A therapeutic device

Abstract

A therapeutic heating pad comprises a contact surface 1 for contacting a body in use, a temperature sensor 2 configured to sense the temperature of the body, a heating element 4, and a controller (9,

Description

The present disclosure relates to a therapeutic device. In particular, to such a device suitable for providing heat therapy to a human or animal body. Representative features are set out in the following clauses, which stand alone or may be combined, in any combination, with one or more features disclosed in the text and / or drawings of the specification. According to the present invention in a first aspect, there is provided a therapeutic device as recited by Claim 1. The temperature of the surface of the body is sensed by the temperature sensor. In contrast to prior art arrangements, which measure the temperature of the heating element, the present invention measures the temperature of the body by measuring the temperature of the body surface where the body contacts the device. Such an arrangement offers increased safety and allows for reduced power consumption. It is particularly beneficial when the therapeutic device is configured to be attached to an animal. The thermal distribution layer is preferably malleable. The thermal distribution layer may comprise a gel. By the provision of a thermal distribution layer, safety is further increased, and energy use is further reduced. The thermal distribution layer provides improved heat dispersal, a storage reservoir for heat, and a safety buffer from an accidental burn caused by a short circuit in the heating element or otherwise. When malleable, it may form around the contours of the body thus helping to reduce air gaps and improve thermal conduction. The controller is configured to maintain the temperature of the body (as sensed by the temperature sensor) within a predetermined temperature range for a predetermined amount of time. The controller may be configured to power the heating element when the sensed temperature of the body is at or below a lower threshold value and to switch off the heating element when the sensed temperature of the body reaches an upper threshold value. When the sensed (body surface) temperature is between the thresholds, the controller may be configured to apply a level of heating that is a function of that temperature. The level of heating may be implemented by Pulse Width Modulating the "on" periods. By such a control protocol, the therapeutic device may safely provide controlled heat therapy to a body whilst optimising power consumption. The therapeutic device may comprise a plurality of the heating elements. In such case each of the heating elements may be associated with a dedicated temperature sensor and a dedicated controller. Moreover, each of the heating elements may be associated with one of a number of the thermal distribution layers. There may be provided a central controller that is connected to each of the controllers. The therapeutic device may be configured for use on a horse and comprise an envelope defining two flexible pads one on each side of a supporting stay adapted to lie along and conform to the shape of a horse's back, the pads being disposed to depend from the region of the stay, one on each side of the horse, when the stay is disposed on the horse's back, and each pad comprises one or more of the heating elements. The therapeutic device preferably comprises at least one electrically operated vibrator for massaging the body. More preferably it comprises a plurality of electrically operated vibrators. The therapeutic device preferably comprises a rechargeable battery for providing electrical power to the heating element(s) and also to the vibrator(s), when present. Preferably, the controller monitors the battery capacity by monitoring the battery voltage under load, and a predetermined minimum threshold voltage is set at which the heating element is switched off and / or is prevented from operating. Such an arrangement preserves some capacity for the vibrator(s) to continue working. This also helps to prevent deep discharge of the battery as the user is likely to charge the battery when the heater switches off rather than draining the battery completely. Further, preferred, features are presented in the dependent claims and / or will become apparent from the detailed description below. Non-limiting embodiments of the invention will now be discussed with reference to the following drawings: Figure 1 shows an exploded, simplified, schematic of a therapeutic device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a simplified schematic of an exemplary control arrangement for a therapeutic device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 shows a general view of a therapeutic device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, which is suitable for use on a horse, and is laid flat; and Figure 4 illustrates the therapeutic device of Figure 3 in position on a horse. In broadest terms, there is provided a therapeutic device, which comprises a contact surface 1 for contacting a body 100 (animal or human) in use, a temperature sensor 2 for sensing the temperature of the body 100, a heating element 4, and a controller 9, wherein the controller 9 is operatively connected to the temperature sensor 2 and the heating element 4 for controlling operation of the heating element 4 in dependence on the sensed temperature of the body 100. It should be noted that whilst a preferred embodiment of the therapeutic device takes the form of a therapeutic device for a horse, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, and described in detail below, the form of the therapeutic device is not particularly limited. That is to say, it may, for example, comprise a handheld device to be grasped by a user during use, such as but not limited to a pad, it may be a device that is wearable on a user’s hand, such as a mitt, a pad provided with straps or otherwise, it may be a device that is arranged to be attached to an animal or human body during use, using straps or bands, or it may be otherwise formed. Regardless of the form that the therapeutic device takes, the contact surface will contact the body in use with the temperature sensor 2 being suitably arranged to measure the temperature of the body 100 at its surface. Dependent on the form of the temperature sensor 2, it may be exposed on an outermost surface of the device to directly contact the animal body, or may be embedded within or behind an outermost layer of the device. In the exemplary disclosed arrangements, the