System for the treatment of chronic pelvic pain

Abstract

A system for treating the chronic pelvic pain in a human subject, in particular a female human subject, comprises: a wearable thermal device (1; 1a; 1b), arranged for being worn by the aforesaid subject and releasing heat at a perineal or perineal-anal region of the aforesaid subject; a portable case (6), arranged for containing, sanitizing and thermally charging the wearable thermal device (1; 1a; 1b) when the latter is not in use; an underwear garment (20) of the female underpants type, arranged for housing the wearable thermal device (1; 1a; 1b), when the latter is in use, and comprising a pocket portion (21).

Description

System for the treatment of chronic pelvic pain

[0001] The invention relates to a system for treating chronic pelvic pain, in particular pain deriving from pelvic muscle hypertonia, in a female human subject.

[0002] PRIOR ART

[0003] Medical devices for the treatment of chronic pelvic pain (CPP) are known and widely used.

[0004] A drawback of known devices consists of a significant limit of use thereof. In fact, the known devices for the treatment of CPP are suitable for domestic or professional use (namely, in an outpatient context and in the presence of a healthcare operator), and therefore in indoor environments, but they are not suitable for an outdoor use.

[0005] This prevents female patients using the aforesaid devices from taking advantage of the benefits deriving from the treatment of CPP - while having to constantly deal with the discomfort deriving from the intensity and continuity of the pelvic pain - when they are out of home, thus making therapeutic management of CPP particularly complicated.

[0006] Another drawback of the known devices is that the latter are designed solely taking into account the technical, in particular therapeutic, function that the device has to carry out - although the known devices are actually often poorly functional - and neglecting the psychological and emotional needs of the user.

[0007] This causes the known devices to have an external appearance that is substantially scarcely appealing and thus not predisposing the user to a suitable compliance with the therapy. In fact, the absence of aesthetic value in the known devices constantly reminds the female patients of their condition of chronic pain, thus hindering the establishment of a trusting attitude towards the treatment of CPP and therefore worsening the physical and psychological condition of the female patients.

[0008] The drawbacks disclosed above clearly show the limits that affect the known devices for the treatment of chronic pelvic pain. There is therefore a clear need to overcome the aforesaid drawbacks.

[0009] OBIECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0010] An object of the invention is to improve the devices for treating the chronic pelvic pain, in particular the pain deriving from pelvic muscle hypertonia.

[0011] Another object is to make available a device for treating the chronic pelvic pain that can be used outside a domestic or professional context, in particular outdoors and at any time of the day.

[0012] A further object is to make available a device for treating the chronic pelvic pain that is provided with a substantially pleasant external appearance and therefore such as to promote the compliance with the therapy.

[0013] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a wearable thermal device, as defined in claim 1.

[0015] In a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a portable case, as defined in claim 13.

[0016] In a third aspect of the invention, there is provided an underwear garment, as defined in claim 22.

[0017] Owing to these aspects, a system is made available for treating the chronic pelvic pain, in particular the chronic pelvic pain that is caused by pelvic hypertonia, which system enables the above mentioned objects to be achieved.

[0018] The wearable thermal device according to the invention is able to intervene on the pelvic hyper-contractions (trigger points) that cause the chronic pelvic pain, giving the user a sensation of relief. In particular, the wearable thermal device acts by gradually releasing heat and therefore allowing the user to perform CPP treatment cycles that are based on thermotherapy.

[0019] This technical effect is made possible by the structure of the wearable thermal device, comprising a cotton casing containing a plurality of micro-capsules that in turn contain a paraffinic PCM, or phase-change material. The PCM contained in the wearable thermal device according to the invention is able to absorb thermal energy (liquefaction latent heat) when it is heated, with a phase change from the solid state to the liquid state and gradually release the aforesaid thermal energy (liquefaction latent heat) with the reverse phase change, that is from the liquid state to the solid state, when it is worn and indirectly put in contact with the body surface of the user.

