Abstract: A rapid contrast therapy system can provide cold, heat/hot/warm (hereafter referred to as “hot”), and/or rapid contrast therapy, which involves rapidly alternating between cold therapy and hot therapy. The system can circulate cold or hot fluid, such as water, through a hose, into a therapy wrap, and then back to the fluid reservoirs of the system. The system can utilize a vapor compression system or other chiller technology to cool the cold water reservoir, and immersion heaters can be used to heat the hot water reservoir.

Abstract: A modular therapy system for treatment of at least a portion of an animate body is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first modular member and a second modular member. The first modular member comprises a heat transfer device adapted to transfer heat between the device and the portion of the animate body. The second modular member includes a pouch adapted to receive the first modular member. The second modular member can be wrapped around the animate body portion with the first modular member positioned therein. In various embodiments, the apparatus includes a third modular member having a pouch adapted to receive the first modular member. The third modular member is configured for wrapping to a different sized animate body or different portion of the body than the second modular member. The third modular member may have a different shape or size than the second modular member.

Abstract: A patient therapy device for providing treatment to a patient. The therapy device improves conformance to a joint and adjoining body parts. The device includes an angle adjustment assembly for forming the device into one of a plurality of predefined angles. The predefined angles may correspond to a desired angle of a joint during treatment. Further disclosed is a device for assisting a user with applying the therapy device to a body part. Also disclosed are methods of administering a treatment to an animate body.

Abstract: A device for providing thermal treatment to a patient's hand is provided. The device includes a therapy component for applying thermal therapy, compression therapy, or both; a sleeve for receiving the therapy device and sized and shaped to cover the patient's hand; and a hand support for supporting the patient's hand in a relaxed state.

Abstract: A flexible joint wrap includes a heat exchange bladder, which provides fluid circulation and compression to a joint. The joint wrap includes upper and lower sections for attachment above and below a joint. The bladder has an opening at a center section which provides flexibility of the bladder. The heat exchange bladder may be enclosed in a removable cover designed to conform to the shape of the bladder. The cover and bladder are formed with an opening in alignment with the joint to provide flexibility to the wrap. The cover may be formed of a fluid repellant inner lining to prevent fluid from the joint from soiling the bladder. The cover may further comprise a nylon loop outer surface to allow the upper and lower sections to be easily attached and adjusted.

Abstract: A controlled temperature therapy system has a pump, a reservoir, and a therapy component. The reservoir has an inlet in communication with the therapy component and an outlet in communication with the pump. The reservoir may also include a baffle adjacent the outlet. The inlet may be a moveable inlet, a nozzle or include a flow directing surface.

Abstract: A therapy wrap for treatment of at least a portion of an animate body having improved kink resistance. The therapy wrap may be selectively reinforced for improved kink resistance in only a portion of the wrap. The reinforcement may decrease the kink radius. The wrap may include a kink reducer in all or only a selected kink-prone region. The kink reducer may be selectively configured attachment points or spot welds. The therapy wrap may include a reinforcement layer of one or more discrete reinforcement members. The wrap may be formed by pre-tensioning the material layers while forming the fluid bladder and/or gas pressure bladder. The therapy wrap may be adapted to compensate for conditions that normally cause kinking of the wrap or buckling of the fluidic channels. Also disclosed are methods of manufacturing the wrap and methods of administering a temperature-controlled treatment to an anatomical body part.

Abstract: A controlled temperature therapy system has a pump, a reservoir, and a therapy component. The reservoir has an inlet in communication with the therapy component and an outlet in communication with the pump. The reservoir may also include a baffle adjacent the outlet. The inlet may be a movable inlet, a nozzle or include a flow directing surface.

Abstract: A therapy wrap for treatment of at least a portion of an animate body having improved kink resistance. The therapy wrap may be selectively reinforced for improved kink resistance in only a portion of the wrap. The reinforcement may decrease the kink radius. The wrap may include a kink reducer in all or only a selected kink-prone region. The kink reducer may be selectively configured attachment points or spot welds. The therapy wrap may include a reinforcement layer of one or more discrete reinforcement members. The wrap may be formed by pre-tensioning the material layers while forming the fluid bladder and/or gas pressure bladder. The therapy wrap may be adapted to compensate for conditions that normally cause kinking of the wrap or buckling of the fluidic channels. Also disclosed are methods of manufacturing the wrap and methods of administering a temperature-controlled treatment to an anatomical body part.

