William F Elkins

US Patent:

6551347, Apr 22, 2003

Filed:

Feb 24, 1993

Appl. No.:

08/022822

Inventors:

William Elkins - San Jose CA

Assignee:

Life Enhancement Technologies, Inc. - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

A61F 700

US Classification:

607104, 165 46

Abstract:

Equipment for thermal therapy of patients is disclosed. The equipment includes a flexible heat exchange structure having fluid conducting channels formed between two layers of flexible material, with improved liquid manifolds at the ends of the channels for resisting pinching, crimping or buckling in the manifolds on pressurization and when the heat exchange structure is subjected to flexure as when worn on the human body. The manifolds are configured so that pressurization shrinkage at the manifold is balanced with pressurization shrinkage laterally among the fluid conducting channels. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid conducting channels themselves are configured in a zig-zag pattern which is effective to resist buckling or pinching of the channels when the heat exchange structure is subjected to bending. In a further embodiment the flexible heat exchange structure includes a third layer of material to form a pressurized air envelope, for heat/cold and pressure therapy.

US Patent:

7001417, Feb 21, 2006

Filed:

Apr 18, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/418672

Inventors:

William Elkins - San Jose CA, US

Assignee:

Life Ehancement Technologies, Inc. - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

A61F 7/00

US Classification:

607104, 607108

Abstract:

Equipment for thermal therapy of patients is disclosed. The equipment includes a flexible heat exchange structure having fluid conducting channels formed between two layers of flexible material, with improved liquid manifolds at the ends of the channels for resisting pinching, crimping or buckling in the manifolds on pressurization and when the heat exchange structure is subjected to flexure as when worn on the human body. The manifolds are configured so that pressurization shrinkage at the manifold is balanced with pressurization shrinkage laterally among the fluid conducting channels. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid conducting channels themselves are configured in a zig-zag pattern which is effective to resist buckling or pinching of the channels when the heat exchange structure is subjected to bending. In a further embodiment the flexible heat exchange structure includes a third layer of material to form a pressurized air envelope, for heat/cold and pressure theraby.

US Patent:

7198093, Apr 3, 2007

Filed:

Jul 31, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/127256

Inventors:

William Elkins - San Jose CA, US

Assignee:

CoolSystems, Inc. - Berkeley CA

International Classification:

F28F 3/12
A61F 7/08

US Classification:

165 46, 165170, 29890039, 607104, 607108

Abstract:

A heat exchange panel for use in an active heat exchange system. The heat exchange panel includes first and second layers having seals between the layers at a common border, at fences, and at dots of a dot matrix. The dot matrix is organized into first parallel lines and second parallel lines where the first and second parallel line cross at a 90 angle. The seals at the border and the fences are rippled with smooth ripples.

US Patent:

20010018604, Aug 30, 2001

Filed:

Mar 1, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/798261

Inventors:

William Elkins - San Jose CA, US

International Classification:

A61F007/00

US Classification:

607/108000

Abstract:

A shoulder component is described for an animate body heat exchanger, which shoulder component has both a compliant bladder for confining a heat exchange medium and a gas pressure bladder which overlies such heat exchange bladder. The shoulder component includes a harness arrangement which connects to a standard waist belt to facilitate maintaining such shoulder component in position on the shoulder of a wearer. It also includes a alteration adjustment in the form of a flap and relief to enable minor configuration adjustments as necessary to assure good thermal contact.

US Patent:

20010034545, Oct 25, 2001

Filed:

Jan 26, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/771125

Inventors:

William Elkins - San Jose CA, US

International Classification:

A61F007/00

US Classification:

607/108000

Abstract:

A conformable therapy component of an animate body heat exchanger is described, which component is particularly designed for the back of a human. The component includes two registering compliant bladders for (1) confining a flowing liquid heat exchange medium, and (2) providing air pressure. It also includes a flexible tongue and a metal loop which interacts with such tongue to hold the operational aspects of the component in place conforming closely to the back of a therapy patient.

US Patent:

20010034546, Oct 25, 2001

Filed:

Jan 26, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/771123

Inventors:

William Elkins - San Jose CA, US

International Classification:

A61F007/00

US Classification:

607/111000

Abstract:

A wrist/hand therapy component of an animate body heat exchanger is described. Such component is designed to be wrapped snugly about the hand and associated wrist of a human, and has a penetration shaped to receive the thumb of a wearer.

US Patent:

20010039439, Nov 8, 2001

Filed:

Jul 10, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/901963

Inventors:

William Elkins - San Jose CA, US
Kenneth Blanchard - Milpitas CA, US

International Classification:

A61F007/00

US Classification:

607/104000, 607/114000

Abstract:

A heat exchange system using pressurized air and a flowing liquid having a controlled temperature for cooling or heating a portion of a human body. The system includes a compliant heat exchange splint and a dual function control unit. The splint includes a liquid bladder containing flowing liquid and an air bladder containing pressurized air for compressing the liquid bladder into close conformal contact with a body part of a person for cooling or heating the body part. The liquid and air bladders are defined by a common peripheral seal. The flowing liquid and the pressurized air enter and exit the splint directly into the liquid and air bladders through planar ports. The control unit includes a liquid circuit for providing the flowing fluid at a controlled temperature and an air circuit for providing the pressurized air. The control unit housing includes a coolant tub and a pivoting cover assembly that uses snaps for latching in closed positions for operation and in an open position for accessing the elements of the liquid and air circuits. The snaps in the closed position use mating protrusions and cavities, and in the open position a tongue and groove.

US Patent:

20020019657, Feb 14, 2002

Filed:

Jan 26, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/771124

Inventors:

William Elkins - San Jose CA, US

International Classification:

A61F007/00

US Classification:

607/111000, 607/108000, 602/014000

Abstract:

A conformal therapy component of an animate body heat exchanger is described. The therapy component is designed for the foot and ankle of a wearer and includes both calf and vamp parts. A packet containing a thermally conductive gel is positioned at a gap between the vamp and calf parts to transfer the thermal energy state and the air pressure at the remainder of the component to the portion the wearer's foot under the gap. A pressure reactor sole also is provided to inhibit the pressure applied to the foot from tending to “flatten out” the foot.