US5800491A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Thermal therapy devices and methods of making the same
Assignee: METIS Corp LLC
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Filing: 1997-02-03
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Granted: 1998-09-01
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Expires: 2017-02-03
Abstract
Abstract A cost-effective, high heat capacity thermal therapy device is described. The therapy device includes a plurality of discrete hydrophilic absorbers hydrated with a liquid containing a substantial amount of water. The water-retention mechanism of the discrete hydrophilic absorbers allows the water to freeze under normal freezer conditions (-20 DEG F.), to 32 DEG F., increasing the heat capacity of the therapy device. At the same time, the therapy device remains highly pliable when frozen as a result of reduced water flow out of the absorbers during the freezing process. The therapy device also remains highly pliable through repeated freezing/melting cycles because the discrete absorbers do not lose their discrete forms when thawed.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul T. Kolen
- 👤 Joseph F. Nebolon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 17:57
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F7/00; A61F7/10; A61F2007/0001; A61F7/02; A61F2007/0244; A61F2007/026; A61F2007/0292
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 55
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
A thermal therapy device for applying thermal therapy to a therapy site on a patient's body comprising a flexible, water-impermeable container conformable to the shape of the therapy site on the patient's body, and a plurality of discrete, non-water-soluble, hydrophilic absorbers contained within said flexible container and hydrated with a liquid comprising water, wherein said hydrophilic absorbers remain in discrete form through repeated cycles of water freezing and melting, permitting the thermal device to be reused while retaining conformability to the shape of the therapy site on the patient's body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
A thermal therapy device for applying thermal therapy to a therapy site on a patient's body comprising a flexible, water-impermeable container conformable to the shape of the therapy site on the patient's body, and a plurality of discrete, non-water-soluble, hydrophilic absorbers contained within said flexible container and hydrated with a liquid comprising water, wherein said hydrophilic absorbers remain in discrete form through repeated cycles of water freezing and melting, permitting the thermal device to be reused while retaining conformability to the shape of the therapy site on the patient's body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The thermal therapy device of claim 1 wherein said hydrophilic absorbers are formed from discrete acrylic polymer granules.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The thermal therapy device of claim 1 wherein said hydrophilic absorbers are formed from discrete cross-linked polyacrylamide copolymer granules.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The thermal therapy device of claim 1 wherein said hydrophilic absorbers are characterized in that water retained therein migrates out and freezes when subjected to a temperature of 32° F. to -20° F. and, when thawed, melted water is reabsorbed by said hydrophilic absorbers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The thermal therapy device of claim 1 wherein said hydrophilic absorbers are in the size range of about 1 mm to about 6 mm when dehydrated.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
99 words
A thermal therapy device for applying thermal therapy to a therapy site on a patient's body comprising a flexible container conformable to the shape of the therapy site on the patient's body, a plurality of discrete, non-water-soluble, hydrophilic absorbers contained within said flexible container and hydrated with a liquid comprising water, and means for decreasing water mobility out of said hydrophilic absorbers, wherein said hydrophilic absorbers remain in discrete form through repeated cycles of water freezing and melting, permitting the thermal device to be reused while retaining conformability to the shape of the therapy site on the patient's body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
99 words
A thermal therapy device for applying thermal therapy to a therapy site on a patient's body comprising a flexible container conformable to the shape of the therapy site on the patient's body, a plurality of discrete, non-water-soluble, hydrophilic absorbers contained within said flexible container and hydrated with a liquid comprising water, and means for decreasing water mobility out of said hydrophilic absorbers, wherein said hydrophilic absorbers remain in discrete form through repeated cycles of water freezing and melting, permitting the thermal device to be reused while retaining conformability to the shape of the therapy site on the patient's body.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The thermal therapy device of claim 6 wherein the flexible container is impermeable to water.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
106 words
A thermal therapy device for applying thermal therapy to a therapy site on a patient's body comprising a flexible container conformable to the shape of the therapy site on the patient's body, and a plurality of discrete, non-water-soluble, hydrophilic absorbers contained within said flexible container and hydrated with a liquid comprising a mixture of water and humectant selected to decrease the mobility of water out of said hydrophilic absorbers, wherein said hydrophilic absorbers remain in discrete form through repeated cycles of water freezing and melting, permitting the thermal device to be reused while retaining conformability to the shape of the therapy site on the patient's body.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
