Cryotherapeutic cooling apparatus

Abstract

A cooling apparatus for reducing the physiological effects of overheating, heat exhaustion for example. The cooling apparatus utilizes sportswear and a multi-walled insulation pouch for receiving a freezable fluid, the pouch positioned on the sportswear so that the cooling apparatus lies adjacent the heart meridian of a human body. The pouch forms a sealed enclosure with at least one sealable end. Attachment means are located on the pouch for attaching the pouch to the interior of the sportswear so that the pouch is positioned against the heart meridian for a cryo-therapeutic effect. The multi-walled insulation pouch comprises at least two layers of insulation material folded to form the pouch, one layer of insulation comprising cotton and another layer of insulation comprising nylon. The inside of the pouch is lined with water proof material to prevent leaking. The sportswear can comprise any garment that lies adjacent to the heart meridian, including sports bras, sports shirts, t-shirts or vests.

Description

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED CASES

[0001] This is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/086,926 filed Mar. 4, 2002, abandoned contemporaneously with the filing of this application.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a cooling apparatus utilizing sportswear. Particularly, the invention is directed to a cooling apparatus comprising an insulated pouch positioned within the sportswear so that the pouch lies adjacent to the heart meridian.

BACKGROUND

[0003] The number of Americans who have at least one chronic illness was recently calculated to be 20 million more than experts had estimated. Researchers now calculate that over half a trillion dollars is spent in the United States for managing chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure.

[0004] Chronic illnesses, by definition, have no cure. Therefore, it is vital to adopt healthy lifestyle choices that help prevent chronic illness. Regular exercise can significantly reduce the risk of heart diseases such as cardiomyopathy or heart failure.

[0005] In particular, cardiomyopathy, a disease of the heart muscle, wherein the heart loses its ability to pump blood affects about 50,000 Americans. Regular physical activity is a key part of managing problems associated with this disease. Heart patients who increase their physical activity also boost their confidence, increase their fitness level, cut their risk of dying, report less depression, stress, and social isolation and improve their overall sense of well-being.

[0006] One of the most important components of an exercise program for heart patients whether they have cardiomyopathy or other common heart diseases is aerobic exercise. Aerobic exercise involves using large muscle groups rhythmically for prolonged periods, such as in walking, jogging, biking, rowing, swimming, etc.

[0007] During aerobic exercise, the body's temperature increases in direct proportion to the exercise load and outside weather conditions. Outdoor activities, especially in Southern climates, are often times performed during under hot weather conditions. The body tries to maintain its resting temperature of 98.6° F., by moving extra heat to the skin via the blood. Through evaporation of sweat, the heat dissipates into the air. At the same time, blood must also carry oxygen and nutrients to the muscles and remove wastes products from muscle metabolism. The higher the body's core temperature, the more blood is used for cooling and less is available for supplying muscles with oxygen and nutrients. Therefore, the cooler the body stays during exercise, the better muscles will function.

[0008] Many environmental and biophysical conditions cause elevated body temperatures. Clothing and environmental conditions are the factors that play the primary role in the body's ability to maintain a comfortable temperature during exercise.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,484,448 to Steele et al. discloses a cooling garment with opposing outside front and back panels. The garment substantially covers the user's torso and comprises rectangular elongated pockets affixed to the outside panels for retaining a plurality of cooling packs. The '448 patent teaches that the plurality of the elongated pockets cover a majority of the portion of the cooling garment covering the torso of the user. The Steele patent discloses a zipper that zips vertically in the center of the garment, not providing any direct means for cooling the central chest region.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,238 to Watson, Jr. describes a garment having outside pockets or other enclosures capable of mounting cooling packs such as gel packs therein. The '238 patent discloses thermally sensitive indicators, such as sensitive color guage strips to display the current effective temperatures of the gel packs. The Watson, Jr. patent teaches that many different types of garment may utilize the principles behind this invention including headbands, wristbands and body vests.

[0011] Neither of the above-referenced patents discuss or resolve the problem of cooling the meridian of the heart so that the temperature of the blood entering the lungs and aorta is lowered thereby increasing circulation and avoiding overheating and heat exhaustion.

