Patent Description:
The present invention is directed to the field of therapeutic devices, and, more particularly, is directed to the field of devices that provide vibration, thermal and compression to selected portions of a body.

The applications of vibration and heat to tired and injured tissues are known to be therapeutic to the tissues. Various devices have been used to provide vibration, to provide heat or to provide a combination of vibration and heat. Many of the devices require continual manual application of the device. Other devices are configured to provide vibration, heat, or both vibration and heat to specific locations of the body by attachment to the location. Such devices require a person to purchase a different version of the device for each body location requiring therapy.

A need exists for a therapeutic vibration, thermal and compression apparatus that can be attached to different locations on a body without requiring a different device configuration for each location.

A device for applying vibration, thermal and compressive therapy is disclosed. In some embodiments, the device can include a top layer and a bottom layer. In some embodiments, the bottom layer of the device can be adapted to contact a body surface of a user. In some embodiments, the device can include a therapeutic element. In some embodiments, the therapeutic element can be disposed between the top layer and the bottom layer. In some embodiments, the therapeutic element can include a vibration component, a thermal component and a compression component. In some embodiments, upon activation of the therapeutic element, the vibration component applies a vibration force, the thermal component applies a thermal therapy, and the compression component applies a compressive force.

In some embodiments, the top layer can include a flexible, elastic material. In some embodiments, the bottom layer can include an inelastic material. In some embodiments, the inelastic material can include a molded silicone. In some embodiments, the compression component can include an inflatable bladder. In some embodiments, the device further includes an air compressor adapted to selectively inflate the inflatable bladder. In some embodiments, the air compressor can be disposed within a control module. In some embodiments, the compression component can be bonded to the bottom layer. In some embodiments, the compression component can be bonded to the bottom layer solely at the perimeter of the bottom layer. In some embodiments, one or more of the vibration component, the thermal component and the compression component are the same component. In some embodiments, upon activation of the therapeutic element, the compression component curves to more closely conform to the bottom layer.

One aspect of the embodiments disclosed herein is a system that applies compression, vibration and heat to a body part of a person. The system includes a portable vibration and heat generation apparatus having a flexible support platform and a bag-like enclosure extending from the support platform. A cylindrical control unit is mounted to the support platform and extends perpendicularly from the support platform. The control unit has a diameter of between <NUM> millimeters and <NUM> millimeters. The control unit houses electronic circuitry and at least one battery. Four vibration pods extend from the support platform into the bag-like structure. The bag-like structure also houses a heat generation unit. The control unit extends through a circular bore in a compression wrap. The compression wrap is securable to a body part with a distal wall of the bag-like enclosure against the body part. The system selectively applies vibration, heat or a combination of vibration and heat to the body part.

Another aspect of the embodiments disclosed herein is a portable vibration and heat generation apparatus. The apparatus comprises a flexible support platform, a cylindrical control unit, a plurality of vibration pods, a heat generation unit, and a bag-like enclosure. The cylindrical control unit is mounted to a central portion of the support platform and extends perpendicularly from the support platform in a first direction. The control unit has a diameter of between <NUM> millimeters and <NUM> millimeters. The control unit houses electronic circuitry and at least one battery. The plurality of vibration pods are attached to the flexible support platform. Each vibration pod extends from the support platform in a second direction, which second direction is opposite the first direction, the vibration pods are electrically connected to the control unit. The heat generation unit is positioned below the vibration pods. The heat generation unit electrically connected to the control unit. The bag-like enclosure is attached to the support platform and encloses the plurality of vibration pods and the heat generation unit. The bag-like enclosure has a distal wall. The heat generation unit is positioned adjacent to the distal wall. In certain embodiments, each vibration pod includes an electrical motor having a shaft coupled to an eccentric mass. In certain embodiments, four vibration pods are arranged generally symmetrically about thecylindrical control unit. In certain embodiments, the heat generation unit comprises at least one resistance heating wire secured to a flexible sheet. The resistance heating wire generates heat when a current flows through the heating wire. In certain embodiments, the heat generation unit is operable at at least a first temperature setting, a second temperature setting and a third temperature setting. In certain embodiments, the control unit is responsive to a signal received via a wireless communication interface. For example, in certain embodiments, the wireless communication interface is a Bluetooth interface. In certain embodiments, the flexible support platform, the control unit and the bag-like enclosure have sizes and shapes selected to cause the vibration and heat generation apparatus to resemble a therapeutic ice bag.

Another aspect of the embodiments disclosed herein is a system for applying compression, vibration and heat to a body part of a person. The system comprises a portable vibration and heat generation apparatus and a compression wrap. The portable vibration and heat generation apparatus comprises a flexible support platform, a cylindrical control unit, a plurality of vibration pods, a heat generation unit and a bag-like enclosure. The cylindrical control unit is mounted to a central portion of the support platform and extends perpendicularly from the support platform in a first direction. The control unit has a diameter of between <NUM> millimeters and <NUM> millimeters. The control unit houses electronic circuitry andat least one battery. The plurality of vibration pods are attached to the flexible support platform. Each vibration pod extends from the support platform in a second direction, which second direction is opposite the first direction. The vibration pods are electrically connected to the control unit. The heat generation unit is positioned distal to the vibration pods. The heat generation unit is electrically connected to the control unit. The bag-like enclosure is attached to and extends distally from the support platform. The bag-like enclosure encloses the plurality of vibration pods and the heat generation unit. The bag-like enclosure has a distal wall. The heat generation unit is positioned adjacent to the lower wall. The compression wrap comprises a unitary sheet of elastic material having a central body with straps extending therefrom. The central body includes at least one bore that receives the cylindrical control unit of the portable vibration and generation apparatus therethrough. The straps of the compression wrap are positionable with respect to the body part of the person to secure the distal wall of the bag-like enclosure of the portable vibration and generation apparatus against the body part to apply heat from the heat generation unit to the body part and to apply vibrationfrom the vibration pods to the body part. In certain embodiments, the flexible support platform, the control unit and the bag-like enclosure have sizes and shapes selected to cause the portable vibration and heat generation apparatus to resemble a therapeutic ice bag.

Another aspect of the embodiments disclosed herein is a system for applying a combination of compression, vibration and heat to a body part of a person. The system comprises a portable vibration and heat generation apparatus and a compression wrap. The portable vibration and heat generation apparatus includes a flexible support platform, a bag-like enclosure, a cylindrical control unit, a plurality of vibration pods and a heat generation unit. The flexible support platform has an outer perimeter. The bag-like enclosure has a perimeter attachedto the outer perimeter of the support platform. The bag-like enclosure extends distally from the support platform in a first direction to a distal wall. The cylindricalcontrol unit is mounted to the support platform and extends perpendicularly proximally from the support platform in a second direction opposite the first direction. The control unit has a diameter of between <NUM> millimeters and <NUM> millimeters. The control unit houses electronic circuitry and at least one battery. The control unit includes a panel having a plurality of touch responsive areas thereon to receive commands to control the electronic circuitry. Each vibration pod has at least a portion extending from the support platform in the first direction andenclosed within the bag-like structure. The heat generation unit is enclosed withinthe bag-like structure and is positioned proximate to the distal wall of the bag-likestructure. The compression wrap has a bore formed therethrough. The cylindrical control unit of the portable vibration and heat generation apparatus extends through the bore. The compression wrap is securable to a body part with the distal wall of the bag-like enclosure against the body part. In certain embodiments, the flexible support platform, the control unit and the bag-like enclosure have sizes and shapes selected to cause the portable vibration and heat generation apparatus to resemble a therapeutic ice bag.

The foregoing aspects and other aspects of the disclosure are described indetail below in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:.

A vibration and heat generation apparatus <NUM> is illustrated in <FIG>. As described below, the vibration and heat generation apparatus can be applied to different locations of body. The apparatus can apply vibration to a selected location of the body, can apply heat to the selected location of the body, and can apply a combination of vibration and heat to the selected location of the body. The apparatus is particularly adapted to be used with compression wraps, which are also described below.

The vibration and heat generation apparatus <NUM> includes an enclosure <NUM>. The enclosure comprises a lower bag-like structure <NUM> that houses an inner cavity <NUM> (<FIG>). The lower bag-like structure is secured to anupper support structure <NUM> and extends distally from the upper support structure. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower bag-like structure comprises a strong elastomeric fabric such as, for example, a polyester-polyurethane copolymer fiber commonly referred to as spandex. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper support structure comprises a strong, flexible material. For example, the material may be an elastomeric material such as neoprene. Other strong, flexible materials can also be used. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper support structure has a width of approximately <NUM> inches (approximately <NUM> centimeters), a length of approximately <NUM> inches (approximately <NUM> centimeters) and a thickness of approximately <NUM> millimeters.

