HEATING ARRAY HOLDER
A heating array hold such as a garment is described having a heating device, and a monitoring device that may include a focused antenna. The garment may be used to heat and monitor internal tissue and/or fluid in an individual in a non-invasive way.
1 . A garment, comprising:
a coupling portion having an interface for attaching at least a portion of a heating assembly having at least one heating element and at least one monitoring device to the garment, wherein the garment is configured to hold the heating assembly in contact with an individual;
an access through the garment to provide access for the heating and monitoring device to the coupling portion; and
a securement portion configured to secure the device to the individual.
2 . The garment of claim 1 , wherein the heating element of the heating assembly includes a focused array of microwave antennas.
3 . The garment of claim 1 , wherein the garment is configured to be worn by the individual so as to maintain contact of the heating assembly to the individual.
4 . The garment of claim 1 , wherein the coupling portion is a pocket formed in the garment.
5 . The garment of claim 1 , further comprising a cooling mechanism disposed in the garment for cooling skin of the individual adjacent the heating assembly.
6 . The garment of claim 1 , further comprising an absorbent layer configured to absorb and contain urine.
7 . The garment of claim 1 , wherein the garment is configured to be used with a chair, and wherein at least a portion of the heating assembly is located in the chair.
8 . The garment of claim 1 further comprising a monitoring assembly comprising at least one temperature measuring device at a location remote from the heating assembly.
9 . The garment of claim 1 , further comprising an impedance matching interface configured to be located between the heating assembly and the skin of the individual, wherein the impedance matching interface is selected based on impedance of the individual.
10 . A heating array holder comprising:
a garment configured to be worn on a individual;
a heating assembly comprising a plurality of heating elements and at least one temperature monitoring device disposed in a portion of the garment.
11 . The garment of claim 10 , wherein the plurality of heating elements of the heating assembly are spaced apart.
12 . The garment of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of heating elements form a focused array for heating tissue within a individual wearing the garment.
13 . The garment of claim 10 , further comprising a cooling mechanism for cooling skin of a individual wearing the garment adjacent the heating element.
14 . The garment of claim 10 , wherein the cooling element comprises at least one of a heat pump, a heat pipe, a gel or an air vent.
15 . The garment of claim 10 wherein the garment is a diaper and has absorbent material for absorbing urine.
16 . The garment of claim 10 , monitoring assembly is disposed in the garment remote from the heating assembly.
17 . A heating array comprising diaper having absorbent material and a heating assembly disposed at least partially within the diaper.