Ergonomic systems and methods providing intelligent adaptive surfaces and temperature control
First Claim
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1. A system for cooling biological tissues, comprising:
- a refrigerant reservoir, storing a refrigerant which reversibly exchanges heat with the environment as a result of changing between a liquid and gaseous form;
a metering valve, controlling a flow of refrigerant from the reservoir, said refrigerant having a vapor pressure greater than atmospheric pressure at 40°
C.;
a cooling device, having an interior space bounded by a wall, adapted to cool biological tissues through absorption of heat through the wall by refrigerant proximate thereto, receiving said flow of refrigerant from said metering valve;
a recycler, receiving said refrigerant from said cooling device and processing said refrigerant, returning it to said refrigerant reservoir in a form suitable for further withdrawal of heat from said cooling device, said cooling device having a maximum operating pressure less than about 5 psig.
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Abstract
Ergonomic systems which provide medical therapy, comfort and enhanced function are provided. Surfaces are provided with adjustable contour, transient force damping and temperature. The technologies are applied to footwear, seating surfaces an cryotherapy devices. The cooling and cryotherapy system employ an evaporator in close proximity to skin, and therefore employ methods to reduce risk of frostbite. Advanced control and power supply options are disclosed.
889 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A system for cooling biological tissues, comprising:
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a refrigerant reservoir, storing a refrigerant which reversibly exchanges heat with the environment as a result of changing between a liquid and gaseous form;
a metering valve, controlling a flow of refrigerant from the reservoir, said refrigerant having a vapor pressure greater than atmospheric pressure at 40°
C.;
a cooling device, having an interior space bounded by a wall, adapted to cool biological tissues through absorption of heat through the wall by refrigerant proximate thereto, receiving said flow of refrigerant from said metering valve;
a recycler, receiving said refrigerant from said cooling device and processing said refrigerant, returning it to said refrigerant reservoir in a form suitable for further withdrawal of heat from said cooling device, said cooling device having a maximum operating pressure less than about 5 psig. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A cooling system for biological tissues, comprising:
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a source of volatile refrigerant having a vapor pressure at 40°
or greater than atmospheric pressure;
a cooling matrix, proximate to the biological tissues, having a flow path for coolant, formed within walls of a polymer substrate, the polymer substrate conforming to the biological tissues and providing a heat transfer surface and being adapted to operate with an unloaded flow path pressure of less than about 5 psig;
a flow passage from said source of coolant to said cooling matrix; and
a valve allowing coolant to flow into said source of volatile coolant and restricting outflow therethrough. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
a refrigerant compressor; and
a radiating matrix, for dissipating heat from the compressed refrigerant.
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17. A cooling system for biological tissues, comprising a closed cycle refrigeration system, wherein the refrigerant changes between gaseous and liquid form in a process of cooling, including means for returning the refrigerant to a form capable of cooling after use, the improvement comprising:
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a refrigerant having a vapor pressure greater than atmospheric pressure at 40°
C.;
an evaporator for the refrigerant, having a wall which conforms to the biological tissues and transfers heat therebetween, and a conduit proximate to the wall, in which the refrigerant evaporates and thereby absorbs a heat of absorption;
wherein an operational pressure for evaporation of refrigerant within said conduit is less than about 5 psig. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification