TWI844597B - Medical devices for thermotherapy and uses of chemical heating packs - Google Patents

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a medical device for thermotherapy, which can provide a whole body thermotherapy effect without the use of power.

The medical device for thermotherapy uses a heat generating part containing reduced iron powder as an oxidizing metal, and is contained in a container containing a moisture permeable sheet with a moisture permeability of 300~1200g/ ^m2.day . By placing the medical device for thermotherapy on at least a part of the sole of the foot, the whole body can be warmed up, and blood circulation can be promoted in the hands, feet, shoulders, and other parts of the body.

Description

Uses of medical devices for thermotherapy and chemical heating packs

Invention Field

The present invention relates to a medical device for thermotherapy, which can provide a whole body thermotherapy effect without using an electric power source.

Background technology

The so-called thermal effect is the effect of giving the human body the energy of heat sources to warm the body. It is known that this can bring therapeutic effects such as promoting blood circulation, improving fatigue, improving muscle stiffness, and activating gastrointestinal motility. In the past, various medical devices for thermal therapy that are used to give thermal effects have been developed (for example, patent document 1).

However, most of the medical devices used for thermotherapy require power, which is not convenient or universal. In addition, most of the medical devices used for thermotherapy are limited to providing a warming effect to a part of the body, and lack the ability to provide a warming effect to the entire body.

In recent years, the following view has been discovered: by applying the warming effect to the whole body, the therapeutic effect using the warming can be enhanced, and further, the immune activation effect can also be enhanced. However, in order to apply the warming effect to the whole body, the current situation is that we have to adopt inconvenient methods such as bathing.

Prior art literature

Patent Literature

Patent document 1: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2009-26867

Summary of invention

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a medical device for thermotherapy, which can provide a whole body thermotherapy effect without the use of power.

The inventors have carefully studied to solve the above problems and found that a medical device for thermotherapy uses a heat generating part containing reduced iron powder as an oxidizing metal, and contains it in a storage body containing a moisture permeable sheet with a moisture permeability of 300~1200g/ ^m2.day . By arranging the medical device for thermotherapy on at least a part of the sole of the foot, the whole body can be warmed, not only the sole of the foot, but also the hands, feet, shoulders, etc. The present invention was completed based on the above insights and repeated studies.

That is, the present invention provides the following invention.

Item 1. A medical device for thermotherapy, which is installed on at least a part of the sole of the foot and comprises: a heating part which generates heat to be transmitted to the sole of the foot; and a housing which houses the heating part and contains a moisture permeable sheet on at least one side; the heating part contains reduced iron powder, and the moisture permeability of the moisture permeable sheet is 300-1200 g/m ² . day.

Item 2. A medical device for thermotherapy as in Item 1, wherein the heat generating part further contains an oxidant and water.

Item 3. A medical device for thermotherapy as described in Item 1 or Item 2, wherein the moisture permeable sheet is a laminated sheet of a porous breathable resin layer and a fiber base material.

Item 4. A medical device for thermotherapy as described in any one of Items 1 to 3, wherein an adhesive layer is provided on one surface of the aforementioned storage body.

Item 5. A medical device for thermotherapy as defined in any of Items 1 to 4, which is used to impart a thermotherapy effect to the entire body.

Item 6. A use of a chemical heating pack for manufacturing a medical device for thermal therapy to be mounted on at least a portion of the sole of the foot, wherein the chemical heating pack comprises: a heating portion that generates heat to be conducted to the sole of the foot; and a housing that houses the heating portion and contains a moisture permeable sheet on at least one side; the heating portion contains reduced iron powder, and the moisture permeability of the moisture permeable sheet is 300-1200 g/m ² . day.

Item 7. A method of thermal therapy, comprising the step of placing a chemical heat pack on at least a portion of the sole of a foot of a person who needs thermal therapy, wherein the chemical heat pack comprises: a heating portion that generates heat that is conducted to the sole of the foot; and a housing that houses the heating portion and contains a moisture permeable sheet on at least one side; the heating portion contains reduced iron powder, and the moisture permeability of the moisture permeable sheet is 300-1200 g/m ² . day.

