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Ice bag

Application of ice or some other cooling agent, whether chemically or physically prepared, is a common treatment for damaged joints. The desirability of using ice bags for thermal therapy is well accepted. Ice bags enable the user to apply cold to an injury such as a bruise or sprain without unacceptable mess. For example, when an athlete injures a knee or some other joint during the course of athletic competition, a bag of ice is typically promptly applied thereto to prevent swelling. When the injured athlete must be moved to a different location for further treatment, a problem is encountered in attempting to secure the ice bag to the injured joint for the transportation process. Cold packs may be of several general types. One type of cold pack contains an insulating material which, upon cooling in a refrigerator or freezer, gradually warm back to ambient temperature. Another type of cold pack operates via a change of phase of the components of the cold pack. Still another type of cold pack employs chemical components that are endotherm-producing on dissolution in a solvent. A common ice bag that is commercially available is the reusable type comprising a water-impermeable, commonly a rubber-lined, flexible bag having a tubular rigid neck and a removable cap. To use, the bag is filled with ice cubes or ice chips and closed with the cap, then the bag is applied to the bruised body part and held in place by hand. Another type of cold pack that is commercially available is a refrigeratable gel cold pack which comprises a refrigerant or coolant gel material contained in a plastic housing which can be either flexible or relatively inflexible. The gel packs are stored in a freezer for chilling or cooling and are then ready for use. Also commercially available is a chemical pack which comprises two or more pouches for separately storing chemical reactants which can be mixed to produce an endothermic cooling mixture. A disposable type of bag in use has a plastic liner in which the ice is placed. The plastic liner fits inside a cloth bag, which serves to insulate and provide comfort to the user. Ice cubes mostly have been molded in trays which are filled with water an placed in a freezing equipment. For example, the ice packs for single patient use are generally of two types: large general purpose ice packs designed for application to large areas of the body and small, specialized ice packs designed for application of cold locally at particular points.

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