Contrast Therapy Pad Circulation With Automated Heat-Cold Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current thermotherapy and cryotherapy apparatuses are limited in their ability to provide alternating treatments conveniently and efficiently, often requiring manual switching between heat and cold sources, lack compressive therapy, and are not portable.
Innovation Solution
A single apparatus integrating a hot water tank, cold water tank, water pump, heat exchanger, and therapy pad, with a programmable control unit for automated temperature switching and air pump for compression therapy, enabling alternating thermo- and cryotherapy without manual intervention and allowing portability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual switching between thermotherapy and cryotherapy apparatuses is used, then treatment flexibility is achieved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines thermotherapy and cryotherapy apparatuses into a single integrated device with a unified structure. The housing contains both hot water tank (104) and cold water tank (102) along with shared control systems, eliminating the need for separate apparatuses and manual switching while maintaining treatment flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus is designed as a multi-functional device that can perform both thermotherapy and cryotherapy treatments through a single unified system. The control unit (116) and water pump (202) serve dual purposes by directing water flow to different therapy chambers based on treatment requirements, reducing the need for multiple specialized devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual switching between thermotherapy and cryotherapy apparatuses is used, then treatment flexibility is achieved, but ease of operation worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus incorporates dynamic control through an automated control unit (116) that can switch between thermotherapy and cryotherapy modes without manual intervention. The system dynamically adjusts water flow, temperature, and therapy delivery based on programmed parameters, making operation simpler while maintaining treatment flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit (116) is configured to automatically manage the switching between hot and cold therapy modes, eliminating the need for manual operation. The system self-regulates water flow from respective tanks (104, 102) through the pump (202) and delivers appropriate therapy, reducing operational complexity.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If continuous water supply from external resources is used, then therapy continuity is maintained, but portability worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus transitions from requiring continuous external water supply to a self-contained portable system by integrating internal water tanks (104, 102) and a recirculation system. The water pump (202) creates a closed-loop circulation that maintains therapy continuity without external connections, enabling portability while preserving treatment duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous therapy delivery through an integrated water recirculation system. The pump (202) continuously circulates water between the tanks (104, 102) and therapy chambers, ensuring uninterrupted treatment without requiring external water supply, thus achieving both therapy continuity and portability.
4Reliability
If thermotherapy and cryotherapy are provided separately, then treatment specialization is achieved, but productivity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges separate thermotherapy and cryotherapy treatments into a single integrated apparatus. The unified system with combined hot water tank (104) and cold water tank (102) allows both specialized treatments to be delivered through one device, improving productivity by eliminating the need for separate apparatuses and manual switching procedures.
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 apparatus efficiently provides alternating thermo- and cryotherapy with compression, enhancing treatment efficacy by delivering heat or cold deeper into the body and allowing mobility during treatment.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger, where the heat exchanger is disposed in a water flow path between the hot water tank or the cold water tank and the therapy pad and is configured to dynamically heat or cool water to the respective target temperatures during the contrast and compression therapy
Implementation Method 2
an air pump configured to deliver pressurized air to the therapy pad to provide a compression therapy simultaneously with the thermotherapy or the cryotherapy
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for providing contrast and compression therapy includes a hot water tank, a cold water tank, a water pump, a heat exchanger, and a therapy pad, where the hot and cold water tanks are configured to store water at respective target temperatures for alternating delivery to the therapy pad for alternating thermotherapy and cryotherapy. The apparatus further includes a programmable control unit configured to automatically switch the alternating delivery of the stored water at the respective target temperatures to the therapy pad, and an air pump configured to deliver pressurized air to the therapy pad to provide compression therapy simultaneously with the thermotherapy or the cryotherapy.