According to the medical device for thermotherapy of the present invention, by being applied to the soles of the feet, blood circulation in the hands, feet, shoulders, etc. can be promoted, and a warming effect can be given to the whole body. It can also improve the feeling of coldness of the whole body, improve swelling, restore fatigue, relieve muscle pain, relieve joint pain, enhance immunity, eliminate muscle stiffness, etc. In addition, the medical device for thermotherapy of the present invention does not require power to give a warming effect, so it is also excellent in terms of convenience or versatility.

1: Storage body

11: Storage Department

12: End

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a top view of a storage body used in the present invention.

FIG2A is a schematic diagram of a top view of a moisture-permeable sheet and a non-moisture-permeable sheet used in the test example. FIG2B is a schematic diagram of a top view of a medical device for thermal therapy manufactured in the test example.

FIG3A is a schematic diagram of the adhesive sample used in the test example, viewed from the side of the medical device for thermotherapy. FIG3B is a schematic diagram of the adhesive sample used in the test example, viewed from the side of the double-sided tape.

The form used to implement the invention

The medical device for thermotherapy of the present invention is used by being installed on at least a part of the sole of the foot, and is characterized in that it is a chemical heating pack, and comprises: a heating part, which generates heat to be transmitted to the sole of the foot; and a storage body, which stores the heating part and contains a moisture-permeable sheet on at least one side; the heating part contains reduced iron powder, and the moisture permeability of the moisture-permeable sheet is 300-1200g/ ^m2.day . The medical device for thermotherapy of the present invention is described in detail below.

[Heat generating part]

In the medical device for thermotherapy of the present invention, a heating part containing reduced iron powder is provided in order to generate heat to be conducted to the sole of the foot. By selecting reduced iron powder as an oxidizable metal that generates oxidation heat by contact with oxygen, and using a storage body with specific moisture permeability described later, if it is arranged on at least a part of the sole of the foot and used, a whole body warming effect can be imparted.

In the present invention, the so-called "heat-generating part" is a part that generates heat and conducts to the sole of the foot, and is composed of a heat-generating composition containing an oxidizable metal and other components mixed as needed.

The so-called reduced iron powder is powdered iron produced by reducing iron compounds such as iron oxide or iron salts using hydrogen or the like.

The particle size range of the reduced iron powder used in the present invention is not particularly limited, and can be, for example, greater than 10μm and less than 800μm. From the perspective of further enhancing the warming effect on the whole body, the particle size of the reduced iron powder is preferably greater than 10μm and less than 500μm, and more preferably greater than 10μm and less than 300μm. In the present invention, the particle size range of the reduced iron powder is the value obtained according to the method specified in the Japanese industrial standard "JIS 8815-1994 General Rules for Sieving Test Methods".

The apparent density of the reduced iron powder used in the present invention is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, 1.0-4.0 g/cm ² , preferably 1.5-4.0 g/cm ² , and more preferably 2.0-4.0 g/cm ² . In the present invention, the apparent density is a value obtained according to the method specified in the Japanese industrial standard "JIS Z 2504:2012 Metal powder-Apparent density determination method".

In the present invention, the content of reduced iron powder in the heat generating part can be, for example, 20 to 80% by weight, preferably 25 to 70% by weight, and more preferably 30 to 60% by weight.

Furthermore, in the present invention, in order to maintain oxygen or promote the oxygen supply to the reduced iron powder, the heat generating part may also contain an oxidation promoter. There is no particular restriction on the type of oxidation promoter as long as it can maintain oxygen and supply oxygen to the reduced iron powder. Examples thereof include activated carbon, carbon black, acetylene black, bamboo charcoal, charcoal, coffee grounds charcoal, graphite, coal, coconut shell charcoal, asphalt charcoal, peat, lignite and other carbon materials. Such oxidation promoters may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

Among the oxidation promoters, activated carbon, carbon black, bamboo charcoal, charcoal, and coffee ground charcoal are preferred, and activated carbon is more preferred.

The shape of the oxidation promoter is not particularly limited. From the perspective of heat generation efficiency, it is preferably in powder, granular or fibrous form, and more preferably in powder form.

