Contact cooler for skin cooling applications
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for thermally conditioning a surface, the system comprising:
- a control unit comprising a fluid reservoir disposed therein, the fluid reservoir comprising an input and an output operable to allow circulation of a heat transfer fluid therethrough;
a contact cooler comprising;
a handle;
an attachment plate operatively coupled to the handle;
a cooling head operatively coupled to the attachment plate, the cooling head comprising a flow channel disposed therein, the flow channel fluidly coupled to the fluid reservoir, wherein a flow channel path defines a plane generally orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the cooling head; and
an o-ring disposed between the flow channel and the attachment plate, the o-ring comprising a diameter substantially equal to a diameter of the flow channel;
a first sensor disposed at the input of the fluid reservoir, the first sensor operable to measure a first temperature of the heat transfer fluid entering the fluid reservoir;
a second sensor disposed at the output of the fluid reservoir, the second sensor operable to measure a second temperature of the heat transfer fluid leaving the fluid reservoir; and
wherein, responsive to a difference between the first temperature and the second temperature, the control unit is operable to heat or cool the heat transfer fluid in the fluid reservoir so as to maintain a constant temperature at the contact cooler.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A contact cooler for thermal conditioning a surface is disclosed. The contact cooler may include a temperature controller assembly with recirculating temperature controlled fluid for heating and/or cooling a surface of a patient in contact with a cooling head. The cooling head may be attached to a handle for manual manipulation thereof.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for thermally conditioning a surface, the system comprising:
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a control unit comprising a fluid reservoir disposed therein, the fluid reservoir comprising an input and an output operable to allow circulation of a heat transfer fluid therethrough; a contact cooler comprising; a handle; an attachment plate operatively coupled to the handle; a cooling head operatively coupled to the attachment plate, the cooling head comprising a flow channel disposed therein, the flow channel fluidly coupled to the fluid reservoir, wherein a flow channel path defines a plane generally orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the cooling head; and an o-ring disposed between the flow channel and the attachment plate, the o-ring comprising a diameter substantially equal to a diameter of the flow channel; a first sensor disposed at the input of the fluid reservoir, the first sensor operable to measure a first temperature of the heat transfer fluid entering the fluid reservoir; a second sensor disposed at the output of the fluid reservoir, the second sensor operable to measure a second temperature of the heat transfer fluid leaving the fluid reservoir; and wherein, responsive to a difference between the first temperature and the second temperature, the control unit is operable to heat or cool the heat transfer fluid in the fluid reservoir so as to maintain a constant temperature at the contact cooler. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for providing therapeutic heating or cooling of a bodily surface, the method comprising:
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providing a thermal conditioning system comprising a reservoir for a heat transfer fluid disposed therein; setting a desired temperature of a contact cooler, the contact cooler having a cooling head; circulating the heat transfer fluid from the reservoir through the contact cooler, via a flow channel disposed in the cooling head, the flow channel defining a plane generally orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the cooling head; measuring a first temperature of the heat transfer fluid at an input of the reservoir; measuring a second temperature of the heat transfer fluid at an output of the reservoir; calculating, based upon the first temperature and the second temperature, a rate of temperature change and a temperature acceleration factor at the contact cooler; and heating or cooling the heat transfer fluid in the reservoir responsive to at least one of the rate of temperature change and the temperature acceleration factor. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for heating or cooling a bodily surface, the method comprising:
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indicating a desired temperature of a contact cooler, the contact cooler having a cooling head; measuring a starting temperature of a heat transfer fluid contained in a fluid reservoir; heating or cooling the heat transfer fluid responsive to a difference between the desired temperature of the contact cooler and the starting temperature of the heat transfer fluid; circulating the heat transfer fluid through the contact cooler in a closed-loop circuit, via a flow channel disposed in the cooling head, the flow channel defining a plane generally orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the cooling head; measuring a first temperature of the heat transfer fluid at an input of the fluid reservoir and a second temperature of the heat transfer fluid at an output of the fluid reservoir; calculating, based upon a difference between the first temperature and the second temperature, at least one of an actual temperature of the contact cooler, a rate of temperature change of the contact cooler, and a temperature acceleration factor associated with the contact cooler; and heating or cooling the heat transfer fluid in the fluid reservoir responsive to at least one of the rate of temperature change, a rate of temperature difference between the actual temperature of the contact cooler and the desired temperature of the contact cooler, and the temperature acceleration factor. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for providing therapeutic heating or cooling of a bodily surface of a patient, the method comprising:
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providing a thermal conditioning system comprising a reservoir for a heat transfer fluid disposed therein; providing a contact cooler, the contact cooler comprising; a handle; an attachment plate operatively coupled to the handle; a cooling head operatively coupled to the attachment plate, the cooling head comprising a flow channel disposed therein, the flow channel fluidly coupled to the fluid reservoir, wherein a flow channel path defines a plane generally orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the cooling head; and an o-ring disposed between the flow channel and the attachment plate, the o-ring comprising a diameter substantially equal to a diameter of the flow channel; setting a desired temperature of the contact cooler; circulating the heat transfer fluid from the reservoir through the contact cooler; and heating or cooling the heat transfer fluid for treatment of the patient.
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Specification