Apparatus and method for the reduction of pain using vibration, cold and distractive elements

Abstract

A device for reduction of pain, comprising a casing comprising a flexible sheet of material having a first end and a second end; at least one thermal source associated with the casing; a fastener for removably joining the first end and the second end; at least one vibration source; at least one power source; at least one switch for actuating the at least one vibration source, the at least one vibration source, the at least one power source and the at least one switch being in electrical communication with each other. The device further includes a distraction aid in the form of a still or animated image associated with the casing which can distract the patient from the perception of pain.

1 . A device for reducing pain, comprising: 
 a) a casing comprising 
 i. an application area, at least a portion of the application area constructed to be placed proximate to or in contact with a subject's skin,  
 ii. a vibration source housing section,  
 iii. a recess area for receiving a power supply,  
 iv. a lid for covering said recess area,  
 v. a removable cover associated with said casing;  
   b) at least one thermal source capable of being cooled and being associated with said casing such that at least a portion of said thermal source can either directly or indirectly be placed in contact with a subject's skin;    c) at least one vibration source contained within said vibration source housing section, said vibration source capable of producing vibration; and    d) at least one power source for powering said vibration source,    whereby the combination of the transmission of cold and vibration produces a thermal analgesia and vibrational analgesia effect on the subject so as to reduce pain.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising an actuator switch for activating and deactivating said vibration source.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said power source is either a battery, solar cell, wind-up motor, a kinetic power source, a power cord adapted for an AC wall outlet, a rechargeable power supply, or a combination of any of the foregoing.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a visual distraction-creating member associated with said removable cover.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein said visual distraction-creating member comprises an image associated with said removable cover.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein said visual distraction-creating member comprises an animated image.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein said visual distraction-creating member comprises at least one touch-activated button and a task area which, upon activation of said button, causes a sensory feedback signal to be actuated, thereby providing feedback to said subject that said task was completed.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said application area of said casing projects from said casing and said thermal source is adapted to at least partially encompass said application area.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said application area comprises a generally hollow pedestal associated with one side of said casing.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein said thermal source has a torus shape and which can be fitted around said pedestal.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said thermal source is selected from the group consisting of a gel pack, a cold pack, a solid ingot of material capable of being cooled, ice, a chemical material that, when mixed, achieves a cooled state for an extended period of time, and, combinations of the foregoing.  
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a strap.  
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said thermal source is a Peltier device.  
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said application area comprises a thermally conducting material.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein said thermally conducting material comprises a sheet of polymeric film.  
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said thermal source is disposed at least partially within said casing.  
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said application area comprises a U-shaped member associated with said casing and having at least one said vibration source in said U-shaped member.  
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said application area comprises a ring-shaped member associated with said casing and having at least one said vibration source in said ring-shaped member.  
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said application area comprises a first arm and a second arm, each arm having a proximal end and a distal end, at least a portion of said first and second arms being hollow, said proximal ends being pivotably connected by a pin and said pin being associated with said casing.  
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein at least one of said first and second arm contains a thermal source and a vibration source.  
   
   
       21 . A device for reduction of pain, comprising: 
 a. a casing comprising a flexible sheet of material having a first end and a second end;    b. at least one thermal source associated with said casing;    c. a fastener for removably joining said first end and said second end;    d. at least one vibration source;    e. at least one power source;    f. at least one switch for actuating said at least one vibration source, said at least one vibration source, said at least one power source and said at least one switch being in electrical communication with each other.    
   
   
       22 . The device of  claim 21 , further comprising a distraction aid comprising an image or other indicia associated with said device and capable of attracting the attention of a patient.  
   
   
       23 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein said distraction aid comprises a band of material which can be removably associated with said device, said band including an image.  
   
   
       24 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a strap for securing the device to the subject.  
   
   
       25 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a removable cover or casing.  
   
   
       26 . A method for reducing pain, comprising the steps of: 
 a) providing a device comprising a casing having an application area, at least a portion of the application area constructed to contact a subject's skin;    b) providing a thermal source contained within the casing, the thermal source capable of being cooled, and cooling the thermal source;    c) providing a vibrational source contained within the casing, the vibrational source capable of producing vibration;    d) contacting the application area to the subject's skin;    e) activating the vibrational source so that the vibrational source produces vibrations;    f) maintaining the thermal source and the vibrational source on the patient's skin for a time period; and,    g) providing a distraction aid associated with said device so that the subject is able to see said distraction aid,    wherein the application area is constructed to allow the transmission of cold from the thermal source to the subject's skin and the transmission of the vibration from the vibrational source to the subject's skin, whereby after contacting the application area to the subject's skin and activating the vibrational sources, cold and vibration is transmitted to the subject via the application area, and whereby the combination of the transmission of cold and vibration produces a thermal analgesia and vibrational analgesia effect on the subject and the presence of distraction aid so as to reduce pain.    
   
   
       27 . The method as claimed in  claim 13 , further comprising the step of placing the device on the subject's skin at a position proximate to the neural pathway between where pain either is occurring or will occur and the subject's brain.  
   
   
       28 . The method as claimed in  claim 13 , further comprising the step of placing the device on the subject at a position proximal to a nerve plexi on the subject.