Dry Cryotherapy Bladder Layout for Hygienic Cold Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing forms of cold therapy, such as cold plunges and cryotherapy chambers, are inefficient for high-volume commercial settings due to sanitary and safety concerns, requiring users to undress and get wet, which raises issues of hygiene and safety.
Innovation Solution
A dry cryotherapy apparatus using liquid bladders filled with cooled liquid, combined with gas bladders for conforming to the body's shape, provides a dry and efficient cold therapy experience, allowing users to remain clothed and maintaining a floating sensation through balanced air and water pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If users undergo traditional cold plunge therapy, then cooling effect is achieved, but users get wet and undressed causing sanitary and safety concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The cold therapy system is segmented into multiple independent liquid-filled bladders that can be selectively positioned and applied to different body parts. This allows the cooling effect to be delivered without requiring full body immersion, thus avoiding the sanitary and safety issues associated with traditional cold plunges while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
Liquid-filled bladders serve as an intermediary medium between the cold source and the user's body. The bladders contain cooled liquid that provides the therapeutic cooling effect while remaining contained, eliminating direct contact with large volumes of water and thereby preventing the user from getting wet or undressed.
2Temperature
If cold plunges are used for therapy, then cooling benefit is provided, but high-volume commercial use becomes inefficient due to hygiene issues
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the essential cooling function from the traditional cold plunge concept and delivers it through portable, contained liquid bladders. This extraction allows the therapy to be administered efficiently in high-volume commercial settings without the hygiene maintenance requirements of shared water pools.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling therapy is applied locally to specific body parts through targeted bladder placement rather than requiring full body immersion. This localized approach increases commercial efficiency by reducing setup time, eliminating sanitation concerns between users, and allowing faster turnover in high-volume settings.
3Temperature
If traditional cryotherapy chambers are used, then cold therapy is delivered, but users must undress and get wet creating safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid bladders are designed to be flexible and adaptable, allowing users to remain clothed while receiving therapy. The bladders can be dynamically positioned and adjusted on the body without requiring undressing, thereby maintaining safety and convenience while delivering effective cold therapy.
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
Enables efficient and hygienic cold therapy sessions by keeping users dry and safe, mimicking the benefits of a cold plunge while addressing sanitary and safety concerns, with customizable temperature control and user interface for enhanced comfort.
Implementation Method 1
a cooler operative to cool the liquid in the reservoir to a selected temperature
Implementation Method 2
Supply of the liquid from the reservoir to one of the liquid bladders causes the bladder to fill such that an adjacent portion of the user's body will be cooled by the liquid
Data Source
AI summary
A dry cryotherapy apparatus for use by a user. The apparatus according to this aspect comprises a support structure defining a user receiving area at which the user will be located for dry cryotherapy. A plurality of liquid bladders are located in the user receiving area, the bladders being configured to contain a quantity of liquid. A reservoir (e.g., a water tank) operative to contain a quantity of liquid is also provided, the reservoir being in selective fluid communication with the plurality of bladders via a liquid circulation arrangement. The apparatus further includes a cooler operative to cool the liquid in the reservoir to a selected temperature. Supply of the liquid from the reservoir to one of the liquid bladders causes the bladder to provide therapeutic engagement with an adjacent portion of the user's body. The combination of liquid and gas bladders are a more technological-based approach as compared to sitting on top of a cold waterbed, resulting in an automated mechanical system with water bladders and gas bladders that sync together and are automatically adjusted based upon user weight/size and desired experience in a reclined position.