106 words
A thermal therapy device for applying thermal therapy to a therapy site on a patient's body comprising a flexible container conformable to the shape of the therapy site on the patient's body, and a plurality of discrete, non-water-soluble, hydrophilic absorbers contained within said flexible container and hydrated with a liquid comprising a mixture of water and humectant selected to decrease the mobility of water out of said hydrophilic absorbers, wherein said hydrophilic absorbers remain in discrete form through repeated cycles of water freezing and melting, permitting the thermal device to be reused while retaining conformability to the shape of the therapy site on the patient's body.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The thermal therapy device of claim 8 wherein the humectant is selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, glycerin, dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethyl formamide, and combinations thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The thermal therapy device of claim 8 wherein the flexible container is impermeable to water.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The thermal therapy device of claim 1 wherein said liquid consists of a mixture of water and propylene glycol.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The thermal therapy device of claim 11 wherein the amount of propylene glycol in said solution is between about 1.5 ml to about 17.5 ml per gram of dehydrated absorbers.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
The thermal therapy device of claim 11 wherein the amount of propylene glycol in said solution is between about 3.5 ml to about 4.5 ml per gram of dehydrated absorbers.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
105 words
A thermal therapy device for applying thermal therapy to a therapy site on a patient's body comprising a flexible container conformable to the shape of the therapy site on the patient's body, said container comprising an air passage allowing air to pass in and out of said container, and a plurality of discrete, non-water-soluble, hydrophilic absorbers contained within said flexible container and hydrated with a liquid comprising water, wherein said hydrophilic absorbers remain in discrete form through repeated cycles of water freezing and melting, permitting the thermal device to be reused while retaining conformability to the shape of the therapy site on the patient's body.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
105 words
A thermal therapy device for applying thermal therapy to a therapy site on a patient's body comprising a flexible container conformable to the shape of the therapy site on the patient's body, said container comprising an air passage allowing air to pass in and out of said container, and a plurality of discrete, non-water-soluble, hydrophilic absorbers contained within said flexible container and hydrated with a liquid comprising water, wherein said hydrophilic absorbers remain in discrete form through repeated cycles of water freezing and melting, permitting the thermal device to be reused while retaining conformability to the shape of the therapy site on the patient's body.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The thermal therapy device of claim 14 wherein said air passage is covered by an air permeable membrane.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The thermal therapy device of claim 15 wherein said air permeable membrane is formed from a hydrophobic and oleophobic material.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The thermal therapy device of claim 14 wherein the flexible container is impermeable to water.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
109 words
A thermal therapy device for applying thermal therapy to a therapy site on a patient's body comprising a flexible container conformable to the shape of the therapy site on the patient's body, a plurality of discrete, non-water-soluble, hydrophilic absorbers contained within said flexible container and hydrated with a liquid comprising water, and a plurality of hydrophobic beads contained within said container for increasing the bulk thermal resistance through said thermal therapy devices, wherein said hydrophilic absorbers remain in discrete form through repeated cycles of water freezing and melting, permitting the thermal device to be reused while retaining conformability to the shape of the therapy site on the patient's body.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
109 words
A thermal therapy device for applying thermal therapy to a therapy site on a patient's body comprising a flexible container conformable to the shape of the therapy site on the patient's body, a plurality of discrete, non-water-soluble, hydrophilic absorbers contained within said flexible container and hydrated with a liquid comprising water, and a plurality of hydrophobic beads contained within said container for increasing the bulk thermal resistance through said thermal therapy devices, wherein said hydrophilic absorbers remain in discrete form through repeated cycles of water freezing and melting, permitting the thermal device to be reused while retaining conformability to the shape of the therapy site on the patient's body.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The thermal therapy device of claim 18 wherein the flexible container is impermeable to water.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
