A thermal applicator for medical use which is worn upon or applied directly to the body of a patient to modify its temperature for
therapeutic treatment. The preferred embodiment of the present invention contemplates the utilization of a
heat pipe having first and second ends and a length, the first and second ends communicating with first and second thermally conductive plates, respectively, the first thermally conductive plate configured to communicate with an exterior portion of the body of the patient and to provide localized
thermal treatment, the second thermally conductive plate placed at an area removed from the area to be treated, and configured to accept, for example, an
ice pack (or other thermal material or apparatus) to affect a change in the temperature of the second thermally conductive plate, cooling the second end of the
heat pipe and allowing the
heat pipe to cool the first thermally conductive plate, thereby providing localized cooling of the area to which it is applied. An alternative embodiment of the invention contemplates a heat source in lieu of the
ice pack, wherein the second thermally conductive plate would function as an
evaporator, thereby providing a reverse cycle in the heat
pipe, for heating the area to be treated via the first thermally conductive plate. The present invention may be utilized for localized thermal application on various parts of the body, and several examples are illustrated, including an exemplary
system to treat
plantar fasciitis.