Temperature controlled and vibrating therapeutic garment

Abstract

A temperature controllable wrap assembly that includes a wrap portion configured to be worn around a user’s body part, and at least a first temperature control module positioned on the wrap portion. The first temperature control module includes a housing, a controllable temperature element, a spreader member and at least a first finger spreader pivotably attached to the spreader member. The lower surface of the spreader member is positioned to contact the user’s body part. The controllable temperature element is configured to transfer thermal energy to an upper surface of the spreader member, and the spreader member is configured to conduct thermal energy to the first finger spreader.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A temperature controllable wrap assembly comprising:
 a wrap portion configured to be worn around a user’s body part;   a first temperature control module positioned on the wrap portion, wherein the first temperature control module includes: 
 a housing; 
 a controllable temperature element; 
 a spreader member; 
 a sensor embedded in the spreader member; and 
 a first finger spreader pivotably attached to the spreader member, wherein a lower surface of the spreader member is positioned to contact the user’s body part, wherein the controllable temperature element is configured to transfer thermal energy to an upper surface of the spreader member, and wherein the spreader member is configured to conduct the thermal energy to the first finger spreader; and 
   a main control module in electrical communication with the first temperature control module, wherein the main control module includes a battery.   
     
     
         2 . The temperature controllable wrap assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the lower surface of the spreader member is curved. 
     
     
         3 . The temperature controllable wrap assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first finger spreader is pivotable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the second position a distal end of the first finger spreader is positioned below the lower surface of the spreader member. 
     
     
         4 . The temperature controllable wrap assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the spreader member includes a knuckle portion, wherein the first finger spreader includes a pin portion that is received in the knuckle portion, and wherein the pin portion is rotatable within the knuckle portion. 
     
     
         5 . The temperature controllable wrap assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second temperature control module positioned on the wrap portion, wherein the second temperature control module includes: 
 a housing; 
 a controllable temperature element; 
 a spreader member; and 
 a second finger spreader pivotably attached to the spreader member of the second temperature control module, wherein a lower surface of the spreader member of the second temperature control module is positioned to contact the user’s body part, wherein the controllable temperature element of the second temperature control module is configured to transfer thermal energy to an upper surface of the spreader member of the second temperature control module, wherein the spreader member of the second temperature control module is configured to conduct the thermal energy to the second finger spreader, wherein the first finger spreader extends outwardly in a first direction, and wherein the second finger spreader extends outwardly in a second direction, and wherein the first direction is generally opposite of the second direction. 
   
     
     
         6 . The temperature controllable wrap assembly of  claim 5 , further comprising a vibration device embedded in the wrap portion. 
     
     
         7 . The temperature controllable wrap assembly of  claim 5 , further comprising first and second vibration devices embedded in the wrap portion, wherein the wrap portion comprises a center axis that extends between the first and second temperature control modules, wherein the first temperature control module is positioned between the first vibration device and the center axis and the second temperature control module is positioned between the second vibration device and the center axis. 
     
     
         8 . The temperature controllable wrap assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor embedded in the spreader member comprises a thermistor. 
     
     
         9 . The temperature controllable wrap assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the thermistor is received in a thermistor opening defined in the upper surface of the spreader member, wherein a groove is defined in the upper surface of the spreader member, and wherein a wire extends from the thermistor and through the groove. 
     
     
         10 . A temperature control module comprising:
 a housing;   a controllable temperature element having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface opposes the second surface;   a heat sink positioned in the housing and in contact with the first surface of the controllable temperature element;   a fan positioned in the housing and configured to direct heat away from the heat sink;   a spreader member, wherein the controllable temperature element is configured to transfer thermal energy to an upper surface of the spreader member;   a first finger spreader pivotably attached to the spreader member, wherein the spreader member is configured to conduct thermal energy to the first finger spreader; and   a second finger spreader, wherein the first and second finger spreaders are pivotable with respect to the housing and independently from one another.   
     
     
         11 . The temperature control module of  claim 10 , wherein the spreader member includes first and second opposing edges and third and fourth opposing edges, wherein the first finger spreader extends outwardly past the first opposing edge and the second finger spreader extends outwardly past the third opposing edge such that the first and second finger spreaders are perpendicular to one another. 
     
     
         12 . The temperature control module of  claim 10 , wherein a lower surface of the spreader member is curved. 
     
     
         13 . The temperature control module of  claim 10 , wherein the first finger spreader is pivotable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the second position a distal end of the first finger spreader is positioned below a lower surface of the spreader member. 
     
     
         14 . The temperature control module of  claim 13 , wherein the spreader member includes a knuckle portion, wherein the first finger spreader includes a pin portion that is received in the knuckle portion, and wherein the pin portion is rotatable within the knuckle portion. 
     
     
         15 . The temperature control module of  claim 10 , wherein a thermistor is embedded in the spreader member. 
     
     
         16 . The temperature control module of  claim 15 , wherein the thermistor is received in a thermistor opening defined in the upper surface of the spreader member, wherein a groove is defined in the upper surface of the spreader member, and wherein a wire extends from the thermistor and through the groove. 
     
     
         17 . A temperature control module comprising:
 a housing;   a controllable temperature element having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface opposes the second surface;   a heat sink positioned in the housing and in contact with the first surface of the controllable temperature element;   a fan positioned in the housing and configured to direct heat away from the heat sink;   a spreader member, wherein the controllable temperature element is configured to transfer thermal energy to an upper surface of the spreader member, wherein a lower surface of the spreader member is curved;   a sensor embedded in the spreader member; and   first and second finger spreaders pivotably attached to the spreader member, wherein the spreader member is configured to conduct thermal energy to the first and second finger spreaders, wherein the first and second finger spreaders are pivotable independently between a first position and a second position.   
     
     
         18 . The temperature control module of  claim 17 , wherein, in the second position, distal ends of the first and second finger spreaders are positioned below the lower surface of the spreader member, wherein the spreader member includes first and second opposing edges and third and fourth opposing edges, wherein the first finger spreader extends outwardly past the first opposing edge and the second finger spreader extends outwardly past the third opposing edge such that the first and second finger spreaders are perpendicular to one another, wherein the spreader member includes a knuckle portion, wherein the first finger spreader includes a pin portion that is received in the knuckle portion, and wherein the pin portion is rotatable within the knuckle portion. 
     
     
         19 . The temperature control module of  claim 17 , wherein the sensor embedded in the spreader member is a thermistor. 
     
     
         20 . The temperature control module of  claim 17 , wherein the controllable temperature element is a thermoelectric cooler.