermal pack therapy involves placing the thermal pack T against a body part and leaving it in place for a prescribed period of time. It is desirable that the patient be comfortable during this time and not have to hold the thermal packs T in place. Also, it is desirable that the patient be able to undertake normal activities during the thermal therapy. 
     Accordingly, the thermal pack holder  10  may be configured for use with a securing apparatus, by providing it with one or more connectors arranged in an appropriate pattern. Nonlimiting examples of suitable connectors include buttons, snaps, hooks, turn button fasteners, clips, hook and loop fasteners, or zippers. In the example illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the thermal pack holder  10  is provided with connectors  38  in the form of a plurality of spaced-apart snap fasteners arranged around its outer periphery. The snap fasteners or other connectors permit the thermal pack holder  10  to be connected to another thermal pack holder or to different kinds of securing apparatus. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary belt  40  constructed from an appropriate material such as leather, fabric, etc. and provided with end connectors  42 . The belt  40  can be wrapped around a patient&#39;s torso or other body part and the end connectors  42  coupled to each other to secure the belt  40  in place. The belt  40  is provided with connectors  38  in the form of a plurality of spaced-apart snap fasteners arrayed along its length. The snap fasteners  38  or other connectors permit the belt  40  to be connected to a thermal pack holder  10  or to another piece of securing apparatus. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an exemplary shoulder strap assembly  44  constructed from appropriate material such as leather, fabric, etc. The shoulder strap assembly  44  comprises two or more parallel spaced-apart straps  46  each having end connectors  42  at distal ends thereof, and a band of connecting material  48  interconnecting the straps  46 . In addition to the end connectors  42 , the shoulder strap assembly  44  may be provided with additional connectors  38  such as the illustrated snap fasteners. The end connectors  42  and/or the additional connectors  38  permit the shoulder strap assembly  44  to be connected to a thermal pack holder  10  or to another piece of securing apparatus. 
     The securing apparatus such as the belt  40  and the shoulder strap assembly  44 , or other similarly-configured components may be used to secure one or more of the thermal pack holders  10  against one or multiple body parts for thermal therapy. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates one particular example in which thermal pack holders  10 ,  10 ′ are secured against a patient&#39;s breast and the side of the patient&#39;s thorax, respectively. In this example, the shoulder strap assembly  44  is placed over the patient&#39;s shoulder and the end connectors  42  are secured to the thermal pack holder  10 , suspending it in position over the patient&#39;s breast. Another thermal pack holder  10 ′ contacting the patient&#39;s thorax is connected to the first thermal pack holder  10  at its upper end, and its lower end is secured in position by a belt  40  as described above. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates another example in which a thermal pack holder  10 ″ is secured against a patient&#39;s upper thorax and armpit. This would be used, for example, when the patient has had a lymph node removal in conjunction with breast surgery. This configuration may be used separately from or in addition to the configuration shown in  FIG. 6 . In this example, the shoulder strap assembly  44  (or another strap) is placed over the patient&#39;s shoulder and the end connectors  42  are secured to the thermal pack holder  10 ″, suspending it in position against the patient&#39;s armpit. Its lower end is secured in position by a belt  40  as described above. Another thermal pack holder  10  may be connected to the first thermal pack holder  10 ″. 
     The thermal pack holder and securing apparatus described herein has advantages over prior art methods for thermal therapy. 
     It provides present an easy system and method for using thermal packs after surgical procedures while preventing the introduction of moisture into surgical incisions. It provides the individual who has undergone surgical procedures with a system of thermal packs are easily applied and can be customized to fit the necessary area affected by the surgical incision and surrounding traumatized body areas. The arrangement of connectors allows the thermal pack holders to be connected and customized to achieve the necessary coverage needed for the surgical incision and surrounding skin. It provides is designed to provide the appropriate pressure for the thermal pack to have contact with the surgical incision and skin in such a way that cooling or heating effects are maximized. 
     The foregoing has described an apparatus and method for post-surgical thermal therapy. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. 
     Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. 
     The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.