METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR THERAPEUTIC APPLICATION OF THERMAL ENERGY

• US 20140194788A1
• Filed: 03/12/2014
• Published: 07/10/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AVACEN, Inc.
• Original Assignee: AVACEN, Inc.
• Inventors: MUEHLBAUER, Thomas G., NEWMAN, Nathan
• Granted Patent: US 9,066,781 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 601/18
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0036 Hand
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0054 with a closed fluid circuit, e.g. hot water
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0076 remote from the spot to be heated or cooled
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0093 programmed
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0096 with a thermometer
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0239 using vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/0053 Cabins, rooms, chairs or units for treatment with a hot or cold circulating fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/02 Compresses or poultices for effecting heating or cooling
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 9/0057 Suction suction kneading A61H7/008

Abstract

Apparatus and methods are provided for treating a human condition by providing an appendage chamber having a thermal exchange member. A vacuum may be applied to the appendage chamber to maintain vasodilation of an appendage when placed within the appendage chamber. The appendage may be heated or cooled at the thermal exchange member for therapeutic application of thermal energy to treat a number of circulatory, neurological, lymphatic, or endocrinal maladies.

Claims

1. Apparatus for treating a condition of a human, the apparatus comprising:

an appendage chamber configured to accept an appendage;

a thermal exchange member disposed within the appendage chamber, the thermal exchange member configured to contact the appendage to selectively heat or cool an arteriovenous anastomosis vascular area of the appendage;

a pressure sensor disposed under the thermal exchange member, the pressure sensor configured to measure at least one of a pressure or force of the appendage against the thermal exchange member;

a vacuum source coupled to the appendage chamber to maintain vasodilation of the arteriovenous anastomosis vascular area when placed within the appendage chamber; and

a programmable controller configured to determine whether the pressure or force of the appendage measured using the pressure sensor is within a predetermined range.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the programmable controller is configured to cause an alert to be generated if the measured pressure or force is outside the predetermined range.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the programmable controller is configured to cause an alert to be generated if the measured force is less than 2 pounds.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the programmable controller is configured to control the application of vacuum to the appendage chamber and to control heating or cooling of the thermal exchange member.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the programmable controller includes memory configured to store a plurality of programs that may be selected to implement a preselected therapy regime.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a control panel that enables input of selected parameters to effectuate the preselected therapy regime.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to alleviate a symptom associated with:

a chronic wound, a post-operative condition;

a respiratory condition such as asthma;

a sleeping condition such as snoring and sleep apnea;

a metabolic disorder such as hypothyroidism;

obesity;

chronic fatigue syndrome;

an autoimmune disorder;

Raynaud'"'"'s phenomenon;

hot flashes;

edema;

renal disease;

cirrhosis;

allergies;

a neurological malady such as Parkinson'"'"'s disease, diabetic neuropathy, migraines, Alzheimer'"'"'s disease, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and Autism;

a circulatory disorder associated with vasoconstriction such as hypertension, carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, and arthritis;

diabetes;

a dermatological disorder associated with restricted blood flow to skin such as eczema;

a disorder known to disrupt thermoregulatory processes such as stress and anxiety;

a neurodegenerative condition such as multiple sclerosis and fibromyalgia;

sequalae of chemotherapy, or any combination thereof.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to alleviate a symptom associated with a circulatory, neurological, lymphatic, or endocrinal dysfunction, or any combination thereof.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to promote healing of a wound.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor comprises a load cell configured to measure the pressure or force of the appendage against the thermal exchange member.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a sleeve detachably coupled to the appendage chamber, the sleeve configured to accept the appendage.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor configured to measure temperature at the thermal exchange member.

13. A method for treating a condition of a human, the method comprising:

providing an appendage chamber, a thermal exchange member disposed within the appendage chamber, and a vacuum source coupled to the appendage chamber;

disposing an appendage within the appendage chamber in contact with the thermal exchange member;

creating a vacuum in the appendage chamber using the vacuum source to induce vasodilation of an arteriovenous anastomosis vascular area of the appendage;

measuring at least one of a pressure or force of the appendage against the thermal exchange member;

heating the thermal exchange member to deliver heating or cooling to the arteriovenous anastomosis vascular area; and

generating an alert if the pressure or force of the appendage is measured to be outside a predetermined range.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the heating or cooling is delivered at a temperature and for a duration sufficient to alleviate a symptom associated with at least one of a circulatory, neurological, lymphatic, or endocrinal malady.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the heating or cooling is delivered at a temperature and for a duration sufficient to promote wound healing.

16. A method for treating a condition of a human, the method comprising:

providing an appendage chamber, a thermal exchange member disposed within the appendage chamber, and a vacuum source coupled to the appendage chamber;

disposing an appendage within the appendage chamber in contact with the thermal exchange member;

creating a vacuum in the appendage chamber using the vacuum source to induce vasodilation of an arteriovenous anastomosis vascular area of the appendage;

delivering heat using the thermal exchange member to a body core of the human via the arteriovenous anastomosis vascular area; and

continuing to deliver heat using the thermal exchange member to the body core via the arteriovenous anastomosis vascular area to a body at normothermia pre-treatment or to a body at sub-normothermia pre-treatment such that the body core remains at or reaches normothermia.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the heating is delivered at a temperature and for a duration sufficient to alleviate a symptom associated with at least one of a circulatory, neurological, lymphatic, or endocrinal malady.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the heating is delivered at a temperature and for a duration sufficient to promote wound healing.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the heating is delivered for approximately five to twenty minutes.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the method is performed at least once a day.