Programmable Contrast Therapy Bath for Safe Temperature Cycling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing contrast therapy systems are risky, inefficient, and difficult to use, with potential for burns, frostbite, and require manual switching between heating and cooling apparatuses, often involving submersion in liquid water and lacking programmability.
Innovation Solution
A programmable contrast therapy machine with customizable heating and cooling cycles, controlled by a controller that adjusts temperatures and durations based on user input, featuring sensors and actuators for safe and efficient temperature management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If traditional heating apparatuses (hot compresses, heat lamps, saunas) are used, then heating effect is achieved, but risk of burns, blistering, and tissue damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses water as an intermediary medium between the heating apparatus and the user's body. The heated water in the bathtub provides indirect heating, which eliminates direct contact with extreme heat sources that cause burns, while still delivering therapeutic heating effects to the body through the water medium.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts water temperature parameters throughout the contrast therapy cycle. The controller heats water to therapeutic temperatures for hot phases, then maintains or adjusts temperature for cold phases by adding ice, thereby changing temperature parameters over time to achieve therapeutic effects while staying within safe limits.
2Temperature
If traditional cooling apparatuses (ice, cold plunges, cryotherapy) are used, then cooling effect is achieved, but risk of frostbite, frozen limbs, and tissue damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses water as an intermediary medium between cooling agents (ice) and the user's body. The ice is added to the bathtub water, which then provides indirect cooling through water contact, eliminating direct contact with extreme cold sources that cause frostbite, while still delivering therapeutic cooling effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts water temperature parameters during cooling phases. By adding controlled amounts of ice to the water and monitoring temperature, the system achieves therapeutic cooling temperatures while preventing temperatures low enough to cause frostbite or tissue damage.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual switching between heating and cooling apparatuses is required, then contrast therapy can be performed, but ease of operation deteriorates and user accessibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automated temperature control and phase switching without requiring user intervention. The controller automatically monitors water temperature, activates heating elements when heating is needed, and adds ice when cooling is needed, allowing users with limited mobility or health conditions to safely receive contrast therapy without physically moving between apparatuses.
Solution Approach 2:
The bathtub system serves multiple functions: it can heat, cool, and automatically switch between modes based on programmed contrast therapy protocols. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate heating and cooling apparatuses into a single accessible platform.
4Adaptability or versatility
If submersion into liquid water is required for contrast therapy, then therapy can be delivered, but device complexity and difficulty of cleaning/sterilization increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repurposes a standard bathtub as the therapy chamber, which is already designed for water contact and cleaning. This eliminates the need to design and maintain a specialized complex apparatus, while still enabling effective contrast therapy through water-based heating and cooling.
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
Provides safe, efficient, and customizable contrast therapy with programmable temperature cycles, reducing the risk of injury and improving user accessibility.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element in thermal communication with the water and configured to heat the water to a desired temperature
Implementation Method 2
a Peltier device in thermal communication with the water and configured to cool the water to a desired temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A contrast therapy machine is disclosed. The contrast therapy machine includes a cavity that is sized and shaped to accommodate one or more human bodies. Single user contrast therapy machines may include an opening through a top surface permitting the human body from the neck up to be outside of the contrast therapy machine while it is use. The contrast therapy machine includes a heater and a cooler. The contrast therapy machine can switch automatically or be manually switched between one or more cooling cycles and one or more heating cycles. Heating cycles and cooling cycles may be customized.