The proposed Thermal Joint Therapy (TJT) device aims to meet this need using a fluidics-based thermal system, in which water at modulated temperatures passes through a conformable hand-interface to produce a 30-minute therapy program. This program will be comprised of 3 cycles of 6-minute heating and 4-minute cooling periods targeting 42 °C and 16 °C skin temperatures, respectively.
Functional Overview
The device will be deliver heating and cooling to the hand through the use of a thermal liquid. There are two reservoirs, a hot and a cold, which will hold the liquid at a steady therapeutic temperature. A series of valves will control the flow of liquid to the interface with the patient’s hand. The separation of the hot and cold liquid enables rapid temperature change, a characteristic linked with therapeutic benefits.
Safety
Following safety standards, the device will be outfitted with an automatic safety shutoff controlled by the microcontroller as well as a manual safety shutoff that rests on the outside of the device.
Physical Model Prototype