In the illustrated embodiment, the lower structure <NUM> is sewn to the upper support structure <NUM> along the four sides of the upper support structure. The seam between the two structures may be reinforced with bias tape <NUM> or other material as shown. In the illustrated embodiment, a zipper <NUM> is sewn into the lower structure to allow selective access to the cavity in the lower structure for initial installation of the components described below. The zipper is positioned near one edge of the lower structure as shown. The zipper is attached in such a manner that the edges of the fabric of the lower structure proximate to the two sides of the zipper are almost touching to substantially hide the underlying zipper from view. The material comprising the lower structure has generally rectangular dimensions sufficiently larger than the corresponding dimensions of the upper support structure such that the lower structure forms the inner cavity <NUM> with a sufficient depth relative to the upper support structure to accommodate a plurality of vibration elements (e.g., a first vibration pod <NUM>, a second vibration pod <NUM>, a third vibration pod <NUM> and a fourth vibration pod <NUM>). The inner cavity further accommodates at least one heat generation unit <NUM>. The heat generator is mechanically and thermally buffered from the vibration pods by a layer <NUM> of flexible foam.

As used herein, "bag-like structure" refers to various shapes the lower structure <NUM> may have when in use because the lower structure comprises a fabric material that is readily deformable to conform the material to irregular shapes. When the lower structure and the upper support structure <NUM> are resting on a flat surface, the lower structure has a selected general shape defined by its outer dimensions such that a flexible distal (e.g., lowermost in the illustrated orientation) wall <NUM> of the lower structure is generally parallel to the upper support structure. The actual shape of the lower structure varies in response to the current shape of the upper support structure. For example, when the outer edges of the upper support structure are bent downward, the distal wall of the lower structure may sag away from the upper support structure. On the other hand, when the upper support structure is positioned on a person's knee or other curved body part, the flexible distal wall of the lower structure easily deforms to conform to the irregular curvature of the body part.

A control unit <NUM> extends proximally (e.g., upward in the illustrated orientation) from a proximal (top) surface of the upper support structure <NUM>. The control unit is housed within a generally cylindrical enclosure <NUM>. As shown in the exploded view (<FIG>), the upper support structure includes a though bore <NUM> that is positioned close to the center of the upper support structure. The through bore has a sufficient size to accommodate a plurality of power wires (e.g., twelve wires), which are discussed below. For example, the through bore may have a diameter between <NUM>-<NUM> ( <NUM> inch and <NUM> inch). The control unit together with the enclosure <NUM>, comprising the upper support structure and the lower structure <NUM>, results in the vibration and heat generation apparatus <NUM> having an overall size and shape resembling a conventional flattened ice bag.

[As shown in <FIG>, the through bore <NUM> in the upper support structure <NUM> is surrounded by a plurality of mounting holes <NUM> formed through the upper support structure. For example, five mounting holes are equally spaced about a circle centered at the center of the upper support structure. In one embodiment, the circle has a diameter of approximately <NUM> inches. The cylindrical enclosure has an annular lower flange <NUM> that is positioned concentrically with respect to the cylindrical bore. The lower flange includes a plurality of threaded bores (e.g., five bores) <NUM> (<FIG>) that are aligned with the mounting holes in the upper support structure. An annular compression flange <NUM> is mounted below the upper support structure. The compression flange includes a corresponding plurality of unthreaded bores (e.g., five bores) <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>) aligned with the mounting holes and aligned with the threaded bores of the annular lower flange. A corresponding plurality of screws (not shown) pass through the unthreaded bores of the compression flange and engage the threaded bores of the lower flange. As the screws are tightened, an annular portion of the upper mounting surface surrounding the central cylindrical bore is squeezed between the compression flange and the lower flange to secure the cylindrical enclosure to theupper support structure. It should be understood that the screws may be machine screws that engage pre-threaded bores in the lower flange or may be self- threading screws that create threads in the bores of the lower flange when the compression flange and the lower flange are first interconnected.

As further shown in <FIG>, a plurality of electrical wires <NUM> extend from the lower portion of the cylindrical enclosure <NUM> of the control unit <NUM> and through the through bore <NUM> (<FIG>) of the upper support structure <NUM>. Additional structural and operational features of the control unit are described below.

The upper support structure <NUM> further includes a plurality of pod mounting bores <NUM> that extend through the upper support structure. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper support structure includes four sets of pod mounting bores. Each set of mounting bores comprises four bores arranged in a generally square pattern with a respective bore at the vertex of the square pattern. For example, in one embodiment, the bores in each set of positioned approximately <NUM> millimeters (approximately <NUM> inches) apart and have diameters of approximately <NUM> millimeters (approximately <NUM> inch). In the illustrated embodiment, each set of pod mounting bores is centered at selected distances from the center of the upper support structure. For example, the center of a rear left set is positioned approximately <NUM> (<NUM> inches) to the left of the center of the upper support structure and approximately <NUM> (<NUM> inches) toward the rear relative to the center of the upper support structure. In the illustrated embodiment, the sets of pod mounting bores are positioned substantially symmetrically with respect to the center of the upper support structure such that the center of each set is approximately the same distance from the center of the upper support structure. In other embodiments, the sets of mounting bores may be positioned differently from front to rear than from left to right, particularly if the upper support structure has a non-square upper surface. Note that as used herein, left and right, front and rear, and top and bottom are used to indicate positions relative to the drawings with the exposed upper surface of the upper support structure designated as the "top" or "proximal" surface. The apparatus may be used in many different orientations wherein the upper surface of the upper support structure may be oriented outward, downward or the like.

The first vibration pod <NUM> is shown in more detail in <FIG>. The other three vibration pods <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are identical or are substantially identical. The first vibration pod includes an upper cover <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, a top surface <NUM> of the upper cover is square or substantially square with each side of the square having a length of approximately <NUM> millimeters). The upper cover has a thickness of approximately <NUM> millimeters to a lower surface <NUM>. Four protrusions <NUM> extend from the lower surface of the upper cover. Each protrusion has a diameter selected such that each protrusion fits through a selected one of the mounting bores <NUM> in the rear left set of mounting bores. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the protrusions have a diameter of approximately <NUM> millimeters. Each protrusion has a length of approximately <NUM> millimeters. The end of each protrusion opposite the top of the upper cover has a central bore <NUM> that may be threaded to receive a machine screw (not shown). Alternatively, the central bore may be threadable to receive a self-taping screw.

The first vibration pod <NUM> includes a lower cover <NUM> having a central cavity <NUM>. The lower cover has a generally square upper surface <NUM> surrounding the central cavity. In the illustrated embodiment, the peripheral dimensions of theupper surface of the lower cover generally correspond to the peripheral dimensions of the upper cover <NUM>. The lower cover has an arcuate lower surface having four through bores <NUM> formed therein. The through bores are spaced apart by distances corresponding to the spacing of the protrusions <NUM> of the upper cover <NUM>. The through bores are counterbored with respect to the lower cover to receive the heads of the screws (not shown) that secure the lower cover to the upper cover.

A lower inner surface <NUM> of the lower cover <NUM> corresponds to the lower surface of the central cavity <NUM>. Each of the through bores <NUM> is surrounded bya respective inner protrusion <NUM> that extends from the lower inner surface of the central cavity. The top surface of each inner protrusion has a respective counterbore <NUM> that surrounds the through bore and extends a selected distance into the protrusion. The diameter of each counterbore is selected to correspondto the outer diameter of the protrusions <NUM> extending from the top cover <NUM> (e.g., approximately <NUM> millimeters in the illustrated embodiment) so that each protrusion of the top cover fits snugly into the respective counterbore of one of the inner protrusions of the lower cover. The depth of the counterbore in each inner protrusion in the central cavity is selected such that when the protrusions of the top cover are engaged with the counterbores, the lower surface <NUM> of the top cover is spaced apart from the upper surface <NUM> of the bottom cover by a distance less than the thickness of the upper support structure <NUM>. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the two surfaces are spaced apart by approximately <NUM> millimeters, which is substantially less than the thickness (e.g., approximately <NUM> millimeters) of the upper support structure. Thus, when the top cover is securedto the bottom cover by the four screws (not shown) passing through the through bores <NUM> of the lower cover and engaging the central bores <NUM> of protrusions extending from the upper cover, the portions of the upper support structure in contact with the upper cover and the lower cover are squeezed between the two covers to secure the first vibration pod <NUM> to the upper supportstructure. The other three vibration pods <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are secured to the uppersupport structure in a like manner.

The lower inner surface <NUM> of the lower cover <NUM> includes a first motor bearing support <NUM> and a second motor bearing support <NUM>. Each motor bearing support is sized and positioned to receive a respective motor bearing as described below. The lower inner surface further includes three raised ribs <NUM> positioned between the first and second bearing supports. Each rib has a respective upper surface positioned a selected distance from the lower inner surface.

The first bearing support <NUM> includes a generally semicircular upper surface sized to receive a front bearing <NUM> of a motor <NUM>. The second bearing support <NUM> includes a generally semicircular upper surface sized to receive a rear bearing <NUM> of the motor. The motor has a generally horizontal lower surface 246that rests on the three raised ribs <NUM> when the bearings of the motor are positioned in the respective bearing supports. The motor also has a generally horizontal upper surface <NUM>, which is parallel to the upper surface in the illustrated embodiment. The motor includes a shaft <NUM>. A front portion of the shaft extendsfrom the front bearing to support an eccentric mass <NUM>. The eccentric mass is positioned within an unobstructed portion of the inner cavity and is able to move freely within the portion of the cavity when the shaft of the motor is rotated.