[0012] Definitions

[0013] Heart Meridian: Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners believe these meridians conduct energy, or qi, between the surface of the body and internal organs. The term “heart meridian” as used throughout this application refers to the heart and the portion of major blood vessels entering and exiting the heart immediately surrounding the heart. This area, illustrated in Appendix A, generally includes the right ventricle of the heart, the aorta, the superior and inferior vena cava.

[0014] Cryotherapy: The local or general use of low temperatures in medical therapy. Also called crymotherapy.

SUMMARY

[0015] This invention relates to an innovative cooling apparatus for use in cryotherapy to reduce the physiological effects of overheating during strenuous physical activity. Placing one or more cooling pouches over the central chest region lowers the temperature of that region. Lowering the temperature of the heart meridian in turn lowers the blood temperature of blood flowing through the heart to allow the heart to pump more oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. The cooling apparatus utilizes sportswear and a multi-walled insulation pouch attached to the sportswear. The pouch can be filled with a freezable fluid such as water or a cooling gel. In one preferred embodiment of the cooling apparatus, the pouch is positioned within the sportswear so that the cooling pouch lies adjacent the heart meridian of a human body. By positioning near the heart meridian, the blood in the right ventricle, the arteries leading to the lungs and veins entering the heart are cooled thereby resulting in lowering the body's temperature.

[0016] One preferred cooling apparatus for sportswear comprises a multi-walled insulation pouch that defines a cavity for receiving a freezable fluid. Preferably, the pouch has at least one sealable end. An attachment means is located on the pouch, the attachment means is adapted to attach the pouch to the interior of sportswear so that the pouch lies adjacent to the heart meridian of a human body.

[0017] In an alternative embodiment of this invention the cooling apparatus comprises sportswear adapted to be worn on the upper part of the human torso. The sportswear can be a shirt, t-shirt, bra, a vest or a band that straps around the chest area. Preferably, the sportswear has an interior and an exterior and an attachment means. The attachment means is adapted to be positioned within the sportswear on the interior of the sportswear adjacent the heart meridian of a human body. In this embodiment, the multi-walled insulation pouch comprises a pouch attachment means located on the pouch for attaching the pouch to the attachment means located on the interior of the sportswear so that the cooling pouch is adapted to lie adjacent to the heart meridian when attached to the sportswear.

[0018] Preferably the multi-layered pouch comprises at least two layers of insulation material folded to form a pouch, one layer of insulation comprising cotton and another layer of insulation comprising nylon. Preferably, the cotton layer is the outer layer of the pouch and lies against the skin of the wearer. The pouch comprises at least one sealable end so that the pouch can easily be filled with the freezable fluid. The cooling pouch defines a cavity for receiving a freezable fluid, water or cooling gels. Advantageously, the cavity can be lined with a water proof material. In another aspect of this invention, the attachment means for attaching the pouch to the sportswear can comprise hook and loop material. Alternatively, the pouch can be sewn into the sportswear or attached by adhesive. Any known means of attachment can be used as long as the cooling pouch is within the sportswear and positioned adjacent the heart meridian.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] FIG. 1 is a frontal view of one embodiment of this invention.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of this invention.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a view of the front interior of another embodiment of this invention.

[0022] FIG. 3a is a view of the front interior of another embodiment of this invention illustrating attachment means.

[0023] FIG. 4 is a view of the back exterior of another embodiment of this invention.

[0024] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the front interior of still another embodiment of this invention.

[0025] FIG. 6 is a view of the back exterior of still another embodiment of this invention.

[0026] FIG. 7 is a back view of a cooling apparatus with a pouch positioned on a band.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] FIGS. 1 to 7 illustrate preferred embodiments of a cooling apparatus for reducing the physiological effects of overheating during strenuous physical activity. Placing the cooling pouch 10, 110, 210 against the skin adjacent the heart meridian lowers the temperature of the heart, blood vessels and nerves within that region. Lowering the temperature of the heart meridian achieves a cryo-therapeutic effect of lowering the blood temperature to allow the heart to pump more oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. The cooling apparatus 10, 100, 200 of this invention comprises a cooling pouch 10 that is attached within sportswear 120, 220. The positioning of the cooling pouch is such that the cooling pouch lies adjacent to the heart meridian on the front of the upper torso.

