Apparatus and methods for isolating human body areas for localized cooling

#The present invention is generally directed to apparatus and methods for facilitating medical procedures, such as providing injections to humans and animals, and is more specifically directed to apparatus and methods effective to facilitate or to prepare a body area for one or more injections, for example by isolating an area of a body for localized cooling.

#Injecting materials, for example, antibiotics, medications and cosmetic materials, into a human body is a very common and effective way of treating various conditions in a human. Such injections can cause a substantial amount of discomfort and/or pain. In some people, even the relatively small amount of discomfort or pain caused by injections can result in avoidance of needed injections. Discomfort and pain can be alleviated by applying topical anesthetics to the injection site. However, such topical anesthetics often require a substantial amount of time before they become effective once they are placed on an area of a body.

#More effective apparatus and methods are needed for reducing occurrence of discomfort, pain and/or fear of a person undergoing a medical procedure such as receiving an injection.

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a coolant spray shield member in accordance with the present invention.

#FIG. 2 is a front plan view of the shield member shown in FIG. 1.

#FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the shield member taken along a vertical line through the center of FIG. 2.

#Referring now to the Figures, an apparatus in accordance with the present invention is shown generally at 8. Apparatus 8 is useful for isolating a specific, intended area of a body, for example to prepare the intended area for receiving an injection or other medical procedure that may be uncomfortable or painful. In the embodiment shown, apparatus 8 comprises a substantially dome-shaped member 10 including a first layer 12 and an abutting second layer 14. When in use, the first layer 12 is placed in contact with the body area to be treated.

#The first layer 12 includes a first surface 12a and a substantially opposing second surface 12b. First layer 12 is preferably made of an absorbent material, such as a porous polymeric material, for example, but not limited to, a porous polyethylene. The size and/or shape of the first layer 12 are selected to be effective to cover, for example shield, a suitably sized area of the body circumscribing the intended area to be treated. For example, the first layer is sized and shaped to facilitate placing at least a portion of the layer 12, and in particular at least a portion of a first surface 12a of the layer 12, in contact with an area of a human body in proximity to, for example in contact with, the area of the human body to be injected.

#By way of example, and without limitation, the layer 12 may have a diameter in a range of about 2 inches or less, to about 3 inches, or about 4 inches or more, and a thickness in the range of about 0.2 inch or less, to about 0.5 inch, or about 0.6 inch or more. A very useful embodiment provides that the layer 12 has a diameter of about 2.0 inches or about 3.0 to about 3.5 or about 4.0 inches, or about 5.0 inches or more. The layer 12 has a thickness of about 2 mm, or about 4 mm, or about 6 mm, to about 8 mm, or about 10 mm, or about 12 mm, or more. In a specific embodiment of the invention, layer 12 is made of a porous polyethylene and has thickness of about 0.38 inch (about 10 mm).