Portable temperature control system

Claim 2

A portable temperature control system comprising a temperature control unit and at least one therapeutic body pad, wherein said temperature control unit comprises: a means for circulating a temperature control fluid through the temperature control system; a means for cooling or heating said temperature control fluid; a liquid heat exchanger coupled to the means for cooling to remove heat from said temperature control fluid; an electronic programmable temperature controller for minute adjustments of the temperature of the liquid flowing through the system, programmed to automatically provide cooling and heating cycles in any desired sequence for variable periods of time; a power supply for powering said temperature control system; a keypad for programming the cooling and heating cycles for said variable periods of time, said keypad connected to the electronic programmable temperature controller; at least one therapeutic body pad; and means to attach said at least one therapeutic body pad to said temperature control unit.

Claim 3

The portable temperature control system according to claim 1, wherein the means for circulating the temperature control fluid is a pump.

Claim 4

The portable temperature control system according to claim 1, wherein the means for cooling or heating the temperature control fluid is at least one thermoelectric cooler consisting essentially of an arrangement of P and N-type semiconductor materials connected electrically for effecting a Peltier effect upon the circulation of current therethrough, wherein the cooler may be utilized either as a heater or cooler in accordance with the direction of current flow.

Claim 5

The portable temperature control system according to claim 1, wherein the temperature control fluid is water.

Claim 6

The portable temperature control system according to claim 1, wherein the temperature control liquid is about 60 to 90% deionized distilled water and 40 to 10% propylene glycol.

Claim 7

The portable temperature control system according to claim 1, wherein the programmable temperature controller comprises means to sense the temperature of the circulating fluid and to control the current flow through the thermoelectric cooler to automatically maintain the temperature of the circulating fluid within prescribed limits of a preset temperature programmed into the temperature controller.

Claim 8

The portable temperature control system according to claim 6, wherein the programmable temperature controller includes a microprocessor capable of controlling the temperature of the circulating fluid within ±2° F. of the preset temperature.

Claim 9

The portable temperature control system according to claim 7, wherein the microprocessor of said programmable temperature controller can be programmed to automatically provide heating and cooling cycles in any desired sequence and duration of time.

Claim 10

The portable temperature control system according to claim 7, further comprising an audio alarm system connected to the visual display to indicate restricted flow of the temperature control liquid, low levels of the temperature control fluid, malfunctions of the temperature settings when the system is powered on, when a cycle is completed or when a programming error exists.

Claim 11

The portable temperature control system according to claim 7, wherein the temperature control unit further comprises a printer connected to the microprocessor.

Claim 12

The portable temperature control system according to claim 1, wherein said power supply comprises an international front end power supply having a direct current voltage converter adaptable with an international input power supply functional on either 40 to 60 cycles and 90 to 270 volts AC input or operational on battery power.

Claim 13

The portable temperature control system according to claim 11, further comprising a brushless DC motor for operation of a fan and a pump.

Claim 14

The portable temperature control system according to claim 11, further comprising a brushed DC motor for operation of a fan and a pump.

Claim 15

The portable temperature control system according to claim 11, further comprising a dual output system wherein there is a fixed voltage output for a pump and a fan and a programmable voltage for the coolers to regulate temperature.

Claim 16

The portable temperature control system according to claim 1, further comprising multiple ports to allow for the attachment of more than one therapeutic body pad to the unit.

Claim 17

The portable temperature control system according to claim 1, wherein said temperature control unit further comprises a display screen wherein the temperature control unit communicates with and provides instructions to an operator of said unit.

Claim 18

The portable temperature control system according to claim 1, wherein said therapeutic body pad conforms to any desired portion of the anatomy, and comprises: a flexible structure having fluid passageways defined therein for circulating the temperature controlled liquid therethrough, said passageways configured to enable said flexible structure to conform to the desired portion of the anatomy without crimping the fluid flow; an outside dermal layer to be placed on a surface of a body part of the patient; an outside thermal layer; and a fluid conduit layer positioned between the outside dermal layer and the outside thermal layer, wherein said fluid passageways are positioned between the outside dermal layer and the outside thermal layer.

Claim 19

The portable temperature control system according to claim 17, wherein said outside dermal layer of said therapeutic body pad is a sterile layer removably attached to the fluid conduit layer.

Claim 20

The portable temperature control system according to claim 17, wherein a sterile layer of said therapeutic body pad may be removably attached to the outside dermal layer.

