Cushion applying heat to patient's body - is filled with aqueous solution of sodium acetate

摘要

The cushion for applying heat to a partic. part of a patient's body, such as the hands, feet, neck, shoulders, etc. is made in the form of a bottle from PVC sheet. This bottle is filled with an aqueous solution of sodium acetate which is capable of being super-cooled. A housing (24) which can be elastically deformed, is fitted inside the bottle. This housing has holes (32) in its wall so that the solution can flow into the housing. These holes are covered by elastically deformable discs (40) of woven metal. When the housing (24) is elastically deformed these discs are also deformed and initiate a crystallisation of the solution in an exothermic process. USE/ADVANTAGE - The cushion is maintained at a constant temp. for a relatively long time by the crystallisation process.