The lower cover <NUM> further includes a motor clamp plate <NUM> having an upper surface <NUM> and a lower surface <NUM>. The motor clamp plate rests upon four clamp plate support protrusions <NUM> that extend upward from the lower innersurface <NUM>. Each clamp plate support protrusion has a respective central bore <NUM>. Each central bore may be threaded to receive the threads of a machinescrew (not shown). Alternatively, each central bore may be threadable by a self-tapping screw.

The motor clamp plate <NUM> is sized to fit within the lower cover <NUM> and to rest upon the clamp plate support protrusions <NUM>. The motor clamp plate includes four plate mounting through bores <NUM> that are aligned with the central bores of the clamp plate support protrusions. Each plate mounting through bore is counterbored on the upper surface <NUM> of the motor clamp plate so that the headsof the machine (or self-tapping) screws (not shown) do not extend above the upper surface of the motor clamp plate.

The lower surface <NUM> of the motor clamp plate <NUM> includes a respective protrusion <NUM> surrounding each plate mounting through bore <NUM>. Each protrusion extends a short distance (e.g., approximately <NUM> millimeters; approximately <NUM> inch) below the lower surface. Each protrusion is counterbored to have an inside diameter corresponding to the outside diameter of a clamp platesupport protrusion <NUM> (e.g., approximately <NUM> millimeters; approximately <NUM> inch in the illustrated embodiment). Thus, when the motor clamp plate is secured to the clamp plate protrusions, the motor clamp plate cannot shift laterally with respect to the lower cover.

The motor clamp plate <NUM> further includes four clearance through bores <NUM>, which are positioned and sized to provide clearance for the four protrusions <NUM> that extend from the lower surface <NUM> of the upper cover <NUM>. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the clearance through bores have diameters of slightly greater than approximately <NUM> millimeters (approximately <NUM> inch) to provide a snug fit with respect to the protrusions.

The motor clamp plate <NUM> includes two motor engagement ribs <NUM> that extend from the lower surface <NUM>. The engagement ribs are positioned to engage the generally horizontal upper surface <NUM> of the motor <NUM> when the motor clamp plate is positioned on the lower cover <NUM> of the first vibration pod <NUM>. The thickness of each rib with respect to the lower surface of the motor clamp plate isselected such that when the motor clamp plate is fully secured by the four screws(not shown), the ribs are pressed against the horizontal upper surface of the motor. Accordingly, the motor is tightly secured between the ribs of the motor clamp plateand the three raised ribs <NUM> of the lower inner surface <NUM> of the lower cover <NUM>.

In the illustrated embodiment, the motor <NUM> comprises a permanent magnet DC motor operating at approximately <NUM>,<NUM> revolutions per minute (RPM)from a <NUM>-volt DC supply. In one embodiment, the motor comprises an FC130 style motor, which is commercially available from a number of sources. The motor draws approximately <NUM> Amperes at the rated RPM.

The motor <NUM> and the eccentric mass <NUM> together have an overall lengthof approximately <NUM> millimeters. The motor has an overall diameter of approximately <NUM> millimeters and is flattened to space the lower surface <NUM> and the upper surface <NUM> apart by approximately <NUM> millimeters.

The eccentric mass <NUM> is substantially cylindrical. The eccentric mass has an overall diameter of approximately <NUM> millimeters, and has a length along the shaft of the motor of approximately <NUM> millimeters. In the illustrated embodiment, the mass comprises powdered metal (e.g., iron), which is compacted to have a mass (weight) of approximately <NUM> grams. The eccentric mass is mounted on the shaft <NUM> of the motor <NUM> via a shaft bore <NUM> having a diameter of approximately.

<NUM> millimeters. In the illustrated embodiment, the shaft bore is offset from the center of the eccentric mass by approximately <NUM> millimeters to cause the mass to impart a vibration. The vibration is communicated from the shaft of the motor and through the bearings <NUM>, <NUM> to bearing supports <NUM>, <NUM> to cause the lower cover <NUM> of the vibration pod <NUM> to vibrate.

Each of the four vibration pods <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are electrically connected to the control unit as described below. As illustrated in <FIG>, in the illustrated embodiment, the heat generation unit <NUM> comprises a first (lower) rectangular sheet of cloth <NUM> and a second (upper) rectangular sheet of cloth <NUM>. Each sheet has outer dimensions of approximately <NUM> millimeters by approximately <NUM> millimeters. In the illustrated embodiment, each sheet comprises a <NUM> needle punch material (i.e., non-woven material formed by a conventional needle punching process) having a thickness of approximately <NUM> millimeters. The material has a density of approximately <NUM> grams per square meter. At least one electrical resistance wire is positioned between the two sheets. In the illustrated embodiment, a first resistance wire 334and a second resistance wire <NUM> are secured to the upper surface of the lower sheet by lock stitching (not shown) in a conventional manner. The resistance wires can also be secured to the upper sheet in a similar manner. In one embodiment,each resistance wire comprises a thin, flat resistance wire, such as, for example, a commercially available titanium resistance wire. In the illustrated embodiment, the cross-sectional dimensions of the resistance wires are selected to provide a resistance of approximately <NUM> ohms per meter. Each resistance wire has a length of approximately <NUM> meters such that each wire has a total resistance of approximately <NUM> ohms.

The two resistance wires <NUM>, <NUM> form two maze-like patterns, which are substantially symmetric about a centerline <NUM> of the lower sheet <NUM>. Each resistance wire extends from a first common terminal <NUM> to a second common terminal <NUM> such that the two segments are connected in parallel. The first common terminal of the resistance wires is connected directly to a first supply wire <NUM>. The second common terminal of the resistance wires is connected to a second supply wire <NUM> via a thermal cutoff switch <NUM>. The thermal cutoff switchhas a first terminal <NUM> connected to the second common terminal of the resistance wires and has a second terminal <NUM> connected to the second supply wire via a connector <NUM>. The thermal cutoff switch <NUM> is normally closed such that the control unit <NUM> is electrically connected to the second common terminal <NUM> of the resistance wires <NUM>, <NUM>. The first common terminal <NUM> of the resistance wiresis always connected to the control unit. Thus, current is conducted from the first terminal around each of the first resistance wire and the second resistance wire inparallel. Since each resistance wire has a resistance of approximately <NUM> ohms, each resistance wire generates approximately <NUM> watts of heat at a voltage of approximately <NUM> volts. The two resistance wires generate a total of approximately <NUM> watts of heat.

The thermal cutoff switch <NUM> is set to open the circuit when the temperature proximate to the thermal cutoff switch exceeds approximately <NUM> degrees Celsius +/-<NUM> degrees and to stay open until the temperature reduces to approximately 55degrees Celsius +/-<NUM> degrees. In one embodiment, the thermal cutoff switch comprises a KLS-KSD9700 thermal fuse commercially available from Ningbo KLS Imp & Exp Co. In Beilun Ningbo Zhejiang China. The thermal cutoff switch ispositioned across portions of the heating wire such that the thermal cutoff switch directly senses the temperature of the heating wire and disconnects the electricalpath well before the heat from the heating wire is communicated though the lowersheet and the material of the lower structure <NUM> to a user (not shown).

As further shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, a thermistor <NUM> is secured to the first (lower) sheet of cloth <NUM>. The thermistor is also positioned near the center of thefirst sheet; however, the thermistor is positioned between two adjacent segmentsof the first resistance wire <NUM> rather than directly on the resistance wire. A first wire <NUM> and a second wire <NUM> extend from the thermistor and are connected tothe control unit <NUM>. In one embodiment, the thermistor is a negative temperaturecoefficient (NTC) thermistor. For example, the thermistor may be an MF52-104F-<NUM>-<NUM> thermistor commercially available from Dongguan Xinxiang ElectronicTechnology Co. , in China. The thermistor has a resistance that varies over a wide temperature range. For example, at <NUM> degrees Celsius, the thermistor has a resistance of approximately <NUM>,<NUM> ohms; at <NUM> degrees Celsius, the thermistor has a resistance of approximately <NUM>,<NUM> ohms; and at <NUM> degrees Celsius, the thermistor has a resistance of approximately <NUM>,<NUM> ohms. The resistance of the thermistor is readily detectable in a conventional manner to determine when the temperature of the thermistor exceeds a selected temperature.

After the thermal cutoff switch <NUM> and the thermistor <NUM> are positioned on the first (lower) sheet <NUM>, and after the first common terminal <NUM> is connected tothe first supply wire <NUM> and the second common terminal <NUM> is connected to a second supply wire <NUM>, the second (upper) sheet <NUM> is secured to the first sheet. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower surface of the second sheet includes an adhesive to removably attach the second sheet to the first sheet.

As further shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the layer <NUM> of flexible foam is positioned above the second (upper) sheet <NUM> between the second sheet and the vibration pods <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to partially buffer the vibrations provided by thevibration pods when operated as described below.

The structure of the control unit <NUM> is shown in more detail in <FIG> and <FIG>. As described above, the control unit includes the lower flange <NUM> and the removably attachable annular compression flange <NUM>. The lower flange is connected to a lower body portion <NUM> of the control unit. The lower body portionsupports a first printed circuit board (PCB) <NUM>.