99 words
A thermal therapy device for applying thermal therapy to a therapy site on a patient's body comprising a plurality of discrete, non-water-soluble, hydrophilic absorbers hydrated with a liquid comprising water, said hydrophilic absorbers being contained within a flexible container conformable to the shape of the therapy site on the patient's body and comprising a pliable solid matrix suspending said hydrated hydrophilic absorbers, wherein said hydrophilic absorbers remain in discrete form through repeated cycles of water freezing and melting, permitting the thermal device to be reused while retaining conformability to the shape of the therapy site on the patient's body.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
99 words
A thermal therapy device for applying thermal therapy to a therapy site on a patient's body comprising a plurality of discrete, non-water-soluble, hydrophilic absorbers hydrated with a liquid comprising water, said hydrophilic absorbers being contained within a flexible container conformable to the shape of the therapy site on the patient's body and comprising a pliable solid matrix suspending said hydrated hydrophilic absorbers, wherein said hydrophilic absorbers remain in discrete form through repeated cycles of water freezing and melting, permitting the thermal device to be reused while retaining conformability to the shape of the therapy site on the patient's body.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
The thermal therapy device of claim 20 wherein said flexible container is formed into an elongated wristrest useful for relieving pain associated with carpel tunnel syndrome.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
The thermal therapy device of claim 20 wherein the flexible container is impermeable to water.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
100 words
A thermal therapy device for applying thermal therapy to a therapy site on a patient's body comprising a flexible container conformable to the shape of the therapy site on the patient's body, a plurality of discrete, non-water-soluble, hydrophilic absorbers contained within said flexible container and hydrated with a liquid comprising water, and a coloring agent which remains within said hydrophilic absorbers when frozen, wherein said hydrophilic absorbers remain in discrete form through repeated cycles of water freezing and melting, permitting the thermal device to be reused while retaining conformability to the shape of the therapy site on the patient's body.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
100 words
A thermal therapy device for applying thermal therapy to a therapy site on a patient's body comprising a flexible container conformable to the shape of the therapy site on the patient's body, a plurality of discrete, non-water-soluble, hydrophilic absorbers contained within said flexible container and hydrated with a liquid comprising water, and a coloring agent which remains within said hydrophilic absorbers when frozen, wherein said hydrophilic absorbers remain in discrete form through repeated cycles of water freezing and melting, permitting the thermal device to be reused while retaining conformability to the shape of the therapy site on the patient's body.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
15 words
The thermal therapy device of claim 23 wherein the flexible container is impermeable to water.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
22 words
The thermal therapy device of claim 1 further comprising a food preservative for inhibiting the growth of microorganisms inside said flexible container.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
84 words
A thermal therapy device for applying thermal therapy to a therapy site on a patient's body comprising a flexible container conformable to the shape of the therapy site on the patient's body, a plurality of discrete, non-water-soluble cross-linked polyacrylamide copolymer granules hydrated with a solution consisting of water and a humectant selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, glycerin, dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethyl formamide, and combinations thereof, and an air passage allowing air to pass in and out of said flexible container.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
84 words
A thermal therapy device for applying thermal therapy to a therapy site on a patient's body comprising a flexible container conformable to the shape of the therapy site on the patient's body, a plurality of discrete, non-water-soluble cross-linked polyacrylamide copolymer granules hydrated with a solution consisting of water and a humectant selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, glycerin, dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethyl formamide, and combinations thereof, and an air passage allowing air to pass in and out of said flexible container.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
25 words
The thermal therapy device of claim 26 wherein said granules are in the size range of about 1 mm to about 6 mm when dehydrated.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
36 words
The thermal therapy device of claim 26 wherein the selected humectant in said solution consists of propylene glycol in an amount of about 3.5 ml to about 4.5 ml per gram of said granules when dehydrated.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
15 words
The thermal therapy device of claim 26 wherein the flexible container is impermeable to water.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
