Method and apparatus for headache relief

• US 5,848,981 A
• Filed: 05/31/1996
• Issued: 12/15/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Larry W. Herbranson
• Original Assignee: Larry W. Herbranson
• Inventors: Herbranson, Larry W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Apley, Richard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Koo, Benjamin K.
• Application Number:
  US08/656,608
• Time in Patent Office: 928 Days
• Field of Search: 601/134, 601/135, 601/15, 606/201, 606/204, 606/204.15, 128/898, 607/96, 607/108, 607/109, 607/110, 607/112
• US Class Current: 601/134
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 20/005 with cooling effect
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0007 Forehead, e.g. headbands
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0098 ways of manufacturing heating or cooling devices for therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0231 hook and loop-type fastener
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0268 having a plurality of compartments being filled with a heat carrier heat packs stored in pockets A61F2007/023, A61F2007/0238
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/10 Cooling bags, e.g. ice-bags

Abstract

A cold pressure apparatus for relieving headache pain including an elongate member constrictively engagable about a head, and a cooling material carried by the elongate member for compressive and cooling engagement with the head.

Claims

1. An apparatus for relieving headache pain, comprising:

an elongate member constrictively engagable about a head to encircle the head and having an inner surface;

a plurality of permanently substantially rigid elements fabricated from cold retaining materials fixed to said inner surface in substantially linear and evenly spaced-apart relation along substantially the entire length said elongate member, each one of said elements having,

a non-engagement surface coupled to said inner surface of said elongate member, and

an engagement surface engagable with said head, said engagement surface defining a substantially non-compliant contact surface.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said elongate member includes an elastic material having a first end and a second end, and a predetermined length.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further including fastening means coupled to said first end and said second end for adjustably coupling said first end to said second end.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said permanently substantially rigid stones are fixed to said inner surface by an elastic adhesive.

5. A method of treating a headache comprising the steps of:

providing an an elongate member for constrictive engagement about a head to encircle the head and having an inner surface, a predetermined length and width; and

providing a plurality of substantially evenly spaced-apart permanently substantially rigid elements fabricated from cold retaining materials, each of said elements having a non-engagement surface coupled to said inner surface of said elongate member along substantially the entire length of said elongate member, and an engagement surface engagable with said head, said engagement surface defining a substantially non-compliant contact surface; and

securing said apparatus member about a head of an individual suffering from a headache with said substantially non-compliant contact surface of said stones in compressing engagement with said head, said apparatus restricting blood flow to said head.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said step of securing includes:

providing said apparatus further including elastic material having a first end and a second end;

stretching said elastic material for constrictive engagement with said head; and

fastening said first end to said second end.