Portable, self-contained device for muscle recovery using cryotherapy

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a portable and self-contained device for muscle recovery using cryotherapy. It is particularly applicable to recovery following intense muscular exertion, typically associated with sports, and to the reduction of muscle pain and edema, regardless of their cause. More specifically, the invention aims to aid muscle recovery in various parts of the body, particularly the calves and thighs. State of the art

[0002] During intense physical exertion, the muscles consume more oxygen than the arteries supply them. This is because muscular effort reduces venous pressure, and repeated muscle contractions compress the intramuscular blood vessels, thus limiting the supply of blood and oxygen.

[0003] This leads to an accumulation of toxins in the muscles, which the body attempts to eliminate by increasing fluid circulation through an inflammatory response. The result is muscle fatigue, pain, and stiffness.

[0004] In this context, the beneficial nature of cryotherapy is known, particularly for muscle recovery after significant physical exertion.

[0005] However, to observe a beneficial effect of cryotherapy on muscle recovery, it is necessary to create a thermal shock on the surface of the skin in the anatomical area to be treated. Such a thermal shock is achieved when the skin temperature is lowered to 0°C or below. However, cryotherapy requires travel to a facility equipped with the necessary equipment, which imposes a significant delay between muscle exertion and the cryotherapeutic effect, resulting in a considerable loss of time.

[0006] There are also socks that have pockets around the foot containing gel pads that can be heated or cooled as desired, depending on whether the wearer wants to warm or cool their feet, thus relieving temporary or chronic pain. However, such a sock, extending only around the foot, cannot contribute to muscle recovery in a user's leg, particularly the calf. Furthermore, this sock's effect is limited to providing heat and cold via pads that are themselves heated or cooled by external means, which must therefore be found separately. These socks are thus not self-contained.

[0007] We are also familiar with US patent 2016 / 0051400, which describes a boot capable of holding a cold liquid, specifically ice water. Athletes can therefore put on such a boot immediately after exercise to begin the muscle recovery process. However, this boot has several drawbacks. The use of ice water does not create a sufficient thermal shock to produce significant physiological benefits. Furthermore, external means of cooling the water are necessary. Therefore, these boots are not self-contained.

[0008] This boot also incorporates a system for circulating the cold fluid around the foot, often in the form of an air pump. Furthermore, it offers little possibility of precisely targeting specific areas of the leg to be cooled.

[0009] We are familiar with patent application WO2019 / 023569, which discloses a cryoablation device, that is, a device for destroying tissue. We are also familiar with patent application WO01 / 68185, which discloses a laser vascular treatment device featuring a cooled surface to prevent burning the user's skin through which a vein is treated.

[0010] Of course, these documents are very far removed from the invention since they do not deal in any way with a muscle recovery device. Description of the invention

[0011] Claim 1 defines the invention, and claims disclose embodiments. The present invention aims to remedy all or part of these drawbacks.

[0012] To this end, according to a first aspect, the present invention aims at a portable and self-contained device for muscle recovery through cryotherapy, which comprises: a pressurized fluid container, a pressurized fluid regulator, in fluidic connection with the container and equipped with an outlet for expanded gas, a plate of thermally conductive material configured to rest on the user's skin and equipped with a heat exchanger radiator positioned in the path of the expanded gas exiting the fluid regulator.

[0013] The expansion of the fluid causes significant cooling of the gas escaping from the regulator. This gas heats up upon contact with the radiator, cooling both the radiator and the plate in contact with the user's skin. The device described in the invention requires no external means to operate and can have dimensions and weight similar to those of a water bottle. It is therefore portable and easily transportable.

[0014] In some embodiments, the device further includes a removable means for holding the plate in position against a user's limb.

[0015] Thanks to these provisions, the device can be held in place opposite a user's muscle without any effort on the part of the user.

[0016] In some embodiments, the removable retaining means includes at least one self-gripping fabric strip.

[0017] Thanks to these provisions, no complicated user manipulation is required.

[0018] In some embodiments, the device further includes a means for controlling the passage of fluid between the container and the pressure regulator, the control means being configured to limit the average flow rate, during the period of use, of fluid exiting the container to a value lower than the maximum possible flow rate.

[0019] These measures prevent the risk of excessive cooling that could cause a "burn" to the user's skin.