When the heat generating part contains an oxidizing agent, the content of the oxidizing agent in the heat generating part is not particularly limited, and can be, for example, 1 to 30% by weight, preferably 3 to 25% by weight, and more preferably 5 to 23% by weight.

In addition, in order to promote the oxidation reaction of the reduced iron powder, water is preferably contained in the heat generating part. The water can be any of distilled water, ion exchange water, pure water, ultrapure water, tap water, industrial water, etc.

When the heating part contains water, the water content in the heating part is not particularly limited, and can be, for example, 5 to 50% by weight, preferably 10 to 40% by weight, and more preferably 15 to 35% by weight.

Furthermore, in order to maintain water and efficiently supply water to the oxidation reaction field, the heat generating portion may also contain a water retaining agent. There is no particular limitation on the type of water retaining agent, and examples thereof include: inorganic porous materials such as vermiculite, ballast water, calcium silicate, magnesium silicate, kaolin, talc, bentonite, mica, bentonite, calcium carbonate, silica, alumina, zeolite, silica, diatomaceous earth, etc.; organic materials such as pulp, wood powder (sawdust), cotton, starch, cellulose, etc.; water-absorbing resins such as polyacrylic acid resins, polysulfonic acid resins, maleic anhydride resins, polyacrylamide resins, polyvinyl alcohol resins, polyethylene oxide resins, polyaspartic acid resins, polyglutamic acid resins, polyalginate resins, etc. These water retaining agents can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

Among these water retaining agents, vermiculite, polyacrylic acid resin, wood powder, and paper pulp are suitable; vermiculite and polyacrylic acid resin are more preferred. In addition, when inorganic porous materials are used as water retaining agents, air circulation can also be ensured in the heat-generating composition.

When the heat generating part contains a water retaining agent, there is no special restriction on the content of the water retaining agent in the heat generating part. For example, it can be 1 to 20% by weight, preferably 3 to 15% by weight, and more preferably 3 to 7% by weight.

In order to promote the oxidation reaction of the reduced iron powder, the heat generating part may also contain water-soluble salts. The types of water-soluble salts are not particularly limited, and examples thereof include sulfates, bicarbonates, chlorides or hydroxides of alkali metals (sodium, potassium, etc.), alkali earth metals (calcium, magnesium, etc.) or heavy metals (iron, copper, aluminum, zinc, nickel, silver, barium, etc.). Among these water-soluble salts, from the viewpoints of electrical conductivity and chemical stability, chlorides such as sodium chloride, potassium chloride, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, and iron (II, III) chloride are preferred, and sodium chloride is more preferred. These water-soluble salts may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

When the heat generating part contains water-soluble salts, there is no special restriction on the content of the water-soluble salts in the heat generating part. For example, it can be 0.1 to 10% by weight, preferably 0.5 to 7% by weight, and more preferably 0.5 to 5% by weight.

The heat generating part may contain other additives such as oxidized metals, chelating agents, fragrances, thickeners, shaping agents, surfactants, hydrogen generation inhibitors, etc. in addition to reduced iron powder as needed.

The pyrogenic composition used as the pyrogenic part can be prepared by mixing a predetermined amount of the aforementioned components. The preparation of the pyrogenic composition used as the pyrogenic part can be carried out in the presence of oxygen, but it is preferably prepared under reduced pressure or in an inert gas environment.

In the medical device for thermotherapy of the present invention, the amount of heat generated by each storage body can be appropriately set within the range that can be applied to the sole of the foot, for example, 5 to 30g, preferably 10 to 20g, and more preferably 12 to 18g.

[Storage body]

The medical device for thermotherapy of the present invention has a storage body for storing a heating part. In the medical device for thermotherapy of the present invention, in order to supply oxygen or water vapor to the heating part during use, the storage body has a moisture permeable sheet with a moisture permeability of 300~1200g/ ^m2.day on at least one side. By using the storage body with a moisture permeable sheet with a specific moisture permeability and the heating part containing reduced iron powder in combination, even if it is applied to the sole of the foot, a warming effect can be given to the whole body.