Claim 21

The portable temperature control system according to claim 1, further comprising: a pump system of said portable temperature control unit for applying pressure to the therapeutic body pad; a pressure sleeve in the therapeutic body pad, positioned on or beneath the outside thermal layer; and a detachable hose connecting said pump system from said portable temperature control system to said pressure sleeve of said therapeutic body pad.

Claim 22

The portable temperature control system according to claim 1, wherein said therapeutic body pad further comprises a skin temperature sensor, positioned on the outside dermal layer of the therapeutic body pad.

Claim 23

The portable temperature control system according to claim 17, wherein said therapeutic body pad further comprises a conformable gel layer filled with a conformable gel positioned next to the outside dermal layer on the inside of the therapeutic body pad, said conformable gel being selected from the group consisting of polyglycol and barium ions, polyglycol and magnesium ions, and silicon.

Claim 24

The portable temperature control system according to claim 17, wherein said therapeutic body pad has hook and loop attachment strips to secure said body pad to the appropriate body part.

Claim 25

The portable temperature control system according to claim 17, wherein said therapeutic body pad further comprises a side loading input and output to the fluid passageways and a coupling means for quickly disconnecting said input and said output from said portable temperature control system whereby said body pad may be interchanged with a second body pad without the loss of system fluids.

Claim 26

The portable temperature control system according to claim 17, wherein said therapeutic body pad is charged with temperature control fluid before said body pad is connected to said portable temperature control system.

Claim 27

The portable temperature control system according to claim 17, wherein said therapeutic body pad further comprises an air pocket positioned between said thermal layer and said fluid conduit layer to provide flexibility and good insulative qualities.

Claim 28

The portable temperature control system according to claim 17, wherein said therapeutic body pad further comprises a thin insulating material positioned between said thermal layer and said fluid conduit layer to provide flexibility and good insulative qualities.

Claim 29

The portable temperature control system according to claim 17, wherein said therapeutic body pad is shaped in the form of pants, a brassiere, a cryo-cap, a sinus face mask, a full face mask, a vest, for use in orificial treatments, for hip and shoulder treatments, or for neck treatments.

Claim 30

The portable temperature control system according to claim 17, wherein said therapeutic body pad further comprises a felt layer positioned on the outer dermal layer in contact with a body part, such that when said felt layer is wet, temperature conductivity of said body pad is improved.

Claim 31

The portable temperature control system according to claim 1, wherein said temperature control unit further comprises a temperature sensor positioned at the fluid exit of the heat exchanger to measure the temperature of the temperature control fluid.

Claim 32

A portable temperature control system comprising a temperature control unit and at least one therapeutic body pad, wherein said temperature control unit comprises: a means for circulating a temperature control fluid through a temperature control system; a means for cooling or heating said temperature control fluid; a liquid heat exchanger coupled to the means for cooling to remove heat from said temperature control fluid; an electronic programmable temperature controller for minute adjustments of the temperature of the liquid flowing through the system such that the control system can be programmed to provide cooling and heating cycles in any desired sequence for variable periods of time, wherein the programmable temperature controller comprises a means to sense the temperature of the circulating fluid and to control the current flow through the thermoelectric cooler to maintain the temperature of the circulating fluid within prescribed limits of a preset temperature programmed into the temperature controller and a microprocessor capable of controlling the temperature of the circulating fluid within ±2° F. of the preset temperature, wherein the microprocessor of said programmable temperature controller can be programmed to automatically provide heating and cooling cycles in any desired sequence and duration of time; a power supply for powering said temperature control system; a keypad for programming the cooling and heating cvcles for said variable periods of time, said keypad connected to the electronic programmable temperature controller; at least one therapeutic body pad; means to attach said at least one therapeutic body pad to said temperature control unit: and a coded prescription preset system, which allows for the presetting of a prescripted heating and cooling therapy, and which can only be utilized by the use of a prescription passcode.