[0020] In order to perform a thermotherapy cycle using the wearable thermal device according to the invention, the user positions the wearable thermal device in the portable case and actuates the heating means that is comprised in the latter. In this manner, the wearable thermal device is heated to a suitable temperature, switching from the solid state to the liquid state, and it is therefore thermally charged. Furthermore, the portable case is provided with sanitizing means (UV LEDs), owing to which the wearable thermal device may be sanitized after use.

[0021] After thermally charging the wearable thermal device, the latter is positioned by the user indirectly in contact with the body surface, in particular with the perineal or perineal- anal region, and starts to gradually release heat in the anatomical regions involved in the treatment.

[0022] The shape and size of the wearable thermal device are such to make the latter scarcely invasive for the user. In particular, in order to carry out the thermotherapy cycle, the user may wear the underwear garment according to the invention, which is provided with a specific seat in which the wearable thermal device may be comfortably housed and held in position throughout the treatment. The underwear garment according to the invention allows the user to position and hold the wearable thermal device in the correct position, while avoiding (due to the seat with which the garment is provided) a direct contact between the device and the body surface.

[0023] After completing a thermotherapy cycle, the wearable thermal device may be positioned again in the portable case to be sanitized and recharged thermally. The portable case according to the invention has a shape and size that enables it to be easily transported by the user and used outside the home environment.

[0024] It should be noted that the wearable thermal device according to the invention can be used by a user suffering from chronic pelvic pain in an entirely independent manner, namely without the support or supervision of a healthcare operator, both in a closed, for example domestic or work, environment and outdoors. It should be further noted that the shape of the wearable thermal device is the result of a thorough ergonomic study of the pelvic musculature, owing to which it has been possible to meet the performance and comfort requirements of the product, so as to bring also a perceptive improvement with respect to the known devices, which improvement is then reflected on the psychological and physical condition of the user.

[0025] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The invention can be better understood and implemented with reference to the enclosed drawings that illustrate some exemplifying and non-limiting embodiments thereof, in which:

[0027] Figure l is a schematic view from above of an embodiment of the wearable thermal device according to the invention;

[0028] Figure 2 is a lateral schematic view of the embodiment of Figure 1;

[0029] Figure 3 is front schematic view of the embodiment of Figure 1;

[0030] Figure 4 is a schematic view from above of another embodiment of the wearable thermal device according to the invention;

[0031] Figure 5 is a lateral schematic view of the embodiment of Figure 4;

[0032] Figure 6 is front schematic view of the embodiment of Figure 4;

[0033] Figure 7 is a schematic view from above of a further embodiment of the wearable thermal device according to the invention;

[0034] Figure 8 is a lateral schematic view of the embodiment of Figure 7;

[0035] Figure 9 is front schematic view of the embodiment of Figure 7;

[0036] Figure 10 is an exploded schematic view of the portable case according to the invention;

[0037] Figure 11 is a front schematic view of the underwear garment according to the invention;

[0038] Figure 12 is a schematic, interrupted and incomplete view from above, showing the embodiment of the wearable thermal device of Figures 1 - 3 housed inside the underwear garment of Figure 13;

[0039] Figure 13 is a schematic, interrupted and incomplete view from above, showing the embodiment of the wearable thermal device of Figures 4 - 6 housed inside the underwear garment of Figure 13;

[0040] Figure 14 is a schematic, interrupted and incomplete view from above, showing the embodiment of the wearable thermal device of Figures 7 - 9 housed inside the underwear garment of Figure 13.

[0041] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0042] In the context of the description and attached claims:- the wordings “chronic pelvic pain” and “CPP” are deemed synonyms and can be used in a mutually interchangeable manner;- the wordings “phase-change material” and “PCM” are deemed synonyms and can be used in a mutually interchangeable manner.

[0043] Figures 1 to 3 show an embodiment of the wearable thermal device according to the invention, namely a wearable thermal device 1, comprising a body 2 defined by an outer casing 3. The outer casing 3 encloses an inner core (not shown) comprising a PCM material. More precisely, the inner core is formed by a plurality of capsules, in particular microcapsules, each of which consists of a PCM coated by a polymeric film.

