Method and apparatus for scalp thermal treatment
Inventors
Quisenberry, Tony • Balachandran, Niran • McSpadden, Sam K.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10512587-B2
Publication Date
2019-12-24
Expiration Date
Abstract
A head wrap includes a body. A first arm extends from the body. A second arm extends from the body oppositely from, and shares a common axis with, the first arm. A center section extends from the body generally perpendicular to the first arm and the second arm. A first panel and a second panel extend from the first arm. A third panel and a fourth panel extending from the second arm. A fluid bladder is defined by the body, the first arm, the second arm, the center section, the first panel, the second panel, the third panel, and the fourth panel. A compression bladder is disposed outwardly of the fluid bladder and coextensive with the fluid bladder. A first fluid port is fluidly coupled to the fluid bladder and a second fluid port is fluidly coupled to the fluid bladder.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a head wrap configured to conform to a wearer's scalp for therapy. The head wrap includes a first layer formed of flexible material adapted to be placed in contact with the wearer's scalp and a second layer adjacent to the first layer, with the second-layer perimeter bonded to the first-layer perimeter and a plurality of second bonds joining the first layer to the second layer interior of the perimeters.
In use, the first layer and the second layer define a first arm and a second arm, and the first arm and the second arm define a common axis bisecting a longitudinal portion of the first arm and the second arm. The wrap further includes rounded projections extending upwardly from each of the first arm and the second arm on the same side of the common axis as a center rounded projection, and these elements are selectively foldable from a generally flat configuration to overlap into a three-dimensional configuration conforming to the wearer's head.
The invention further provides thermal treatment functionality by defining a fluid bladder by the body, the first arm, the second arm, and the center rounded projection and coupling the fluid bladder to a first fluid port and a second fluid port. Heat-transfer fluid is circulated through the fluid bladder via the first fluid port and the second fluid port for cooling and/or heating and to prevent alopecia, and the wrap includes an outward coextensive compression bladder with a compression port so that compressed gas can be supplied for intimate scalp contact.
Claims Coverage
The document includes four independent claims covering four inventive features.
Foldable multi-layer conforming head wrap with interior second bonds
A head wrap for conforming to a wearer's scalp with a first flexible layer and a second layer adjacent to the first layer, where a second-layer perimeter is bonded to the first-layer perimeter and a plurality of second bonds join the first layer to the second layer interior of the perimeters, and where the first layer and second layer define a first arm and a second arm with a common axis and selectively foldable rounded projections and a center rounded projection to form a three-dimensional configuration conforming to the wearer's head.
Conforming head wrap with body-defined fluid bladder and first and second fluid ports
A head wrap comprising a body, first arm and second arm extending longitudinally from the body along a common axis, a center rounded projection, additional rounded projections on the same side of the common axis as the center rounded projection, a fluid bladder defined by the body and including the first arm, second arm, and center rounded projection, and a first fluid port and a second fluid port fluidly coupled to the fluid bladder.
Conforming head wrap with outwardly disposed coextensive compression bladder
The head wrap of the fluid-bladder configuration further includes a compression bladder disposed outwardly of the fluid bladder and coextensive with the fluid bladder.
Method of using a conforming head wrap with heat-transfer fluid circulation via first and second ports
A method of using a head wrap to conform to a wearer's head by applying the body to an occipital region, coupling the arms and rounded projections with specified same-side relationships relative to a center rounded projection, coupling the center rounded projection to overlap at least one of the first arm and the second arm, and circulating a heat-transfer fluid through a fluid bladder via a first fluid port and a second fluid port.
Across the independent claims, the inventive subject matter centers on a conforming, foldable, multi-layer wrap with interior bonds, an internal fluid bladder fluidly coupled to first and second fluid ports for circulating heat-transfer fluid, and an outward coextensive compression bladder associated with a compression port. The method claim ties scalp-conforming application and centered projection overlap to circulation of heat-transfer fluid via the first and second fluid ports.
Stated Advantages
Cooling and/or heating of the scalp via a heat-transfer fluid circulated through the fluid bladder.
Prevention of alopecia using cooling.
Intimate scalp contact using compressed gas supplied via the compression bladder and compression port.
Documented Applications
Therapeutic scalp head wrap therapy system including thermal treatment to prevent alopecia.
Therapy context that includes cooling to prevent alopecia and references to chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Thermal treatment is associated with treatment of migraines and strokes.
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