[0020] In some embodiments, the device includes at least one sensor for a temperature representative of the temperature of the plate in contact with the skin, the control means being configured to control the flow of fluid exiting the container according to the temperature captured.

[0021] This allows control of the temperature applied to the user's skin, regardless of the outside temperature and, if necessary, to make this temperature applied to the skin follow a progressive and predetermined cooling curve.

[0022] In some embodiments, the container includes a valve that opens by angular offset, the control means comprising a servomotor supported on the regulator and the control means being configured to control the movement of the servomotor.

[0023] In some embodiments, the container includes a valve which opens by translation towards the container, the control means comprising a servomotor supported on the regulator and the control means being configured to control the movement of the servomotor.

[0024] In some embodiments, the thermally conductive material plate includes aluminum.

[0025] In some embodiments, the thermally conductive material plate has a concave shape.

[0026] In some embodiments, the pressurized fluid in the container is hydrofluoroolefins in the form of a compressed gas.

[0027] HFOs (Hydrofluoroolefins) are fourth-generation refrigerants. They offer low-GWP alternatives that reduce environmental impact while providing energy efficiency.

[0028] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a mechanical connector for a device which is the subject of the invention, configured to hold in position a container of pressurized fluid in a compartment of the device in such a way that the regulator is in fluidic connection with the container.

[0029] In some embodiments, the mechanical connector has a general cylindrical shape with a circular directrix, a central opening and radial lugs extending beyond the generatrix of this cylindrical shape.

[0030] In some embodiments, the mechanical connector has portions of spheres on the inner surface of the opening.

[0031] In some embodiments, the mechanical connector has radial notches in its cylindrical wall, notches which define clips having retractable tabs oriented towards the central axis of the connector, notches whose free end has a chamfered shape.

[0032] The advantages, purposes and special characteristics of this mechanical connector being similar to those of the device which is the subject of the invention, they are not recalled here.

[0033] According to a third aspect, which is not part of the invention, an exemplary method of muscle recovery by cryotherapy comprises: a positioning step of a plate of thermally conductive material configured to rest on the user's skin and equipped with a heat exchanger radiator, a step of expansion of a pressurized fluid against the plate.

[0034] In some embodiments, the process that is the subject of the present invention further comprises: a step of measuring the plate temperature, a step of comparing the measured temperature to a predetermined limit temperature, process in which the relaxation step is implemented according to the result of the comparison step.

[0035] Since the advantages, goals and specific characteristics of the process are similar to those of the device which is the subject of the invention, they are not recalled here. Brief description of the figures

[0036] Other advantages, purposes and specific features of the invention will become apparent from the following non-limiting description of at least one particular embodiment of the device, method and kit objects of the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: There figure 1represents, schematically, in perspective and in cross-section, a first particular embodiment of the device, The figure 2 represents, schematically, in side view, the device illustrated in figure 1 , There figure 3 represents, schematically, in top view, the device illustrated in figure 1 , There figure 4 represents, schematically, a temperature curve observed with a device that is the subject of the invention. figure 5 represents, in the form of a flowchart, the steps of a particular embodiment of the exemplary process, using the invention, The figure 6 represents, in a view from below, a container adapter on the device that is the subject of the invention, The figure 7 represents, in top view, the adapter illustrated in figure 6 , There figure 8 represents, in side view, the adapter illustrated in figures 6 and 7 , There figure 9 represents, a view according to a section AA located in figures 6 And 8, from above, of the adapter illustrated in figures 6 to 8 , There Figure 10 represents a detailed view labeled C in figure 8 , There figure 11 represents a detailed view labeled B in figure 9 and The figure 12 represents, schematically, an adapter that is the subject of the invention in a partial view of the container and the device that is the subject of the invention. Description of the implementation methods

[0037] The present description is given by way of non-limiting attribution, each feature of an embodiment being able to be advantageously combined with any other feature of any other embodiment.

[0038] Throughout the description, what is at the top is called "superior" or "high". Figures 1 And 2 and "lower" or "bottom" refers to what is at the bottom in these figures. Figures 1 And 2represent the orientation of the device in use. The "heights" are derived from these definitions. The "widths" are defined from top to bottom in the figure 3 , which represents a top view of the device. What is close to or facing the pressurized fluid container is called "internal" or "inside" and what is far from this container or facing outwards from the device is called "external" or "outside".