[0044] In one embodiment, the microcapsules have a diameter varying between 10 pm and74 pm, in particular an average diameter of 42.77 pm.

[0045] In one embodiment, the PCM of the core is an organic PCM, coated by a polyamide (PA) film.

[0046] In one embodiment, the organic PCM is a paraffinic organic PCM.

[0047] In one embodiment, the paraffinic organic PCM comprises pentacosane (C25H52), having a transition temperature of 53.5 °C.

[0048] The body 2 comprises a first face 2a and a second face 2b, which are mutually opposite and share a peripheral edge 2c of the body 2. The first face 2a is arranged to be faced, in use, towards the body surface of the user and in particular towards the perineal or perineal-anal region, while the second face 2b is arranged to be faced, in use, in a direction opposite to the body surface of the user. The first face 2a comes into contact with the aforesaid body surface indirectly, since between the wearable thermal device 1 and the body surface there is interposed (as it will be explained in detail below) the fabric of an underwear garment of the user.

[0049] The outer casing 3 is made up of two portions of a suitable anallergic fabric, for example medical cotton, corresponding to the first face 2a and to the second face 2b. The two fabric portions are heat-sealed - in the case where the wearable thermal device 1 is disposable - or sewn - in the case where the wearable thermal device 1 is reusable after sanitization - to each other at the peripheral edge 2c of the body 2.

[0050] In the embodiment of the wearable thermal device 1 shown in the Figures, the outer casing 3 is made of white cotton. In other embodiments that are not shown, the outer casing 3 may be made of dyed cotton, for example cotton dyed with non-toxic pigments for textile use.

[0051] The body 2 further comprises a smaller portion 2d having an approximately elliptical plan shape and a larger portion 2e having an approximately ovoid plan shape. The adjacent ends of the smaller portion 2d and of the larger portion 2e continue into each other, defining altogether a connection portion 2f that is thus interposed between the smaller portion 2d and the larger portion 2e. The opposite ends of the smaller portion 2d and of the larger portion 2e are free and rounded. In use, the wearable thermal device 1 is positioned by the user so that the free end of the smaller portion 2d, and thus the smaller portion 2d, is oriented in the direction opposite to the anal region. Therefore, in the wearable thermal device 1 there can be identified a front end, corresponding to the free end of the smaller portion 2d, and a rear end, corresponding to the free end of the smaller portion 2e.

[0052] The first face 2a is in relief, in particular convex, at the smaller portion 2d and at the larger portion 2e, while it is substantially flat at the connection portion 2f (Figure 2). The second face 2b is irregularly flat, having a height difference 2g near to the connection portion 2f and a jutting portion 2h at the end of the larger portion 2e that is opposite to the connection portion 2f. In use, due to the effect of the height difference 2g and of the jutting portion 2h, the first face 2a is stably held in a suitable position.

[0053] The first face 2a is further crossed by a longitudinal groove 4, extending along a longitudinal axis (not shown) of the wearable thermal device 1. The longitudinal groove has an irregularly elliptical shape and corresponds to a region of the body 2 in which the thickness of the inner core is significantly reduced due to the presence of a smaller amount of PCM microcapsules, with respect to the surrounding regions. This is obtained through a longitudinal seaming (or heat sealing) 5 which peripherally delimits the longitudinal groove 5. Therefore, the body 2 of the wearable thermal device 1 comprises more peripheral raised (convex) areas alternating with more central flattened areas.

[0054] The three-dimensional curvilinear pattern of the body 2, deriving from the alternation between the aforesaid raised areas and flattened areas, is important for the purposes of the therapeutic effectiveness of the wearable thermal device 1. In particular, the arrangement of the raised areas is as a function of the pelvic regions which require to receive a greater amount of heat during use of the wearable thermal device 1, namely during a thermotherapy cycle.

[0055] In the embodiment of the wearable thermal device 1 shown in the Figures, the width of the connection portion 2f is 30 mm, the length of the wearable thermal device 1, namely the distance between the free opposite ends of the smaller portion 2d and of the larger portion 2e, is 130 mm and the maximum width of the smaller portion 2d is 35 mm. The thickness of the body 2 is 2.5 mm at the connection portion 2f and the jutting portion 2h extends longitudinally for 8 mm.

