Abstract: An expressible compress is provided having a container with a perforatible wall through which fluids pass into an engulfing absorbent cloth sleeve to create a moist compress. The container has an open top body formed from a resilient plastic material and is adapted to be collapsed upon application of slight hand pressure and a cap for closing the top through which the container is filled.

Abstract: A hot and cold therapeutic pillow which includes a cervical roll having relatively firm ends and a relatively soft middle portion. The core of the pillow is hollow and accommodates a cylindrical gel pack which may be heated by microwave radiation or cooled by freezing. The cervical roll may be integrally combined with a head cradle which has a soft middle or central portion and firm ends.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a cold pack device which includes a cold pack, a band member configured to extend around a part of a body in a self-supporting manner, and a housing connected to the band which removably receives the cold pack therein and a method of cooling using the same.

Abstract: A neck wrap comprising a wrap member and a fastening means is described. The wrap member includes a center section and two extended sections. The center section is of a first predetermined width and has a first and second end and a heat transfer unit retaining means, located between the first and second ends, which has dimensions sufficient to allow a desired heat transfer unit to be inserted and retained within the heat transfer unit retaining means during use. Each of the two extended sections is of a second predetermined width greater than the first predetermined width of the center section. The extended sections are connected at the first and second end of the center section in a manner such that a flap portion is created on each of the extended sections of sufficient width to allow the extended portions to be attached together without constricting the throat area of the user when the neck wrap is in use.

Abstract: A cooling garment including opposed front and back panels to substantially cover a user's torso, a plurality of substantially rectangular elongated pockets affixed to the panels, each of the pockets having a releasably secured opening, and one or more insulating sleeves retaining cooling packs of a size corresponding to the pockets, wherein the cooling pack or packs being confined within the respective elongated pocket or pockets adjacent to a portion of the torso of the user subject to less heat stress are retained in insulating sleeves having a higher insulation value than insulating sleeves retaining cooling packs confined within the pocket or pockets adjacent to a portion of the torso of the user subject to more heat stress, and a method for use of the garment for medical treatment of elevated body temperatures.

Abstract: A massaging electrode is pressed against discrete areas of a subject person's scalp or body and worked from side to side or in a preferred or random massage pattern to thereby move the skin and its underlying layers relative to the underlying area. The electrode is a gold plated phonojack which is encased in silver solder to optimize transmission of electrical current. Electrical current is passed through the electrode and into the subject person's scalp by connecting the electrode to an electrical conductor from an electrical current generating device which generates oscillating voltage to the pad in a low range and at a variation of voltages. The ground contact is hand held by the subject person so that electrical current is directed down through the skin layers during the massaging process.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for applying heat/cold to selected target regions of the human anatomy such as the temporalis and masseter muscles and to the region of the temporo-mandibular joint of the human cranial anatomy as well as other selected regions of the human anatomy such as the shoulders, knees, etc. At least one heat/cold compliant thermal cell is defined by a rigid back having a thin and compliant membrane connected thereto and defining a chamber for containing a substantial volume of a liquid or semi-liquid such as water or a gel, at a preselected temperature. The rigid back or shell defines a circumferential rim to which the compliant membrane is secured. The compliant membrane may have a side wall portion extending in substantially contiguous relation from the rim of the rigid shell and incorporates an integral substantially planar front wall portion which establishes intimate face-to-face heat/cold transferring relation with an anatomical target region.

Abstract: Device for the local cooling of human body parts consisting of:a) a sheath;b) cooling means contained in said sheath;c) a flexible leaf contained also in said sheath, apt to adhere said sheath and said cooling means to the human part to cool.

Abstract: A headgear garment has pockets for receiving exothermic heat packets to provide an active heat-generating source proximate to the ears of a wearer. The garment includes a garment body having pockets for receiving exothermic heat-generating packets and a means for securing the garment to the wearer's head. The securing means may be the structural configuration of the garment itself. The pockets are constructed of a breathable material to allow the exothermic heat-generating packets to provide heat and are placed proximate to the wearer's ears when worn. An insulation material is placed between the pockets and the ears to protect the ears from any excess heat generated by the exothermic packets. The shown embodiments include earmuffs, headbands, including a helmet headband and a straight headband, and a hat.

Abstract: A device adapted to support the head of a seated user relative to a generally upstanding portion of a seat, stroller, or the like, has a strap adapted to encircle the head of the user and the generally upstanding portion. The strap contains a plurality of inflatable balloons having generally flat rear surfaces and expandable frontal surfaces, whereby upon inflation the generally flat rear surfaces of the balloons remain flat, and the frontal surfaces bulge outwardly from the rear surfaces to contact and support the user's head.

Abstract: An air cooling device includes a headwear to be worn on a user's head, a nozzle carried by the headwear such as to be located in the user's mouth-nose region when the headwear is worn, and air tubing connected at one end to the nozzle and connectible at the opposite end to a source of cooled air for directing a stream of the cooled air via the nozzle to the user's mouth-nose region to cool the air inhaled by the user.

