Method and apparatus for scalp thermal treatment

Abstract

In one example, the disclosure relates to a head wrap that includes a body. A first arm extends from the body. A second arm extends from the body oppositely from, and shares a common axis with, the first arm. A center section extends from the body generally perpendicular to the first arm and the second arm. A first panel and a second panel extend from the first arm. A third panel and a fourth panel extending from the second arm. A fluid bladder is defined by the body, the first arm, the second arm, the center section, the first panel, the second panel, the third panel, and the fourth panel. A compression bladder is disposed outwardly of the fluid bladder and coextensive with the fluid bladder. A first fluid port is fluidly coupled to the fluid bladder and a second fluid port is fluidly coupled to the fluid bladder.

1 . A head wrap for conforming to a wearer's scalp, the head wrap comprising:
 a first layer adapted to be placed in contact with the wearer's scalp;   a second layer adjacent to the first layer; and   wherein, in use, the first layer and the second layer define a first arm and a second arm, the first arm and the second arm defining a common axis between the first arm and the second arm and a plurality of rounded projections extending upwardly from the first arm and the second arm on the same side of the common axis as a center rounded projection, the first arm, the second arm, and the plurality of rounded projections being selectively foldable from a generally flat configuration into a three-dimensional configuration to conform to the wearer's scalp.   
     
     
         2 . The head wrap of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a first fluid port fluidly coupled to a fluid bladder defined by the first layer and the second layer; and   a second fluid port fluidly coupled to the fluid bladder.   
     
     
         3 . The head wrap of  claim 2 , wherein the first fluid port and the second fluid port are formed between the first layer and the second layer. 
     
     
         4 . The head wrap of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a third layer adjacent to the second layer;   a compression bladder defined between the second layer and the third layer; and   wherein, in use, the third layer is selectively foldable from a generally flat configuration into a three-dimensional configuration to conform to the wearer's scalp.   
     
     
         5 . The head wrap of  claim 4 , comprising a compression port fluidly coupled to the compression bladder. 
     
     
         6 . The head wrap of  claim 5 , wherein the compression port is disposed between the second layer and the third layer. 
     
     
         7 . The head wrap of  claim 4 , comprising a first fluid port and a second fluid port that penetrate the third layer and are sealed to the second layer. 
     
     
         8 . The head wrap of  claim 4 , comprising a fourth layer adjacent to the third layer, the fourth layer being bonded to the third layer to selectively position compression on the wearer's scalp. 
     
     
         9 . The head wrap of  claim 1 , comprising a plurality of second bonds between the first layer and the second layer that define a plurality of flow paths through a fluid bladder and limit an amount of heat-transfer fluid contained in the fluid bladder. 
     
     
         10 . A head wrap for conforming to a wearer's head, the head wrap comprising:
 a body;   a first arm extending longitudinally from the body along a common axis defined through the first arm and a second arm;   the second arm extending from the body oppositely from, and sharing a common axis with, the first arm;   a center rounded projection extending from the body generally perpendicular to the first arm and the second arm;   a first rounded projection extending from the first arm on the same side of the common axis as the center rounded projection; and   a fourth rounded projection extending from the second arm on the same side of the common axis as the center rounded projection.   
     
     
         11 . The head wrap of  claim 10 , comprising:
 a second rounded projection extending from the first arm; and   a third rounded projection extending from the second arm.   
     
     
         12 . The head wrap of  claim 11 , comprising:
 a fluid bladder defined by the body, the first arm, the second arm, and the center rounded projection; and   a first fluid port fluidly coupled to the fluid bladder and a second fluid port fluidly coupled to the fluid bladder.   
     
     
         13 . The head wrap of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the first rounded projection extends at an angle relative to the common axis; and   the second rounded projection is angled relative to the common axis in a direction generally opposite the first rounded projection.   
     
     
         14 . The head wrap of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the third rounded projection extends at an angle relative to the common axis; and   the fourth rounded projection is angled relative to the common axis in a direction generally opposite the third rounded projection.   
     
     
         15 . The head wrap of  claim 12 , comprising a compression bladder disposed outwardly of the fluid bladder and coextensive with the fluid bladder. 
     
     
         16 . A method of using a head wrap to conform to a wearer's head, the method comprising:
 applying a body of the head wrap to an occipital region of a wearer's scalp;   coupling a first arm that extends from the body to a second arm that extends from the body, the second arm extending along a common axis defined through the first arm and the second arm;   coupling a first rounded projection that extends from the first arm to a fourth rounded projection that extends from the second arm, the first rounded projection and the fourth rounded projection extending from the first arm on the same side of the common axis as a center rounded projection;   coupling a second rounded projection that extends from the first arm to a third rounded projection that extends from the second arm, the second rounded projection and the third rounded projection extending from the second arm on the same side of the common axis as the center rounded projection;   coupling a center rounded projection that extends from the body to at least one of the first arm and the second arm the center rounded projection overlapping at least one of the first arm and the second arm; and.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , comprising:
 circulating a heat-transfer fluid through a fluid bladder via a first fluid port and a second fluid port; and   applying a compressed gas to a compression bladder via a compression port.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , comprising:
 placing a cap on the wearer's head over the head wrap;   adjusting the cap via selective adjustable connection of a plurality of tabs, the plurality of tabs being aligned with a sagittal line of the wearer's scalp; and   securing the cap.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the securing the cap comprises utilizing at least one of a cap securement device and a chin portion. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , comprising at least one of cooling and heating the scalp via application of the heat-transfer fluid.