Enhanced Integrated Cold Therapy-Compression Therapy Assembly

Publication ID: 24-11857491_0006_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_0006_PTD, Published October 28, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857491_0006_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 improved integrated cold therapy-compression therapy assembly with enhanced insulation, real-time pressure sensing, and automated temperature control for optimal therapy outcomes.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent, 'Integrated cold therapy-compression therapy assembly and associated treatment protocols,' provided a foundational concept for combining cold therapy and compression therapy. However, the existing design had limitations, such as inefficient temperature control, inadequate pressure monitoring, and a lack of ergonomic design considerations. The new inventive concept addresses these limitations by introducing innovative enhancements to the original design.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The enhanced integrated cold therapy-compression therapy assembly features an improved coolant reservoir with enhanced insulation, ensuring a precise temperature range for optimal therapy. A real-time pressure sensor and automated pressure adjustment mechanism are incorporated to enhance the compression therapy function. The novel treatment pad design includes adjustable compression zones and a cold therapy fluid circulation system for targeted therapy. An advanced microprocessor-controlled cooling system dynamically adjusts coolant flow rates and temperatures based on patient feedback and therapy protocols. The ergonomic design and user-friendly interface facilitate easy setup, operation, and monitoring of treatment protocols.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new inventive concept's novelty lies in the integration of advanced features, such as real-time pressure sensing, automated temperature control, and adjustable compression zones, which overcome the limitations of the original patent. The inventive step resides in the synergistic combination of these features, resulting in an improved, more efficient, and safer therapy assembly.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include variations in the treatment pad design, such as incorporating additional sensors or using different materials. The microprocessor-controlled cooling system could be adapted for use in other medical devices or applications. The ergonomic design and user-friendly interface could be modified for use in different clinical settings or for varying patient populations.

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 pain management. The target market includes hospitals, clinics, and rehabilitation centers, as well as individual healthcare practitioners 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, specifically cold therapy and compression therapy systems, involving thermal management, fluid circulation, and patient treatment technologies

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A biomedical engineer with expertise in medical device design, thermal control systems, fluid dynamics, and patient treatment protocols, typically holding a master's or doctoral degree with 3-5 years of experience in medical device development

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the PTD's disclosed variations represent predictable incremental improvements to the source patent's integrated cold therapy-compression assembly. The technical modifications involve standard engineering techniques of adding sensors, enhancing control systems, and optimizing treatment protocols using known methodologies in medical device design. The synergistic combination of real-time pressure sensing, automated temperature control, and microprocessor-based dynamic adjustments would be considered obvious extensions of the existing technological framework.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Reservoir container with coolant mixing chamber and microprocessor control
PTD Variation
Enhanced insulation and dynamic temperature control module for precise thermal management
Obviousness Reasoning
Adding advanced thermal control is a predictable optimization using known temperature regulation techniques in medical device engineering
Source Patent Element
Basic compression therapy device functionality
PTD Variation
Real-time pressure sensing with automated pressure adjustment mechanism
Obviousness Reasoning
Incorporating sensor-based feedback control is a standard design approach for improving medical device performance and patient safety
Source Patent Element
Coolant circulation system
PTD Variation
Novel treatment pad with adjustable compression zones and targeted fluid circulation
Obviousness Reasoning
Modifying fluid distribution patterns represents a routine design choice for improving therapeutic effectiveness using known fluid dynamics principles
Source Patent Element
Microprocessor-controlled device operation
PTD Variation
Advanced cooling system dynamically adjusting flow rates based on patient feedback
Obviousness Reasoning
Implementing adaptive control algorithms is a predictable enhancement using standard software and control engineering techniques
Source Patent Element
Basic medical device interface
PTD Variation
Ergonomic design with user-friendly interface for treatment protocol monitoring
Obviousness Reasoning
Improving user interaction through design optimization is a standard approach in medical device human factors engineering
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 assembly obvious and lacking inventive step. The incremental improvements represent predictable combinations of known techniques in medical device design, thermal management, and patient treatment technologies, thereby rendering potential patent claims obvious under 35 U.S.C. Section 103.

Original Patent Information

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