Flexible joint wrap

Abstract

A flexible joint wrap includes a heat exchange bladder, which provides fluid circulation and compression to a joint. The joint wrap includes upper and lower sections for attachment above and below a joint. The bladder has an opening at a center section which provides flexibility of the bladder. The heat exchange bladder may be enclosed in a removable cover designed to conform to the shape of the bladder. The cover and bladder are formed with an opening in alignment with the joint to provide flexibility to the wrap. The cover may be formed of a fluid repellant inner lining to prevent fluid from the joint from soiling the bladder. The cover may further comprise a nylon loop outer surface to allow the upper and lower sections to be easily attached and adjusted.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A flexible joint wrap comprising: a heat exchange bladder comprising: an upper bladder section having two wings; a lower bladder section having two wings; and a center body bladder section having a first opening. 
     
     
         2 . The joint wrap of  claim 1 , further comprising a cover formed to enclose the bladder, wherein the cover conforms to a shape of the bladder, the cover comprising: an upper cover section having two wings; a lower cover section having two wings; and a center body cover section between the upper and lower cover sections having a first opening on a top of the cover, and a second opening on a bottom of the cover; a first tab and a second tab connected to the second opening on the bottom of the cover; and a hose coupling assembly opening. 
     
     
         3 . The joint wrap of  claim 2 , wherein one upper wing on the upper cover section is enclosed, and the other upper wing has an opening for a bladder wing; and one lower wing on the lower cover section is enclosed, and the other lower wing has an opening for a bladder wing. 
     
     
         4 . The joint wrap of  claim 3 , wherein the cover comprises an outer material of nylon loop, and a urethane inner lining. 
     
     
         5 . The joint wrap of  claim 4 , wherein one wing on the upper bladder section has a Velcro™ material on an end, and one wing on the lower bladder section has a Velcro™ material on an end, such that the Velcro™ ends extend past corresponding openings in the cover wings. 
     
     
         6 . The joint wrap of  claim 5 , wherein the cover further comprises a padded hose coupling assembly extension. 
     
     
         7 . The joint wrap of  claim 5 , wherein the first and second tabs have Velcro™ material on an end. 
     
     
         8 . The joint wrap of  claim 2 , wherein the first opening in the center body bladder section is a first slit from the upper bladder section to the lower bladder section. 
     
     
         9 . The joint wrap of  claim 8 , wherein the first opening in the center body bladder section further comprises a second slit oriented perpendicular to the first slit. 
     
     
         10 . The joint wrap of  claim 2 , wherein the bladder comprises separate chambers for cooling and compression. 
     
     
         11 . The joint wrap of  claim 7 , wherein the first and second tabs are positioned through the bottom opening in the cover, through the first opening in the bladder, and through the opening on the top of the cover, such that the Velcro™ ends on the tabs are attached against the loop material of the cover to securely attach the cover and bladder together. 
     
     
         12 . The joint wrap of  claim 3 , wherein the cover comprises an inner fluid repellant material, and Velcro™ type loop material on at least a portion of the outer enclosed cover wings. 
     
     
         13 . A flexible joint wrap, the flexible joint wrap comprising:
 a heat exchange bladder comprising:
 an upper bladder section having a first upper bladder wing and a second upper bladder wing; 
 a lower bladder section having a first lower bladder wing and a second lower bladder wing; 
 a center body bladder section between the upper and lower bladder sections; and 
 a hose coupling assembly attached to the bladder; and 
   a cover shaped to conform to a shape of the bladder comprising:
 an upper cover section having a first upper cover wing and a second upper cover wing; 
 a lower cover section having a first lower cover wing and a second lower cover wing; 
 a center body cover section between the upper and lower cover sections; and 
 a hose coupling assembly opening; 
   wherein when the bladder is in the cover, the first and second upper and lower bladder wings of the bladder align with the first and second upper and lower cover wings of the cover, and the hose coupling assembly of the bladder aligns with the hose coupling assembly opening of the cover.   
     
     
         14 . The joint wrap of  claim 13 , wherein one upper wing on the upper cover section is enclosed, and the other upper wing has an opening for a bladder wing; and one lower wing on the lower cover section is enclosed, and the other lower wing has an opening for a bladder wing. 
     
     
         15 . The joint wrap of  claim 14 , wherein the cover comprises an inner fluid repellant material, and Velcro™ type loop material on at least a portion of the outer enclosed cover wings. 
     
     
         16 . The joint wrap of  claim 14 , wherein the cover comprises an outer material of nylon loop, and a urethane inner lining. 
     
     
         17 . The joint wrap of  claim 16 , wherein one wing on the upper bladder section has a Velcro™ material on an end, and one wing on the lower bladder section has a Velcro™ material on an end, such that the Velcro™ ends extend past corresponding openings in the cover wings. 
     
     
         18 . The joint wrap of  claim 17 , wherein the cover further comprises a padded hose coupling assembly extension. 
     
     
         19 . The joint wrap of  claim 18 , wherein the first and second tabs have Velcro™ material on an end.