Abstract: Therapy system for treatment of an animate body including core body cooling. The system includes a therapy wrap and a first therapy device for exchanging heat with the body. The system may include a second therapy device for delivering another therapy. The first therapy device may include a heat transfer device, a cooling or heating source, and a control unit. The heat transfer device may include a fluid bladder and a compressive bladder. The second therapy device may be an electric stimulation device. The therapy wrap is adapted to coordinate delivery of the thermal therapy and another therapy to the animate body. The therapy wrap may also be a sleeve for mounting components of the first and second therapy devices. Also disclosed are a method of administering a temperature-controlled treatment to an anatomical body part and method of making the therapy system.

Abstract: A patient therapy device for providing treatment to a patient. The therapy device improves conformance to a joint and adjoining body parts. The device includes an angle adjustment assembly for forming the device into one of a plurality of predefined angles. The predefined angles may correspond to a desired angle of a joint during treatment. Further disclosed is a device for assisting a user with applying the therapy device to a body part. Also disclosed are methods of administering a treatment to an animate body.

Abstract: A therapy system including a control unit for treatment of an animate body. The system includes a therapy wrap including at least one heat transfer device adapted to exchange heat with the animate body and a control unit. The control unit includes an input device for receiving an input signal, a processor for determining a treatment protocol based on the received input signal, and a controller for administering treatment to the animate body using the therapy wrap based on the determined treatment protocol. Also disclosed are methods of administering a temperature-controlled treatment to an animate body.

Abstract: A thermal therapy system for providing thermal treatment to a body requiring treatment. The system may include a plurality of therapy wraps, each configured to exchange heat with the body. The therapy wraps may be secured to different locations on a substrate and unfurled onto a rigid board for supporting the body. A control unit may be configured to independently control the therapy wraps. The therapy wraps may have a plurality of layers. One of the layers is a heat exchange layer comprising a heat transfer device for exchanging heat with the body. One of the layers may be a compressive layer for applying a compressive force to the body. One of the layers may be a structural layer including a rigid structural member. Also disclosed are methods of administering a temperature-controlled treatment to an animate body.

Abstract: A therapy system barrier. In various embodiments, the barrier is a liner sized to cover a surface of a housing having a control interface and at least one other face of the housing. In various embodiments, the therapy system barrier hinders proper operation of a related therapy system until the barrier is removed or modified. The barrier may interact with one or more therapy system components to hinder use of the involved therapy system component until a user performs a desired operation. When the barrier is in place, electrical and/or mechanical components of the device may be rendered at least partially inoperative. Also disclosed are methods of using the barrier.

Abstract: Modular therapy apparatus for treatment of at least a portion of an animate body comprises a first modular member and a second modular member. The first modular member comprises a heat transfer device adapted to transfer heat between the device and the at least a portion of an animate body. The second modular member forms a pouch having a perimeter and is adapted to receive the first modular member. The second modular member comprises a front side and a back side. The front side has a hook portion, which forms the hook portion of a hook and loop fastener. The back side has a loop portion, which forms the loop portion of the hook and loop fastener. The second modular member can be wrapped around the at least a portion of an animate body and the hook and loop portions fastened to one another to secure the second modular member with the first modular member positioned therein to the at least a portion of the animate body.

Abstract: A flexible joint wrap includes a heat exchange bladder, which provides fluid circulation and compression to a joint. The joint wrap includes upper and lower sections for attachment above and below a joint. The bladder has an opening at a center section which provides flexibility of the bladder. The heat exchange bladder may be enclosed in a removable cover designed to conform to the shape of the bladder. The cover and bladder are formed with an opening in alignment with the joint to provide flexibility to the wrap. The cover may be formed of a fluid repellant inner lining to prevent fluid from the joint from soiling the bladder. The cover may further comprise a nylon loop outer surface to allow the upper and lower sections to be easily attached and adjusted.

Abstract: A make-break connector assembly having a latching mechanism integral to the top and bottom of the housing. The connector assembly includes connectors for fluid or air flow. The connector assembly has a single button release to release both the top and bottom latches.