[0039] It should be noted from the outset that the figures 6 to 11 are to scale, but the other figures are not.

[0040] We observe, on the figures 1 to 3A particular embodiment 10 of the portable and self-contained cryotherapy muscle recovery device of the invention. The device 10 comprises, preferably removable by hand without breaking a part, a pressurized fluid container 11. This fluid may be a liquid. However, preferably, this fluid is a pressurized gas. More preferably, the pressurized gas in the container 11 is hydrofluoroolefins (“HFO”).

[0041] The device 10 also includes a pressure regulator 12 for the pressurized fluid, in fluidic connection with the container 11 and equipped with an outlet 20 for the expanded gas. Due to the laws of thermodynamics, the expanded gas is much colder than the fluid contained in the container 11.

[0042] The device 10 further includes a plate 13 of thermally conductive material configured to rest on the user's skin and equipped with a heat exchanger radiator 14 positioned in the path of the expanded gas exiting the fluid regulator 12. The radiator 14 has, for example, vertical parallel metal fins between which the expanded gas from the outlet 20 of the regulator 12 flows.

[0043] The very cold gas escaping from outlet 20 of regulator 12 is heated by contact with the radiator 14 and cools both the radiator 14 and the plate 13 in contact with the user's skin. The plate 13 can thus have a temperature of 0°C or lower. The device 10 requires no external means to operate and can have dimensions and weight similar to those of a water bottle. It is therefore portable and easily transportable.

[0044] In some embodiments (not shown), the user can manually operate the regulator 12 to cause the cooling of the plate 13. However, such operation could prove dangerous, as excessively low temperatures can cause skin burns.

[0045] In the embodiment shown in the figures 1 to 3 The device 10 includes a control means 16 for the flow of fluid between the container 11 and the pressure regulator 12. The control means 16, preferably with a controller and program memory, is configured to limit the average flow rate of fluid exiting the container 11 during operation to a value lower than the maximum possible flow rate. A battery 15 provides electrical power to the control means 16.

[0046] To control the flow of expanded fluid at outlet 20 of the expansion valve 12, the control means 16 controls the opening of the valve 17 of the container 11.

[0047] In the device 10, the container 11 has a valve 17 which opens by angular displacement and the control means 16 has a servomotor 18 bearing on the regulator 12. The regulator 12 is movable in rotation about an axis 24 and the cam of the servomotor 18, of oblong shape, is movable in rotation about an axis 25. The control means 16 is configured to control the movement of the servomotor 18.

[0048] In some embodiments (not shown), the container has a valve that opens by translation towards the container, the control means comprising a servomotor bearing against the pressure regulator. The control means is then also configured to control the movement of the servomotor.

[0049] Preferably, the device 10 includes at least one sensor 22 or 23 with a temperature representative of the temperature of the plate 13 in contact with the skin. In this case, the control means 16 is configured to regulate the fluid flow rate at the outlet 20 of the expansion valve 13 according to at least one detected temperature. This controls the temperature applied by the plate 13 to the user's skin, regardless of the outside temperature, and optionally allows this skin temperature to follow a progressive and predetermined cooling curve (see figure 4 Preferably, at least two temperature sensors, for example thermistors, are positioned at different locations on the plate 13. In the figures, the temperature sensor 22 is positioned near one end of the plate 13 and the temperature sensor 23 is positioned in the center of the plate 13.

[0050] A mechanical connector or 50 adapter (see figures 6 to 12 ), in a housing 19, holds in place, in a removable manner by hand without breaking any part, the valve 17 of the container 11 opposite the regulator 12. This mechanical connector 50 is preferably made of a thermally insulating material.

[0051] To hold the device 10 against a user's limb, and more specifically against their body muscles, the device 10 includes at least one means for holding the plate in position against a user's limb. Preferably, the holding means includes at least one belt 21 (not shown in figure 1 Preferably, a self-gripping fabric strip, commonly known as "hook and loop fastener." In some embodiments, the fastening means includes an adhesive strip. In other embodiments, the fastening means includes a strap equipped with a tightening loop, a retractable latch, or a retractable stop.

[0052] The retention device is configured to maintain the plate in contact with the user's skin, at the level of at least one of the user's muscles. Preferably, the retention device is configured to encircle a limb of the user; that is, the retention device and at least part of the plate surround the user's limb.

