Separable system for applying compression and thermal treatment

Abstract

The invention relates to a separable device for the application of compression and thermal therapy to a patient. A first section includes a reservoir, liquid pump and a thermal exchange system for the application of thermal therapy as well as a dock. The second section of the device includes an air compressor and at least one controller for the application of compression therapy and can be operated independently from the first section. Additionally, the second section may be engaged with a dock of the first section.

1 . A compression and thermal application device comprising:
 a first section including a reservoir a liquid pump, a thermal exchange system, at least one port in fluid communication with said reservoir, a first section controller for controlling the operation of the liquid pump and thermal exchange system, and a first electrical connection plug;   a second section, physically separate from said first section, including an air compressor, at least one port in fluid communication with said air compressor, a second section controller for controlling the operation of the air compressor, and a second electrical connection plug;   wherein said first section further includes a dock, said dock defining a cavity that accommodates said second section such that said cavity exhibits a shape corresponding to the shape of the second section such that said second section may only be docked within said cavity in a single orientation and wherein said dock includes said first electrical connection plug; said first electrical connection plug and said second electrical connection plug being oriented such that when said second section is docked in said dock of said first section, said first electrical connection plug and said second electrical connection plug are in electrical communication.   
     
     
         2 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A compression and thermal application device as in  claim 1  wherein
 said second section includes a control panel in electrical communication with said second section controller. 
 
     
     
         22 . A compression and thermal application device as in  claim 1  wherein
 one or more of said first section controller and said second section controller controls the operation of said air compressor, said liquid pump and said thermal exchange system when said first electrical connection plug and said second electrical connection plug are connected. 
 
     
     
         23 . A compression and thermal application device as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising:
 a first removable memory connected to said first section controller and a second removable memory connected to said second section controller, at least one of said memories being adapted to store data respecting the operation of said first section controller, said second section controller, said thermal transfer system, said liquid pump or said air compressor. 
 
     
     
         24 . A compression and thermal application device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein:
 said first electrical contact and said second electrical contact each include a plurality of individual contacts and wherein one individual contact of the plurality of individual contacts of either the first electrical contact or the second electrical contact is a unique contact which has a dimension greater than the corresponding dimension of each of the other individual contacts of the electrical contact that the unique contact is included with such that as said first electrical contact and said second electrical contact are disconnected, a final connection between said first electrical contact and said second electrical contact occurs between said unique contact and at least one other individual contact. 
 
     
     
         25 . A compression and thermal application device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein:
 said first electrical contact and said second electrical contact each include a plurality of individual contacts and wherein one individual contact of the plurality of individual contacts of either the first electrical contact or the second electrical contact is a unique contact which has a dimension greater than the corresponding dimension of each of the other individual contacts of the electrical contact that the unique contact is included with and wherein at least one individual contact included on the electrical contact that does not include said unique contact is a resiliently biased individual contact that is resiliently biased in a direction toward said unique contact when said second section is docked with said first section such that as said first electrical contact and said second electrical contact are disconnected, a final connection between said first electrical contact and said second electrical contact occurs between said unique contact and said at least one resiliently biased individual contact. 
 
     
     
         26 . A compression and thermal application device as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising:
 A first section having a dock, said dock defining a cavity that accommodates said second section; 
 a resilient clip connected to said first section such that said resilient clip engages said second section when said second section is docked in said first section. 
 
     
     
         27 . A compression and thermal application device as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said cavity engages said second section when said second section is docked within said cavity. 
     
     
         28 . A compression and thermal application device comprising:
 a first section including a reservoir, a liquid pump, a thermal exchange system, at least one port in fluid communication with said reservoir, a first section controller, a first section control panel and a first electrical connection plug;   a second section, physically separate from said first section, including an air compressor, at least one port in fluid communication with said air compressor, a second section controller, a second section control panel in electrical communication with at least said second section controller, and a second electrical connection plug wherein said second electrical connection plug is removably connected to, and in electrical communication with, said first electrical connection plug;   wherein said first section further includes:   a dock, said dock defining a cavity having an opening that accommodates said second section such that when said second section is docked, said dock prevents access to said second section control panel; and   wherein said at least one port of said second section is located on said second section such that when said second section is docked, said at least one port is exposed and accessible through said cavity   
     
     
         28 . A compression and thermal application device as in  claim 28  wherein
 said first section control panel is in electrical communication with said first electrical connection plug, said second electrical connection plug and at least said second section controller when said first electrical connection plug and said second electrical connection plug are connected together such that one or more control commands input on said first section control panel directed to the operation of the thermal exchange system in the first section and the air compressor in the second section will be sent to the first section controller and said first section controller will control the operation of the thermal exchange system in response to at least one control command while said first section controller sends a control command directed to the operation of the air compressor in said second section to said second section controller such that said second section controller then controls the operation of said air compressor in said section in accordance with said control command. 
 
     
     
         29 . A compression and thermal application device as in  claim 28  wherein
 wherein said second section engages said first section when said second section is docked with said first section. 
 
     
     
         30 . A compression and thermal application device as set forth in  claim 28  further comprising:
 a first removable memory connected to said first section controller and a second removable memory connected to said second section controller, at least one of said memories being adapted to store data respecting the operation of said first section controller, said second section controller, said thermal transfer system, said liquid pump or said air compressor. 
 
     
     
         31 . A compression and thermal application device as in  claim 28  wherein
 said first section further includes a dock said dock defining a cavity that accommodates said second section; and 
 wherein said first section includes one or more resilient clips, snaps, pins or screws that engage said second section when said second section is docked with said first section. 
 
     
     
         32 . A method of storing a compression and thermal application device that comprises a first section including a dock, at least one first section port, a reservoir, a thermal exchange system, a liquid pump, a first section controller that control the operation of the liquid pump and thermal exchange system and a first section control panel in electrical communication with said first section controller;
 a second section including at least one second section port, a second section air compressor, one or more second controllers that control the operation of said air compressor and a second section control panel in electrical communication with said one or more second controllers wherein said dock accommodates said second section comprising:   inserting said second section into said dock of said first section such that said second section engages said dock and said dock covers said second section control panel.