[0028] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the cooling apparatus for sportswear comprises a multi-walled insulation pouch 10. FIGS. 3 and 5 illustrate the pouch 10, 110, 210 as it is positioned within the sportswear 120, 220 so that the cooling pouch can be adjacent the heart meridian of a human body. FIG. 7 depicts an embodiment of the cooling apparatus wherein the cooling pouch 10 is positioned on a band 320 that is adapted to circumscribe the torso. Referring to FIG. 2, the Applicant has discovered that at least two layers of insulation material 22, 24 are needed to maintain the cooling effect for a sufficient amount of time during exercising. The two or more layers of insulation material 22, 24 are folded to form the pouch. In a preferred embodiment, one layer of insulation comprises cotton 22 and another layer of insulation comprises nylon 24. Because the pouch 10, 110, 210 lies directly on the skin, cotton is preferably used as the outer layer to insulate the skin from freezer burn. The pouch 10, 110, 210 further comprises a waterproof liner 26 to prevent loss of the freezable fluid 15. The waterproof liner can comprise plastic or any light weight waterproof polymer.

[0029] The cooling pouch 10, 110, 210 comprises a length and width that will fit comfortably and cover the heart meridian. Preferably the length is within a range of approximately 3 inches to approximately 6 inches and a width within a range of approximately 2 inches to approximately 5 inches. A more preferred length is approximately 5 inches with a width within a range of approximately 3 inches to approximately 4 inches. The length and width can vary according to the size of the sportswear.

[0030] The cooling pouch 10, 110, 210 can have various shapes from a free form pouch to a rectangular pouch comprising four sides, 12, 14, 16, 18, three sides 12, 14, 18 of which are permanently sealed and one side 16 which is sealable so that it can be opened to add the freezable fluid 15. The freezable fluid 15 can be simply tap water or a cooling gel. Because of the weight factor, the freezable fluid can comprise any suitable fluid that has a density close to the density of water. Heavier fluids or cooling gels can be used with larger sized sportswear that is worn and carried by larger torsos. Again, it is the positioning of cooling pouch 10, 110, 210 near the heart meridian that is critical to the cryo-therapeutic effect of lowering the body's temperature.

[0031] One preferred cooling apparatus for sportswear comprises a multi-walled insulation pouch 10, 110, 210, 310 that defines a cavity 28 for receiving a freezable fluid 15. An attachment means 30 is located on the pouch 10, the attachment means 30 is adapted to attach the pouch to the interior 125, 225, 325 of sportswear so that the pouch lies adjacent to the heart meridian of a human body. The attachment means for attaching the pouch 10, 110, 210, 310 to the sportswear 120, 220, 320 can comprise hook and loop material. Alternatively, the pouch 10, 110, 210, 310 can be sewn into the sportswear 120, 220, 320 or attached by adhesive. Any known means of attachment can be used as long as the cooling pouch 10, 110, 210, 310 is within the sportswear 120, 220, 320 and positioned adjacent the heart meridian.

[0032] In an alternative embodiment of this invention the cooling apparatus 100, 200, 300 comprises sportswear 120, 220, 320 adapted to be worn on the upper part of the human torso. The sportswear 120, 220, 320 can be a shirt as seen in FIG. 5, t-shirt, a bra FIG. 3, a vest or a band FIG. 7, that straps around the chest area. Preferably, the sportswear has a front 124, 224, 324 an interior 125, 225, 325 and an exterior, not shown, and an attachment means FIG. 3a, 40. The attachment means is adapted to be positioned on the interior 125, 225, 325 of the sportswear adjacent the heart meridian of a human body. In this embodiment, the multi-walled insulation pouch 10, 110, 210, 310 comprises a pouch attachment means 30 located on the pouch 10, 110, 210, 310 for attaching the pouch 10, 110, 210, 310 to the attachment means 40 located on the interior of the sportswear so that the pouch 10, 110, 210, 310 is adapted to lie adjacent to the heart meridian when attached to the sportswear 120, 220, 320.