temperature sensor is provided between the contact layer 1, which forms the outermost layer of the device, and a thermal distribution layer 3. There may be a single temperature sensor 2 or a plurality of temperature sensors. Consideration will now be given to the exemplary arrangement of Figure 1. It is to be noted that whilst a plurality of layers is provided in a particular order, one or more of these layers may be omitted, additional / altemative layers may be provided, and / or the order of provided layers may be altered. The arrangement of layers in Figure 2 is not to be taken as limiting. The arrangement and configuration of layers may vary in dependence on the form the device takes. Figure 1 comprises the contact layer 1, the temperature sensor 2, the thermal distribution layer 3, the heating element 4, an insulating layer 5, a heat reflecting layer 6, an insulating layer 7, and an outer layer 8. The contact layer 1 is the innermost layer of the device in use, and defines the contact surface, which contacts the animal in use. In the depicted arrangement: The temperature sensor 2 is provided between the thermal distribution layer 3 and the contact layer / surface 1. The heating element 4 is provided between the heat reflecting layer 6 and the contact layer / surface 1. The heating element 4 is provided between the insulating layer 5 and the contact layer / surface 1. It is also provided between the insulating layer 7 and the contact layer / surface 1. As noted, the arrangement shown in Figure 1 is merely an exemplary arrangement, which may be varied. For example, one of the insulation layers 5, 7 may be omitted and / or the heat reflecting layer 6 may be re-located / omitted and / or an additional heat reflecting layer 6 may be introduced. In any arrangement, there will be at least the contact layer 1, the temperature sensor 2 and the heating element 3 with any of the additional recited layers introduced in any combination and any appropriate order, with or without any further layers. The thermal distribution layer 3 preferably has a high thermal conductivity. Preferably, it has the highest thermal conductivity of any layer present in the device. The thermal distribution layer 3 preferably has a high specific heat capacity. Preferably, it has the highest specific heat capacity of any layer present in the device. The thermal distribution layer 3 most preferably comprises a gel. The thermal distribution layer 3 may be malleable. The temperature sensor 2 may be sandwiched between the thermal distribution layer 3 and the contact layer 1, as shown in Figure 1. The heating element 4 may be sandwiched between the thermal distribution layer 3 and an insulating layer 5, as shown in Figure 1. Any desired combination / order of the layers / elements in Figure 1 may be provided in the form of a self-contained heating pad 10 forming a component of the overall therapeutic device, wherein a single one of the pads 10 may be included in the therapeutic device or a plurality of the pads 10 may be included in the therapeutic device. Taking the therapeutic device of Figures 3 and 4 as a nonlimiting example, there may be two such pads 10 provided, as indicated in Figure 3, with one pad 10 provided on either side of a supporting stay 15 of the device, each of these pads 10 may comprise at least the temperature sensor 2, the thermal distribution layer 3 and the heating element 4. In arrangements comprising multiple heating elements 2, different layers / components may be shared between heating elements 2. For example, an arrangement could be provided comprising one or more or all of the contact layer, the thermal distribution layer, the insulating layer, the heat reflecting layer and the outer layer spanning a plurality of separate thermal heating elements and / or temperature sensors. A number of possible variations will be appreciated by those skilled in the art in this regard. In arrangements where pads 10 are provided, different layers / components discussed above may be formed separately to any of the pads 10. For example, returning to the exemplary arrangement of Figures 3 and 4, where each of the pads 10 comprises at least the temperature sensor 2, the thermal distribution layer 3 and the heating element 4, one or more additional layers including, for example, the contact layer 1, the insulating layer 5 and the outer layer 8 may be formed separately to the pads 10. The therapeutic device is preferably powered by a rechargeable battery, which may be removable for charging. Consideration will now be given to the control arrangement of the therapeutic device. The controller 9 is preferably configured to switch off and / or to prevent operation of the heating element when the sensed temperature of the body reaches a predetermined maximum value. The controller 9 is preferably hard coded with the predetermined maximum value. The controller 9 is configured to maintain the temperature of the body within a predetermined temperature range for a predetermined amount of time. For such purposes, the controller 9 may be configured to power the heating element 4 when the sensed temperature is at or below a lower threshold value and to switch off the heating element when the sensed temperature reaches an upper threshold value. When the sensed (body surface) temperature is between the thresholds, the controller may be configured to apply a level of heating that is a function of that temperature. The level of heating may be implemented by Pulse Width Modulating the "on" periods. The controller 9 is preferably arranged to shut off power to the heating element if communication with the temperature sensor is lost. In arrangements comprising a plurality of the heating elements 4, there may, as discussed, be a plurality of the temperature sensors 2 provided. In such case, each of the heating elements 4 may be coupled with a respective one of the temperature sensors 2. Each temperature sensor 2 will preferably be mounted in close proximity to the respective heating element 4, such that the temperature of the body at its surface in the vicinity of the heating element 4 is measured. There will generally be a single controller 9 provided when there is a single heating element 4. Whilst this may be the case when there are a plurality of the heating elements 4, there may be a plurality of the controllers 9 provided. In such case, each of the heating elements may be coupled with a respective one of the controllers 9. Each of the controllers 9 may be connected to a central (or master) controller 11. Such an exemplary arrangement is shown