Therapeutic Cooling Devices

Abstract

A thermal regulatory system to reduce swelling caused by trauma to a variety of tissues and limbs is provided. One or more substantially flexible, at least partially thermally conductive housing containing optionally activatable thermal regulatory medium may be coupled with one or more applicator, such as a splint, that is adapted to apply the medium housing to the tissue. Methods of therapeutically regulating tissue temperature are also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A therapeutic thermal regulation system for thermally regulating tissue, the system comprising:
 one or more substantially flexible, at least partially thermally conductive housing;   optionally activatable thermal regulatory medium in the housing; and   one or more applicator adapted to apply the housing to the tissue.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the applicator is selected from the group consisting of (1) one or more splint, (2) one or more wrist splint, (3) one or more or elbow splint, (4) one or more knee or ankle splint (5) one or more cervical collar, (6) one or more TLSO apparatus, (7) one or more eye patch, (8) one or more adhesive bandage, (9) one or more cushion, (10) one more finger roll splint, (11) one or more glove or mitten, (12) medium-filled hollow fiber fabric. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the thermal regulatory medium is regulated to provide therapeutic cooling. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the thermal regulatory medium is regulated to provide therapeutic warming. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the thermal regulatory medium is selected from the group consisting of activatable thermal chemical, activatable thermal gel, activatable thermal microspheres, or circulating thermal fluid. 
     
     
         6 . A thermal regulatory fiber, the fiber comprising one or more conduit containing thermal regulatory medium. 
     
     
         7 . A fabric comprising the fiber of  claim 6 . 
     
     
         8 . The fabric of  claim 7 , further comprising natural fibers. 
     
     
         9 . The fabric of  claim 7 , further comprising synthetic fibers. 
     
     
         10 . The fabric of  claim 7 , further comprising a blend of one or natural fibers and one or more synthetic fibers. 
     
     
         11 . An article of clothing comprising the fiber of  claim 6 . 
     
     
         12 . The fiber of  claim 11 , wherein the thermal regulatory medium provides cooling thermal regulation. 
     
     
         13 . A therapeutic thermal regulation system for thermally regulating tissue, the system comprising:
 one or more substantially flexible, at least partially thermally conductive housing, wherein the housing is selected from the group consisting of (1) one or more wrist splint, (2) one or more knee splint, (3) one or more elbow splint, (4) one or more ankle splint (5) one or more cervical collar, (6) one or more TLSO apparatus, (7) one or more eye patch, (8) one or more adhesive bandage, (9) one or more cushion, (10) one more finger roll splint, (11) one or more glove or mitten, or (12) medium-filled hollow fiber fabric;   optionally activatable thermal regulatory medium in the housing; and   one or more applicator adapted to apply the housing to the tissue.   
     
     
         14 . A method of therapeutically using an optionally activatable thermal regulatory medium on tissue, the method comprising:
 housing the medium in an at least partially thermally conductive housing, wherein the housing is selected from the group consisting of (1) one or more wrist splint, (2) one or more knee splint, (3) one or more elbow splint, (4) one or more ankle splint (5) one or more cervical collar, (6) one or more TLSO apparatus, (7) one or more eye patch, (8) one or more adhesive bandage, (9) one or more cushion, (10) one more finger roll splint, (11) one or more glove or mitten, or (12) medium-filled hollow fiber fabric;   coupling the housing to an applicator adapted to apply the housing to tissue; and   activating the medium.