Thermal Device

• US 20080234789A1
• Filed: 03/20/2008
• Published: 09/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Wyeth (Pfizer Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Wyeth (Pfizer Inc.)
• Inventors: Wong, Vincent York-Leung, Freeland, Mary Elaine
• Application Number:
  US12/052,296
• Publication Number:
  US 20080234789A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/108
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0228 with belt or strap, e.g. with buckle
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0249 with a layer having low heat transfer capability
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/034 Flameless

Abstract

Devices and methods that provide consistent skin side temperature comprising a primary insulative material disposed on a skin side of a thermal source; wherein the device provides a rate of change in temperature of less than about 0.8 are disclosed. Also included are methods of providing improved skin health, and methods of providing passive skin side temperature control.

Claims

1. A device that provides a consistent skin side temperature comprising:

a primary insulative material disposed on a skin side of a thermal source;

wherein said device provides a rate of temperature change of less than about 0.8.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said device provides a rate of temperature change of less than about 0.7.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein said device provides a rate of temperature change of less than about 0.5.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said device provides and maintains a skin side temperature below about 43°

C.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said device provides and maintains a skin side temperature between about 36°

C. and about 42°

C.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein said device provides and maintains a skin side temperature between about 39°

C. and about 42°

C.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein said device provides a skin side temperature of said device of at least about 36°

C. within about 5 minutes of initiation of heating.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein said device provides a skin side temperature between about 39°

C. and about 42°

C. within less than about 30 minutes of initiation of heating.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein said device provides a skin side temperature between about 39°

C. to about 42°

C. within less than about 15 minutes of initiation of heating.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein said device provides and maintains a skin side temperature between about 39°

C. and about 42°

C. for up to about 24 hours.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein said primary insulative material is selected from the group consisting of:

foam, non-woven, sponge, glass wool, fiberglass, and combinations thereof.

12. The device of claim 1 wherein said primary insulative material has a thickness of from about 1/64 inch to about 1 inch.

13. The device of claim 1 wherein said primary insulative material has a thickness of from about 1/32 inch to about ½

inch.

14. The device of claim 1 wherein said primary insulative material has a thickness of from about 1/16 inch to about ⅜

inch.

15. The device of claim 1 wherein said thermal source is chosen from the group consisting of single use sources, reusable sources, heat of crystallization sources, particulate exothermic compositions, electrical sources, and combinations thereof.

16. The device of claim 1 wherein said thermal source comprises at least one heat cell comprising a particulate exothermic composition.

17. The device of claim 16 wherein said at least one heat cell is formed in a unified structure comprising at least two opposed surfaces, wherein at least one surface is air permeable, and wherein said particulate exothermic composition is disposed between said two opposing surfaces.

18. The device of claim 1 further comprising a top layer disposed on a top side of said thermal source.

19. The device of claim 18 wherein said top layer is a non-woven material.

20. The device of claim 18 wherein said top layer is a material chosen from the group consisting of:

nylon, rayon, cellulose ester, polyvinyl derivatives, polyolefins, polyamides, polyesters, polypropylene, celluloses, wool, silk, jute, hemp, cotton, linen, sisal, ramie, and combinations thereof.

21. The device of claim 1 further comprising a skin side layer.

22. The device of claim 21 wherein said skin side layer is a non-woven material.

23. The device of claim 21 wherein said skin side layer is a material selected from the group consisting of:

nylon, rayon, cellulose ester, polyvinyl derivatives, polyolefins, polyamides, polyesters, polypropylene, celluloses, wool, silk, jute, hemp, cotton, linen, sisal, ramie, and combinations thereof.

24. The device of claim 21 wherein said primary insulative material is disposed between said thermal source and said skin side layer.

25. The device of claim 1 further comprising a second insulative material disposed on a top side of said thermal source.

26. The device of claim 24 further comprising a top layer disposed on a top side of said second insulative material.

27. The device of claim 25 wherein said second insulative material is selected from the group consisting of:

foam, non-woven, sponge, glass wool, fiberglass, spray-on materials, air laid materials, and combinations thereof.

28. The device of claim 1 further comprising an additional component selected from the group consisting of aromatic compounds, skin treatment compounds, pharmaceutical compounds, therapeutic compounds, vitamins, and combinations thereof.

29. The device of claim 1 wherein said device conforms to contours of a user'"'"'s body and provides uniform pressure and fit to said skin.

30. A method of providing consistent skin side temperature of thermal devices during use comprising:

applying to skin of a user a device comprising a primary insulative material disposed on a skin side of a thermal source;

wherein said device provides a rate of temperature change of less than about 0.8.

31. The method of claim 30 comprising providing a rate of temperature change of less than about 0.7.

32. The method of claim 30 comprising providing a rate of temperature change of less than about 0.5.

33. The method of claim 30 comprising maintaining said skin side temperature at less than about 43°

C.

34. The method of claim 30 comprising maintaining said skin side temperature between about 36°

C. and about 42°

C.

35. The method of claim 30 comprising maintaining said skin side temperature between about 39°

C. and about 42°

C.

36. The method of claim 30 comprising maintaining said skin side temperature between about 39°

C. and about 42°

C. for up to about twenty-four hours.

37. The method of claim 30 comprising providing a skin side temperature of said device between about 39°

C. and about 42°

C. within less than about 30 minutes of initiation of heating.

38. The method of claim 30 comprising providing a skin side temperature of said device between about 39°

C. and about 42°

C. in less than about 15 minutes of initiation of heating.

39. The method of claim 30 comprising providing a skin side temperature of said device of about 36°

C. within about 5 minutes of initiation of heating.

40. A method of providing improved skin health comprising:

applying to skin of a user a device comprising a primary insulative material disposed on a skin side of a thermal source;

wherein said device provides a rate of temperature change of less than about 0.8.

41. The method of claim 40 wherein said device conforms to contours of a user'"'"'s body and provides uniform pressure and fit to said skin.

42. A method of providing passive skin side temperature control comprising:

applying to skin of a user a device comprising a primary insulative material disposed on a skin side of a thermal source;

wherein said device provides a rate of temperature change of less than about 0.8.