The first PCB <NUM> includes an electrically and mechanically attached conventional charging jack <NUM>, which extends through a notch in the wall of the lower body portion. The first PCB also includes a plurality of metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs) (not shown) that provide power to the vibration pods <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and to the heat generation unit <NUM> via a plurality of connectors <NUM>. A lithium polymer (LiPo) battery <NUM> rests upon the first PCB and is electrically connected to the first PCB to receive charging energyvia the first PCB and to provide operational energy to the other components of the control unit. The lower body portion includes a central opening to allow wiring from the connectors to the vibration pods <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and to the heat generation unit <NUM> to pass therethrough.

A cylindrical middle body portion <NUM> is positioned over the first PCB <NUM> and the LiPo battery <NUM> and is secured to the lower body portion. A lower end <NUM> of the middle body portion is open. An upper end <NUM> of the middle body portion is generally closed; however, the upper end includes a plurality of through passages to allow wiring to pass through the upper end from the first PCB to a second PCB <NUM>. The middle body portion also includes a notch to accommodate the charging jack <NUM>.

The second PCB <NUM> rests on the upper end <NUM> of the middle body portion <NUM> and is secured to the upper end by suitable fasteners (not shown). The second PCB is electrically connected to the first PCB <NUM> via a plurality of wires (not shown). The second PCB receives power from the battery <NUM> via the first PCB <NUM>. The second PCB also receives input power from the power input jack <NUM>. The second PCB generates a battery charging voltage of approximately <NUM> volts, which is provided to the battery via the first PCB. The second PCB also generates a motor voltage of approximately <NUM> volts, which is provided to the first PCB as a motor driving voltage. The second PCB generates control signals to control the power applied to the vibration pods <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and to the heat generation unit <NUM>. The control signals are applied to the MOSFETs (not shown) on the first PCB.

The second PCB <NUM> communicates with a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel and a touch panel (described below). The second PCB is electrically connected to a first pushbutton switch <NUM> and to a second pushbutton switch <NUM>. The two switches are mounted on the printed circuit board in the illustrated embodiment. The first pushbutton switch is manually operable to turn the vibration and heat generation apparatus <NUM> on and off. The second pushbutton switch is manually operable to select between two brightness levels for the LCD display. Each brightness level corresponds to a respective operational mode for the touchpanel. The electronic circuitry on the second PCB and the two operational modesare described in more detail below.

An LCD panel <NUM> is positioned proximate to and electrically connected to the second PCB <NUM>. For example, the LCD panel may be a "daughter board" mechanically connected to the second PCB via a connector (not shown). The LCD panel may also be connected to the second PCB via a plurality of electrical wires(not shown). The LCD panel is responsive to signals from the second PCB to generate signals to cause images to be displayed as described below.

A generally transparent touch panel <NUM> is positioned over the LCD panel <NUM>. The touch panel generates signals resulting from manual manipulation of selected portions of the touch panel. The signals are provided to the second PCB. In certain embodiments, the LCD panel and the touch panel are provided incombination as a single integrated package. Such combinations are commercially available and are well understood. In the illustrated embodiment, the LCD panel and the display panel comprise a Model No. YH26167VNT display commercially available from Dongguan Quinniahong Electronic Technology Co. , in China.

An upper body portion <NUM> is positioned over the LCD panel <NUM>, the touchpanel <NUM> and the second PCB <NUM>. A middle section of the upper body portion is removed to expose the LCD touch panel such that the images displayed on theLCD touch panel are visible to a user and such that a user can access the surfaceof the LCD touch panel with the user's fingertips or with a suitable stylus. In the illustrated embodiment, a bezel <NUM> is positioned over the upper body portion to frame the active portions of the LCD panel and the touch panel.

As shown in <FIG>, the upper end of the control unit <NUM> comprises the LCD panel <NUM> and the overlying touch panel <NUM>. The LCD panel displays a plurality of icons to convey information to a user regarding the operational mode of the vibration and heat generation apparatus <NUM> and to indicate to a user where to touch the touch panel to control the operation of the vibration and heat generation apparatus.

In the illustrated embodiment, a right hand portion of the LCD panel <NUM> displays a "Start" icon <NUM> and a "Stop" icon <NUM>. Each icon represents a respective touch active portion of the overlying touch panel <NUM> such that touchingthe area of the "Start" icon activates the vibration and heat generation apparatus and touching the area of the "Stop" icon deactivates the vibration and heat generation apparatus. Although the vibration and heat generation apparatus is deactivated, the power remains on to provide an active display until the first pushbutton switch is pushed to turn off the power. When the Start icon is touchedto activate the apparatus, the display brightens (temporarily) to indicate that the apparatus is active.

The LCD panel <NUM> further displays a temperature icon <NUM> (represented by a thermometer symbol and the underlying letters "Temp. " Three temperature selection icons are aligned with the temperature icon. Each temperature selectionicon corresponds to a touch active area of the overlying touch panel <NUM>. A first temperature selection icon <NUM> is labeled with "<NUM>" and is further identified with "Low. " A second temperature selection icon <NUM> is labeled with "<NUM>" and is further identified with "Med. " A third temperature selection icon <NUM> is labeled with "<NUM>" and is further identified with High.

When the control unit <NUM> is first turned on and the start icon <NUM> is touched, no heating mode is selected. Touching the area of the first temperature selection icon <NUM> activates the "Low" heat mode icon and selects a temperature setting of approximately <NUM> degrees Celsius (approximately <NUM> degrees Fahrenheit). A ring around the first temperature selection icon is illuminated on the underlying LCD panel <NUM> to indicate that the low temperature range is selected. Touching the area of the first temperature selection icon when the ring is illuminated turns off the low heat mode. Touching the area of the second temperature selection icon <NUM> activates the "Med" heat mode icon and selects a temperature setting of approximately <NUM> degrees Celsius (approximately <NUM> degrees Fahrenheit). A ring around the second temperature selection icon is illuminated on the underlying LCD panel 430to indicate that the medium temperature range is selected. Touching the area of the second temperature selection icon when the ring is illuminated turns off the medium heat mode.

Touching the area of the third temperature selection icon <NUM> activates the "High" heat mode icon and selects a temperature setting of approximately <NUM> degrees Celsius (approximately <NUM> degrees Fahrenheit). A ring around the thirdtemperature selection icon is illuminated on the underlying LCD panel <NUM> to indicate that the high temperature range is selected. Touching the area of the third temperature selection icon when the ring is illuminated turns off the high heat mode.

Touching the stop icon area of the touch panel <NUM> clears any selected temperature selection. In operation, the control unit <NUM> monitors the resistance of the thermistor <NUM> and turns the heat generation unit <NUM> off and on based on the resistance. For example, when the "Low" heat setting is selected, the control unit detects when the thermistor becomes sufficiently hot (e.g., approximately <NUM> degrees Celsius) such that the resistance of the thermistor decreases below approximately <NUM>,<NUM> ohms. The control unit turns the heat generation unit off. The control unit continues to monitor the resistance of the thermistor while the thermistor cools and the resistance of the thermistor increases. When the thermistor is sufficiently cool (e.g., at a temperature below approximately <NUM> degrees Celsius) and the resistance of the thermistor increases above approximately <NUM>,<NUM> ohms, the heat generation unit is turned back on. The control unit operates in a similar manner for the other two temperature settings. For example, when the "Med" heat setting is selected, the control unit turns off the heat generation unit when the resistance of the thermistor decreases below approximately <NUM>,<NUM> ohms (corresponding to a temperature of approximately <NUM> degrees Celsius) and turns the heat generation unit back on when the resistance of the thermistor increases above approximately <NUM>,<NUM> ohms (corresponding to a temperature of approximately <NUM> degrees Celsius. When the "High" heat setting is selected, the control unit turns off the heat generation unit when the resistance of the thermistor decreases below approximately <NUM>,<NUM> ohms (corresponding to a temperature of approximately <NUM> degrees Celsius) and turns the heat generation unit back on when the resistance of the thermistor increases to above approximately <NUM>,<NUM> ohms (corresponding to a temperature below approximately <NUM> degrees Celsius).

The LCD panel <NUM> further displays a vibration selection icon <NUM> (represented by a waveform symbol and the underlying word "Vibration. " Three vibration selection icons are aligned with the vibration icon. Each vibration selection icon corresponds to a touch active area of the overlying touch panel <NUM>. A first vibration selection icon <NUM> is labeled with a first waveform icon and is further identified with "Wave. " A second vibration selection icon <NUM> is labeled with a second waveform icon and is further identified with "Pulse. " A third vibration selection icon <NUM> is labeled with a third waveform icon and is further identified with "Constant.

In the illustrated embodiment, when the control unit <NUM> is first turned on and the start icon <NUM> is touched, no vibration mode is selected. Touching the area of the first vibration selection icon <NUM> activates the wave vibration mode in which the four vibration pods <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are turned on in a selected sequence. A ring around the first vibration selection icon is illuminated on the underlying LCD panel <NUM> to indicate that the wave vibration mode is selected. Inone embodiment, the selected sequence of the wave vibration mode comprises turning on the first vibration pod for approximately one-quarter second; then turning off the first vibration pod and turning on the second vibration pod for approximately one-quarter second; then turning off the second vibration pod and turning on the third vibration pod for approximately one-quarter second; then turning off the third vibration pod and turning on the fourth vibration pod for approximately one-quarter second. The next sequence is started by turning off the fourth vibration pod and turning on the first vibration pod for approximately one-quarter second and repeating the foregoing steps. Rather than repeating the same sequence, subsequent sequences may turn the vibration pods on and off in a different order. Multiple vibration pods may also be turned on at the same time. The sequence orsequences are repeated as long as the control unit remains in the wave vibration mode. Touching the area of the first vibration selection icon when the ring is illuminated turns off the wave vibration mode.

