Thermal eye compress systems and methods of use

Abstract

An apparatus includes a flexible frame, a coupling portion, and an insulating portion. The flexible frame is configured to support a thermal therapeutic member and is transitioned between a first configuration and a second configuration to place the therapeutic member in substantially continuous contact with a target portion of the body. The coupling portion is coupled to the flexible frame and is transitioned from a first configuration to a second configuration to retain the flexible frame in its second configuration. The insulating portion is transitioned from a first configuration to a second configuration to be coupled to the flexible frame. The insulating portion at least partially controls a transfer of thermal energy between the thermal therapeutic member and the target portion of the body.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . An eye compress system configured to be applied to an eye region of a user, the eye compress system comprising:
 a thermally adjustable pack and having a surface area, an external frame having a surface area, and an insulating member configured to reduce thermal transfer to or from the thermally adjustable pack, the insulating member configured to be coupled to the external frame, wherein the surface area of the thermally adjustable pack is greater than the surface area of the external frame.   
     
     
         2 . The eye compress system of  claim 1 , wherein the thermally adjustable pack contains a thermal gel. 
     
     
         3 . The eye compress system of  claim 1 , wherein the external frame has an external surface, and wherein the insulating member is configured to be coupled to the external surface of the external frame. 
     
     
         4 . The eye compress system of  claim 1 , wherein, when the insulating member is coupled to the external frame, the insulating member includes right and left conical protuberances each having an apex positioned anterior to a right and a left periorbital region of the user respectively, when the apparatus is applied to the eye region of the user. 
     
     
         5 . The eye compress system of  claim 1 , wherein the insulating member is configured to have a first substantially flat or planar configuration when in a resting state, and a second substantially convex configuration when coupled to the external frame. 
     
     
         6 . The eye compress system of  claim 5 , wherein, when the insulating member is in the first substantially flat or planar configuration, the insulating member includes two lobes separated by a nasal region, each lobe having a pair of leaflets. 
     
     
         7 . The eye compress system of  claim 6 , wherein each lobe defines a slit extending from a central location to an inferior peripheral position, each slit defining a pair of leaflets separated by the slit. 
     
     
         8 . The eye compress system of  claim 3 , wherein the insulating member defines a set of openings and the external frame includes a set of posts, the posts configured to be disposed in the openings in order to couple the insulating member to the external frame.