Moist heat apparatus

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The above disadvantages of the prior art are overcome by the present invention which provides an improved moist heat pack having a heat source positioned within its inner body portion, and a means on its top surface specifically calibrated for monitoring the temperature at the interface of the bottom surface of the heat pack and the subject's skin.
Thermal energy can be provided to the heat source by many methods, e.
g.
, microwave stimulation, electric current and heating elements, hot/warm water activation, or by a exothermic chemical reaction of component materials of the heat source.
One embodiment of the present invention provides a heat source comprised of a plurality of particulate beads that, when preheated by a source of thermal energy (e.
g.
, microwave energy), absorb transmittable energy which, in turn, heats the skin during therapy.
The moist heat pack of the present invention may also provide a means for preventing moisture evaporation from the top of the moist heat pack.
In one embodiment of the invention, the means for preventing moisture evaporation from the top of the moist heat pack is a water proof film of ethyl vinyl alcohol ("EVA") which can withstand successive microwavings without significant breakdown.
The strategic placement of this insulator/barrier provides for improved heat and moisture retention by eliminating heat losses associated with evaporative cooling at exposed surfaces, which results in improved therapy at the injury site.
The present invention also provides an easy and effective means for continually monitoring the surface skin temperature during temperature dependent therapy without interrupting therapy.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the temperature monitoring device is a liquid crystal temperature indicating strip, calibrated to indicate the actual temperature at the interface of the bottom surface of the therapy pack and the subject's skin over a predetermined range of temperatures.