Touching the area of the second vibration selection icon <NUM> activates the pulse vibration mode icon <NUM>. A ring around the second vibration selection icon is illuminated on the underlying LCD panel <NUM> to indicate that the pulse vibrationmode is selected. In one embodiment, in the pulse vibration mode, the four vibration pods <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are turned on at the same time for a predetermined duration (e.g., approximately one-half second), and then turned offat the same time for a predetermined duration (e.g., approximately one-half second). The sequence of "all on" followed by "all off" is repeated as long as the control unit remains in the pulse vibration mode. Touching the area of the secondvibration selection icon when the ring is illuminated turns off the pulse vibration mode.

Touching the area of the third vibration selection icon <NUM> activates the constant vibration mode icon <NUM>. A ring around the third vibration selection icon is illuminated on the underlying LCD panel <NUM> to indicate that the constant vibration mode is selected. In one embodiment, the four vibration pods <NUM>, <NUM>,<NUM>, <NUM> are operated continuously as long as the constant vibration mode is selected. Touching the area of the third vibration selection icon when the ring is illuminated turns off the constant vibration mode. Touching the stop icon <NUM> turns off the currently selected temperature mode and the currently selected vibration mode.

Any of the three vibration modes can be selected in combination with any of the three heat modes. Furthermore, a vibration mode may be selected withoutselecting a heat mode; and a heat mode may be selected without selecting a vibration mode.

The display panel <NUM> further displays a timer icon <NUM> represented by a solid circle and the underlying word "Timer. " The timer icon is aligned with a sequence of <NUM> vertical timer bar icons <NUM> with increasing heights. Each timer bar icon represents an amount of time for which the vibration and heating apparatus <NUM> operates at the current vibration mode and heat mode settings before turning off automatically. For example, each timer bar icon may represent <NUM> minutes of remaining time such that when all bars are active, approximately <NUM> minutes of time remains before the apparatus turns off automatically. The tallest (right-most) timer bar is turned off at the end of approximately <NUM> minutes to indicate that only approximately <NUM> minutes remain. Each timer bar is sequentially turned off in similar intervals until the shortest (left-most) timer bar is turned off and the overall operation of the vibration and heat generation apparatus is stopped. The area of the timer bars is touch active such that any portion of the area of the timerbars can be touched at any time to reset the timer to the full twenty minutes. Thetimer bars are deactivated by touching the "Stop" icon <NUM>. Touching the "Start" icon <NUM> restarts the timer at <NUM> minutes (all timer bars illuminated).

Although not part of either the LCD panel <NUM> or the touch panel <NUM>, a plurality of display ports <NUM> (e.g., five display ports) are formed in the bezel <NUM>. The display ports are aligned with a corresponding plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) <NUM> on the second PCB <NUM>. The five LEDs are selectively illuminated to indicate the current charge on the LiPo battery <NUM>. For example, all five LEDs are illuminated to indicate a fully charged battery. One LED at a time is turned off as the charge of the battery decreases. The last illuminated LED may be illuminated in a different color (e.g., red versus green) to indicate that the batteryneeds to be recharged.

The control unit <NUM> further includes the first conventional pushbutton switch <NUM> located on the perimeter of the control unit just below the LCD display <NUM> and touch panel <NUM> and facing the front of the vibration and heat generation apparatus <NUM>. The first pushbutton switch operates as a master on/off switch to enable a user to operate the switch to turn the vibration and heat generation apparatus off to conserve the energy stored in the battery. The user operates thefirst pushbutton switch to turn the vibration and heat generation apparatus on such that the LCD display and the touch panel are activated to respond to touch commands as described above. The control unit further includes the second conventional pushbutton switch <NUM> located on the perimeter of the control unit just below the LCD panel and the touch panel and facing the right of the vibrationand heat generation apparatus. The second pushbutton switch provides a signal to the control unit to selectively dim the LCD panel to reduce energy consumptionwhen full brightness is not required. The activation of the second pushbutton switch also disables the touch panel from being responsive to touching by a user. Thus, any inadvertent touching of the touch panel will not change the mode of operation of the vibration and heat generation apparatus. In the illustrated embodiment, the LCD panel is automatically dimmed and the touch panel is automatically disabled after a short period of no touching by the user. For example, the LCD panel is dimmed and the touch panel is disabled after approximately <NUM> seconds of no touching by the user.

<FIG> illustrates a block diagram <NUM> of the electrical circuitry of the vibration and heat generation apparatus <NUM>. In <FIG>, previously identified components are numbered as before. The first PCB <NUM> and the second PCB <NUM> are illustrated in dashed lines to encompass the components on each PCB. The locations of the various components can vary in other embodiments. For example, the LiPo battery <NUM> and the charging jack <NUM> are shown as being part of the first PCB as described above. In the illustrated embodiment, the first PCB includes a heater driver <NUM> and motor drivers <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the heater driver and each of the four motor drivers comprises a power MOSFET that provides a current return path to ground when the respective driver is activated. In the illustrated embodiment, the battery LiPo battery is charged by a battery charger circuit <NUM>, which is located on the second PCB. The battery charger circuit receives power from a conventional wall adapter (not shown) and charges the LiPo battery to approximately <NUM> volts. A second power control circuit ("motor voltage generator") <NUM> converts the battery voltage to approximately volts to drive the vibration motors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the motor voltage generator is also located on the second PCB. Although not shown in <FIG>, the second PCB also includes circuitry to convert the battery voltage a supply voltage for the digital electronics circuitry. For example, a conventional <NUM>-volt three-terminal voltage regulator (e.g., a Holtek HT7550-<NUM>) is suitable.

The second PCB <NUM> includes a microcontroller <NUM> that controls the operation of the other components on the second PCB and the first PCB <NUM>. Forexample, the microcontroller in the illustrated embodiment is a commercially available <NUM>-pin microcontroller that runs a conventional <NUM> instruction set. One such microcontroller is an SN8F5707 microcontroller from Sonix in Taiwan. The microcontroller generates control signals to and receives feedback signals from the battery charger circuit <NUM> to control the charging of the LiPo battery <NUM>. Themicrocontroller also controls the operation of the motor voltage generator <NUM> in asimilar manner. The microcontroller controls the heater driver <NUM> and the motordrivers <NUM> in response to commands received from a user. The microcontroller monitors a voltage responsive to the resistance of the thermistor <NUM> and selectively turns on and turns off the heater driver to maintain the temperature of the heat generation unit <NUM> within a selected temperature range.

The microcontroller <NUM> also controls the information displayed on the LCD panel <NUM> via a display controller <NUM>. The microcontroller sends signals to the display controller representing the information to be displayed. The display controller receives the signals and generates the required command and data signals to the LCD to properly display the information. As discussed above, the displayed information includes the start and stop icons, the temperature icon with the three level icons, the vibration icon with the three vibration mode icons, and the timer icon with the <NUM> time bars. The control of an LCD is well-known in the art and is not described in detail herein. In the illustrated embodiment, the display controller is incorporated into the microcontroller. In other embodiments, the display controller may be a separate controller.

The microcontroller <NUM> receives signals from the touch panel <NUM> via a touch panel controller <NUM>, which is located on the second PCB <NUM> in the illustrated embodiment. In the illustrated embodiment, the microcontroller communicates with the touch panel controller via a conventional <NUM><NUM>C bus. The microcontroller is responsive to signals from the touch panel controller that represent touching of the touch panel in areas corresponding to the icons displayed on the underlying LCD panel <NUM>. The microcontroller is not responsive to touching of areas of the touch panel that do not correspond to a displayed icon. In the illustrated embodiment, the touch panel controller comprises a YS812A touch sensing microcontroller, which is commercially available from Taiwan Hui Electronics Co. , in Taiwan.

As discussed above, the microcontroller <NUM> is also responsive to the first pushbutton switch <NUM> and the second pushbutton switch <NUM>. When the microcontroller is off and the first pushbutton switch is activated, the microcontroller awakens from a low power mode and generates the signals required to display the icons on the LCD panel <NUM>. The microcontroller waits forsignals from the touch panel <NUM> via the touch panel controller <NUM>. If a touch signal is received corresponding to the location of the start icon, the microcontroller becomes responsive to the touch signals from the heat selection icons and the vibration selection icons as described above. When the first pushbutton switch is activated while the microcontroller is active, the microcontroller turns off all functions and reenters the low-power state.

The microcontroller <NUM> is also responsive to the second pushbutton switch <NUM>. Each time the second pushbutton switch is activated, the main controller toggles between a first display state and a second display state. In the first display state, the microcontroller sends a command to reduce the brightness of the LCD panel <NUM>. In the first display state, the microcontroller is not responsive to any touch signals from the touch panel <NUM> via the touch panel controller <NUM>. When the second pushbutton switch is activated when the microcontroller is in the first display state, the microcontroller responds by switching to the second display state wherein the microcontroller sends a command to increase the brightness of the icons of the LCD panel. While in the second display state, the microcontroller is responsive to touch signals from the touch panel via the touch panel controller. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the microcontroller automatically reenters the first display state after a selected period of inactivity (e.g., approximately <NUM> seconds) when the user does not touch an active portion of the touch panel. In the first display state, the reduction in brightness of the LCD saves energy; and the microcontroller is not responsive to any inadvertent touching of the touch panel.

