SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING INTERVAL THERMAL THERAPY
The disclosure concerns a computer-controlled system for interval thermal therapy; the system including a control unit console configured for placement on a bench-top or similar setup, the console is connected to a hand-held thermal therapy application assembly, either by way of a cable extending between the hand-held assembly and the console, or via a cordless coupling therebetween. The hand-held assembly generally comprises a removeably applicator with a thermally conductive contact surface configured to communicate hot or cold thermal energy, or a combination of hot and cold thermal therapy in various intervals, the contact surface of the hand held assembly is used to contact a patient's body at a desired treatment site for effectuating various physiological treatments or therapies.
1 . A system for providing interval thermal therapy, the system comprising:
a console coupled to a hand-held thermal application assembly;
the console including:
a computer housed in a console housing, and
a display screen;
the hand-held thermal application assembly including:
a heat flow adapter coupled to a Peltier device,
the heat flow adapter characterized by having an adapter-applicator interface, wherein at least a portion of a removeable thermal energy applicator is configured to be received and engaged with the heat flow adapter at the adapter-applicator interface; and
the removeable thermal energy applicator comprises at least one contact surface configured to communicate thermal energy between the applicator and a treatment side of a patient.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the hand-held thermal application assembly further comprises a heat block coupled to the Peltier device at a side opposite of the heat flow adapter.
3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the hand-held thermal application assembly is configured to communicate heat to the treatment site by way of the contact surface of the removeable thermal energy applicator.
4 . The system of claim 2 , further comprising: a heat sink coupled to the heat block, and a fan assembly configured to communicate a flow of air over the heat sink.
5 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the hand-held thermal application assembly is configured to communicate one of: heat and cooling to the treatment site by way of the contact surface of the removeable thermal energy applicator.
6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises a graphical user interface, wherein the graphical user interface is adapted to receive operator instructions for selecting a treatment for administration to the treatment site of the patient.
7 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the treatment includes at least one temperature over at least one duration.
8 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the treatment includes two or more temperatures, with a first temperature applied over a first duration, and a second temperature applied over a second duration, wherein each of the first and second temperatures and the first and second durations are distinct from one another.
9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the removeable thermal energy applicator comprises a contact surface oriented orthogonal with respect to a body of the applicator.
10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the removeable thermal energy applicator comprises a debridement tool.
11 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the removeable thermal energy applicator comprises thermal rollers.
12 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the removeable thermal energy applicator comprises a chalazion clamp.
13 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the removeable thermal energy applicator comprises paddles.