[0056] In order to prevent the wearable thermal device 1 from being perceived by the user as invasive, the maximum thickness of the body 2 is 6 mm in the raised areas, then reducing gradually in the lateral portions of the body 2. This is particularly important from an ergonomic point of view for the wearable thermal device 1, intended to be used for the treatment of the anal region, since it allows the wearable thermal device 1 to have a gradual profile and therefore be substantially not visible under garments when worn.

[0057] Figures 4 to 6 show another embodiment of the wearable thermal device accordingto the invention, namely a wearable thermal device la.

[0058] Hereinafter, the elements of the wearable thermal device la that are similar to corresponding elements of the wearable thermal device 1 shown in Figures 1-3 will be indicated with the same reference numbers and will not be disclosed in detail.

[0059] The second face 2b of the wearable thermal device la comprises the height difference 2g, which however is not shown in the Figures (for reasons of scale of the drawing).

[0060] In the embodiment of the wearable thermal device la shown in the Figures, the width of the connection portion 2f is 26 mm, the length of the wearable thermal device la, namely the distance between the free opposite ends of the smaller portion 2d and of the larger portion 2e, is 110 mm and the maximum width of the smaller portion 2d is 32 mm. The thickness of the body 2 is 2.5 mm at the connection portion 2f and the jutting portion 2h extends longitudinally for 8 mm.

[0061] Figures 7 to 9 show a further embodiment of the wearable thermal device according to the invention, namely a wearable thermal device lb.

[0062] Hereinafter, the elements of the wearable thermal device lb that are similar to corresponding elements of the wearable thermal device 1 shown in Figures 1-3 will be indicated with the same reference numbers and will not be described in detail.

[0063] The second face 2b of the wearable thermal device lb comprises the height difference 2g, which however is not shown in the Figures (for reasons of scale of the drawing).

[0064] In the embodiment of the wearable thermal device lb shown in the Figures, the width of the connection portion 2f is 22 mm, the length of the wearable thermal device lb, namely the distance between the free opposite ends of the smaller portion 2d and of the larger portion 2e, is 90 mm and the maximum width of the smaller portion 2d is 26 mm. The thickness of the body 2 is 2.5 mm at the connection portion 2f and the jutting portion 2h extends longitudinally for 6 mm.

[0065] The various embodiments (namely, the dimensional variants) 1, la, lb of the wearable thermal device according to the invention were conceived taking into account the anatomical characteristics of the body region to be treated, in particular the arrangement of the pelvic musculature. The wearable thermal device 1 - namely the embodiment having the maximum dimensions - is able to concentrate its own action in the perineal-anal region. The wearable thermal device la, having smaller dimensions with respect to the wearable thermaldevice 1, acts on the central perineal region and on the lateral muscle bundles. The wearable thermal device lb - namely the embodiment having the minimum dimensions - acts on the central perineal region and is substantially less invasive with respect to the other two embodiments.

[0066] Figure 10 shows a portable case 6 according to the invention, arranged for: sanitizing and thermally charging (multiple times) the wearable thermal device 1, 1a, lb; thermally charging (only once) the wearable thermal device 1, la, lb when the latter is disposable; containing the wearable thermal device 1, la, lb when the latter is not in use. The portable case 6 is substantially box-shaped and has dimensions (80 x 80 x 20 mm) that are suitable to contain the wearable thermal device 1, la, lb. The wearable thermal device 1, la, lb may be folded on itself and positioned inside the portable case 6.

[0067] The portable case 6 comprises a base portion 7 and a lid portion 8. In use, the base portion 7 may be put on a supporting surface (not shown), for example a table. The lid portion 8 is hinged on the base portion 7 so as to be able to rotate - in particular rotate by 90° - with respect to the base portion 7 and enable the portable case 6 to be opened or closed. The portable case 6 is provided with heating means 11 and sanitizing means 15 (described in detail below).

