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US 2012/0239122 A1Published application
Apparatus and method for hot-cold contrast therapy
OwnerRong Dong, Mary Hui Donginventors
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Abstract
The present invention teaches an apparatus and method for physical therapy using prompt changing temperature from hot to cold. Its application in proper conditions may promote human body's self recovery function, restore balance for soft tissues and relieve inner pressure.
Claims20
An apparatus for providing prompt hot-cold contrast therapy on a patient, comprising:
- a thermotherapy unit which applies heat to surrounding areas of a targeted area of the patient and then gradually increases temperature in the targeted area;
- a cryotherapy unit which applies compressed cold media;
- a controlling unit which comprises one or more sensors to catch the patient's natural response to a maximum tolerance of heat application from the thermotherapy unit, a first switch for controlling the thermotherapy unit's heat supply, and a second switch for controlling the cryotherapy unit's release of cold media;
- wherein when the temperature in the targeted area approaches to the patient's maximum tolerance, the controlling unit turns off the thermotherapy unit's heat application to the target area and turns on the cryotherapy unit's release of cold media.
1 more element
A method for providing prompt hot-cold contrast therapy on a patient, comprising steps of:
- providing a thermotherapy unit which applies heat to surrounding areas of a targeted area of the patient and then gradually increasing temperature in the targeted area;
- providing a cryotherapy unit which applies compressed cold media;
- and
- providing a controlling unit which comprises one or more sensors to catch the patient's natural response to a maximum tolerance of heat application from the thermotherapy unit, a first switch for controlling the thermotherapy unit's heat supply, and a second switch for controlling the cryotherapy unit's release of cold media;
- wherein when the temperature in the targeted area approaches to the patient's maximum tolerance, the controlling unit turns off the thermotherapy unit's heat application to the target area and turns on the cryotherapy unit's release of cold media.
2 more elements
A method for providing prompt hot-cold contrast therapy on a patient, comprising steps of:
- using a heating device to gradually apply heat to a target area of a patient's body;
- detecting the patient's spontaneous response to the patient's maximum tolerance of heat application;
- and
- concurrently shutting off heat application and dispensing cold media to the target area immediately the patient's spontaneous response is detected;
- wherein said cold media is any of:
- cold air, cold liquid and cold gel.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.