Thermal treatment pack
The present invention provides a thermal treatment pack that includes a tubular body having a first opening, a second opening, an inner surface and an outer surface. The first opening, the inner surface and the second opening cooperate to define a passage through the tubular body for the limb. The inner surface and the outer surface of the tubular body are defined by a continuous film of flexible material such as a copolymer of polyester and polyurethane. A temperature-retaining fluid such as a water-based gel is received between the inner surface and the outer surface. Optionally, a thermal pack according to the invention can be covered with a fabric layer to provide insulation between the continuous film of flexible material and a user's skin. The diameter of the passage through the thermal treatment pack is preferably smaller than or equal to the diameter of the injured limb, which causes the inner surface of the thermal treatment pack to make contact the limb or an insulating wrap placed over the limb. The thermal treatment pack can thus be positioned at the desired location on the limb by rolling the thermal treatment pack onto the limb. During rolling, the continuous film of flexible material frictionally engages the limb and does not move relative to the limb as the thermal treatment pack is rolled onto the limb. The continuous film of flexible material stretches and conforms to the shape of the limb, providing compressive force and circumferential thermal treatment at the desired location.
1. A thermal treatment pack for use on a limb, said pack comprising a tubular body having a first opening, a second opening, an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the first opening, the inner surface and the second opening cooperate to define a passage through the tubular body for the limb, wherein the inner surface and the outer surface are defined by a continuous eversion-limitless film of flexible material, and wherein a temperature-retaining fluid is received between the inner surface arid the outer surface.
2. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 1 wherein the temperature-retaining fluid is a gel.
3. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 2 wherein the gel is water-based.
4. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 2 further comprising a plurality of free-flowing solid structures dispersed in the gel.
5. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 4 wherein the free-flowing solid structures comprise water-filled capsules.
6. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 1 wherein the continuous film of flexible material comprises a copolymer of polyester and polyurethane.
7. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 1 wherein the continuous film of flexible material exhibits a Shore A durometer hardness of greater than or equal to 85 as measured in accordance with the ASTM 2240.00 standard.
8. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 1 wherein the continuous film of flexible material has a thickness of from about 3 to about 15 mils.
9. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 1 further comprising a fill valve for injecting the temperature-retaining fluid between the inner surface and the outer surface.
10. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 1 wherein the temperature-retaining fluid is a water-based gel and the continuous film of flexible material comprises a copolymer of polyester and polyurethane.
11. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 10 wherein the continuous film of flexible material exhibits a Shore A durometer hardness of 93±5 as measured in accordance with the ASTM 2240.00 standard.
12. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 11 wherein the continuous film of flexible material has a thickness of 5±2 mils.
13. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 12 further comprising water-filled capsules dispersed in the temperature-retaining fluid.
14. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 12 further comprising a fill valve for injecting the temperature-retaining fluid between the inner surface and the outer surface.
15. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 1 wherein the passage through the tubular body is cylindrical, tapered or flared at the first opening and/or second opening.
16. A method of treating an injured limb comprising:
providing a thermal treatment pack comprising a tubular body having a first opening, a second opening, an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the first opening, the inner surface and the second opening cooperate to define a passage through the tubular body for the limb, wherein the inner surface and the outer surface are defined by a continuous eversion-limitless film of flexible material, and wherein a temperature-retaining fluid is received between the inner surface and the outer surface;
inserting the injured limb into the passage through the tubular body; and
positioning the thermal treatment pack on the limb.
17. A thermal treatment pack for use on a limb, said pack comprising a tubular body having a first opening, a second opening, an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the first opening, the inner surface and the second opening cooperate to define a passage through the tubular body for the limb having a diameter of 2.5 inches or greater, wherein the inner surface and the outer surface are defined by a continuous eversion-limitless film of flexible material, and wherein a temperature-retaining fluid is received between the inner surface and the outer surface.
18. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 17 wherein the temperature-retaining fluid is a gel.
19. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 18 wherein the gel is water-based.
20. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 18 further comprising a plurality of free-flowing solid structures dispersed in the gel.
21. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 20 wherein the free-flowing solid structures comprise water-filled capsules.
22. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 17 wherein the continuous film of flexible material comprises a copolymer of polyester and polyurethane.
23. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 17 wherein the continuous film of flexible material exhibits a Shore A durometer hardness of greater than or equal to 85 as measured in accordance with the ASTM 2240.00 standard.
24. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 17 wherein the continuous film of flexible material has a thickness of from about 3 to about 15 mils.
25. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 17 further comprising a fill valve for injecting the temperature-retaining fluid between the inner surface and the outer surface.
26. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 17 wherein the temperature-retaining fluid is a water-based gel and the continuous film of flexible material comprises a copolymer of polyester and polyurethane.
27. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 26 wherein the continuous film of flexible material exhibits a Shore A durometer hardness of 93±5 as measured in accordance with the ASTM 2240.00 standard.
28. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 27 wherein the continuous film of flexible material has a thickness of 5±2 mils.
29. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 28 further comprising water-filled capsules dispersed in the temperature-retaining fluid.
30. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 28 further comprising a fill valve for injecting the temperature-retaining fluid between the inner surface and the outer surface.
31. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 17 wherein the passage through the tubular body is cylindrical, tapered or flared at the first opening and/or second opening.
32. A thermal treatment pack for use on a limb, said pack comprising a tubular body having a first opening, a second opening, an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the first opening, the inner surface and the second opening cooperate to define a passage through the tubular body for the limb, wherein the inner surface and the outer surface are defined by a continuous eversion-limitless film of flexible material, and wherein a non-gaseous temperature-retaining fluid that does not become a hard solid at 32° F. is received between the inner surface and the outer surface.
33. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 32 wherein the temperature-retaining fluid is a gel.
34. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 33 wherein the gel is water-based.
35. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 33 further comprising a plurality of free-flowing solid structures dispersed in the gel.
36. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 35 wherein the free-flowing solid structures comprise water-filled capsules.
37. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 32 wherein the continuous film of flexible material comprises a copolymer of polyester and polyurethane.
38. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 32 wherein the continuous film of flexible material exhibits a Shore durometer hardness of greater than or equal to 85 as measured in accordance with the ASTM 2240.00 standard.
39. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 32 wherein the continuous film of flexible material has a thickness of from about 3 to about 15 mils.
40. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 32 further comprising a fill valve for injecting the temperature-retaining fluid between the inner surface and the outer surface.
41. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 36 wherein the temperature-retaining fluid is a water-based gel and the continuous film of flexible material comprises a copolymer of polyester and polyurethane.
42. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 41 wherein the continuous film of flexible material exhibits a Shore A durometer hardness of 93±5 as measured in accordance with the ASTM 2240.00 standard.
43. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 42 wherein the continuous film of flexible material has a thickness of 5±2 mils.
44. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 43 further comprising water-filled capsules dispersed in the temperature-retaining fluid.
45. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 43 further comprising a fill valve for injecting the temperature-retaining fluid between the inner surface and the outer surface.
46. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 32 wherein the passage through the tubular body is cylindrical, tapered or flared at the first opening and/or second opening.
47. A thermal treatment pack for use on a limb, said pack comprising a tubular body having a first opening, a second opening, an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the first opening, the inner surface and the second opening cooperate to define a passage through the tubular body for the limb, wherein the inner surface and the outer surface are defined by a continuous eversion-limitless film of flexible material, and wherein a temperature-retaining fluid that is more viscous than water is received between the inner surface and the outer surface.
48. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 47 wherein the temperature-retaining fluid is a gel.
49. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 48 wherein the gel is water-based.
50. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 48 further comprising a plurality of free-flowing solid structures dispersed in the gel.
51. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 50 wherein the free-flowing solid structures comprise water-filled capsules.
52. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 47 wherein the continuous film of flexible material comprises a copolymer of polyester and polyurethane.
53. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 47 wherein the continuous film of flexible material exhibits a Shore A durometer hardness of greater than or equal to 85 as measured in accordance with the ASTM 2240.00 standard.
54. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 47 wherein the continuous film of flexible material has a thickness of from about 3 to about 15 mils.
55. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 47 further comprising a fill valve for injecting the temperature-retaining fluid between the inner surface and the outer surface.
56. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 47 wherein the temperature-retaining fluid is a water-based gel and the continuous film of flexible material comprises a copolymer of polyester and polyurethane.
57. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 56 wherein the continuous film of flexible material exhibits a Shore A durometer hardness of 93±5 as measured in accordance with the ASTM 2240.00 standard.
58. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 57 wherein the continuous film of flexible material has a thickness of 5±2 mils.
59. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 58 further comprising water-filled capsules dispersed in the temperature-retaining fluid.
60. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 58 further comprising a fill valve for injecting the temperature-retaining fluid between the inner surface and the outer surface.
61. The thermal treatment pack according to claim 57 wherein the passage through the tubular body is cylindrical, tapered or flared at the first opening and/or second opening.