74 words
A method for making a thermal therapy device for applying thermal therapy to a therapy site on a patient's body comprising the steps of: providing a flexible container conformable to the shape of the therapy site on the patient's body; placing within the container a plurality of discrete, non-water-soluble, hydrophilic absorbers; and hydrating the hydrophilic absorbers with a liquid comprising water and a humectant selected to decrease water mobility out of said hydrophilic absorbers.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
74 words
A method for making a thermal therapy device for applying thermal therapy to a therapy site on a patient's body comprising the steps of: providing a flexible container conformable to the shape of the therapy site on the patient's body; placing within the container a plurality of discrete, non-water-soluble, hydrophilic absorbers; and hydrating the hydrophilic absorbers with a liquid comprising water and a humectant selected to decrease water mobility out of said hydrophilic absorbers.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 30 wherein the hydrophilic absorbers placed within the container are formed from discrete cross-linked polyacrylamide copolymer granules.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 31 wherein the humectant is selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, glycerin, dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethyl formamide, and combinations thereof.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 30 further comprising the step of providing an air passage through the flexible container to enable air to pass in and out of the flexible container.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 30 wherein the hydrophilic absorbers are hydrated before being placed within the container, and wherein the container comprises a pliable solid matrix suspending the hydrated hydrophilic absorbers.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 30 wherein the flexible container that is provided is impermeable to water.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
81 words
A thermal therapy device for applying thermal therapy to a site on a human body, comprising a flexible structure impermeable to a phase change fluid and conformable to a shape of the site, the flexible structure comprising discrete absorbers that have an affinity for the phase change fluid but are not soluble in the phase change fluid, the absorbers being infused with the phase change fluid, the absorbers remaining discrete through repeated cycles of phase change of the phase change fluid.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
81 words
A thermal therapy device for applying thermal therapy to a site on a human body, comprising a flexible structure impermeable to a phase change fluid and conformable to a shape of the site, the flexible structure comprising discrete absorbers that have an affinity for the phase change fluid but are not soluble in the phase change fluid, the absorbers being infused with the phase change fluid, the absorbers remaining discrete through repeated cycles of phase change of the phase change fluid.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
64 words
A thermal therapy device for applying thermal therapy to a therapy site on a patient's body comprising a flexible, water-impermeable container conformable to the shape of the therapy site on the patient's body, a plurality of discrete, non-water-soluble, hydrophilic absorbers contained within said flexible container and hydrated with a liquid comprising water, and a plurality of discrete hydrophobic bodies contained within said flexible container.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
64 words
A thermal therapy device for applying thermal therapy to a therapy site on a patient's body comprising a flexible, water-impermeable container conformable to the shape of the therapy site on the patient's body, a plurality of discrete, non-water-soluble, hydrophilic absorbers contained within said flexible container and hydrated with a liquid comprising water, and a plurality of discrete hydrophobic bodies contained within said flexible container.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
17 words
The thermal therapy device of claim 37 wherein said hydrophobic bodies have the form of hydrophobic beads.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
15 words
The thermal therapy device of claim 37 wherein said hydrophobic bodies are formed from Styrofoam.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
16 words
The thermal therapy device of claim 37 wherein said hydrophobic bodies are formed from a plastic.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
18 words
The thermal therapy device of claim 37 wherein said liquid comprises a mixture of water and a humectant.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
13 words
The thermal therapy device of claim 41 wherein said humectant comprises propylene glycol.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
16 words
The thermal therapy device of claim 37 wherein said hydrophilic absorbers comprise discrete acrylic polymer granules.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
17 words
The thermal therapy device of claim 37 wherein said hydrophilic absorbers comprise discrete cross-linked polyacrylamide copolymer granules.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-08-31 | 2002-03-02 | 2002-09-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-08-31 | 2006-03-02 | 2006-09-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-08-31 | 2010-03-02 | 2010-09-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |