Temperature controlled and vibrating therapeutic strap assembly
A wearable temperature control assembly includes a temperature control module comprising a contact and a thermal element configured to heat or cool the contact. The assembly also includes a primary strap configured to receive the temperature control module and secure the contact against a subject. The assembly also includes a secondary strap configured to be connected to the primary strap. The secondary strap is configured to provide adjustment of a pressure between the contact and the subject when the primary strap secures the contact to the subject.
1 . A wearable assembly, comprising:
a temperature control module comprising a contact and a thermal element configured to heat or cool the contact;
a removable battery associated with the temperature control module;
a primary strap configured to receive the temperature control module and secure the contact against a subject; and
a secondary strap configured to be connected to the primary strap and further configured to provide adjustment of a pressure between the contact and the subject when the primary strap secures the contact to the subject,
wherein the contact of the temperature control module comprises:
a main contact body, on a first surface of which the thermal element is disposed; and
a plurality of contact fingers configured to extend outwardly from the first surface of the main contact body in a circumferential direction when the wearable assembly is secured to the subject, wherein the plurality of contact fingers extend away from the main contact body at an edge of the main contact body, and wherein the plurality of contact fingers and the edge of the main contact body form a pivotable connection such that the plurality of contact fingers are hingedly attached to the main contact body, and
wherein the primary strap comprises a tunnel extending in a length direction of the wearable assembly in the middle of the primary strap, the tunnel being formed between two layers of the primary strap, wherein the secondary strap extends through the tunnel.
2 . The wearable assembly of claim 1 , wherein the primary strap is an elongate article including two portions that are configured to be releasably connectable to one another so that the primary strap forms a loop when the two portions are connected to one another.
3 . The wearable assembly of claim 1 , wherein the temperature control module is configured to extend through the primary strap and includes a heat sink located relative to the contact so as to be positioned on an opposite side of the primary strap from the contact when the heat sink is disposed through an opening.
4 . The wearable assembly of claim 1 , wherein the secondary strap is a first secondary strap and the wearable assembly comprises a second secondary strap that is configured to be located on an opposite side of the temperature control module from the first secondary strap, connected to the primary strap, and further configured to adjust a pressure between the contact and the subject when the primary strap encircles the subject.
5 . The wearable assembly of claim 4 , wherein the first secondary strap and the second secondary strap are configured to be spaced apart by a distance in a width direction, and the contact is wider than the distance.
6 . The wearable assembly of claim 1 , wherein the secondary strap comprises a stop member to prevent a loose end of the secondary strap from entering the tunnel.
7 . A wearable therapeutic device, comprising:
a strap configured to wrap around a wearer's abdomen and comprising a middle portion, a first end portion extending from the middle portion, and a second end portion extending from an opposite side of the middle portion as the first end portion;
a control module located on the strap, the control module comprising an opening and a removable battery, wherein the removable battery is configured to be inserted into the control module through the opening to supply power to the wearable therapeutic device, and the removable battery is configured to be removed from the opening by pushing on a portion of the removable battery located opposite the opening with a predetermined amount of force;
a first fastener attached to the first end portion and a second fastener that is complementary to the first fastener and attached to the second end portion;
a first heating element located in the first end portion;
a second heating element located in the middle portion; and
vibration motors embedded within the middle portion and located to overlap the second heating element,
wherein the strap comprises a plurality of layers of fabric, the plurality of layers of fabric comprising at least a first layer facing away from the wearer, a second layer adjacent the first layer, a third layer disposed opposite to the first layer and configured to contact the wearer, and a fourth layer disposed between the second layer and the third layer,
wherein the fourth layer includes the vibration motors and a pad embedded therein, wherein the pad is configured to space respective vibration motors apart from the second layer and further configured to isolate the second layer from an impact of the vibration motors, and
wherein the pad is formed of a compressible material.
8 . The wearable therapeutic device of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of layers of fabric include a layer of knitted fabric that includes fibers containing germanium.
9 . The wearable therapeutic device of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of layers of fabric include a layer of infrared radiation emitting fabric.
10 . The wearable therapeutic device of claim 9 , wherein the infrared radiation emitting fabric emits infrared radiation passively.
11 . The wearable therapeutic device of claim 10 , wherein each pad is disposed between each vibration motor and the second heating element.
12 . The wearable therapeutic device of claim 10 , wherein the plurality of layers of fabric include a padding layer between the second heating element and a surface of the strap.
13 . The wearable therapeutic device of claim 12 , wherein the vibration motors are located between the second heating element and the padding layer.
14 . The wearable therapeutic device of claim 7 , wherein the first heating element and the second heating element are panels of carbon fiber or carbon fiber mesh.
15 . The wearable therapeutic device of claim 14 , wherein a gap exists between the first heating element and the second heating element.
16 . The wearable therapeutic device of claim 14 , wherein the second end portion is free of any heating elements.
17 . A wearable therapeutic device, comprising:
a strap configured for wrapping around a wearer's abdomen, wherein the strap comprises a plurality of layers including:
a wearer facing surface layer that is made at least partially of germanium;
an outer layer facing away from the wearer,
a first inner layer adjacent the outer layer; and
a second inner layer disposed between the first inner layer and the wearer facing surface layer,
a control module located on the strap, the control module comprising an opening and a removable battery, wherein the removable battery is configured to be inserted into the control module through the opening and removed from the opening by pushing on a portion of the removable battery located opposite the opening with a predetermined amount of force; and
at least one vibration motor embedded in the strap,
wherein the second inner layer includes the at least one vibration motor and at least one pad embedded therein, wherein the at least one pad is configured to space the at least one vibration motor, respectively, apart from the first inner layer and further configured to isolate the first inner layer from an impact of the at least one vibration motor, and
wherein the at least one pad is formed of a compressible material.
18 . The wearable therapeutic device of claim 17 , wherein the wearer facing surface layer is a knitted fabric including fibers of germanium or germanium alloy.
19 . The wearable therapeutic device of claim 17 , comprising heating features for heating a wearer's back and stomach.
20 . The wearable therapeutic device of claim 19 , wherein the heating features include a first heating element in a middle portion of the strap and a second heating element spaced from the first heating element and located in a first end portion of the strap, and the strap includes a second end portion extending from an opposite side of the middle portion as the first end portion.
21 . The wearable therapeutic device of claim 19 , wherein the heating features include a panel of carbon fiber or carbon fiber mesh.