The moisture permeability of the moisture permeable sheet used in the present invention may be 300-1200 g/m ² . day. From the perspective of further enhancing the warming effect on the whole body, the moisture permeability of the moisture permeable sheet is preferably 650-1200 g/m ² . day, more preferably 680-1150 g/m ² . day, and particularly preferably 700-1100 g/m ² . day. In the present invention, the moisture permeability is the value measured by the method specified in the Japanese industrial standard "JIS Z0208-1975 Moisture permeability test method for moisture-proof packaging materials (cup method) at a temperature of 40°C and a humidity of 90% RH.

There is no special restriction on the material of the moisture-permeable sheet as long as it has the above-mentioned moisture permeability. It is preferably formed by at least a breathable resin layer (resin layer with fine pores). From the perspective of improving the feeling of use, it is more preferably a laminated sheet of a breathable resin layer and a fiber base material. The laminated sheet of a breathable resin layer and a fiber base material can be formed by laminating the breathable resin layer and the fiber base material in order from the inside to the outside of the storage body.

The constituent resin of the breathable resin layer is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyethylene terephthalate, polyacrylonitrile, ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer, polyamide, polyurethane, polystyrene, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polycarbonate, etc. Among these resins, polyethylene, polypropylene, and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer are preferred.

Furthermore, the breathable resin layer can be any resin film provided with pores for ensuring breathability. The shape, size and number of pores provided in the resin film can be appropriately set according to the moisture permeability that the container should have.

The thickness of the breathable resin layer can be appropriately set according to the layer structure of the moisture-permeable sheet, for example, 15~150μm, preferably 30~100μm, and more preferably 50~80μm.

The fiber substrate used in the moisture permeable sheet can be specifically exemplified by nonwoven fabrics and woven fabrics. From the perspective of the feeling of use, nonwoven fabrics are preferred. The material of the fiber substrate 232 is not particularly limited, and can be exemplified by: synthetic fibers such as polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, nylon, polypropylene, polyethylene, vinylon, rayon, acrylic acid, acetate, polyvinyl chloride, etc.; natural fibers such as cotton, linen, silk, paper, etc.; mixed fibers thereof, etc. Among these materials, from the perspective of improving the feeling of use, polyethylene terephthalate, nylon, polypropylene are preferred, and polyethylene terephthalate and nylon are more preferred.

The mass per unit area of the fiber substrate can be appropriately set according to the layer structure of the moisture permeable sheet, for example, 1-100 g/m ² , preferably 5-70 g/m ² , and more preferably 10-50 g/m ² .

The lamination of the breathable resin layer and the fiber base material can be performed using known lamination methods such as dry lamination, extrusion lamination, and thermal lamination.

The storage body used in the present invention only needs to contain the aforementioned moisture-permeable sheet on at least one side. The storage body used in the present invention is preferably in the following shape: having two sides, one side arranged on the sole side and one side arranged on the opposite side. When it is set to have a shape with two sides, the entire side can be formed by the aforementioned moisture-permeable sheet, or one side can be formed by the aforementioned moisture-permeable sheet and the other side can be formed by a sheet material with low moisture permeability (hereinafter, sometimes marked as "non-moisture-permeable sheet").

The moisture permeability of the aforementioned non-permeable sheet is, for example, 10 g/m ² · day or less, preferably 5 g/m ² · day or less, more preferably 2 g/m ² · day or less, more preferably 1 g/m ² · day or less, and particularly preferably 0 g/m ² · day.

There is no special restriction on the material of the non-permeable sheet, and a resin sheet without fine pores is preferably used as an example. There is no special restriction on the constituent resin of the resin sheet constituting the non-permeable sheet, and examples thereof include: polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyethylene terephthalate, polyacrylonitrile, ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer, polyamide, polyurethane, polystyrene, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polycarbonate, etc. Among these resins, polyethylene, polypropylene, and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer are preferably used as examples.

The thickness of the resin sheet constituting the moisture-impermeable sheet can be appropriately set according to the layer structure of the moisture-impermeable sheet, for example, 115~250μm, preferably 130~200μm, and more preferably 150~180μm.