Claim 33

A portable temperature control system comprising a temperature control unit and at least one therapeutic body pad, wherein said temperature control unit comprises: a means for circulating a temperature control fluid through a temperature control system; a means for cooling or heating said temperature control fluid; a liquid heat exchanger coupled to the means for cooling to remove heat from said temperature control fluid; an electronic programmable temperature controller for minute adjustments of the temperature of the liquid flowing through the system such that the control system can be programmed to provide cooling and heating cycles in any desired sequence for variable periods of time, wherein the programmable temperature controller comprises a means to sense the temperature of the circulating fluid and to control the current flow through the thermoelectric cooler to maintain the temperature of the circulating fluid within prescribed limits of a preset temperature programmed into the temperature controller and a microprocessor capable of controlling the temperature of the circulating fluid within ±2° F. of the preset temperature, wherein the microprocessor of said programmable temperature controller can be programmed to automatically provide heating and cooling cycles in any desired sequence and duration of time; a power supply for powering said temperature control system; a keypad for programming the cooling and heating cvcles for said variable periods of time, said keypad connected to the electronic programmable temperature controller; at least one therapeutic body pad; means to attach said at least one therapeutic body pad to said temperature control unit: and a coded prescription preset system, which allows for the presetting of a prescripted heating and cooling therapy, and which can only be utilized by the use of a prescription passcode.

Claim 34

A portable temperature control system comprising a temperature control unit and at least one therapeutic body pad, wherein said temperature control unit comprises: a means for circulating a temperature control fluid through a temperature control system; a means for cooling or heating said temperature control fluid; a liquid heat exchanger coupled to the means for cooling to remove heat from said temperature control fluid; an electronic programmable temperature controller for minute adjustments of the temperature of the liquid flowing through the system such that the control system can be programmed to provide cooling and heating cycles in any desired sequence for variable periods of time; a power supply for powering said temperature control system; a keypad for programming the cooling and heating cycles for said variable periods of time, said keypad connected to the electronic programmable temperature controller; at least one therapeutic body pad; means to attach said at least one therapeutic body pad to said temperature control unit; and an air-liquid separator in said temperature control unit for separating air from the temperature control fluid as the temperature control fluid is recirculated through the pads and the portable temperature control unit prior to the temperature control fluid entering the pump and after exiting the therapeutic pad, said air-liquid separator comprising a small reservoir for containing the temperature control fluid, a shortened tube for transporting said temperature control fluid from said body pad to said reservoir, said shortened tube emptying said temperature control fluid into said reservoir above a highest level of said liquid in said reservoir, and an exit tube extending from near the bottom of the reservoir and leading to a low pressure side of said pump.

Claim 35

A portable temperature control system comprising a temperature control unit and at least one therapeutic body pad, wherein said temperature control unit comprises: a means for circulating a temperature control fluid through a temperature control system; a means for cooling or heating said temperature control fluid; a liquid heat exchanger coupled to the means for cooling to remove heat from said temperature control fluid; an electronic programmable temperature controller for minute adjustments of the temperature of the liquid flowing through the system such that the control system can be programmed to provide cooling and heating cycles in any desired sequence for variable periods of time; a power supply for powering said temperature control system; a keypad for programming the cooling and heating cycles for said variable periods of time, said keypad connected to the electronic programmable temperature controller; at least one therapeutic body pad; means to attach said at least one therapeutic body pad to said temperature control unit; and an air-liquid separator in said temperature control unit for separating air from the temperature control fluid as the temperature control fluid is recirculated through the pads and the portable temperature control unit prior to the temperature control fluid entering the pump and after exiting the therapeutic pad, said air-liquid separator comprising a small reservoir for containing the temperature control fluid, a shortened tube for transporting said temperature control fluid from said body pad to said reservoir, said shortened tube emptying said temperature control fluid into said reservoir above a highest level of said liquid in said reservoir, and an exit tube extending from near the bottom of the reservoir and leading to a low pressure side of said pump.

Claim 36

The portable temperature control system according to claim 32, wherein said air-liquid separator further comprises a level sensor connected to said alarm system, whereby said alarm system is activated when the level of said temperature control fluid drops below a predetermined level in said air-liquid separator.

Claim 37

The portable temperature control system according to claim 32, further comprising a fill bottle comprising a squeeze bottle and a quick disconnect top having a male outlet, such that said fill bottle can be attached to a refill inlet of said temperature control system, said temperature control system having a female inlet and be quickly recharged without the risk of spillage.

