Solo perineal hot and cold pack

• US 6,648,909 B2
• Filed: 05/11/2001
• Issued: 11/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Allegiance Corporation (Cardinal Health, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Allegiance Corporation (Cardinal Health, Inc.)
• Inventors: Helming, Tamara M.
• Primary Examiner(s): ROLLINS, ROSILAND STACIE
• Application Number:
  US09/853,842
• Publication Number:
  US 20010018605A1
• Time in Patent Office: 921 Days
• Field of Search: 607/96, 607/108, 607/109, 607/111, 607/112, 607/114, 128/898
• US Class Current: 607/108
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0028 Rectum
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0048 Genitals
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0233 connected to or incorporated in clothing or garments A61F2007/023 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0271 Permanently separable compartments, e.g. with rupturable portions
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0276 with separate compartments connectable by rupturing a wall or membrane
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/03 thermophore, i.e. self-heating, e.g. using a chemical reaction

Abstract

A device for providing thermal therapy to the perineal and rectal areas of a patient is provided. The device can be used alone or in conjunction with an absorbent pad. The device is particularly useful for alleviating post-partum swelling and pain. Different embodiments of the device can be used to provide either hot or cold therapy to a patient.

Claims

1. A method for applying thermal therapy to at least one of the perineal and rectal areas of a patient comprising:

a) providing an elongated pack emitting one of heat or cold in a therapeutic temperature range;

b) providing an absorbent pad for placement adjacent to at least one of perineal and rectal areas of said patient; and

c) placing said pack between said pad and said patient;

wherein said elongated pack comprises;

an outer shell means for placement against said perineal area, said outer shell being formed of a pliant, non-woven, fluid-impervious material; and

a sealed inner space enclosed within said outer shell, said inner space having;

i) a first compartment containing a first chemical;

ii) a second compartment containing a second chemical;

iii) said first and second compartments being fixedly encased to one another; and

iv) said first and second compartments having a rupturable wall therebetween which when ruptured causes said thermal reaction; and

v) said first compartment being fixedly encased by the second compartment at a sealed edge where the first and second compartments overlap and extending across the length of the second compartment.

2. A method for applying thermal therapy to at least one of the perineal and rectal areas of a patient comprising:

a) providing an elongated pack emitting one of heat or cold in a therapeutic range;

b) providing a garment for placement adjacent to at least one of the perineal and rectal areas of said patient; and

c) placing said pack between said garment and said patient;

wherein said elongated pack comprises;

an outer shell means for placement against said perineal area, said outer shell being formed of a pliant, non-woven, fluid-impervious material; and

a sealed inner space enclosed within said outer shell, said inner space having;

i) a first compartment containing a first chemical;

ii) a second compartment containing a second chemical;

iii) said first and second compartments being fixedly encased to one another; and

iv) said first and second compartments having a rupturable wall therebetween which when ruptured causes said thermal reaction; and

said first compartment being fixedly encased by the second compartment at a sealed edge where the first and second compartments overlap and extending across the length of the second compartment.