The microcontroller <NUM> further sends commands to the LCD panel <NUM> to cause the LCD panel to display selected graphics as described above. In addition to sending commands to generate the static display icons shown in <FIG>, the microcontroller also sends commands to selectively illuminate the ring icons that represent the current selected operational state (e.g., temperature setting low, medium or high; and vibration setting wave, pulse or constant). The microcontroller also updates the timer bar icons to display the remaining time before the microcontroller automatically turns off.

The microcontroller <NUM> receives commands from the touch panel <NUM> via the touch panel controller <NUM> when a user touches an active area of the touch panel. The microcontroller is responsive to the received commands to selectively control the operations of the four vibration pods <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and to controlthe operation of the heat generation unit <NUM>.

The microcontroller <NUM> controls the first vibration pod <NUM> by selectively providing the motor voltage (e.g., approximately <NUM> volts DC) to the first vibration pod. In the illustrated embodiment, the microcontroller activates one or more of the motor drivers <NUM> to provide respective return paths to ground. The other three vibration pods <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are controlled in a similar manner. The microcontroller controls the heat generation unit <NUM> by selectively providing the battery voltage (e.g., approximately <NUM> volts DC) to the heat generation unit. In the illustrated embodiment, the microcontroller activates the heater driver <NUM> to provide a return path to ground. The microcontroller is responsive to the resistance of the thermistor <NUM> to maintain the temperature within a range selected by the currently active temperature mode. As noted above, the thermal cutoff switch 350embedded in the heat generation unit independently opens the current path to theheat generation unit if the temperature of the heat generation unit exceeds approximately <NUM> degrees Celsius.

As further shown in <FIG>, the vibration and heat generation apparatus <NUM> may also be controlled by a Bluetooth interface <NUM> coupled to a smartphone (not shown) or other device having a Bluetooth compatible interface. For example, in one embodiment, the Bluetooth interface is connected to the microcontroller <NUM> to send commands to and to receive information from the microcontroller. The Bluetooth interface is controlled by an application (App) running on the smartphone (or other device) that presents a user with a display screen having icons corresponding to the icons shown in <FIG>. When a user touches the icons on the smartphone display, the commands are sent to the microcontroller via the coupled Bluetooth interfaces to control the microcontroller in a manner corresponding to the control of the microcontroller by the touch panel controller <NUM>. The microcontroller responds by selecting the requested mode and by sending a confirmation to the smartphone App that the command has been received and has been implemented on the vibration and heat generation apparatus. The Bluetooth interface is particularly useful when the vibration and heat generation unit is positioned on a user's body in a location where the LCD display <NUM> is not easily viewed by the user.

As shown in <FIG>, the vibration and heat generation apparatus <NUM> is sufficiently flexible to bend around a generally cylindrical object <NUM> such as, for example, a human limb or joint (represented in dashed lines). The flexible lower bag-like structure <NUM> readily conforms to the contours of the limb or joint. The upper support structure <NUM> forms the outer boundary of the bent apparatus and positions the vibration pods and heat generating unit (within the enclosure <NUM>) against the joint or limb receiving therapy. In addition to having an overall size and shape resembling a conventional flattened ice bag, the vibration and heat generation apparatus conforms to a human body part in a manner similar to an ice bag.

The vibration and heat generation apparatus <NUM> disclosed herein is configured for use with compression wraps that are used to apply compression toan ice bag positioned against a portion of a mammalian (e.g., human) body to provide therapeutic cooling. Such compression wraps are disclosed in <CIT>. <FIG> of the referenced patent illustrate compression wraps used to apply compression to an ice bag applied to a person's hip (<FIG>), to a person's knee (<FIG>), to a person's left shoulder (<FIG>) and to a person's right shoulder (<FIG>). <FIG> of the referenced patent illustrates a compression wrap used to apply compression to a first ice bag applied to the front of a person's left shoulder and to apply compression to a second ice bag applied to the back of a person's left shoulder. Figures 17A and 17B of the referenced patent illustrate the application of two ice bags to a person's left shoulder using the compression wrap of <FIG>. The hip compression wrap of <FIG> of the referenced patent is reproduced herein as a hip compression wrap <NUM> of <FIG>. The hip compression wrap includes a circular bore <NUM> sized to receive the neck of the icebag described in the referenced patent. The knee compression wrap of <FIG> of the referenced patent is reproduced herein as a knee compression wrap <NUM> of <FIG> having a circular bore <NUM> sized to receive the neck of the ice bag described in the referenced patent. The left shoulder compression wrap of <FIG> of the referenced patent is reproduced herein as a left shoulder compression wrap <NUM> of <FIG> having a circular bore <NUM> sized to receive the neck of the ice bag described in the referenced patent. The right shoulder compression wrap of <FIG> of the referenced patent is reproduced herein as a right shoulder compression wrap <NUM> of <FIG> having a circular bore <NUM> sized to receive the neck of the ice bag described in the referenced patent. The two icebag version of the left shoulder compression wrap of <FIG> of the referenced patent is reproduced herein as a compression wrap <NUM> of <FIG> having a first circular bore <NUM> sized to receive the neck of a first ice bag described in the referenced patent and having a second circular bore <NUM> sized to receive the neck of a second ice bag described in the referenced patent.

The cylindrical control unit <NUM> of the vibration and heat generation apparatus <NUM> has a shape and size selected to resemble an ice bag, such as, forexample, the ice bag illustrated in the above-referenced <CIT>. The selected shape and size enables the vibration and heat generation unit to beoperable in combination with each of the compression wraps. The cylindrical control unit has a diameter of between about <NUM> millimeters and approximately <NUM> millimeters. For example in the illustrated embodiment, the control unit has a diameter of approximately <NUM> millimeters. The cylindrical bores in the existing compression wraps have diameters of approximately <NUM> millimeters. The material around the cylindrical bores easily stretches to accommodate the control unit andto hold the control unit snugly thereafter. The sizes of the cylindrical control unit and the sizes of the cylindrical bores can be varied; however, the illustrated dimensions provide a combination of sizes wherein the upper surface of the control unit has a sufficiently large size to accommodate the display and touch panel withicons of sufficient size to be easily manipulated while being sufficiently small to be inserted into a cylindrical bore that is able to receive and restrain the neck of a conventional ice bag or the ice bag shown in the referenced <CIT>. By selecting the diameter of the control unit to be in a range of approximately <NUM> times to <NUM> times the diameter of the circular bore in a compression wrap, the compression wrap is able to stretch by a sufficient amountto accommodate the control unit without damaging the compression wrap and to exert a sufficient force on the control unit to secure the vibration and heat generation unit to the compression wrap while the compression wrap is being secured to the selected limb or joint of a person as described below.

The control unit <NUM> of the vibration and heat generation apparatus <NUM> is inserted through the respective circular bore of one of the compression wraps of <FIG>. For example, <FIG> illustrates the vibration and heating apparatusin combination with the knee compression wrap <NUM> of <FIG> to apply vibration and heat to a person's knee. <FIG> illustrates the compression wrap and the vibration and heat generation apparatus applied to a knee. <FIG> illustrates a first vibration and heat generation apparatus 100A and a second vibration and heat generation apparatus 100B in combination with the compression wrap <NUM> of <FIG> to apply vibration and heat to the front and rear portions of a person's left shoulder. <FIG> illustrates a front view showing the compression wrap and the first vibration and heat generation apparatus on the person's left shoulder. <FIG> illustrates a rear view of the compression wrap and the second vibration and heat generation apparatus on the person's left shoulder.

The vibration and heat generation apparatus <NUM> described herein advantageously allows a person having a compression wrap useable with an ice bag for therapeutic cooling to remove the ice bag and install control unit <NUM> of the vibration and heat generation apparatus into the opening that receives the neck of the ice bag to provide therapeutic vibration and heat using the same compression wrap. Accordingly, a person does not have to have a separate compression wrap for each type of therapeutic treatment.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all the matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. The inventions is defined by the appended claims.

In another embodiment, the vibration and heat generation apparatus <NUM> disclosed herein can be configured for use with a temperature therapy device including a bladder that can be used to apply compression against a portion of a mammalian (e.g., human) body to provide thermal and vibration therapy. An example of such a temperature therapy device is disclosed in <CIT>. Figures <NUM>-13F of the referenced patent application illustrate the example temperature therapy device including a bladder used to apply compression to a person's body part (e.g., knee, although in other embodiments similar therapy). Such an example configuration is shown in <FIG> and discussed in detail below.