Abstract: A therapeutic massaging pillow that is versatile in construction and use. The pillow is provided in a U-shaped form having extensions that fit around the neck and a thicker upper portion that is in intimate contact with the posterior portion of the head of a person using the pillow. The pillow provides a pocket on one or both sides for receiving a container that is filled with a material that can be heated or cooled. Additionally a cavity at the thickest upper portion of the pillow is provided for installing an electrically operated vibrator. The vibrator is embedded in a foam housing and has a switch that is easily accessible through the foam material. Batteries at each end of the housing are provided to operate the vibrating mechanism. The pillow is versatile in construction and use by allowing application of hot or cold temperatures to the posterior of the head through a fluid filled container inserted in the pocket or separately applying a massaging effect of the vibrator.

Abstract: A therapeutic pad for relief of headache-associated head, temple, neck and upper back pain includes a lower portion substantially defining, in surface geometry, a rectangle having major and a minor bases and, further, having an axis of symmetry co-parallel to the minor bases. The therapeutic pad also includes an upper portion substantially defining, in surface geometry, an elongate wing-like shape having a major axis of about double the length of the major bases of the rectangle of the lower portion, and having a minor axis which is an axis of symmetry co-linear to the axis of symmetry of the lower portion. The upper portion includes elements for selectably securing to each other portions of lateral ends of the wing-like shape.

Abstract: A sports band for absorbing perspiration and for cooling the wearer is comprised of a band of elastic absorbent material, generally toroidal in shape, and is configured to be worn upon a person's head or wrist. The sports band has a slit formed upon its inner surface such that a flexible cold pack may be received thereby and disposed within the band. The sports band may alternatively be generally comprised of a comparatively inelastic material and have a strip of elastic material inserted as a portion of the band to provide the required stretchability. A layer of insulating material may optionally be formed along the inner layer of the generally toroidal band to reduce the rate of heat transfer between the wearer and the cold pack such that the sensation of cold is reduced and the useful life of the cold pack is increased.

Abstract: A modular apparatus comprising a neck band and a variety of inserts to provide different functional capabilities useful and beneficial for the treatment of an injury to the neck and the rehabilitation associated therewith. The neck band is provided with a pocket for receiving the interchangeable insertion of the various inserts. One of the inserts in conjunction with the neck bank provides an apparatus for immobilizing or limiting movement of the neck. A cylindrical insert in conjunction with the neck band provides an apparatus beneficial for improving articular motion of the joints of the neck. An insert filled with a medium that may be either heated or cooled in conjunction with the neck band provides either a hot pack or a cold pack. The neck band is of an elastic material and has formed loops on each of its ends to facilitate utilization of the neck band for exercise routines, either by using the band by itself or using the band with one of the inserts inserted in the pocket.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a cooling pillow comprising a flexible pouch and thermal transfer fluid composition hermetically filled in the pouch. A second aspect of the invention is a cooling device which comprises a pad having a flexible pouch and a thermal transfer fluid composition hermetically filled in the pouch, and means for holding the pad therewith to bring the pad in contact with the human body. The fluid composition comprises a mixture of fine particles of hard or graphitic carbon having good thermal conductivity and water. Sodium chloride, surface active agents, bactericides and preservatives may be further added to the composition. Since the carbon particles have good thermal conductivity, the fluid readily reaches a temperature close to ambient temperatures and can gently cool the human body. Long use allows the body to be continuously cooled down to a temperature close to the ambient temperature.

Abstract: This invention discloses a device and a method for resuscitating the brain as result of ischemic and anoxic injuries whereby the patient survives neurologically intact. The device includes a head enveloping helmet and neck supporting back plate with interconnected hollow cavities to allow chilled fluid from an activated coolant source to pass therethrough and subsequently chill the brain and upper spinal column. Once chilled, the brain's metabolism is slowed whereby resuscitation efforts can continue while neurologic damage is minimized. The method includes placing and adjusting the helmet on the patient's head, placing the back plate under the patient's neck and into abutment with the helmet, connecting the helmet to the coolant source and activating the coolant source.

Abstract: A therapeutic rest is disclosed herein having a first pillow composed of a soft tufted cover filled with a cushion material and a second pillow composed of a soft flexible material intended to be filled with a liquid of suitable temperature. A removable valve is incorporated into the second pillow for introducing the liquid into and out of the second pillow. The first and second pillows are of a U-shaped configuration and releasable retainers are carried on opposing exterior surfaces of the pillows to permit attachment of the pillows when the pillows are in aligned U-shaped configuration.

Abstract: A gas ventilated garment including a primary manifold for receiving air at 20 to 125 pounds per square inch which is connected through a plurality of gas conduits to a plurality of radial dispersion valves positioned at various locations throughout a garment such as a jacket to slowly release air adjacent the body of a user for cooling. The individual radial valves are adapted to release the pressurized gas at extremely low rates normally being less than one cubic feet per minute. The configuration of the radial valves is unique in the restriction to a very low volume rate of release as well as a unique radial configuration allowing the gas to be dispersed in a radial or circular fashion from the individual locations thereby achieving cooling with a skew as seven or less individual ventilation gas radial dispersion valves strategically positioned throughout a garment such as a jacket.

Abstract: The therapeutic collar of this invention comprises an elongated flexible collar structure having opposite ends, upper and lower edges, and a centrally located inner compartment. The inner compartment has an access port therein. A moisture impervious flexible plastic container is located within the compartment, and has a closable access opening therein. A flap appears on the upper edge of the collar structure and normally extends over the access port in the collar structure. Attachment means are located on the ends of the collar structure to secure the ends of the collar structure together.