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 gas vent tool can include a body with a flow passage having upstream and downstream sections, a valve that selectively permits and blocks flow between the upstream section and an exterior of the gas vent tool, and a valve that selectively permits and blocks flow between the upstream and downstream sections. A gas vent system can include a gas vent tool connected longitudinally between an intake tool and a pump, the intake tool being configured to receive formation fluids therein, and the pump being configured to pump the formation fluids to surface. The gas vent tool can include a valve that selectively permits and blocks flow between an interior flow passage and an annulus external to the gas vent tool, and a valve that selectively permits and blocks flow between upper and lower sections of the flow passage.

Abstract: A surge flow mitigation tool can include a surge flow valve that permits one-way fluid flow through a flow passage, and a bypass flow path that opens when a differential pressure across the surge flow valve is greater than a predetermined level. A method of mitigating surge flow in a well can include producing fluid through a tubular string with a bottom hole assembly including a surge flow mitigation tool connected downhole of a packer, the surge flow mitigation tool including a surge flow valve that permits the fluid to flow toward surface via the tubular string, but prevents the fluid from flowing into the well via the tubular string, and increasing a differential pressure across the surge flow valve to greater than a predetermined level, thereby opening a bypass flow path that permits injection flow from the tubular string into the well downhole of the packer.

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 filter bypass tool for use in a subterranean well can include an inner tube having a flow passage extending longitudinally through the inner tube, a pipe surrounding the inner tube, with an annulus formed radially between the pipe and the inner tube, the pipe being perforated to permit fluid communication between the annulus and an exterior of the pipe, and a bypass valve having closed and open configurations. In the closed configuration the bypass valve blocks fluid flow from the annulus to the flow passage. In the open configuration the bypass valve permits fluid flow from the annulus to the flow passage. The bypass valve is configured to open in response to a predetermined pressure differential from the annulus to the flow passage.

Abstract: A multi-sectional therapy wrap can include a first wrap section joined to a second wrap section through a specialized junction that allows the wrap sections to overlap. The junction can also be divided into two portions to facilitate fluid flow between one wrap section and the other wrap section.

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 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 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 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 chemical treatment assembly can include a section including a pressure containment valve that selectively permits and prevents fluid communication with a flow passage in the section, and another section including a pressure containment valve that selectively permits and prevents fluid communication with a flow passage in the section. The pressure containment valves are closed in response to disconnection of the sections. A method of containing pressure in sections of a chemical treatment assembly can include installing a pressure containment valve in each of the sections, the pressure containment valves being configured to close in response to disconnecting the sections. Another chemical treatment assembly can include an outer housing, a flow passage extending longitudinally through the outer housing, a chemical treatment positioned in the flow passage, and a pressure containment valve that selectively permits and prevents fluid communication with the flow passage through the pressure containment valve.

Abstract: A sand lift tool for use in a subterranean well can include an outer housing, an inner production tube positioned in the outer housing, and a dart received in the inner production tube. An annulus is positioned between the outer housing and the inner production tube. The dart can reciprocate in the inner production tube in response to variations in fluid flow between the annulus and an interior of the inner production tube. Another sand lift tool can include an outer housing, an inner production tube, and a sand collection annulus between the outer housing and the inner production tube. A flow area for fluid flow between the annulus and an interior of the inner production tube increases in response to an increase in a flow rate of the fluid flow.

Abstract: A surge flow mitigation tool can include a surge flow valve that permits one-way fluid flow through a flow passage, and a bypass flow path that opens when a differential pressure across the surge flow valve is greater than a predetermined level. A method of mitigating surge flow in a well can include producing fluid through a tubular string with a bottom hole assembly including a surge flow mitigation tool connected downhole of a packer, the surge flow mitigation tool including a surge flow valve that permits the fluid to flow toward surface via the tubular string, but prevents the fluid from flowing into the well via the tubular string, and increasing a differential pressure across the surge flow valve to greater than a predetermined level, thereby opening a bypass flow path that permits injection flow from the tubular string into the well downhole of the packer.

Abstract: A sand lift tool for use in a subterranean well can include an outer housing, an inner production tube positioned in the outer housing, and a dart received in the inner production tube. An annulus is positioned between the outer housing and the inner production tube. The dart can reciprocate in the inner production tube in response to variations in fluid flow between the annulus and an interior of the inner production tube. Another sand lift tool can include an outer housing, an inner production tube, and a sand collection annulus between the outer housing and the inner production tube. A flow area for fluid flow between the annulus and an interior of the inner production tube increases in response to an increase in a flow rate of the fluid flow.

Abstract: A gas vent tool can include a body with a flow passage having upstream and downstream sections, a valve that selectively permits and blocks flow between the upstream section and an exterior of the gas vent tool, and a valve that selectively permits and blocks flow between the upstream and downstream sections. A gas vent system can include a gas vent tool connected longitudinally between an intake tool and a pump, the intake tool being configured to receive formation fluids therein, and the pump being configured to pump the formation fluids to surface. The gas vent tool can include a valve that selectively permits and blocks flow between an interior flow passage and an annulus external to the gas vent tool, and a valve that selectively permits and blocks flow between upper and lower sections of the flow passage.

Abstract: A filter bypass tool for use in a subterranean well can include an inner tube having a flow passage extending longitudinally through the inner tube, a pipe surrounding the inner tube, with an annulus formed radially between the pipe and the inner tube, the pipe being perforated to permit fluid communication between the annulus and an exterior of the pipe, and a bypass valve having closed and open configurations. In the closed configuration the bypass valve blocks fluid flow from the annulus to the flow passage. In the open configuration the bypass valve permits fluid flow from the annulus to the flow passage. The bypass valve is configured to open in response to a predetermined pressure differential from the annulus to the flow passage.

Abstract: A chemical treatment assembly can include a section including a pressure containment valve that selectively permits and prevents fluid communication with a flow passage in the section, and another section including a pressure containment valve that selectively permits and prevents fluid communication with a flow passage in the section. The pressure containment valves are closed in response to disconnection of the sections. A method of containing pressure in sections of a chemical treatment assembly can include installing a pressure containment valve in each of the sections, the pressure containment valves being configured to close in response to disconnecting the sections. Another chemical treatment assembly can include an outer housing, a flow passage extending longitudinally through the outer housing, a chemical treatment positioned in the flow passage, and a pressure containment valve that selectively permits and prevents fluid communication with the flow passage through the pressure containment valve.

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 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 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.