Thermal Pack with Protrusion and Medicament Sleeve

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for a device that can safely and effectively provide moisture, medicated, and thermal treatment for perineal and ophthalmological conditions, such as post-surgical recovery, hemorrhoids, and ingrown hairs, without causing skin damage or infection, as existing thermal therapies can be harmful if applied excessively.

Innovation Solution

A thermal pack assembly with a body designed to fit anatomical areas, featuring a protrusion for perineal treatment and a sleeve with a medicament pad for secure application, using thermally conductive materials like silica gel or ceramic beads, and medicament compositions for enhanced therapy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If thermal therapy is applied to treat physical conditions, then pain and inflammation are reduced, but skin damage and tissue damage can occur if applied excessively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoidskin damage and tissue damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a barrier layer or protective coating on the thermal pack that acts as an intermediary between the thermal source and the skin. This mediator allows thermal energy transfer while preventing direct skin contact with extreme temperatures, thus reducing the risk of skin damage and tissue damage while maintaining treatment effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs temperature-controlled materials or phase-change materials that automatically adjust the thermal parameters based on contact with the body. When the thermal pack contacts skin, the material undergoes a phase change or parameter adjustment that limits maximum temperature, preventing skin damage while still delivering therapeutic heat at safe levels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If thermal packs are applied to perineal and orbital areas, then targeted treatment is achieved, but hygiene risks and infection potential increase due to heightened bacterial exposure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetargeted treatment applicationVSAvoidinfection risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent describes a disposable thermal pack design where the entire unit or the barrier layer is discarded after single use. This eliminates cross-contamination risks between uses and ensures that each application uses a fresh, sterile barrier, thereby preventing infection while maintaining ease of targeted treatment application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a removable barrier layer or protective film that acts as a hygienic intermediary between the thermal pack and the sensitive perineal or orbital areas. This mediator can be disposed of after use, preventing bacterial transfer and infection while allowing effective thermal treatment of the targeted areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If standard thermal packs are used for anatomical areas, then general thermal treatment is provided, but precise anatomical targeting and comfort are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanatomical fitVSAvoidpack structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent describes thermal packs with non-uniform structures featuring protrusions, indentations, or varied thickness zones that provide different thermal characteristics in different areas. These local variations enable precise anatomical targeting for specific body contours while maintaining overall pack simplicity and avoiding excessive structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 assembly provides targeted and safe thermal, moisture, and medicated treatment to specific areas, reducing pain and inflammation while minimizing the risk of infection, thereby aiding in the recovery of conditions like hemorrhoids and post-surgical sites.

Implementation Method 1

using thermally conductive materials like silica gel or ceramic beads

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS11364144B2Apparatus for the moisture, medicated, and thermal treatment of physical conditions

Publication Date: 2022.06.21 JACKSON RACHEL E

AI summary

An assembly for the thermal treatment and moisture treatment of physical conditions, the assembly including, a first thermal pack having a body, the body having a first face and a second face, the first face having a first protrusion. The assembly further includes a sleeve operatively arranged to receive the first thermal pack, the sleeve having a first surface. The assembly also includes a medicament pad arranged to be removably secured to the first surface of the sleeve.