Furthermore, the non-permeable sheet may also be formed by laminating a fiber substrate on a resin sheet without fine pores as needed. The material or unit area mass of the fiber substrate used in the non-permeable sheet is the same as that exemplified in the above-mentioned permeable sheet.

In addition, an adhesive layer is preferably provided on one side of the storage body so that it can be fixed on the sole of the foot when in use. In the storage body, when both sides are formed by the aforementioned moisture-permeable sheet, it is sufficient to provide an adhesive layer on the surface of one of the moisture-permeable sheets. Also, when one side is formed by the moisture-permeable sheet and the other side is formed by the non-moisture-permeable sheet, it is sufficient to provide an adhesive layer on the surface of the non-moisture-permeable sheet.

The adhesive layer can be disposed on the entire surface of one side of the storage body, or can be disposed partially on one side of the storage body.

The adhesive layer can be formed using an adhesive. The so-called adhesive is a composition containing a polymer (adhesive polymer) that exhibits adhesiveness in the presence of an oil or other solvent, and the adhesive polymer is dispersed or dissolved in the oil or other solvent to exhibit adhesiveness. The type or composition of the adhesive polymer contained in the adhesive is well known. In the present invention, the adhesive used in the adhesive layer of a conventional disposable heating pack can be used. The types of adhesives include rubber adhesives, acrylic adhesives, silicone adhesives, urethane adhesives, etc.

The coating weight of the adhesive layer is, for example, 5 to 40 g/m ² , preferably 10 to 30 g/m ² , and more preferably 15 to 25 g/m ² .

Furthermore, when an adhesive layer is provided on one surface of the storage body, a demolding layer that can be demolded can also be provided on the outer surface of the adhesive layer. When a demolding layer is provided, it can prevent the adhesive layer from drying out during storage, and prevent the adhesive layer from sticking and causing a decrease in handling properties, etc.

Examples of release layers include resin films such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyacrylonitrile, ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer, and polypropylene; and papers that have been subjected to a process such as silicone processing to impart release properties. Furthermore, even when a resin film is used as a release layer, a process such as silicone processing to impart release properties may be performed.

When the storage body is a shape composed of two surfaces arranged on the sole side and the surface arranged on the opposite side, it is formed by bonding the two moisture-permeable sheets or the one moisture-permeable sheet and the one non-moisture-permeable sheet around the area of the storage heating part.

There is no particular limitation on the method of bonding the two moisture-permeable sheets or the one moisture-permeable sheet and the one non-moisture-permeable sheet. For example, when a heat-fusible resin is used in the moisture-permeable sheet or the non-moisture-permeable sheet, the end 12 can be heat-fused (heat-sealed) using the heat-fusible resin, or an adhesive can be used to bond the end 12.

The shape of the storage body 1 can be set to be arranged on at least a part of the sole of the foot, and can be appropriately set according to the part of the sole of the foot to be applied. For example, if it is arranged from a part of the back of the toe to the root part of the back of the toe, the plan view shape can be shown as Figure 1, where the end edge of the straight line extends in one direction and the other end edge forms a circular shape. In addition, a shape of the storage body 1 can be slightly flat, but the surface of the storage body 1 arranged on the sole side can be provided with a concave part or a convex part to cater to the shape of the sole of the foot.

The area of the portion of the housing 1 housing the heating unit (the area of the portion housing the heating unit when viewed horizontally) is, for example, 20 to 180 cm ² , preferably 30 to 70 cm ² , and more preferably 35 to 60 cm ² .

[Packaging form]

The medical device for thermotherapy of the present invention is packaged in a packaging material having oxygen barrier properties and is provided in a state where it is not in contact with the air. When used, it is placed on at least a portion of the sole of the foot, whereby the heating portion comes into contact with the air and starts to generate heat.

