# US 2008/0188915 A1 · Apparatus For Providing A Heating And Cooling Effect > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2008/0188915 A1 - Document ID: US20080188915A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 11/813,803 - Filed: 2006-01-05 - Published: 2008-08-07 - Earliest claimed: 2005-01-13 - Inventors: Richard Mills; Nick Dulake - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20080188915A1 ## CPC - A61F 7/007: {characterised by electric heating} - A61F 2007/0001: {Body part} - A61F 2007/0075: {using a Peltier element, e.g. near the spot to be heated or cooled} - A61F 2007/0246: {with a layer having high heat transfer capability} - A61F 2007/0298: {with a section for heating and a section for cooling} - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) ## Abstract A device configured to treat a human or animal body part or limb by providing a heating and/or cooling effect in addition to a compressive force. A metallic conductive material is positioned in thermal contact with at least one Peltier cell whereby the heating and cooling effect generated at an active face of the Peltier cell is conducted and distributed over the surface area of the conductive material. The conductive material comprises a significantly greater surface area than the active face of the Peltier cell. A compressive force may be applied to the human or animal body part or limb by the control of a fluid into an expandable sack secured with the conductive material to the body part by suitable strap means. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device configured to provide a heating and a cooling effect to a region of a human or animal, said device comprising: at least one thermoelectric module capable of generating heat and providing a cooling effect; at least one solid conductive material in contact with said thermoelectric module, wherein said conductive material is capable of positioning in contact with said region of said human or animal and configured to transfer said heat and said cooling effect generated by said thermoelectric module to said human or animal; at least one expandable sack capable of generating a compressive force to said region of said human or animal; and means for securing said conductive material and said expandable sack in contact with said region of said human or animal. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising control means configured to control said heating and cooling effect provided by said thermoelectric module and an expansion of said expandable sack. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said control means is positioned remote from said thermoelectric module. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2, 3) The device as claimed in claims 2 or 3 further comprising a bladder positioned about said conductive material, said bladder capable of housing a conductive liquid. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said bladder is an expandable bladder, said control means configured to control an amount of said liquid in said bladder wherein said bladder is capable of generating a compressive force to said region of said human or animal. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said liquid is a gel. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4, 5, 6) The device as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 6 wherein said bladder is divided into a plurality of channels, said channels being in a fluid communication with one another. ### Claim 8 (depends on 4, 5, 6) The device as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 6 wherein said bladder is divided into a network of compartments, said compartments being in fluid communication with one another. ### Claim 9 The device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said expandable sack is capable of being expanded by a fluid introduced into said expandable sack. ### Claim 10 The device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said expandable sack is divided into a plurality of channels, said channels being in fluid communication with one another. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) The device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein said expandable sack is divided into a network of compartments, said compartments being in fluid communication with one another. ### Claim 12 The device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said expandable sack is an inflatable sack configured to be inflated by introduction of air into said inflatable sack. ### Claim 13 The device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said conductive material is a metal. ### Claim 14 The device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said conductive material comprises at least two separate pieces of conductive material joined together and movable relative to one another. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The device as claimed in claim 14 wherein said pieces of conductive material are pivotally mounted to one another. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The device as claimed in claim 14 wherein said pieces of conductive material are slidably mounted to one another. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14, 15, 16) The device as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 16 wherein said pieces of conductive material are detachably joined together. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14, 15, 16, 17) The device as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 17 wherein said conductive material is curved. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14, 15, 16, 17, 18) The device as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 18 wherein said conductive material comprises at least one bent or curved region. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14, 15, 16, 17, 18) The device as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 18 wherein said conductive material comprises a plurality of bent or curved regions. ### Claim 21 The device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a portion of said conductive material is enclosed by a fabric material. ### Claim 22 The device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a portion of said conductive material is covered by a foam material. ### Claim 23 The device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a portion of said conductive material is covered by a polymer material. ### Claim 24 The device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said conductive material is a metallic mesh. ### Claim 25 The device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said conductive material comprises a non-uniform thickness. ### Claim 26 The device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said conductive material is copper. ### Claim 27 The device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said means for securing said conductive material is a wrap configured for positioning around a body part or limb of said human or animal. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The device as claimed in claim 27 wherein said wrap is elasticated. ### Claim 29 The device as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising heat dissipation means positioned at said thermoelectric module, said heat dissipation means configured to dissipate heat from said thermoelectric module. ### Claim 30 The device as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising an insulating material positioned at said conductive material. ### Claim 31 The device as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising a temperature sensor positioned at said thermoelectric module or said conductive material. ### Claim 32 (depends on 31) The device as claimed in claim 31 further comprising temperature display means being connected to said temperature sensor. ### Claim 33 The device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said control means is configured for the adjustable regulation of an amount of fluid introduced into said expandable sack so as to provide a massaging action to said human or animal when said device is secured to said region of said human or animal. ### Claim 34 (depends on 33) The device as claimed in claim 33 wherein said regulation of said amount of fluid introduced into said expandable sack is provided by a solenoid valve. ### Claim 35 The device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said thermoelectric module is a Peltier module.