[0068] The lid portion 8 comprises an outer shell 8a (corresponding to the part of the lid portion 8 which is visible from the outside when the portable case 6 is closed) and an inner shell 8b, which are mutually assembled, in particular through a plurality of interlocking elements 8c of the known type, and altogether form the lid portion 8. In the outer shell 8a there is comprised a seat 8d, having a circular shape and arranged for receiving a control button 14, which is shapingly coupled with the seat 8d and arranged for allowing the user to control the operation of the heating means 11 and of the sanitizing means 15. The inner shell 8b comprises a plurality of holes 8e, arranged for receiving the sanitizing means 15. In the embodiment shown in the Figures, there are two holes 8e. In other embodiments that are not shown, depending on the configuration of the sanitizing means 15, the holes may be less or more than two.

[0069] Similarly, the base portion 7 comprises an outer shell 7a and an inner shell 7b, which are mutually assembled through a plurality of interlocking elements 7c of the known type and altogether form the base portion 7. Each of the shells 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b is square-shaped with rounded edges and side of 80 mm. When the portable case 6 rests on an underlying surface, the outer shell 7a is the part of the portable case 6 that is in contact with the aforesaidsurface. In one side of the outer shell 7a there is comprised a hinge portion 7d, arranged for engaging a corresponding hinge portion (not shown) of the lid portion 8. Therefore, the lid portion 8 is hinged on the base portion 7 at the hinge portion 7d. In order to facilitate a stable closure of the portable case 6, in corresponding edge areas of the base portion 7 and of the lid portion 8 a plurality of magnets (not shown) of the known type is inserted.

[0070] In order to facilitate the transport and the handling of the portable case 6, a graspable element 19 - for example made in the form of a lace - is fixed to the outer shell 7a near the hinge portion 7d. In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the graspable element 19 is a silicone lace.

[0071] In the assembled portable case 6, the two inner shells 7b and 8b are facing each other and, when the portable case 6 is closed, they define a heating and sanitizing chamber 9, intended for receiving the wearable thermal device 1, la, lb. The heating and sanitizing chamber 9 is therefore comprised between the lid portion 8 and the base portion 7 of the portable case 6.

[0072] In the lid portion 8, the outer shell 8a and the inner shell 8b define a technical space 16 in which the sanitizing means 15 is housed, arranged for sanitizing the wearable thermal device 1, la, lb after use.

[0073] In the base portion 7, the outer shell 7a and the inner shell 7b define a technical chamber 10, in which the heating means 11 is housed, arranged for thermally charging the wearable thermal device 1, la, lb.

[0074] The heating means 11 comprises an electric resistor 1 la of the known type. In the embodiment shown in Figure 10, the electric resistor 11 is incorporated in a rectangular silicone pad 11b. In other embodiments that are not shown, the electric resistor may be positioned differently in the technical chamber and / or the heating means may comprise elements other than the electric resistor. In the technical chamber 10 there are also housed a rechargeable battery 12, arranged for providing power supply to the portable case 6 (and as such having a voltage that is suitable to ensure the operation of the heating means 11 and of other electrical components comprised in the portable case 6), and a microcontroller 13 of the known type, for example an Arduino Nano microcontroller, arranged for managing the operation of the portable case 6.

[0075] The rechargeable battery 12 is provided with a power socket 12a of the known type, in particular a USB Type-C (USB-C) socket. The power socket 12a faces outside the outer shell 7a of the base portion 7, in the side of the portable case 6 on which the lid portion 8 ishinged on the base portion 7. When not in use, the power socket 12a is protected by a covering cap 12b. The rechargeable battery 12 is connected to a plurality of power supply cables (not shown) of the known type, which travel through the profile of the base portion 7 and enter the lid portion 8 through the hinge portion of the latter, supplying the electronic components housed in the technical space 16.

