Wearable Vascular System for Facilitating Evaporative Cooling of an Individual

Abstract

A water-cooling apparatus is disclosed that significantly improves the comfort of an individual by reducing overheating, perspiration, dehydration, odors, and electrolyte loss. A vascular distribution system attachable either directly to the individual or to a shirt or other garment worn by the individual delivers water that cools the individual by evaporation. A source of water can be included, and water can be pumped and / or squeezed from the source, pushed by air pressure, or drawn through the vascular system by gravity or capillary action. A chiller can cool the water before it is delivered, and the vascular system and / or water source can be in thermal contact with the individual. A connecting port can be included to allow the water source to be temporarily connected, and a drinking port can be included to allow the individual to drink the water and / or force water into the vascular system by blowing into the port.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The invention generally relates to apparatus for cooling individuals, and more specifically to apparatus for cooling individuals with water.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Exercise is generally known to have many benefits for individuals of all ages. These benefits include improved cardiovascular health, reduced blood pressure, prevention of bone and muscle loss, maintenance of a healthy weight, improved psychological heath, and many others. However, exercise is generally accompanied by a certain degree of discomfort, including overheating, sweating, etc, and this leads to a significant reduction in the intensity, duration, and frequency of exercise undertaken by many individuals, thereby reducing the health benefits that can be derived from recreational and conditioning exercise. Excess heating during exercise can also reduce peak athletic performance, because the performance of a muscle deteriorates when the muscle is overheated.[0003]Overheating of an...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]An apparatus for cooling an individual is claimed that distributes water onto the individual using a vascular water distribution system so as to efficiently cool the individual by evaporation of the water while the individual is exercising or taking part in other activities that could lead to overheating. The apparatus provides efficient cooling of the individual, thereby reducing perspiration and associated dehydration, loss of electrolytes, odors, and discomfort.

[0008]The apparatus includes a vascular water distribution system cooperative with at least a portion of the body of the individual, the vascular water distribution system being connectable to a source of water and being able to distribute water over a portion of the body of the individual, thereby enabling evaporative cooling of the portion of the body of the individual.

Problems solved by technology

However, exercise is generally accompanied by a certain degree of discomfort, including overheating, sweating, etc, and this leads to a significant reduction in the intensity, duration, and frequency of exercise undertaken by many individuals, thereby reducing the health benefits that can be derived from recreational and conditioning exercise.

Excess heating during exercise can also reduce peak athletic performance, because the performance of a muscle deteriorates when the muscle is overheated.

Overheating of an individual can also occur during leisure activities due to exposure to sunlight and other warm weather conditions.

Such overheating can reduce the comfort of these activities and shorten the amount of time that they can be enjoyed.

In addition, individuals can become overheated while performing work in a hot environment, either indoors or outdoors, thereby decreasing their productivity and comfort, and possibly even endangering their health.

However, there are several major disadvantages to perspiration, including dehydration, loss of electrolytes, and unwanted odors.

However, cooling by this method is limited because air has a low heat capacity and does not make good thermal contact with the body.

Fans and humidifiers can be used to increase heat transfer from the body of an exerciser to the air, but these approaches still cannot provide sufficient cooling in all cases.

When exercise occurs outdoors, these approaches are largely unavailable.

For similar reasons, there are few satisfactory approaches known for cooling an individual during an outdoor work or leisure activity when sunlight and / or warm weather lead to overheating of the individual.

Cool air can be directed onto the individual, but the low heat capacity of cool air limits its effectiveness.

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