Portable moist heat system

• US 9,566,186 B2
• Filed: 03/08/2013
• Issued: 02/14/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare Holdings (US), LLC (GSK plc)
• Original Assignee: Wyeth LLC (Pfizer Inc.)
• Inventors: Wong, Vincent York-Leung, Belkin, Marina, Hickson, Chad Kamil, Owens, Leroy Glenn Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Kaitlyn
• Application Number:
  US13/791,324
• Publication Number:
  US 20130190553A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,439 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0062 the gas being steam or water vapour
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0292 using latent heat produced or absorbed during phase change of materials, e.g. of super-cooled solutions
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/0085 Devices for generating hot or cold treatment fluids
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/034 Flameless
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 21/02 for inducing sleep or relaxation, e.g. by direct nerve stimulation, hypnosis, analgesia for massage A61H; electrotherapy A61N, e.g. applying alternating or intermittent electric currents for producing anaesthesia A61N1/36021
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 17/16 Emollients or protectives, e.g. against radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 25/04 Centrally acting analgesics, e.g. opioids
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 29/00 Non-central analgesic, antipyretic or antiinflammatory agents, e.g. antirheumatic agents; Non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs [NSAID]

Abstract

A portable moist heat delivery system comprising a water vapor generating portion comprising a water vapor source and a heat source; a water vapor-air regulating portion, said water vapor-air regulating portion comprising a water vapor-air mixing layer, and a water vapor-air distribution layer; said water vapor generating portion and said water vapor-air regulating portion being in fluid communication; and said water vapor-air regulating portion having a latent heat delivery surface disposed adjacent said water vapor-air regulating portion which delivers moist heat at a preselected temperature range wherein about 15% to about 95% of the moist heat is latent heat of condensation. Methods include delivering improved pain relief, blood flow, relaxation, and reduced cardiac workload.

Claims

1. A method of providing a benefit to a user comprising:

(a) providing a portable moist heat delivery system comprising a water vapor generating portion comprising a water vapor source and a heat source; and

a water vapor-air regulating portion, said water vapor-air regulating portion comprising a water vapor-air mixing layer, and a water vapor-air distribution layer, said water vapor generating portion and said water vapor-air regulating portion being in fluid communication; and

said water vapor-air regulating portion having a latent heat delivery surface disposed adjacent said water vapor-air regulating portion which delivers moist heat at a preselected temperature range;

(b) applying said system to a skin surface of a user wherein the latent heat delivery surface is located proximate to said skin surface of said user;

(c) initiating heating of said system; and

(d) transferring moist heat to said skin of said user at a preselected temperature range, wherein the moist heat is about 15% to about 95% latent heat of condensation.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said portable moist heat system is applied to a skin surface of a human user and wherein said human skin maintains a temperature of less than about 43°

C. during the transfer of moist heat.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of providing a skin surface temperature of at least about 36°

C. within about 5minutes of initiation of heating of said system.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of delivering moist heat to a tissue and providing a temperature of at least about 38°

C., at a depth of at least about 2.5 cm below an outer surface of said skin, within about 60 minutes from initiation of heating of said system, while maintaining a temperature of said outer surface of said skin of less than about 43°

C.

5. The method of claim 1 whereby the moist heat provides pain relief within about 60 minutes from said initiation of heating of said system, while maintaining user skin surface temperature less than about 43°

C.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of providing a pain-relieving active;

and delivering said active through said skin.

7. The method of claim 1 providing further comprising the step of generating from about 0.05 mg water vapor/min/cm2 of water vapor generating portion to about 10 mg water vapor/min/cm2 of water vapor generating portion;

wherein said water vapor delivers moisture to the surface of said skin via condensation onto said surface of the skin, while maintaining skin temperature less than about 43°

C.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of providing a benefit selected from the group consisting of reducing cardiac work by at least about 4% during a time period said system is applied to said skin of said user;

increasing blood flow, in an area of said skin of said user where said system is applied;

of from about 3 to about 9 times versus blood flow of said area of skin prior to application of said system;

providing relaxation;

providing wound healing;

providing respiratory relief;

providing body warming;

providing skin hydration;

providing enhanced sleep;

providing physical therapy, promoting post-operative recovery, promoting injury recovery, enhancing post-operative recovery, enhancing injury recovery, and combinations thereof.