[Instructions]

The medical device for thermotherapy of the present invention is installed on at least a part of the sole of the foot for use. The medical device for thermotherapy of the present invention can impart a thermotherapy effect to the whole body such as the hands, feet, shoulders, etc. by being applied locally to at least a part of the sole of the foot. In addition, the medical device for thermotherapy of the present invention can impart a thermotherapy effect to the whole body, and therefore, it can be used for the purpose of promoting blood circulation throughout the body, improving coldness, improving fatigue, improving muscle stiffness, activating gastrointestinal motility, activating immunity, etc.

The medical device for thermotherapy of the present invention can be directly fixed on the skin of the sole of the foot for use, and can also be fixed on the sole of the foot for use while wearing socks. In addition, the medical device for thermotherapy of the present invention can also be fixed on the insole of a shoe or slipper and used by wearing the shoe or slipper.

There is no particular limitation on the location of the sole of the foot where the medical device for thermotherapy of the present invention is applied, for example, the toe groin, the root of the toe groin, the arch of the foot, the flexor digiti minimi brevis muscle, the heel, etc. Moreover, the medical device for thermotherapy of the present invention only needs to be designed to be disposed on at least a portion of the sole of the foot, for example, it can be designed to be disposed on a portion of the sole of the foot and also disposed on the surface of the toe or at least a portion of the instep. From the perspective of further enhancing the warming effect on the whole body, the part of the sole of the foot equipped with the medical device for warming treatment of the present invention is preferably at least the root part of the toe belly, more preferably at least a part of the toe belly and the root part of the toe belly, and most preferably the sole of the foot from about 0 to 1 cm in front of the middle toe to about 9 to 20 cm toward the heel.

Implementation example

The following lists embodiments and other examples to specifically illustrate the present invention, but the present invention is not limited by them in any way.

1. Preparation of medical machines for thermotherapy

Prepare moisture permeable sheets A~F of various moisture permeabilities shown in Table 1. The shape of each moisture permeable sheet is shown in Figure 2A. In addition, the moisture permeability of each moisture permeable sheet is measured at a temperature of 40°C and a humidity of 90%RH according to the method specified in the Japanese industrial standard "JIS Z0208-1975 Moisture permeability test method for moisture-proof packaging materials (cup method). In addition, the prepared moisture permeable sheets A~F are all laminated sheets made of a water-needle non-woven fabric made of polyethylene terephthalate (unit area mass 30g/ ^m2 ) and a polyethylene film with fine pores (thickness 60μm), and the moisture permeability can be controlled by the size and number of fine pores in the polyethylene film.

In addition, a non-permeable sheet (thickness 159 μm) with a moisture permeability of 0 g/m ² . day was prepared. The shape of the non-permeable sheet is shown in FIG2A . After applying an adhesive on one side of the non-permeable sheet to form a thickness of 21 g/m ² , a release sheet was laminated.

In addition, various iron powders shown in Table 2 were prepared separately. Iron powder A was prepared by classifying iron powder ("MR2", manufactured by Tonghe Iron Powder Co., Ltd.) using a sieve with an opening of 180 μm, and recovering the iron powder remaining in the sieve. Iron powder B was prepared by classifying iron powder ("MR2", manufactured by Tonghe Iron Powder Co., Ltd.) using a sieve with an opening of 45 μm, and recovering the iron powder that had passed through the sieve. Iron powder is used to prepare. Iron powder C is made of iron powder ("80AF", (manufactured by Kobe Steel Co., Ltd.). Iron powder D is prepared by grading iron powder ("80AF", (manufactured by Kobe Steel Co., Ltd.) using a sieve with an opening of 180μm and recovering the iron powder remaining in the sieve. In addition, the apparent density is measured by the method specified in the Japanese industrial standard "JIS Z2504: 2012 Metal powder-Apparent density measurement method".

Using the aforementioned iron powders, a heat-generating composition of the composition shown in Table 3 was prepared and used as a heat-generating body. The heat-generating body 13g was sandwiched between the aforementioned moisture-permeable sheet and the aforementioned non-moisture-permeable sheet in a manner such that the non-woven fabric side of the moisture-permeable sheet and the adhesive layer laminated on the non-moisture-permeable sheet constituted the outer sides respectively. In this state, the peripheral portions (width 0.5 cm) of the two sheets were heat-fused in a manner such as that shown in FIG. 2B when viewed from above, and a medical device for thermotherapy in which a heat-generating body was housed in the housing portion 11 was manufactured (the surrounding black line portion in FIG. 2B is the heat-fused peripheral portion). In addition, in the housing body 1 of the manufactured medical device for thermotherapy, the area of the portion housing the heating unit (the area of the portion housing the heating unit when viewed horizontally) is 57 cm ² .