Referring to <FIG>, there is shown an exploded view of a vibration, thermal and compression device, according to some embodiments. The vibration, thermal and compression device <NUM> can be similar to the vibration and heat generation apparatus <NUM> described above, e.g., described in <FIG>, but can also include a bladder <NUM> and a multi-layer retention mechanism <NUM>. As shown, in some embodiments, the multi-layer retention mechanism can include a top layer <NUM> and a bottom layer <NUM>. In some embodiments, the top layer <NUM> can include an elastic material. In some embodiments, the bottom layer <NUM> can include an inelastic material. In some embodiments, the bladder <NUM> can be positioned between the top layer <NUM> and the bottom layer <NUM>. In some embodiments, the bladder <NUM> can enable the vibration, thermal and compression device <NUM> to uniformly wrap around a body part of the user, e.g., via the bottom layer <NUM>, and allow the vibration, thermal and compression device <NUM> to uniformly contact the users body part, e.g., via a silicone overmold insert <NUM> coupled to the bottom layer <NUM>. In an example, portions of the bladder <NUM> can be inflated and, once inflated, the bladder <NUM> can compress against the bottom layer <NUM>. Upon compression, the pressure applied by the bladder <NUM> to the bottom layer <NUM> can allow for the bottom layer <NUM> to uniformly surround the user's body part. The bladder <NUM>, can also apply pressure to a silicone overmold insert <NUM> which can be part of and/or coupled to the bottom layer <NUM>. In an example, the bladder <NUM> can apply pressure to the silicone overmold insert <NUM> such that the silicone overmold insert <NUM> uniformly contacts the skin of the user's body part. In some embodiments, the bladder <NUM> can include one or more openings <NUM> that correspond to the one or more vibration pods <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of a plurality of vibration elements <NUM>. In some embodiments, the bladder <NUM> can be bonded to an outer perimeter <NUM> of the bottom layer <NUM>, in some cases solely to the outer perimeter <NUM> (or a portion thereof), such that the bladder <NUM> is not bonded to the bottom layer <NUM> at surfaces within the perimeter of the bottom layer <NUM>. In general, any suitable attachment technique can be used to secure the bladder <NUM> and the bottom layer <NUM>. In an example, the bladder <NUM> can be bonded to the bottom layer <NUM> via an adhesive. In some examples, the bladder <NUM> can be sewn directly to the outer perimeter of the bottom layer <NUM>. In an example, bonding the bladder <NUM> to the outer perimeter of the bottom layer <NUM> can enable the bladder <NUM> to wrap around the user's body part (e.g., a user's knee) when the bladder <NUM> inflates, as opposed to lifting off the user's body part and only constricting around the user's body part. In some embodiments, the bladder <NUM> can be configured to allow the silicone overmold insert <NUM> to uniformly contact the skin of the user's body part eliminating any air gaps or reducing the number of air gaps between the silicone overmold insert <NUM> and the skin of the user. In some embodiments, the bladder <NUM> and the bottom layer <NUM> can include a zipper attachment that is configured to attach and/or secure the bladder <NUM> to the bottom layer <NUM>. In some examples, the zipper attachment can allow for the bladder <NUM> to be removed, e.g., after unzipping the zipper attachment between the bladder <NUM> and bottom layer <NUM>. In some embodiments, the silicone overmold insert <NUM> can include and/or also be referred to herein as a molded silicone. In some embodiments, the bladder <NUM> can also be referred to herein as a compressive element. In some examples, the bladder <NUM> can include an inflatable bladder.

Referring again to <FIG>, the vibration, thermal and compression device <NUM> can also include a plurality of vibration elements. The plurality of vibration elements <NUM> can be the same or similar to the plurality of vibration elements described in <FIG> above. In an example, the plurality of vibration elements <NUM> can include the vibration pods <NUM>-<NUM>. In some examples, the vibration pods <NUM>-<NUM> are similar and/or the same to the vibration pods <NUM>-<NUM> described in <FIG> above (e.g., shown in <FIG> and described above). In some embodiments, although the vibration, thermal and compression device <NUM> shown in <FIG> includes four vibration pods <NUM>-<NUM>, the vibration, thermal and compression device <NUM> is not limited to four vibration pods <NUM>-<NUM> and can include one or more vibration pods (e.g., one, two, four, six, eight, ten, or twenty vibration pods). In a further example, the vibration pods <NUM>-<NUM> can include the same or similar structures to those described in <FIG>. In an example, each of the vibration pods <NUM>-<NUM> can include the covers <NUM>, <NUM>, motor <NUM> and motor clamp plate <NUM>, among other features, described in <FIG>. In some embodiments, the plurality of vibration elements <NUM> can include one or more wires <NUM> for the vibration elements. In some examples, the one or more wires <NUM> can be coupled to the vibration pods <NUM>-<NUM>. In some examples, the one or more wires <NUM> can couple the vibration pods to <NUM>-<NUM> a control module <NUM> (e.g., described in <FIG> below). In some examples, the one or more wires <NUM> can allow for electronic coupling and/or communication between the vibration pods <NUM>-<NUM> and the control module <NUM> of <FIG>. Each of the vibration pods <NUM>-<NUM> includes a bonding structure <NUM>, where the bonding structure <NUM> is configured to bond and/or adhere the each of the vibration pods <NUM>-<NUM> to a thermal pad <NUM> (e.g., the thermal pad described below). In some examples, the bonding structure <NUM> can including an adhesive and/or tape.

Referring again to <FIG>, the top layer <NUM> and the bottom layer <NUM> of the multi-layer retention mechanism <NUM> can include various features. In some embodiments, the top layer <NUM> and/or bottom layer <NUM> can include a flexible fabric and/or an elastic material. In some embodiments, the top layer <NUM> can include one or more top straps <NUM>. In some embodiments, the bottom layer <NUM> can include one or more bottom straps <NUM>. In an example, the top layer <NUM> and/or bottom layer <NUM> can include polyester and/or spandex. In some embodiments, the top layer <NUM> can include one or more cavities <NUM> configured to receive the control module <NUM> of <FIG>. In some embodiments, the bottom layer <NUM> can include and/or be coupled to the silicone overmold insert <NUM>. In some embodiments, the silicone overmold insert <NUM> can be configured to be placed on a user's body part (e.g., a knee region, a lower back region, an elbow region, etc.). In an example, the bottom layer <NUM> can include a cavity <NUM> configured for receiving the silicone overmold insert <NUM>. In some embodiments, the top layer <NUM> can be bonded to the bottom layer <NUM>. In an example, the top layer <NUM> can be bonded to the bottom layer <NUM> via sewing, stitching, gluing, adhering, among other techniques and/or bonding processes. In an example, the top layer <NUM> and to the bottom layer <NUM> can be sewn, stitched, glued, and/or adhered together.

Referring again to <FIG>, in some embodiments, the vibration, thermal and compression device <NUM> can include a heat spreader <NUM> disposed between the thermal pad and the silicone overmold insert. In some embodiments, the heat spreader <NUM> can be configured to attach to the silicone overmold insert <NUM>. In some embodiments, the thermal pad <NUM> can be configured to attach to the heat spreader <NUM>. In some embodiments, the thermal pad <NUM> and/or heat spreader <NUM>, either together in combination or alone, can be configured to apply heat and/or cold therapy to a user's body part. In some embodiments, the thermal pad <NUM> and/or heat spreader <NUM>, either together in combination or alone, can function to regulate the temperature of the hot or cold therapy based on received control instructions (e.g., from a mobile application-based controller, a computing device, a mobile computing platform, a client application execution thereon, etc.). In some embodiments, the thermal pad <NUM> can include a curved structured, e.g., a letter "S" like structure or referred to herein as a S-structure <NUM> (e.g., as shown in <FIG>). In some embodiments, the S-structure <NUM> of the thermal pad <NUM> may not be included or used by the thermal pad <NUM>. In some examples, the thermal pad <NUM> can include the heat generation unit <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG>. In some embodiments, the thermal pad <NUM> can include a first (lower) rectangular sheet of cloth <NUM> and a second (upper) rectangular sheet of cloth <NUM>, as shown in the heat generation unit <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG>. In some embodiments, the thermal pad <NUM> can include input/output wires <NUM> for controlling the thermal pad <NUM>. In some embodiments, the input/output wires <NUM> can instead include copper covered with polyimide.

Referring again to <FIG>, the vibration, thermal and compression device <NUM> can also include a temperature sensor, as shown. In some embodiments, temperature sensor <NUM> can be configured to detect the temperature of the vibration, thermal and compression device <NUM> and provide feedback to the control module (e.g., the control module described in <FIG>). In some examples, the temperature sensor <NUM> can be placed on and/or adjacent to the thermal pad <NUM>. In some examples, the temperature sensor <NUM> can be configured to detect the temperature of the thermal pad <NUM> and provide the control module with the detected temperature of the thermal pad <NUM>. In some examples, a temperature sensor wire <NUM> can couple the temperature sensor <NUM> to the control module <NUM> of <FIG> (e.g., allow for electronic coupling and/or communication between the temperature sensor <NUM> and the control module <NUM>).

Referring again to <FIG>, the vibration, thermal and compression device <NUM> can also include a vibration, thermal and compressive element disposed between the top layer and bottom layer. In some embodiments, the vibration, thermal and compressive element <NUM> can include the bladder <NUM>, the plurality of vibration elements <NUM>, the thermal pad <NUM>, the heat spreader <NUM> and the silicone overmold insert <NUM>, among other components. In some embodiments, the vibration, thermal and compressive element <NUM> can be configured such that, upon activation of the vibration, thermal and compressive element <NUM> a vibration force can be applied (e.g., from the plurality of vibration elements <NUM>), a thermal therapy can be applied (e.g., from the thermal pad <NUM>, heat spreader <NUM> and/or silicone overmold insert <NUM> together or from each component), and a compressive force can be applied to the body surface of a user (e.g., via the bladder <NUM>). In some cases, the compressive element (e.g., the bladder <NUM>) can curve to more closely conform to the bottom layer <NUM> to the user's body part.