[0076] The technical space 16 contains, besides the power supply cables mentioned above, a control circuit (chip) 17 of the control button 14, the sanitizing means 15 and a plurality of indicator lights 18 of the known type, in particular LEDs. More exactly, the indicator lights 18 are inserted into holes obtained in the thickness of the outer shell 8a, but the power supply cables thereof are positioned in the technical space 16. In the embodiment shown in the Figures, there are four indicator lights 18 and they are RGB LEDs or RGBW LEDs, which thus can produce four-coloured light (red, green, blue and white).

[0077] The sanitizing means 15 comprises a plurality of UV LEDs 15a of the known type. In the embodiment shown in the Figures, there are two UV LEDs and they can emit ultraviolet light inside the heating and sanitizing chamber 9 through the two holes 8e obtained in the inner shell 8b. In embodiments that are not shown, the UV LEDs may be less or more than two.

[0078] The shells 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b are manufactured, for example by injection moulding, by using materials having suitable properties of biocompatibility, mechanical strength and thermal resistance. In particular, the two outer shells 7a and 8a have to meet mainly mechanical strength requirements, while the two inner shells 7b and 8b (which come into contact with the wearable thermal device 1, la, lb and with the heating means 11) have to meet mainly requirements of biocompatibility, thermal resistance and softness to the touch.

[0079] In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the two inner shells 7b and 8b are made of silicone, in particular medical silicone, while the two outer shells 7a and 8a are made of ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene), in particular medical ABS. The ABS is a terpolymer that is free of phthalates and provided with suitable resistance to impacts. Medical silicone is a material that is provided with high thermal stability (from -80°C to 250°C) and good resistance to ageing induced by oxidation and / or UV rays, being also easy to process due to the low surface tension thereof.

[0080] Figures 11 to 14 show an underwear garment 20 according to the invention, in particular female underpants 20. The underpants 20 are made of anallergic cotton and, when worn by the user, enable the wearable thermal device 1, la, lb to be positioned correctly -with respect to the perineal or perineal-anal region to be treated - during the thermotherapy cycles. In particular, the underwear garment 20 allows the user to position and hold the wearable thermal device 1, la, lb in the correct position, while avoiding a direct contact between the device and the body surface. This is obtained owing to a pocket portion 21 (Figure 13), which is formed by a pair of flaps of fabric (in particular anallergic cotton) 21a, 21b that are sewn inside the underpants so as to intersect, or to cross and overlap, each other. In the underwear garment 20, the pocket portion 21 replaces the cotton quadrilateral, which is sewn into the female underpants of the known type and it is not suitable to house the wearable thermal device 1, la, lb. Therefore, the pocket portion 21 is comprised in a substantially front portion of the underwear garment 20. In use, the wearable thermal device 1, la, lb can be inserted into the pocket portion 21 of the underpants 20. When the wearable thermal device 1, la, Ib is inserted into the pocket portion 21, the first face 2a and the second face 2b are in contact with the flaps 21a, 21b and consequently the first face 2a comes into contact only indirectly with the body surface of the user. Figures 12 to 14 show the underpants 20 open (after removal of the lateral parts thereof), in the pocket portion 21 of which there are inserted the wearable thermal device 1 (Figure 12), the wearable thermal device la (Figure 13) and the wearable thermal device lb (Figure 14), each of which is maintained suitably in position by the pair of flaps 21a, 21b.

[0081] By way of non-limiting example of the invention, a mode of using the wearable thermal device 1, la, lb is disclosed below.

[0082] After having preliminarily worn the underwear garment 20 and selected the embodiment (1, la or lb) of the wearable thermal device to be used depending on the type of treatment to be carried out, the user inserts the wearable thermal device 1, la or lb in the heating and sanitizing chamber 9 of the portable case 6 and switches on the latter by acting manually on the control button 14, namely by pressing the latter. The microcontroller 13 verifies the status of the rechargeable battery 12 and, should the latter be discharged, the indicator lights 18 emit red light. If the charge level of the rechargeable battery 12 is suitable for the operation of the portable case 6, the microcontroller 13 indicates the number of thermotherapy cycles that are available (maximum four per day) by switching on a corresponding number of indicator lights 18, which emit white light.

