Modular apparatus for therapy of an animate body

Abstract

A modular therapy system for treatment of at least a portion of an animate body is disclosed. The apparatus includes 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 portion of the animate body. The second modular member includes a pouch adapted to receive the first modular member. The second modular member can be wrapped around the animate body portion with the first modular member positioned therein. In various embodiments, the apparatus includes a third modular member having a pouch adapted to receive the first modular member. The third modular member is configured for wrapping to a different sized animate body or different portion of the body than the second modular member. The third modular member may have a different shape or size than the second modular member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A heat exchange apparatus comprising:
 a first bladder having a first opening;   a first tube adapted and configured for positioning within the first opening of the first bladder and in communication with an interior volume of the first bladder;   a second bladder adjacent to the first bladder, the second bladder having a first opening and a second opening;   a first tube and a second tube adapted and configured for positioning within the first opening and the second opening of the second bladder and in communication with an interior volume of the second bladder;   a manifold having a first connection port, a second connection port and a third connection port and adapted and configured to receive the first tube of the first bladder and the first and second tubes of the second bladder and to provide a fluid pathway between a first connection port and the first tube of the first bladder, a second connection port and the first tube of the second bladder and a third connection port and the second tube of the second bladder.   
     
     
         2 . The heat exchange apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a fluid circulation and pressurizing unit; and   a hose having a first end connector adapted and configured to couple to the first connection port, the second connection port and the third connection port of the manifold and a second end connector adapted and configured to couple to the fluid circulation and pressurizing unit.   
     
     
         3 . The heat exchange apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a fluid circulation and pressurizing unit adapted and configured to provide air to the first bladder via the first connection port and to supply water to and return water from the second bladder via the second connection port and the third connection port. 
     
     
         4 . The heat exchange apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the first connection port is adjacent to a connection port used to supply water to the second bladder. 
     
     
         5 . The heat exchange apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the first connection port is adjacent to a connection port used to return water from the second bladder. 
     
     
         6 . The heat exchange apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a fluid circulation and pressurizing unit; and   a hose having a first end connector adapted and configured to couple to the first connection port, the second connection port and the third connection port of the manifold and a second end in communication with the fluid circulation and pressurizing unit.   
     
     
         7 . The heat exchange apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the fluid circulation and pressurizing unit is adapted and configured to provide air to the first bladder, supply water to the second bladder and receive water from the second bladder. 
     
     
         8 . The heat exchange apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first bladder and the second bladder are sized and shaped so as to be adapted to at least partially encircle a portion of a user's body while providing therapy to at least a portion of the at least partially encircled portion of the user's body. 
     
     
         9 . The heat exchange apparatus of  claim 8  further comprising a modular member having an opening and a pouch sized and shaped to receive the first bladder and the second bladder wherein the modular member has a fastener to hold the modular member in place relative to the portion of the user's body receiving therapy. 
     
     
         10 . The heat exchange apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the portion of the user's body is one of a foot, a foot and an ankle, a lower leg, an upper leg, a knee, and a shoulder. 
     
     
         11 . The heat exchange apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the manifold is configured to mate with a curvature of a portion of the user's body receiving therapy from the first and the second bladder. 
     
     
         12 . The heat exchange apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second bladder further comprises a first surface and a second surface wherein the first surface is directed towards the first bladder and the second surface is directed towards a user when the second bladder is in use to deliver therapy to a portion of the user's body. 
     
     
         13 . The heat exchange apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the first surface has a first side in communication with a fluid contained within the first bladder and a second side in communication with a fluid contained in the second bladder. 
     
     
         14 . The heat exchange apparatus of  claim 1  wherein a perimeter of the first bladder is aligned with a perimeter of the second bladder. 
     
     
         15 . The heat exchange apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the length of the first tube configured for use with the first bladder and the length of the first tube and the length of the second tube configured for use in the second bladder positions the manifold adjacent to the bladder perimeter. 
     
     
         16 . The heat exchange apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the length of the first tube configured for use with the first bladder and the length of the first tube and the length of the second tube configured for use in the second bladder positions the manifold in a position spaced apart from the bladder perimeter. 
     
     
         17 . A heat exchange apparatus comprising:
 a first bladder having a first opening;   a second bladder having a first opening and a second opening;   a manifold having a first connection port with a first quick disconnect fitting, a second connection port with a second quick disconnect fitting, and a third connection port with a third quick disconnect fitting;   a first tubular member configured to provide fluid communication from the first quick disconnect fitting to an interior volume of the first bladder via the first opening in the first bladder;   a second tubular member configured to provide fluid communication from the second quick disconnect fitting to an interior volume of the second bladder via the first opening in the second bladder; and   a third tubular member configured to provide fluid communication from the third quick disconnect fitting to an interior volume of the second bladder via the second opening in the second bladder.   
     
     
         18 . The heat exchange apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a fluid circulation and pressurizing unit; and   a hose having a first end connector adapted and configured to couple to the first quick disconnect fitting, the second quick disconnect fitting and the third quick disconnect fitting of the manifold and a second end connector adapted and configured to couple to the fluid circulation and pressurizing unit.   
     
     
         19 . The heat exchange apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a fluid circulation and pressurizing unit; and   a hose having a first end connector adapted and configured to couple to the first quick disconnect fitting, the second quick disconnect fitting and the third quick disconnect fitting of the manifold and a second end in communication with the fluid circulation and pressurizing unit.   
     
     
         20 . The heat exchange apparatus of  claim 19  wherein the fluid circulation and pressurizing unit is adapted and configured to provide air to the first bladder and water to the second bladder. 
     
     
         21 . The heat exchange apparatus of  claim 17  wherein when the first bladder and the second bladder are sized and shaped so as to be adapted to at least partially encircle a portion of a user's body while providing therapy to at least a portion of the at least partially encircled portion of the user's body. 
     
     
         22 . The heat exchange apparatus of  claim 21  further comprising a modular member having an opening and a pouch sized and shaped to receive the first bladder and the second bladder wherein the modular member has a fastener to hold the modular member in place relative to the portion of the user's body receiving therapy. 
     
     
         23 . The heat exchange apparatus of  claim 21  wherein the portion of the user's body is one of a foot, a foot and an ankle, a lower leg, an upper leg, a knee, and a shoulder. 
     
     
         24 . The heat exchange apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the second bladder further comprises a first surface and a second surface wherein the first surface is directed towards the first bladder and the second surface is directed towards to a user when the second bladder is in use to deliver therapy to a portion of the user's body. 
     
     
         25 . The heat exchange apparatus of  claim 24  wherein the first surface has a first side in communication with a fluid contained within the first bladder and a second side in communication with a fluid contained in the second bladder. 
     
     
         26 . The heat exchange apparatus of  claim 17  wherein the length of the first tubular member, the second tubular member and the third tubular member positions the manifold adjacent to the bladder perimeter. 
     
     
         27 . The heat exchange apparatus of  claim 17  wherein the length of the first tubular member, the second tubular member and the third tubular member positions the manifold in a position spaced apart from the bladder perimeter.