[0053] In some embodiments, the thermally conductive material plate 13 comprises aluminum. In some embodiments, the thermally conductive material plate 13 has a concave shape, visible in Figures 1 And 3 . This concave shape, here cylindrical with a vertical axis, conforms to the shape of a user's limb and increases the transmission of cooling from plate 13 to the limb in question.

[0054] It is noted that the device of the invention can be used in cryotherapy mode and / or in cryotherapy mode with compression thanks to at least one compression textile, for example the sports compression textile.

[0055] According to one aspect, the invention relates to a component of a cryotherapy muscle recovery kit, which includes a pressurized fluid regulator equipped with a mechanically expanded gas outlet linked to a plate of thermally conductive material configured to rest on the user's skin and equipped with a heat exchanger radiator positioned in the path of the expanded gas exiting the fluid regulator, and a mechanical connector configured to hold a pressurized fluid container in position in a compartment such that the regulator is in fluidic connection with the container.

[0056] There figure 4This illustrates the process of a 21-minute cryotherapy muscle recovery session. The x-axis represents the temperature measured by a temperature sensor, for example sensor 23, in degrees Celsius. The y-axis represents time, in seconds. The temperature-time curve 30 comprises an initial sequence 31, extending from time 0 to approximately 230 seconds, of which approximately 180 seconds are spent with a temperature oscillating around 0°C, following an initial abrupt temperature drop controlled by the control means 16 until the measured temperature is less than or equal to 0°C. The control means 16 then triggers a gas release pulse each time the measured temperature exceeds 0°C. The inventor has observed that these pulses occur approximately every 20 seconds.During a second sequence 32 extending substantially from second 230 to second 780, no gas expansion is commanded by the control means 16. The third sequence 33 is similar to the first sequence 31, except that it extends substantially from second 780 to second 1140. During the last sequence 34, no gas expansion is commanded by the control means 16.

[0057] With a container temperature of 15°C and an ambient temperature of 19°C, a calf temperature of 31°C was observed at the beginning of the session and a temperature of 15°C at the end, with the user experiencing a sensation of local anesthesia. This recovery session consumes approximately 90 grams of compressed gas.

[0058] There figure 5illustrates the exemplary steps of operation 40 of the device that is the subject of the invention. During a step 41, the user, after positioning the plate 13 against the muscle to be treated and possibly tightening the retention means, triggers the operation of the device and, in particular, the power supply to the control means 16 by the battery 15. This control means 16 causes the gas to expand through the regulator 12.

[0059] During steps 42 and 43, the temperature of plate 13 is measured continuously. During step 43, and for an initial duration (approximately 230 seconds in figure 4The control means 16, via the servomotor 18, regulates the opening of the valve 17 according to the measured temperature. As soon as the temperature falls below or equal to 0°C, the control means 16 stops the gas expansion, and as soon as the temperature rises above or equal to 0°C, the control means 16 triggers a gas expansion pulse.

[0060] During step 44, at the end of the first duration, the control means stops the gas expansion for a second duration (approximately 550 seconds in figure 4 ).

[0061] During a step 45 following the end of step 44, the control means 16 causes the gas to expand. The temperature measurement is carried out continuously during steps 46 and 47. During step 47 and for a third duration (approximately 360 seconds in figure 4The control means 16, via the servomotor 18, controls the opening of the valve 17 based on the measured temperature. As soon as the temperature falls below 0°C, the control means 16 stops the gas expansion, and as soon as the temperature rises above 0°C, the control means 16 triggers a gas expansion pulse.

[0062] Finally, device 10 comes to a standstill during step 48.

[0063] The present invention offers the following advantages: continuous operation for at least 10 minutes with a full 100mL container, possible operation with different container sizes ranging from 100 mL to 600 mL, an anesthetic effect,

[0064] We observe, in figures 6 to 12An adapter 50 is positioned as a mechanical interface between the container 11 and the device 10. The mechanical connector 50 for a device 10, the object of the invention, is configured to hold a container 11 of pressurized fluid in position within the compartment 19 of the device 10 such that the pressure regulator is in fluidic connection with the container. The adapter 50 is made of plastic, for example ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) or PA (polyamide).