[0033] Referring to FIGS. 3, 3a, one preferred embodiment of the cooling apparatus 100 comprises a bra 120 and a cooling pouch 110. The bra 120 has a front 124 and a back 128. The front 124 of the bra comprises an interior 125 and an exterior, the bra 120 also has an attachment means 40 which is adapted to be positioned on the interior 125 of the bra adjacent the heart meridian of a human body so that wearing the cooling bra is cryo-therapeutic during physical activity. A multi-walled insulation pouch is attached to the interior of the bra 120 by a pouch attachment 30 means located on the pouch 110. The pouch attachment means 30 is used for attaching the pouch 110 to the attachment means 40 of the bra 120 so that the pouch 110 is positioned on the interior 125 of the bra and configured to lie adjacent to the heart meridian of the wearer. The pouch 110 comprises a sealable end and defines a cavity for receiving a freezable fluid. In this embodiment, the pouch 110 comprises a length of approximately 3.0 inches to approximately 5 inches and a width within a range of approximately 2.5 inches to approximately 3.5 inches. The means of attaching the multi-walled insulation pouch 110 to the bra 120, can comprise sewing the pouch 110 into the interior 125 of the front 124 of the bra so that the pouch is positioned adjacent the heart meridian of a human body. The bra can be a sports bra.

[0034] In alternative embodiment of cooling apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5, the cooling apparatus 200 comprises a shirt 220 adapted to be worn on the upper part of the human torso. The cooling apparatus 200 further comprises a multi-walled insulation pouch 210, the pouch 210 comprising at least one sealable end for access to a cavity defined by the pouch. The cavity receives freezable fluid. The shirt 220 comprises a front 224 and a back. The front of the shirt having an interior 225 and an exterior and an attachment means 40. The attachment means 40 is positioned on the interior 225 of the shirt 220 adjacent the heart meridian of a human body so that while wearing the cooling shirt, the attachment means 30 of the pouch 210 attaches the pouch 210 to the shirt 220. It 210 is then in position adjacent the heart meridian of a human body to achieve a cryo-therapeutic effect. The pouch 210 can comprise a length within a range of approximately 3 inches to approximately 6 inches and a width within a range of approximately 2 inches to approximately 5 inches.

[0035] In a further embodiment of the cooling apparatus 300 as depicted in FIG. 7, the cooling apparatus 300 comprises a band 320 adapted to be worn on the upper part of the human torso and a multi-walled insulation pouch 310. The band 320 has a front 324 and a back. The front 324 has an interior 325 with an attachment means positioned to be adjacent the heart meridian of a human body. Pouch attachment means 30 located on the pouch 310 is used for attaching the pouch 310 to the band attachment 40 means located on the interior 325 of the band. In this way, the pouch 310 is adapted to lie adjacent to the heart meridian.

[0036] FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of the cooling apparatus comprising a kit 400 for a cooling apparatus for sportswear that can be distributed separately from the sportswear so that the user can adapt any of his/her own sportswear to form a cooling apparatus. The kit 400 comprises a multi-walled insulation pouch 410, attachment means 30 adapted to attach the pouch 410 to the sportswear so that the pouch lies adjacent to the heart meridian of a human body, and a second attachment means 40 adapted to be fixed to the interior of the sportswear for attaching to the attachment means 30 of the multi-walled insulation pouch. In this way, the cooling pouch 10 is positioned within the sportswear so that when it is worn, the cooling pouch 10 lies adjacent the heart meridian for a cryo-therapeutic effect. The pouch of the embodiments of FIGS. 7 and 8 comprises a multi-walled insulation pouch 310, 410 having a sealable end and defining a cavity for receiving a freezable fluid

[0037] The foregoing description is illustrative and explanatory of preferred embodiments of the invention, and variations in the method, systems and other details will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is intended that all such variations and modifications which fall within the scope or spirit of the appended claims be embraced thereby.

Claims

1. A cooling apparatus for sportswear comprising:

a multi-walled insulation pouch, the pouch comprising at least one sealable end, the pouch defining a cavity for receiving a freezable fluid;

attachment means located on the pouch, the attachment means adapted to attach the pouch to the interior of sportswear so that the pouch lies adjacent to the heart meridian of a human body.

2. The cooling apparatus of claim 1 wherein the multi-walled insulation pouch comprises at least two layers of insulation material folded to form the pouch, one layer of insulation comprising cotton and another layer of insulation comprising nylon.

