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. In various embodiments, the second and third modular members are sleeves selected from among a plurality of differently configured sleeves. Methods of making and using the system are also disclosed.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A therapy apparatus for treatment of an animate body comprising:
 a heat transfer device comprising a fluid bladder adapted to circulate a coolant to transfer heat between the device and the animate body, and an inflatable bladder adapted to apply compressive force to the animate body, the fluid bladder formed by a first and second layer and the inflatable bladder formed by a third layer and sharing the second layer with the fluid bladder,   wherein the first, second and third layers have a laminate coating,   wherein the first, second, and third layers are bonded together by thermal bonding between the laminate coatings.   
     
     
         12 . The therapy apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein a thickness of the laminate coating varies between the first, second and third layers. 
     
     
         13 . The therapy apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein in a thickness of the laminate coating on an inner surface of the first layer is greater than a thickness of the laminate coating on an inner surface of the third layer. 
     
     
         14 . The therapy apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the thickness of the laminate coating on the inner surface of the first layer is greater than a thickness of the laminate coating on both a fluid bladder-facing surface of the second layer and an inflatable bladder-facing surface of the second layer. 
     
     
         15 . The therapy apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the first, second, and third layers are RF welded together. 
     
     
         16 . The therapy apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the first, second, and third layers a constructed from nylon and the laminate coating is constructed from polyurethane. 
     
     
         17 . The therapy apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising a fluid source fluidly coupled to the fluid bladder and a gas source fluidly coupled to the inflatable bladder. 
     
     
         18 . The therapy apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising a fastening element coupled between a front side and a back side of the heat transfer device 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the front side includes a hook portion which forms the hook portion of a hook and loop fastening element, and the back side includes a loop portion which forms the loop portion of the hook and loop fastening element of the apparatus. 
     
     
         20 . A therapy apparatus for treatment of an animate body comprising:
 a heat transfer device comprising a fluid bladder for circulating a fluid and an inflatable bladder for pressurization to apply a compressive force, the fluid bladder formed by a first and second layer and the inflatable bladder formed by a third layer and sharing the second layer with the fluid bladder, where a grain direction of each of the first, second, and third layer is rotated relative to each other; and   a connection port in communication with the fluid bladder and the inflatable bladder.   
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the grain direction of the woven materials of each of the first, second and third layers is rotated by about 10 to 30 degrees relative to each other. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the grain direction of the second layer is offset in a counterclockwise direction from the grain direction of the first layer,
 wherein the grain direction of the third layer is offset in a clockwise direction from the grain of the second layer.   
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the grain direction of the second layer is offset in a counterclockwise direction by about 10 to 30 degrees from the grain direction of the first layer,
 wherein the grain direction of the third layer is offset in a clockwise direction by about 10 to 30 degrees from the grain of the second layer.   
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the first, second, and third layer are composed of a woven material. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the woven material of each of the first, second and third layers is laminated with a polymer material. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the woven material comprises a nylon material. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , further comprising a fluid source fluidly coupled to the fluid bladder and a gas source fluidly coupled to the inflatable bladder. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , further comprising a fastening element coupled between a front side and a back side of the heat transfer device. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 28 , further comprising a front site and a back side, the front side having a hook portion which forms the hook portion of a hook and loop fastening element, and the back side having a loop portion which forms the loop portion of the hook and loop fastening element of the apparatus.