Modular apparatus for therapy of an animate body

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.

1 - 51 . (canceled) 
   
   
       52 . A heat exchange apparatus comprising:
 a first sheet having an inner surface and an outer surface;   a second sheet; and   a third sheet;   the first, second and third sheets forming a heat exchange bladder between the first and second sheets, and an inflation bladder between the second and third sheets;   wherein the inner surface of the first sheet has a heavier coating than the two surfaces of the second sheet and an inner surface of the third sheet.   
   
   
       53 . The heat exchange apparatus of  claim 52 , wherein a surface of the second sheet forming the heat exchange bladder has a heavier coating than the inner surface of the third sheet. 
   
   
       54 . The heat exchange apparatus of  claim 52 , wherein the first, second and third sheets comprise a nylon fabric, and the coating is a polyurethane coating. 
   
   
       55 . The heat exchange apparatus of  claim 54 , wherein the inner surface of the first sheet has about a 5 ounce coating of polyurethane per square yard of fabric, and the two surfaces of the second sheet and an inner surface of the third sheet have about a  3  ounce coating of polyurethane per square yard of fabric. 
   
   
       56 . The heat exchange apparatus of  claim 52 , wherein each of the first, second and third sheets are oriented with a true grain rotation of about 10°-30° with respect to each other. 
   
   
       57 . The heat exchange apparatus of  claim 56 , wherein a grain direction of the first sheet is offset in a clockwise direction from a grain direction of the third sheet by about 30°, and a grain direction of the second sheet is offset in a counterclockwise direction from a grain direction of the third sheet by about 30°. 
   
   
       58 . A heat exchange apparatus comprising:
 a first sheet;   a second sheet; and   a third sheet;   the first, second and third sheets forming a heat exchange bladder between the first and second sheets, and an inflation bladder between the second and third sheets;   wherein each of the first, second and third sheets are oriented with a true grain rotation of about 10°-30° with respect to each other.   
   
   
       59 . The heat exchange apparatus of  claim 58 , wherein a grain direction of the first sheet is offset in a clockwise direction from a grain direction of the third sheet by about 30°, and a grain direction of the second sheet is offset in a counterclockwise direction from a grain direction of the third sheet by about 30°. 
   
   
       60 . A method of manufacturing a heat exchange apparatus, the method comprising:
 providing first, second, and third sheets of compliant material;   laminating an inner wall of the first and third sheets and both walls of the second sheet with a coating;   forming a dot matrix of connections between the first and second sheets;   forming curvilinear fence connections between the first and second sheets; and   attaching the third sheet to the first and second sheets.   
   
   
       61 . The method of  claim 60 , wherein the dot matrix of connections and curvilinear fences are formed using RF welding. 
   
   
       62 . The method of  claim 61 , wherein the third sheet is attached to the first and second sheets using RF welding. 
   
   
       63 . The method of  claim 62 , further comprising laminating the inner wall of the first sheet with a heavier coating than the two walls of the second sheet and the inner wall of the third sheet. 
   
   
       64 . The method of  claim 63 , wherein the first, second and third sheets comprise a nylon fabric, and the coating is a polyurethane coating. 
   
   
       65 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein the inner wall of the first sheet is laminated with about a 5 ounce coating of polyurethane, and the two walls of the second sheet and the inner wall of the third sheet are laminated with about a 3 ounce coating of polyurethane, the coatings applied before attachment of the sheets. 
   
   
       66 . The method of  claim 65 , further comprising orienting the first, second and third sheets with a true grain rotation of about 10°-30° with respect to each other before attachment. 
   
   
       67 . The method  claim 65 , further comprising orienting the first, second and third sheets wherein a grain direction of the first sheet is offset in a clockwise direction from a grain direction of the third sheet by about 30°, and a grain direction of the second sheet is offset in a counterclockwise direction from a grain direction of the third sheet by about 30°, before attachment.