in Figure 2. The central controller 11 provides a central control for all of the controllers 9. The central controller 11 is preferably arranged to provide independent control of each of the controllers 9. The central controller 11 is preferably linked to the controllers 9 through a network 12. The network may be wired or wireless. It is preferably wired. The network is preferably arranged to use differential signals. The therapeutic device may be configured such that pads 10 can be added or removed by connection / disconnection from the network 12. For such purposes, with a wired network, the pads 10 may be provided with connectors for attachment to / detachment from corresponding connectors on the network. The therapeutic device may comprise at least one electrically operated vibrator 19. The vibrator(s) 19 may be electromechanical, electromagnetic or piezoelectric vibrators of generally known construction. The controller 9 preferably monitors the battery capacity by monitoring the battery voltage under load from the heaters, and a predetermined minimum threshold voltage is set at which the heating element is switched off and / or is prevented from operating. The battery may also be monitored when only under load from the vibrator(s) (when present) and another predetermined minimum threshold voltage may be set at which the vibrator(s) are prevented from operating. With reference now to Figures 3 and 4, there is shown, as mentioned, a therapeutic device configured for use on a horse. The therapeutic device comprises an envelope 13 defining two flexible pads 14 one on each side of a supporting stay 15 adapted to lie along and conform to the shape of a horse's back, the pads 13, 14 being disposed to depend from the region of the stay 15, one on each side of the horse, when the stay is disposed on the horse's back, as seen in Figure 4. Each pad comprises one or more of the heating elements 4. In the disclosed arrangement each of the pads 14 comprises one of the pads 10, as described above. Each of the pads 10 comprising at least the temperature sensor 2, the thermal distribution layer 3 and the heating element 4. Control of the pads 10 may be implemented using any of the above described control arrangements. At least one of the pads 14 may have on its exterior a pouch or pouches 16 for a rechargeable battery for the provision of electrical power and / or for a control device 18 to be used by a user for switching on / off and / or modifying / setting control of the device. The therapeutic device preferably includes a harness 17 comprising straps extending from the pads 14, which are preferably adjustable to fit the horse's size and shape. The harness 17 may include a belly strap 17a and a chest strap 17b. The stay 15 preferably comprises a flexible elongate strip. It may simply comprise a fold or bend line between the pads 14. The stay may have an initial curvature generally corresponding to the concavity of a horse's back. The number and positions of the heating elements 4 and the vibrators 19 may be varied according to preference. It is preferred, as shown that the heating elements 4 are provided in a rear region only of the device when it is configured for use on horses. The following features / advantages may be applied in the context of embodiments of the therapeutic device, in isolation of one another or in any combination: • The temperature sensor monitors the temperature of the body at its surface and only turns the heater on if required. • The temperature sensor safely ensures that the heating element turns off at a safe upper temperature to prevent overheating. • The switching on of the heating element only when required ensures helps to extend battery life. • If communication is lost to the temperature sensor then the corresponding heating element turns off to prevent overheating. • If the master controller loses communication with one of the controllers then the heating element will turn off to prevent overheating. • A circuit measures the heating element and will shut down if electrically the heater pad is outside of parameters (e.g. a short has occurred and may create a hot spot) • The thermal distribution layer sits between the temperature sensor and the body and heater and provides thermal inertia, helps for the heat to be better distributed over the body rather than around the heating pad wiring pattern, and provides a safety buffer from an accidental burn caused by a short circuit in the heating element. • The thermal distribution layer provides a more malleable layer to form around the contours of the body thus helping to reduce air gaps and improve thermal conduction. • The thermal reflective layer reflects radiated heat back towards the body making the system more energy efficient. • An insulation layer over the thermal reflector provides further energy efficiencies when present. • The pads are controlled by a central controller over a network. • The pads are addressable and multiple pads can be added to make an extensible system. • The pad network uses differential signals to improve noise immunity and reduce electromagnetic emissions • The central controller provides centralised control of the networked heater pads and so sequences of different vibrations and amplitudes can be updated simply by updating the controller. • The heating elements can be controlled centrally and can be switched on and off in sequence and each temperature sensor can be set to different target temperature. • The pads have a hard coded safety temperature to prevent the temperature being set accidentally via the communication link or in a defined program sequence. • The pads monitor the battery capacity by monitoring and tracking the battery voltage under load - a threshold is set that switches off the heater cycle. This preserves some capacity for the vibrators to continue working even if the heater was to work sub optimally. This also helps to prevent deep discharge of the battery as the user is likely to charge the battery when the heater switches off rather than draining the battery completely. 03 05 24 When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and 5 "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components. The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or io the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof. 15 Although certain example embodiments of the invention have been described, the scope of the appended claims is not intended to be limited solely to these embodiments. The claims are to be construed literally, purposively, and / or to encompass equivalents.

