Electromagnetic thermal therapy

• US 9,968,797 B2
• Filed: 07/03/2012
• Issued: 05/15/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Orthocor Medical, Inc. (Caerus Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Orthocor Medical, Inc. (Caerus Corp.)
• Inventors: Sham, Kin-Joe, Savela, Jared J., Siverhus, Kristopher M., Dinusson, John F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Carey, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bays, Pamela M
• Application Number:
  US13/541,509
• Publication Number:
  US 20120330090A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,142 Days
• Field of Search: 600 14, 600 15, 607 2, 607 3, 607 50, 607 51, 607108
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0042 Knee
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0078 with a battery
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0096 with a thermometer
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/007 characterised by electric heating
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/034 Flameless
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/32 alternating or intermittent currents applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling A61N1/40; microwave apparatus A61N5/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/002 in combination with another treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/006 for magnetic stimulation of nerve tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/02 using magnetic fields produced by coils, including single turn loops or electromagnets A61N2/12 takes precedence

Abstract

A portable, non-invasive device for providing therapeutic treatment to a joint to promote healing of the joint includes a cuff positionable around the joint. The cuff includes an electromagnetic stimulator configured to provide an electromagnetic field within the joint and at least one thermal therapy component including an activation circuit configured to activate the electromagnetic stimulator circuit, the thermal therapy component coupleable to the cuff, the thermal therapy component comprising at least two substances in separate compartments separated by a breakable barrier, wherein the at least two substances are configured to react upon mixing to produce thermal energy exchangeable with the joint.

Claims

1. A portable, non-invasive system for providing therapeutic treatment to a joint to promote healing of the joint, the system comprising:

a cuff positionable around the joint, the cuff including;

an electromagnetic stimulator circuit coupled to the cuff and configured to provide an electromagnetic field within the joint; and

a thermal therapy component coupleable to the cuff, the thermal therapy component comprising;

an activation circuit that, when coupled to the cuff, is configured to activate the electromagnetic stimulator circuit; and

at least two substances in separate compartments separated by a breakable barrier, wherein the at least two substances are configured to react upon mixing to produce thermal energy exchangeable with the joint;

a holder coupled to the cuff proximate the electromagnetic stimulator circuit;

a pouch coupled to the cuff and sized to receive the thermal therapy component; and

wherein the thermal therapy component includes a disposable housing configured to be mechanically coupled to the holder,

wherein the disposable housing includes a conductor to electrically and physically bridge an open circuit of the electromagnetic stimulator circuit when coupled to the holder, and

wherein the activation circuit includes the conductor.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the holder is on an outer portion of the cuff and the pouch is on an inner portion of the cuff.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the disposable housing is coupled to the remainder of the thermal therapy component via a lanyard sized to wrap from the outer portion of the cuff to the inner portion of the cuff.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the cuff defines an aperture extending through the cuff and opening to the holder, including opening to a bottom aperture of the holder.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the holder includes a notch, and wherein the disposable housing is configured to be removably inserted into the holder to engage the notch to mechanically affix the disposable housing to the holder.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the disposable housing, when mechanically coupled to the holder, is configured to enable the electromagnetic stimulator circuit to generate the electromagnetic field within the joint.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the reaction is endothermic and comprising an indicator circuit configured to display a first color while the disposable housing is inserted in a holder, and a second color while a second disposable housing, including a hot pack, is inserted in the holder.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said at least two substances include ammonium nitrate and water.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the second disposable housing includes a medial disposable housing including a single-use exothermic exchange component, the medial disposable housing configured to be mechanically, removably coupled to a medial holder on the cuff, and also comprising a lateral disposable housing including a single-use exothermic exchange component, the lateral disposable housing configured to be mechanically, removably coupled to a lateral holder on the cuff.

10. A portable, non-invasive system for providing therapeutic treatment to a joint to promote healing of the joint, the system comprising:

a cuff positionable around the joint, the cuff including;

an electromagnetic stimulator circuit configured to provide an electromagnetic field within the joint; and

a thermal therapy component coupleable to the cuff, the thermal therapy component comprising at least two substances in separate compartments separated by a breakable barrier, wherein the at least two substances are configured to react upon mixing to produce thermal energy exchangeable with the joint;

a holder coupled to the cuff proximate the electromagnetic stimulator circuit;

a pouch coupled to the cuff and sized to receive the thermal therapy component; and

a disposable housing coupled to the thermal therapy component, the disposable housing configured to be mechanically coupled to the holder,

wherein the disposable housing includes a conductor to electrically and physically bridge an open circuit of the electromagnetic stimulator circuit when the disposable housing is mechanically coupled to the holder.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the holder is on an outer portion of the cuff and the pouch is on an inner portion of the cuff.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the disposable housing is coupled to the remainder of the thermal therapy component via a lanyard sized to wrap from the outer portion of the cuff to the inner portion of the cuff.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the holder includes a notch, and wherein the disposable housing is configured to be removably inserted into the holder to engage the notch to mechanically affix the disposable housing to the holder.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the disposable housing, when mechanically coupled to the holder, is configured to enable the electromagnetic stimulator circuit to generate the electromagnetic field within the joint.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the reaction is endothermic and comprising an indicator circuit configured to display a first color while the disposable housing is inserted in a holder, and a second color while a second disposable housing, including a hot pack, is inserted in the holder.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein said at least two substances include ammonium nitrate and water.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the second disposable housing includes a medial disposable housing including a single-use exothermic exchange component, the medial disposable housing configured to be mechanically, removably coupled to a medial holder on the cuff, and also comprising a lateral disposable housing including a single-use exothermic exchange component, the lateral disposable housing configured to be mechanically, removably coupled to a lateral holder on the cuff.