Enhanced Integrated Cold Therapy-Compression Therapy Assembly

Publication ID: 24-11857491_0001_PTD
Published: October 28, 2025
Category:Direct Improvements & Enhancements

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Enhanced Integrated Cold Therapy-Compression Therapy Assembly,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857491_0001_PTD, Published October 28, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857491_0001_PTD
This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,857,491.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

An advanced integrated cold therapy-compression therapy assembly that improves patient outcomes by enhancing coolant circulation, compression settings, and treatment protocols, while increasing user comfort and convenience.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent's integrated cold therapy-compression therapy assembly had limitations in maintaining consistent coolant temperatures, reducing pressure drops, and accommodating varying patient needs. The new inventive concept addresses these limitations by introducing enhanced insulation, improved fluid dynamics, and adjustable compression settings.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The new inventive concept comprises a coolant reservoir with enhanced insulation to maintain a consistent temperature, a tubing bundle with improved fluid dynamics to reduce pressure drop, and a treatment pad with adjustable compression settings to accommodate varying patient needs. The assembly also features a built-in temperature control system, a compression component with adjustable pressure settings, and a microprocessor-controlled system to select and implement customized treatment protocols based on patient diagnosis, treatment history, and real-time patient feedback. The treatment pad is designed with a breathable, moisture-wicking material to reduce skin irritation and a soft, padded surface to reduce pressure points.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new claims introduce novel features such as enhanced insulation, improved fluid dynamics, and adjustable compression settings, which are not present in the original patent. The inventive step lies in the combination of these features to create a more efficient, effective, and patient-centric integrated cold therapy-compression therapy assembly.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include variations in the coolant reservoir design, such as using phase-change materials or vacuum insulation, or incorporating advanced sensors and feedback mechanisms to further optimize treatment protocols. Other variations could include using different materials or geometries for the treatment pad or compression component.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The enhanced integrated cold therapy-compression therapy assembly has significant commercial potential in the medical device industry, particularly in the fields of physical therapy, sports medicine, and post-operative care. The target market includes hospitals, clinics, and rehabilitation centers, as well as individual healthcare professionals and athletes.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A61 A61H9/0092
A A61 A61F7/0085
A A61 A61F2007/0042
A A61 A61F2007/0056
A A61 A61H2201/0207
A A61 A61H2201/0214
A A61 A61H2201/0242
A A61 A61H2201/5023
A A61 A61H2201/5071
A A61 A61H2205/102

Field of Art

Medical device design for therapeutic cold and compression treatment systems, focusing on integrated medical device technologies for patient care, with expertise in thermal management, fluid dynamics, and biomechanical interface design

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A biomedical engineer or medical device designer with advanced degree, 3-5 years experience in therapeutic device development, familiar with thermal transfer principles, fluid circulation techniques, and patient-centered medical device design

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the PTD's variations represent predictable engineering improvements to the source patent's integrated cold therapy-compression system. The disclosed enhancements like adjustable compression, enhanced insulation, and microprocessor-controlled protocols are logical extensions of existing medical device design principles. These modifications represent routine optimization strategies that would be apparent to a skilled practitioner seeking to improve patient treatment effectiveness and comfort.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Reservoir container with coolant mixing chamber
PTD Variation
Spiral-shaped coolant flow path to increase coolant mixing and reduce stagnation
Obviousness Reasoning
Modifying fluid circulation geometry is a standard engineering approach to improve thermal transfer and mixing efficiency, representing a predictable design variation
Source Patent Element
Microprocessor controlling device operation
PTD Variation
Microprocessor-controlled system implementing customized treatment protocols based on patient data
Obviousness Reasoning
Expanding microprocessor functionality to incorporate adaptive treatment protocols is a known technique in medical device design, representing an obvious software-driven enhancement
Source Patent Element
Basic compression therapy device
PTD Variation
Treatment pad with breathable, moisture-wicking material and adjustable compression settings
Obviousness Reasoning
Improving patient interface materials and adding adjustability are standard ergonomic design approaches to enhance medical device user experience
Source Patent Element
Coolant reservoir container
PTD Variation
Enhanced insulation using phase-change materials or vacuum insulation techniques
Obviousness Reasoning
Selecting advanced thermal management materials represents a routine design choice for improving temperature maintenance in medical cooling systems
Source Patent Element
Basic cold therapy device with pump
PTD Variation
Pump with variable speed control to optimize coolant flow rate
Obviousness Reasoning
Implementing variable flow control is a predictable engineering solution for improving thermal transfer and system responsiveness
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on the teachings of US Patent 11857491 and the disclosed technical variations, a person of ordinary skill in the art would find the claimed innovations of the integrated cold therapy-compression system to be obvious variations that do not meet the non-obviousness requirements of 35 U.S.C. 103. The incremental improvements in device design, control systems, and patient interface represent predictable engineering solutions within the ordinary capabilities of skilled practitioners in medical device development.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,491
TitleIntegrated cold therapy-compression therapy assembly and associated treatment protocols
Assignee(s)Breg, Inc.