Claims

1. A therapeutic device, which comprises a contact surface for contacting a body in use, a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the body, a heating element, a thermal distribution layer, which is located between the heating element and the contact layer, and a controller, wherein the controller is operatively connected to the temperature sensor and the heating element for controlling operation of the heating element in dependence on the sensed temperature of the body, wherein the controller is configured to maintain the temperature of the body within a predetermined temperature range for a predetermined amount of time.

2. A therapeutic device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the thermal distribution layer comprises a gel.

3. A therapeutic device as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the thermal distribution layer is malleable.

4. A therapeutic device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the temperature sensor is provided between the thermal distribution layer and the contact surface.

5. A therapeutic device as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising a heat reflecting layer, wherein the heating element is provided between the heat reflecting layer and the contact surface.

6. A therapeutic device as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising an insulating layer, wherein the heating element is provided between the insulating layer and the contact surface.

7. A therapeutic device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the controller is configured to switch off and / or to prevent operation of the heating element when the sensed temperature of the body reaches a predetermined maximum value.8 A therapeutic device as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the controller is hard coded with the predetermined maximum value.

9. A therapeutic device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the controller is configured to power the heating element when the sensed temperature is at or below a lower threshold value and to switch off the heating element when the sensed temperature reaches an upper threshold value.

10. A therapeutic device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the controller is arranged to shut off power to the heating element if communication with the temperature sensor is lost.

11. A therapeutic device as claimed in any preceding claim, which comprises a plurality of the heating elements.

12. A therapeutic device as claimed in Claim 11, which comprises a plurality of the temperature sensors, wherein each of the heating elements is coupled with a respective one of the temperature sensors.

13. A therapeutic device as claimed in Claim 11 or 12, which comprises a plurality of the controllers, wherein each of the heating elements is coupled with a respective one of the controllers.

14. A therapeutic device as claimed in Claim 13, which comprises a central controller providing a central control for all of the controllers.

15. A therapeutic device as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the central controller is arranged to provide independent control of each of the controllers.

16. A therapeutic device as claimed in Claim 14 or 15, wherein the central controller is linked to the controllers through a network, wherein the network is arranged to use differential signals.

17. A therapeutic device as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising at least one electrically operated vibrator.

18. A therapeutic device as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising a rechargeable battery.

19. A therapeutic device as claimed in Claim 18, wherein the controller monitors the battery capacity by monitoring the battery voltage under load, and a predetermined minimum threshold voltage is set at which the heating element is switched off and / or is prevented from operating.

20. A therapeutic device as claimed in any of Claims 11 to 16, or any claim dependent thereon, for use on a horse, the therapeutic device comprising an envelope defining two flexible pads one on each side of a supporting stay adapted to lie along and conform to the shape of a horse's back, the pads being disposed to depend from the region of the stay, one on each side of the horse, when the stay is disposed on the horse's back, and each pad comprises one or more of the heating elements.

21. A therapeutic device as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 19, wherein the therapeutic device comprises a mitt that is wearable on a user’s hand.

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