[0083] By pressing the control button 14 again, the user starts the heating step, which is visually highlighted by the indicator lights 18 that emit blue light intermittently. The intermittency of the indicator lights 18 increases as the heating step progresses. During theheating step, the wearable thermal device 1, la or lb is heated to a temperature of 54 °C, with consequent absorption of thermal energy by the PCM contained in the body 2 of the wearable thermal device. The duration of the heating step varies from approximately 3 to approximately 5 minutes, depending on the embodiment (1, la or lb) of the used wearable thermal device.

[0084] The heating step is complete when the intermittent flashing (blue light) of the indicator lights 18 ends. The user can switch off and open the portable case 6, removing therefrom the wearable thermal device 1, la or lb. The latter can thus be inserted into the pocket portion 21 of the underwear garment 20 and held therein to carry out a thermotherapy cycle. In the case of a wearable thermal device 1, la, lb in which the body 2 contains a paraffinic organic PCM, the cooling time, and thus the duration of the thermotherapy cycle, is approximately 10 minutes.

[0085] Once finished the treatment, the user may remove the wearable thermal device 1, 1 a or lb from the pocket portion 21 of the underwear garment and insert the wearable thermal device 1, la or lb again in the heating and sanitizing chamber 9 of the portable case 6. The user can thus actuate the sanitizing means 15 by pressing the control button 14 in a prolonged manner. The duration of the sanitization step, which is visually highlighted by the indicator lights 18 emitting green light, lasts approximately 2 / 3 minutes. Once finished the sanitization step, the wearable thermal device 1, la or lb is left inside the portable case 6 until the subsequent thermotherapy cycle.

[0086] From what has been disclosed previously, to a person skilled in the art it is clear that the wearable thermal device, the portable case and the underwear garment according to the invention enable to effectively overcome the drawbacks of the known devices. In particular, the wearable thermal device, the portable case and the underwear garment according to the invention form altogether a system for the treatment of the chronic pelvic pain that can be managed by a user in an extremely easy manner, as well as in full autonomy.

[0087] Variants and / or additions to what disclosed above and illustrated in the drawings are possible. In particular, the wearable thermal device 1, 1a, lb, the portable case 6 and the underwear garment 20 can be made available together in the form of kit for the treatment of the chronic pelvic pain, in particular the pain caused by pelvic hypertonia.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Wearable thermal device (1; la; lb) for treating a chronic pelvic pain in a female human subject, wherein said wearable thermal device (1; la; lb) is arranged for being worn by said subject and releasing heat at a body surface of said subject, said body surface comprising a perineal or perineal-anal region of said subject, said wearable thermal device (1; la; lb) comprising a body (2) containing a phase-change material.

2. Wearable thermal device (1; la; lb) according to claim 1, wherein said body (2) comprises a first face (2a) and a second face (2b), said first face (2a) and said second face (2b) being mutually opposite and sharing a peripheral edge (2c) of said body (2).

3. Wearable thermal device (1; la; lb) according to claim 2, wherein, in use, said first face (2a) is arranged for be facing towards said body surface of said human subject, while said second face (2b) is arranged for be facing the direction opposite to said body surface of said human subject.

4. Wearable thermal device (1; la; lb) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said body (2) comprises a smaller portion (2d), having an elliptical plan shape, and a larger portion (2e), having an oval plan shape.

5. Wearable thermal device (1; la; lb) according to claim 4, wherein adjacent ends of said smaller portion (2d) and of said larger portion (2e) continue into each other, defining altogether a connection portion (2f), said connection portion (2f) being interposed between said smaller portion (2d) and said larger portion (2e).

6. Wearable thermal device (1; la; lb) according to claim 5, wherein opposite ends of said smaller portion (2d) and of said larger portion (2e) are free and rounded, wherein each of said opposite ends is opposite to said connection portion (2f).

7. Wearable thermal device (1; la; lb) according to claim 5, or 6, wherein said first face (2a) is convex at said smaller portion (2d) and at said larger portion (2e), while it is flat at said connection portion (2f).

