Methods and apparati for the close application of therapeutic and other devices to the pelvic area

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to apparati and associated methods for an easy on-off device to support and provide direct therapeutic cooling relief to the affected genitalia of persons having post-operative pain and swelling.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An easy on, easy off cooling chamber apparatus for use on a pelvic area of a user, the cooling chamber apparatus comprising:
 a first generally elongated strap having a first end and a second opposing end, said first end having a first connector disposed thereon and said second end having a second connector disposed thereon;   a support unit extending from the first strap such that a longitudinal axis of the support unit is generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said first strap when the cooling chamber apparatus is in a fully-laid open position, the support unit having a first end and an opposing second end;   an extension strap extending from said second end, and away from said first end, of the support unit;   at least one cooling pouch that is separate from, and joined to, the support unit;   a second strap having a proximal end coupled to the extension strap and a free distal end that extends from the extension strap and has a second strap connector disposed thereon; and   a third strap having a proximal end coupled to the extension strap and a free distal end that extends from the extension strap and has a third strap connector disposed thereon, wherein the free distal end of the second strap diverges from the free distal end of the third strap,   wherein, when the cooling chamber apparatus is properly worn by the user, said second strap connector is releasably connected to said first strap's first connector and said third strap connector is releasably connected to said first strap's second connector so as to adjustably fit said first strap around a waist of the user and position the support unit adjacent the user's pelvic area.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said proximal end of the second strap overlaps said proximal end of the third strap on said extension strap. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein, when the cooling chamber apparatus is properly worn by the user, the extension strap, the second strap, and the third strap are configured in the shape of a “Y”. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein, when the cooling chamber apparatus is properly worn by the user, the extension strap generally reaches the user's sacroiliac joint. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said second strap connector releasably connects to said first strap's first connector so as to provide an adjustable connection between said first and second straps, and wherein said third strap connector releasably connects to said first strap's second connector so as to provide an adjustable connection between said first and third straps. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein, when the cooling chamber apparatus is properly worn by the user, adjustment of said adjustable connections between the first and second straps and between the first and third straps enables application of a controllable amount of pressure to the user's pelvic area by the at least one cooling pouch and said support unit. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said support unit, said extension strap, and said first, second, and third straps are configured such that the cooling chamber apparatus can be secured to a supine user without the necessity of lifting a torso of the supine user. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the at least one cooling pouch is removably joined to the support unit. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one cooling pouch is selectively locatable on the support unit. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one cooling pouch is disposed adjacent the user's genitalia. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one cooling pouch is disposed so as to provide cooling to a vaginal area of the user. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one cooling pouch is disposed so as to provide cooling to a rectal area of the user. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said support unit is generally in the shape of a truncated triangle having a base and a truncated end opposite said base. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein said base of the truncated triangle constitutes said first end of the support unit and said truncated end of the truncated triangle constitutes said second end of the support unit. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein said base of the truncated triangle is adjacent the first strap. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one cooling pouch is disposed so as to extend from said truncated end towards said base of the truncated triangle. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the extension strap generally reaches the user's waist. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one cooling pouch is configured to accept a coolant therein. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein said at least one cooling pouch allows replacement of said coolant. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein said coolant is selected from the group consisting of ice, a cooling gel, an ice pack, and a water pack.