Claim 38

A portable temperature control system comprising a temperature control unit and at least one therapeutic body pad, wherein said temperature control unit comprises: a means for circulating a temperature control fluid through a temperature control system; a means for cooling or heating said temperature control fluid; a liquid heat exchanger coupled to the means for cooling to remove heat from said temperature control fluid; an electronic programmable temperature controller for minute adjustments of the temperature of the liquid flowing through the system such that the control system can be programmed to provide cooling and heating cycles in any desired sequence for variable periods of time; a power supply for powering said temperature control system; a keypad for programming the cooling and heating cycles for said variable periods of time, said keypad connected to the electronic programmable temperature controller; at least one therapeutic body pad; and means to attach said at least one therapeutic body pad to said temperature control unit, wherein said therapeutic body pad conforms to any desired portion of the anatomy of a body, and comprises: a noncrimpable flexible structure having fluid passageways defined therein for circulating the temperature controlled liquid therethrough; input and output couplings means to the fluid passageways, whereby a fluid may be made to flow therethrough; an outside dermal layer to be placed on a surface of a body of the patient; an outside thermal layer; a fluid conduit layer positioned between the outside dermal layer and the outside thermal layer, wherein said fluid passageways are positioned between the outside thermal layer and the outside thermal layer; and an intersecting walled structure to separate input and output couplings means to prevent fluid flowing into said liquid passageways through said input coupling from flowing directly out the output borders of said body pad are wider than the passageways from the outer borders of said body pad such that the temperature control fluid is evenly distributed as it flows through said body pad.

Claim 39

A portable temperature control system comprising a temperature control unit and at least one therapeutic body pad, wherein said temperature control unit comprises: a means for circulating a temperature control fluid through a temperature control system; a means for cooling or heating said temperature control fluid; a liquid heat exchanger coupled to the means for cooling to remove heat from said temperature control fluid; an electronic programmable temperature controller for minute adjustments of the temperature of the liquid flowing through the system such that the control system can be programmed to provide cooling and heating cycles in any desired sequence for variable periods of time; a power supply for powering said temperature control system; a keypad for programming the cooling and heating cycles for said variable periods of time, said keypad connected to the electronic programmable temperature controller; at least one therapeutic body pad; and means to attach said at least one therapeutic body pad to said temperature control unit, wherein said therapeutic body pad conforms to any desired portion of the anatomy of a body, and comprises: a noncrimpable flexible structure having fluid passageways defined therein for circulating the temperature controlled liquid therethrough; input and output couplings means to the fluid passageways, whereby a fluid may be made to flow therethrough; an outside dermal layer to be placed on a surface of a body of the patient; an outside thermal layer; a fluid conduit layer positioned between the outside dermal layer and the outside thermal layer, wherein said fluid passageways are positioned between the outside thermal layer and the outside thermal layer; and an intersecting walled structure to separate input and output couplings means to prevent fluid flowing into said liquid passageways through said input coupling from flowing directly out the output borders of said body pad are wider than the passageways from the outer borders of said body pad such that the temperature control fluid is evenly distributed as it flows through said body pad.

Claim 40

A therapeutic body pad for attachment to a temperature control unit, said body pad conforming to any desired portion of the anatomy of a body, and comprising: a noncrimpable flexible structure having fluid passageways defined therein for circulating the temperature controlled liquid therethrough; an input and an output to the fluid passageways, whereby a fluid may be made to flow therethrough; means for coupling said input and said output to a portable temperature control system; an outside dermal layer to be placed on a surface of a body part of the patient; an outside thermal layer; a fluid conduit layer positioned between the outside dermal layer and the outside thermal layer, wherein said fluid passageways are positioned between the outside dermal layer and the outside thermal layer; and an intersecting walled structure to separate input and output couplings means to prevent fluid flowing into said liquid passageways through said input couplings, and wherein the passageways along the outer borders of said body pad are wider than the passageways away from the outer borders of said body pad such that the temperature control fluid is evenly distributed as it flows through said body pad.

Claim 41

A therapeutic body pad for attachment to a temperature control unit, said body pad conforming to any desired portion of the anatomy of a body, and comprising: a noncrimpable flexible structure having fluid passageways defined therein for circulating the temperature controlled liquid therethrough; an input and an output to the fluid passageways, whereby a fluid may be made to flow therethrough; means for coupling said input and said output to a portable temperature control system; an outside dermal layer to be placed on a surface of a body part of the patient; an outside thermal layer; a fluid conduit layer positioned between the outside dermal layer and the outside thermal layer, wherein said fluid passageways are positioned between the outside dermal layer and the outside thermal layer; and an intersecting walled structure to separate input and output couplings means to prevent fluid flowing into said liquid passageways through said input couplings, and wherein the passageways along the outer borders of said body pad are wider than the passageways away from the outer borders of said body pad such that the temperature control fluid is evenly distributed as it flows through said body pad.