Cold therapy cooler apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cold therapy systems are single-purpose dedicated coolers that become obsolete and take up space after short-term medical use, as they cannot be conveniently repurposed for other uses.
Innovation Solution
The Cold Therapy Cooler Apparatus features a modular design with a self-priming low-voltage pump and interchangeable port options, allowing the cooler to be converted for recreational or other uses by replacing the cold therapy port with variations such as an insulated solid port or a port with a drain, enabling additional functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cooler is designed as a single-purpose dedicated cold therapy apparatus, then it can provide reliable cold therapy function, but it cannot be repurposed for other uses after medical treatment is complete
Solution Approach 1:
The cooler is divided into separable modules: the cooler body and the cold therapy port assembly. The port assembly can be removed and replaced, allowing the cooler to transition between cold therapy mode and recreational use mode. This segmentation enables the system to maintain reliable cold therapy function when needed while gaining versatility through component interchangeability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooler's functionality is made dynamic through interchangeable port assemblies. The system can switch between different operational states (cold therapy vs. recreational use) by replacing the port assembly, allowing the cooler to adapt to different user needs over time while maintaining its core cooling capability.
2Reliability
If the cooler is designed with specialized cold therapy components, then it can provide effective medical treatment, but it becomes obsolete and occupies storage space after short-term use
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of discarding the entire cooler after medical treatment, the patent allows users to discard or store only the specialized cold therapy port assembly while retaining the cooler body for recreational use. This recovers value from the system by separating the temporary medical component from the permanent cooler body, reducing unnecessary disposal and storage needs.
3Reliability
If the cooler is designed as a dedicated medical device, then it can ensure proper cold therapy delivery, but it lacks additional functionality for recreational or other uses
Solution Approach 1:
The cooler body is designed to serve multiple functions: cold therapy delivery when equipped with the medical port assembly, and recreational use when the port assembly is removed or replaced. This multi-functionality allows a single device to reliably perform its primary medical function while also providing additional recreational value, eliminating the need for separate dedicated devices.
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
This modular approach extends the life and usability of the cold therapy system, preventing unnecessary disposal and storage, and allowing the cooler to serve multiple purposes beyond its initial medical use.
Implementation Method 1
The Cold Therapy Cooler Apparatus is provided with a pump for circulating cooling fluid
Implementation Method 2
The bladder or other anatomical area cooling device acts as a heat exchanger at the target body site
Implementation Method 3
The insulated solid port body may incorporate an insulation component to provide thermal insulation
Data Source
AI summary
A Cold Therapy Cooler Apparatus includes a port body with a flange and threads that is inserted into an orifice in the sidewall or lid of a cooler. An interior retaining ring with compatible threads cooperates with the flange to retain the port body within the orifice. A circulating pump is inside the cooler. An internal supply hose is connected to the pump, and to a supply pass-through that passes through the port body and is connected to an exterior supply hose. An internal return hose is connected to the pump, and to a return pass-through that passes through the port body and is connected to an exterior return hose. The exterior hoses are connected to an anatomical area cooling device. A power cord is connected to the pump and to a power cord connection by way of a power cord pass-through that passes through the port body.