[0065] The adapter 50 has a general cylindrical shape with a circular base, between two planes perpendicular to the generatrices, the distance of which is on the order of half the radius of the cylindrical shape of the adapter 50. This shape has external protrusions 51 and recesses.

[0066] The radial outgrowths 51 extend perpendicularly to the generatrix (vertical in figures 8 and 9) extend beyond the generatrix of this cylindrical shape. These protrusions or lugs 51, preferably cylindrical and three in number, participate in a bayonet movement: guiding in translation then in rotation of the adapter 50 in grooves or channels (not shown) of the body of the device 10, screwing the head of the container 11 into the body of the device 10 to put the nozzle 17 of the container 11 at the correct height, relative to the degassing nozzle or regulator 12, immobilizing the head of the container 11 in the body of the device 10.

[0067] A central through opening 52 allows the nozzle 17 of the container 11 to pass from the body of the container 11 to the degassing nozzle of the regulator 12. The central opening 52 has a shoulder 57. Portions of spheres 56, present on the inner cylindrical face of the opening 52, serve to prevent deformations in the crimping of the valve of the container 11 and / or to prevent rotation of the adapter 50 on the container 11.

[0068] Radial notches 53 (here six in number) allow lateral deformation of the clips 54 of the adapter 50 formed by the periphery of the adapter 50 between the notches 53. These clips 54, whose cross-section is shown in figure 11 , present: grooves 58 corresponding to the upper crimp of the container body 11 and retractable tabs 55 which grip the head of the container 11 and mechanically retain the container 11 in the device 10. These retractable tabs 55 are oriented towards the central axis of the connector 50.

[0069] The notches 53 preferentially have a rounded end 59 to avoid stress concentrations, as illustrated in Figure 10 . The clips 54 have a free end 60 with a chamfered shape giving them a triangular section, to facilitate the penetration of the clips 54 into the upper relief of the container 11.

[0070] The scope of the invention is defined by the claims.

Claims

1. Portable stand-alone device (10) for muscle recovery by means of cryotherapy, comprising: - a container (11) of pressurised fluid, - a pressure reducer (12) for the pressurised fluid, being fluidly connected to the container and fitted with an outlet (20) for expanded gas, - a plate (13) made of thermally conductive material designed to rest against the user's skin and equipped with a heat exchanger radiator (14) positioned in the path of the expanded gas exiting the fluid pressure reducer and characterised by a removable means for securing the plate in position against a user's limb.

2. Device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the removable securing means comprises at least one strip of hook-and-loop fabric (21).

3. Device (10) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, which additionally comprises a control means (16) for regulating the flow of fluid between the container (11) and the pressure reducer (12), the control means being configured to limit the average flow rate, for the duration of use, of fluid exiting the container to a value lower than the maximum possible flow rate.

4. Device (10) according to claim 3, which additionally comprises at least one sensor (22, 23) for a temperature representative of the temperature of the plate (13) in contact with the skin, the control means (16) being configured to regulate the flow of fluid exiting the container (11) depending on the detected temperature.

5. Device (10) according to any one of claims 3 or 4, wherein the container (11) comprises a valve (17) that opens by angular offset, the control means (16) comprising a servomotor (18) resting on the pressure reducer (12), and the control means being configured to control the movement of the servomotor.

6. Device according to any one of claims 3 or 4, wherein the container comprises a valve that opens by translation towards the container, the control means comprising a servomotor resting on the pressure reducer and the control means being configured to control the movement of the servomotor.

7. Device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the plate (13) made of thermally conductive material includes aluminium and / or has a concave shape.

8. Device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the pressurised fluid in the container (11) is a hydrofluoroolefin in the form of a compressed gas.

9. Device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising a mechanical connector (50), configured to hold in position a container (11) of pressurised fluid in a compartment (19) of the device (10) such that the pressure reducer is fluidly connected to the container.

10. Device (10) according to claim 9, wherein the mechanical connector has a generally cylindrical shape with a circular directrix, a central opening (52), and radial lugs (51) extending beyond the generatrix of this cylindrical shape.

11. Device (10) according to claim 10, wherein the mechanical connector has portions of spheres (56) on the inner surface of the opening (52).

12. Device (10) according to one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the mechanical connector comprises radial notches (53) in its cylindrical wall, which notches define clips (54) having retracting tabs (55) oriented towards the central axis of the connector, notches whose free end (60) has a chamfered shape.