Referring to <FIG>, an example control module for the vibration, thermal and compression device is shown, according to some embodiments. In general, the control module <NUM> can be located in any suitable location and can control the device <NUM> via either a hard wired connection or a wireless connection. In some embodiments, the control module <NUM> can be placed and/or coupled to the vibration, thermal and compression device <NUM> via the encircled location and/or the cavities <NUM> shown in <FIG>. In some embodiments, the control module <NUM> can include an electronics housing <NUM> and electronic parts <NUM> inside the electronics housing <NUM>. In some embodiments, the electronic parts <NUM> can include various electronics such as one or more microcontrollers, LEDs, sensors, push buttons, buttons, among other electronic parts. In some embodiments, the control module <NUM> can be communicatively coupled to the vibration, thermal and compression device <NUM> and also retained by the multi-layer retention mechanism <NUM>. In an example, the control module <NUM> can be communicatively coupled to the vibration, via the wires <NUM>, <NUM>. In some examples, the wires <NUM> can couple the vibration pods to <NUM>-<NUM> of <FIG> to the control module <NUM>. In some examples, a temperature sensor wire <NUM> can couple the temperature sensor <NUM> of <FIG> to the control module <NUM>. In some embodiments, the control module <NUM> can include a power supply and/or power electronics <NUM>. In some examples, the power electronics <NUM> can include a battery (e.g., a lithium ion battery). In some embodiments, the control module <NUM> can include coupling features <NUM>. In some examples, the coupling features <NUM> can include mechanical screws and/or mechanical features configured for coupling the electronics and/or other mechanical features of the control module <NUM> to the electronics housing <NUM>. As used herein, the control module <NUM> can also be referred to as an electronics box, collected electronics, electronics housing, among other terms. In some embodiments, the control module <NUM> can include an air compressor configured to inflate and/or deflate the bladder <NUM> of <FIG>.

<FIG> is a block diagram of an example computer system <NUM> that may be used in implementing the technology described in this document. General-purpose computers, network appliances, mobile devices, or other electronic systems may also include at least portions of the system <NUM>. The system <NUM> includes a processor <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, a storage device <NUM>, and an input/output device <NUM>. Each of the components <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be interconnected, for example, using a system bus <NUM>. The processor <NUM> is capable of processing instructions for execution within the system <NUM>. In some implementations, the processor <NUM> is a single-threaded processor. In some implementations, the processor <NUM> is a multi-threaded processor. The processor <NUM> is capable of processing instructions stored in the memory <NUM> or on the storage device <NUM>.

In some implementations, the memory <NUM> is a non-transitory computer-readable medium. In some implementations, the memory <NUM> is a non-volatile memory unit.

In some implementations, the storage device <NUM> is a non-transitory computer-readable medium. In various different implementations, the storage device <NUM> may include, for example, a hard disk device, an optical disk device, a solid-date drive, a flash drive, or some other large capacity storage device. For example, the storage device may store long-term data (e.g., database data, file system data, etc.). In some implementations, the input/output device <NUM> may include one or more of a network interface devices, e.g., an Ethernet card, a serial communication device, e.g., an RS-<NUM> port, and/or a wireless interface device, e.g., an <NUM> card, a <NUM> wireless modem, or a <NUM> wireless modem. In some implementations, the input/output device may include driver devices configured to receive input data and send output data to other input/output devices, e.g., keyboard, printer and display devices <NUM>. In some examples, mobile computing devices, mobile communication devices, and other devices may be used.

In some implementations, at least a portion of the approaches described above may be realized by instructions that upon execution cause one or more processing devices to carry out the processes and functions described above. Such instructions may include, for example, interpreted instructions such as script instructions, or executable code, or other instructions stored in a non-transitory computer readable medium. The storage device <NUM> may be implemented in a distributed way over a network, for example as a server farm or a set of widely distributed servers, or may be implemented in a single computing device.

Although an example processing system has been described in <FIG>, embodiments of the subject matter, functional operations and processes described in this specification can be implemented in other types of digital electronic circuitry, in tangibly-embodied computer software or firmware, in computer hardware, including the structures disclosed in this specification and their structural equivalents, or in combinations of one or more of them. Embodiments of the subject matter described in this specification can be implemented as one or more computer programs, i.e., one or more modules of computer program instructions encoded on a tangible nonvolatile program carrier for execution by, or to control the operation of, data processing apparatus. Alternatively or in addition, the program instructions can be encoded on an artificially generated propagated signal, e.g., a machine-generated electrical, optical, or electromagnetic signal that is generated to encode information for transmission to suitable receiver apparatus for execution by a data processing apparatus.

The term "system" may encompass all kinds of apparatus, devices, and machines for processing data, including by way of example a programmable processor, a computer, or multiple processors or computers. A processing system may include special purpose logic circuitry, e.g., an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit). A processing system may include, in addition to hardware, code that creates an execution environment for the computer program in question, e.g., code that constitutes processor firmware, a protocol stack, a database management system, an operating system, or a combination of one or more of them.

A computer program (which may also be referred to or described as a program, software, a software application, a module, a software module, a script, or code) can be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, or declarative or procedural languages, and it can be deployed in any form, including as a standalone program or as a module, component, subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment.

Computers suitable for the execution of a computer program can include, by way of example, general or special purpose microprocessors or both, or any other kind of central processing unit. A computer generally includes a central processing unit for performing or executing instructions and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data.

Computer readable media suitable for storing computer program instructions and data include all forms of nonvolatile memory, media and memory devices, including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, e.g., internal hard disks or removable disks; magneto optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks.

In addition, a computer can interact with a user by sending documents to and receiving documents from a device that is used by the user; for example, by sending web pages to a web browser on a user's user device in response to requests received from the web browser.

Particular embodiments of the subject matter have been described. Other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims. For example, the actions recited in the claims can be performed in a different order and still achieve desirable results. As one example, the processes depicted in the accompanying figures do not necessarily require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. In certain implementations, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Other steps or stages may be provided, or steps or stages may be eliminated, from the described processes. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.

Measurements, sizes, amounts, and the like may be presented herein in a range format. The description in range format is provided merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the invention. For example, description of a range such as <NUM>-<NUM> meters should be considered to have specifically disclosed subranges such as <NUM> meter, <NUM> meters, <NUM>-<NUM> meters, less than <NUM> meters, <NUM>-<NUM> meters, <NUM>-<NUM> meters, <NUM>-<NUM> meters, <NUM>-<NUM> meters, <NUM>-<NUM> meters, <NUM>-<NUM> meters, etc..

Furthermore, connections between components or systems within the figures are not intended to be limited to direct connections. Rather, data or signals between these components may be modified, re-formatted, or otherwise changed by intermediary components. Also, additional or fewer connections may be used. The terms "coupled," "connected," or "communicatively coupled" shall be understood to include direct connections, indirect connections through one or more intermediary devices, wireless connections, and so forth.

The term "approximately", the phrase "approximately equal to", and other similar phrases, as used in the specification and the claims (e.g., "X has a value of approximately Y" or "X is approximately equal to Y"), should be understood to mean that one value (X) is within a predetermined range of another value (Y). The predetermined range may be plus or minus <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, or less than <NUM>%, unless otherwise indicated.

The indefinite articles "a" and "an," as used in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean "at least one. " The phrase "and/or," as used in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean "either or both" of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases.

As used in the specification and in the claims, "or" should be understood to have the same meaning as "and/or" as defined above. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as "only one of or "exactly one of," or, when used in the claims, "consisting of," will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term "or" as used shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. "one or the other but not both") when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as "either," "one of," "only one of," or "exactly one of.

As used in the specification and in the claims, the phrase "at least one," in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements.

The use of "including," "comprising," "having," "containing," "involving," and variations thereof, is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and additional items.

Use of ordinal terms such as "first," "second," "third," etc., in the claims to modify a claim element does not by itself connote any priority, precedence, or order of one claim element over another or the temporal order in which acts of a method are performed. Ordinal terms are used merely as labels to distinguish one claim element having a certain name from another element having a same name (but for use of the ordinal term), to distinguish the claim elements.

Having thus described several aspects of at least one embodiment of this invention, it is to be appreciated that various alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications, and improvements are intended to be part of this disclosure.

Claim 1:
A therapeutic device (<NUM>) .
for applying vibration, thermal and compressive therapy, the device comprising:
a top layer (<NUM>);
a bottom layer (<NUM>) adapted to contact a body surface of a user; and
a therapeutic element (<NUM>)
disposed between the top layer and the bottom layer, the therapeutic element comprising
a vibration component (<NUM>);
a thermal component (<NUM>); and
a compression component,
wherein, upon activation of the therapeutic element: (i) the vibration component applies a vibration force, (ii) the thermal component applies a thermal therapy, and (iii) the compression component applies a compressive force,
characterised in that, the vibration component is bonded directly to the thermal component via a bonding structure (<NUM>).