Disposable Cold Hot Pack Integrating Thermal Material with Self-Adherent Bandage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cold and hot packs for sports injuries and medical care often lack simultaneous effective temperature control and compression, which are crucial for optimal therapy.
Innovation Solution
A cold or hot pack system that integrates a thermally active material with a self-adherent bandage or foil, providing both temperature therapy and compression, featuring a protective cover made of fabric or plastic to manage heat distribution and a coiling part for easy application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a cold pack or hot pack uses only thermally active material without compression, then temperature therapy is provided, but compression therapy is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate therapeutic functions (temperature therapy and compression therapy) into a single integrated device. The cold pack or hot pack is constructed with thermally active material enclosed within a compression bandage that can be wrapped around the injured area, simultaneously providing both thermal and compressive effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The device serves multiple therapeutic purposes: it provides temperature control through endothermic or exothermic chemical reactions while simultaneously delivering compression therapy through the bandage structure. This multi-functional design addresses both temperature and pressure needs in sports injury treatment.
2Stress or pressure
If a cold pack or hot pack provides compression, then compression therapy is improved, but temperature control may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into distinct functional components: the thermally active material is separated and enclosed within specific compartments or packaging inside the bandage structure. This segmentation allows the compression bandage to apply pressure independently while the enclosed thermal material maintains its temperature control function without interference.
3Reliability
If adhesive is made strong to maintain position against repeated motion, then reliability is improved, but skin irritation or damage may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive is applied selectively to specific areas of the bandage rather than covering the entire surface. This localized application provides sufficient anchoring to maintain the device in position during motion while minimizing the total adhesive contact area with the skin, thereby reducing the risk of irritation or damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression bandage with adhesive is designed as a disposable component that is used once and then discarded. This approach allows the use of adhesive with adequate strength for position maintenance during the treatment period, knowing that the adhesive will be removed and discarded afterward, eliminating long-term skin exposure concerns.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively combines temperature therapy with compression, enhancing the treatment of sports injuries and medical conditions by providing consistent and controlled heat or cold application while minimizing discomfort.
Implementation Method 1
Chemical cold packs contain separate components, which mix in an endothermic reaction resulting in up to 15 or 20 minutes of cold therapy
Implementation Method 2
In instant or disposable hot packs, calcium chloride or magnesium sulfate frequently are used because these chemicals dissolve in water exothermically
Implementation Method 3
US patent US6666836 B1 describes a device for attaching thermal dressings, such that the device is attached to the skin with an adhesive that is sufficiently strong to maintain the device in position against repeated motion
Implementation Method 4
External compression of an injured area helps limit and reduce bleeding and edema and controls initial swelling by reducing the blood supply and interstitial fluids to the injured area
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
There is provided a therapeutic cold pack or hot pack system (100) comprising an instant or disposable cold pack or hot pack (101) having a front side wall (102) and a back side wall (105) being sealed together along a sealed edge or edges. A protective cover (106) may be attached to the back sidewall (105), and/or an adhesive or self-adherent elastic bandage or foil (103) may be attached to the cold pack or hot pack (101). The protective cover (106) may comprise a fabric or textile, such as cotton or wool. Alternatively, the protective cover (106) may comprise a patch or plaster. If a bandage is attached to the cold or hot pack (101), the bandage may be a self- adherent elastic bandage, and if a foil is attached to the cold or hot pack (101), the foil may be a self-adherent plastic foil. A first end part of the bandage or foil (103) may be attached to the cold pack or hot pack (101), and a major part of the bandage or foil (103) may be rolled or coiled around a coiling part (104).