3. The cooling apparatus of claim 1 wherein the layer of insulation comprising cotton is the outer layer of the pouch.

4. The cooling apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pouch comprises a length within a range of approximately 3 inches to approximately 6 inches and a width within a range of approximately 2 inches to approximately 5 inches.

5. The cooling apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pouch comprises a length of approximately 5 inches and a width within a range of approximately 3 inches to approximately 4 inches.

6. The cooling apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pouch comprises 4 sides, three sides of which are sealed and one side which is sealable.

7. The cooling apparatus of claim 1 wherein the waterproof liner comprises plastic.

8. The cooling apparatus of claim 1 wherein the freezable fluid comprises water.

9. The cooling apparatus of claim 1 wherein the freezable fluid comprises cooling gel.

10. The cooling apparatus of claim 1 wherein the attachment means comprises hook and loop material.

11. The cooling apparatus of claim 1 wherein the attachment means comprises sewing.

12. The cooling apparatus of claim 1 wherein the attachment means comprises adhesive.

13. A cooling apparatus for sportswear comprising:

a multi-walled insulation pouch, the multi-walled insulation pouch comprising at least two layers of insulation material folded to form the pouch, one layer of insulation comprising cotton and another layer of insulation comprising nylon, the pouch comprising at least one sealable end; the pouch defining a cavity for receiving a freezable fluid, the freezable fluid comprising water;

a water proof liner for lining the pouch;

attachment means located on the pouch, the attachment means adapted to attach the pouch to interior of sportswear so that the cotton layer of the pouch lies adjacent to the heart meridian of a human body.

14. The cooling apparatus of claim 1 wherein the attachment means comprises hook and loop material.

15. A cooling apparatus comprising:

sportswear adapted to be worn on the upper part of the human torso, the sportswear comprising an interior, the sportswear further comprising an attachment means, the attachment means positioned on the interior of the sportswear and adapted to be adjacent the heart meridian of a human body;

a multi-walled insulation pouch, the pouch comprising a sealable end; the pouch comprising at least one sealable end; the pouch defining a cavity for receiving a freezable fluid;

pouch attachment means located on the pouch for attaching the pouch to the attachment means of the sportswear so that the pouch is positioned on the interior of the sportswear and is adapted to lie adjacent to the heart meridian.

16. The cooling apparatus of claim 15 wherein the multi-walled insulation pouch comprises at least two layers of insulation material folded to form the pouch, one layer of insulation comprising cotton and another layer of insulation comprising nylon, the cotton layer comprising the outer layer of the pouch.

17. The cooling apparatus of claim 15 wherein the pouch comprises a length within a range of approximately 3 inches to approximately 6 inches and a width within a range of approximately 2 inches to approximately 5 inches.

18. The cooling apparatus of claim 15 wherein the multi-walled pouch comprises an inner waterproof liner.

19. The cooling apparatus of claim 15 wherein the attachment means comprises hook and loop material.

20. The cooling apparatus of claim 15 wherein the attachment means comprises sewing.

21. The cooling apparatus of claim 15 wherein the sportswear comprises a bra, the bra comprising an interior, the bra further comprising an attachment means, the attachment means adapted to be positioned on the interior of the bra adjacent the heart meridian of a human body;

22. The cooling apparatus of claim 15 wherein the sportswear comprises a shirt, the shirt comprising an interior, the shirt further comprising an attachment means, the attachment means positioned on the interior of the shirt and adapted to be positioned adjacent the heart meridian of a human body;

23. The cooling apparatus of claim 15 wherein the sportswear comprises a band, the band adapted to be worn on the upper part of the human torso, the band comprising an interior, the band further comprising an attachment means, the attachment means positioned on the interior of the band and adapted to be positioned adjacent the heart meridian of a human body;

24. A kit for a cooling apparatus for sportswear, the sportswear comprising a front and a back, the front comprising an interior, the kit comprising:

a multi-walled insulation pouch, the pouch comprising at least one sealable end;

the pouch defining a cavity for receiving a freezable fluid;

a water proof liner for lining the pouch;

attachment means located on the pouch, the attachment means adapted to attach the pouch to the sportswear so that the pouch lies adjacent to the heart meridian of a human body

a second attachment means adapted to be fixed to the interior of the sportswear for attachment to the attachment means of the multi-walled insulation pouch.