8. Wearable thermal device (1; la; lb) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, when appended to claim 2, wherein said second face (2b) comprises a height difference (2g) and a jutting portion (2h), said height difference (2g) being near said connection portion (2f) and said jutting portion (2h) being at the end of said larger portion (2e) that is opposite to said connection portion (2f).

9. Wearable thermal device (1; la; lb) according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein said first face (2a) is crossed by a longitudinal groove (4), said longitudinal groove (4)extending along a longitudinal axis of said wearable thermal device (1; la; lb).

10. Wearable thermal device (1; la; lb) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said body (2) is defined by an outer casing (3), said outer casing (3) enclosing an inner core comprising said phase-change material.

11. Wearable thermal device (1; la; lb) according to claim 10, wherein said inner core is formed by a plurality of microcapsules consisting of said phase-change material and covered by a polymeric film, wherein said phase-change material is an organic phasechange material.

12. Wearable thermal device (1; la; lb) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein said chronic pelvic pain is a pain that is caused by pelvic hypertonia.

13. Portable case (6) for sanitizing and heating the wearable thermal device (1; la; lb) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising:- a base portion (7) and a lid portion (8) that are mutually hinged, said base portion (7) and said lid portion (8) defining altogether a heating and sanitizing chamber (9) arranged for receiving, in use, said wearable thermal device (1; la; lb);- heating means (11) comprised in said base portion (7);- sanitizing means (15) comprised in said lid portion (8).

14. Portable case (6) according to claim 13, wherein said lid portion (8) comprises an outer shell (8a) and an inner shell (8b) that are mutually assembled, said outer shell (8a) and said inner shell (8b) defining a technical space (16) in which said sanitizing means (15) is housed.

15. Portable case (6) according to claim 13 or 14, wherein said base portion (7) comprises an outer shell (7a) and an inner shell (7b) which are mutually assembled, said outer shell (7a) and said inner shell (7b) defining a technical chamber (10) in which said heating means (11) is housed.

16. Portable case (6) according to claims 14 and 15, wherein said outer shell (8b) of said lid portion (8) and said inner shell (7b) of said base portion (7) are facing each other and define said heating and sanitizing chamber (9) when said portable case (6) is closed.

17. Portable case (6) according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein in said outer shell (8a) a seat (8d) is comprised that is arranged for receiving a control button (14), said control button (14) being arranged for allowing, in use, to control the operation of said heating means (11) and said sanitizing means (15), and said inner shell (8b) is provided with a plurality of holes (8e) arranged for receiving said sanitizing means (15).

18. Portable case (6) according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein said technical space (16) contains a control circuit (17) of said control button (14) and a plurality of indicator lights (18) inserted into holes that are obtained in the thickness of said outer shell (8a).

19. Portable case (6) according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein said technical chamber (10) houses a rechargeable battery (12) arranged for providing power supply to said portable case (6) and a microcontroller (13) arranged for managing the operation of said portable case (6).

20. Portable case (6) according to any one of claims 13 to 19, wherein said sanitizing means (15) comprises a plurality of UV LEDs (15a).

21. Portable case (6) according to any one of claims 13 to 20, further comprising a graspable element (19) arranged for facilitating the transport and handling of said portable case (6).

22. Underwear garment (20) of the female underpants type, arranged for housing the wearable thermal device (1; la; lb) according to any one of claims 1 to 12 and comprising a pocket portion (21), wherein said pocket portion (21) is arranged for receiving, in use, said wearable thermal device (1; la; lb) and it is comprised in a front portion of said underwear garment (20).

23. Underwear garment (20) according to claim 22, wherein said pocket portion (21) is formed by a pair of fabric flaps (21a, 21b), said fabric flaps (21a, 21b) being sewn inside said underwear garment (20) so as to intersect, or to cross and overlap, each other.

24. System for treating the chronic pelvic pain in a female human subj ect, comprising the wearable thermal device (1; la; lb) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, the portable case (6) according to any one of claims 13 to 21 and the underwear garment (20) according to claim 22 or 23.

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