US 2010/0137765 A1 · System and Methods for an Interchangeable Lumbar Contrast Therapy Pad

Abstract

The present invention relates to a spinal column brace system which includes a rigid support, an interchangeable therapy pad, and a front panel. The rigid support includes patches of hook material and also has straps connected to it. These straps are at least partially elastic and also include hook material pads on their ends. The interchangeable therapy pad, on the other hand, has one side covered in loop material, thereby allowing the therapy pad to be attached to the patches on the rigid support. The front panel is also covered in loop material, which may be used to couple to the hook material found on the straps. The therapy pad includes a thermal exchange bladder and a cushion layer. The thermal exchange bladder may be coupled to a contrast therapy system via an umbilical and fluid coupler. The contrast therapy system includes a hot and cold reservoir. A mixing valve may mix a selected ratio of the hot and cold fluids from the hot and cold reservoirs to make therapy fluid of a particular temperature. A fluid pump then delivers the therapy fluid to the thermal exchange bladder.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A spinal column brace system including an interchangeable contrast therapy pad, useful in association with a spinal column therapy recipient, the spinal column brace system comprising:

a rigid support including a plurality of hook material patches, wherein the rigid support is coupled to a plurality of straps, wherein at least some portion of each strap of the plurality of straps is elastic, and wherein the plurality of straps includes a pad of hook material substantially near the strap terminus;
an interchangeable therapy pad comprising a fluid bladder and a cushion layer, wherein the interchangeable therapy pad includes at least one surface covered in loop material configured to reversibly couple to the hook material of the rigid support;
a front panel, wherein the front panel has at least one surface covered in loop material configured to reversibly couple to the pads of hook material located on the plurality of straps;
and
wherein the interchangeable therapy pad coupled to the rigid support coupled to the front panel is configured to circumvent the torso of the spinal column therapy recipient, and wherein the interchangeable therapy pad is in a fitted position adjacent a spinal column therapy site of the spinal column therapy recipient.

2 more elements

An interchangeable contrast therapy pad configured to reversibly couple to a spinal column brace, useful in association with a spinal column therapy recipient, the interchangeable contrast therapy pad comprising:

a pad envelope configured to enclose the interchangeable contrast therapy pad, wherein the pad envelope includes an interior face configured to be positioned adjacent to a therapy site on the contrast therapy recipient, and an exterior face;
a thermal exchange bladder configured to be positioned adjacent the interior face of the pad envelope, wherein the thermal exchange bladder receives therapy fluid;
a cushion layer between the thermal exchange bladder and the exterior face;
an umbilical coupled to the thermal exchange bladder, wherein the umbilical includes a supply fluid tube and a return fluid tube, and wherein the therapy fluid is provided to the thermal exchange bladder via the supply fluid tube, and circulated therapy fluid is removed from the thermal exchange bladder by the return fluid tube;
and
a fluid coupler coupled to the umbilical and configured to reversibly couple to a contrast therapy system, wherein the contrast therapy system provides the therapy fluid at a specific therapy temperature and receives the circulated therapy fluid.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System and Methods for an Interchangeable Lumbar Contrast Therapy Pad

Life of this patent

System and Methods for an Interchangeable Lumbar Contrast Therapy Pad

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18