The manufactured medical device for thermotherapy is quickly stored in a non-air-permeable sealed bag and sealed. In addition, the combination of the moisture-permeable sheet and the iron powder used in the heating element of the manufactured medical device for thermotherapy is shown in Table 4.

2. Evaluation of the warming effect on the whole body

(1) Preparation of adhesive samples

Cut off the sole of a new sock on the market (composition material: polyester 53% by weight, nylon 42% by weight, and polyurethane 5% by weight) to obtain a rectangular (length 10 cm, width 8 cm) base fabric. The adhesive layer side of the medical device for warm therapy prepared in the above-mentioned method is bonded to one side of the base. Furthermore, two double-sided tapes are bonded to both ends of the other side of the base to prepare a bonding sample. FIG3A shows a picture of the bonding sample viewed from the side of the medical device for warm therapy, and FIG3B shows a picture of the bonding sample viewed from the side of the double-sided tape.

(2) Determination of thermal effect

A 29-year-old male was used as a test subject, and the blood flow was measured using the following method. First, the temperature in the test room was set to 20°C and the humidity was 30%RH. In order to confirm that the temperature and humidity were stable, the room was left for about 1 hour. Then, the test subject, wearing only socks and swimming trunks, entered the test room and was allowed to adapt to the situation for 30 minutes with the socks removed. Then, a Doppler blood flow meter ("PeriScan" manufactured by INTEGRAL Co., Ltd.) was used to measure the blood flow (blood flow before adhesion) of the foot (right ankle), hand (back of right hand), and shoulder (back of right shoulder). Next, the part of the vertex X shown in Figure 3A is set to constitute the part 1 cm from the front end of the middle toe of the left sole close to the heel. The vertex X constitutes the toe side and the end Y constitutes the heel side. The adhesive sample is adhered to the area from the toe back to the root of the sole of the foot through double-sided tape, and this state is maintained for 60 minutes.

After 60 minutes of sticking the patch sample to the sole of the foot, the blood flow (blood flow after sticking) of the foot (right ankle), hand (right back) and shoulder (right shoulder back) was measured using a Doppler blood flow meter. The blood flow value before sticking was subtracted from the blood flow value after sticking to calculate the blood flow change after use.

In addition, with the same test subject, the adhesive sample was attached to the heel of the left foot, and the blood flow was measured using the same method. In addition, when the adhesive sample was attached to the heel of the left foot, the vertex X shown in Figure 3A was arranged on the vertex side of the heel, and the end Y was arranged on the toe side.

Furthermore, with the same test subject, the adhesive sample was attached to the left shoulder and the blood flow was measured using the same method. In addition, when the adhesive sample was attached to the left shoulder, the vertex X shown in Figure 3A was arranged on the neck side of the left shoulder and the end Y was arranged on the left wrist side.

3. Results

The results are shown in Table 4. In the medical device for thermotherapy using a heat-generating body containing reduced iron and a moisture-permeable sheet with a moisture permeability of 300 to 1200 g/m ² . day, when applied to the sole of the foot, it can be confirmed that the blood flow of the hands, feet and shoulders increases, and an excellent whole-body thermotherapy effect can be given (Examples 1 to 4). In particular, in the medical device for thermotherapy using a moisture-permeable sheet with a moisture permeability of 650 to 1200 g/m ² . day, the thermotherapy effect extending to the whole body is excellent (Examples 1 to 3). In contrast, when a heat-generating body containing unreduced iron is used, regardless of the moisture permeability of the moisture-permeable sheet, if applied to the sole of the foot, the blood flow of the hands or feet does not increase (Comparison Examples 1 to 5). Furthermore, even if a medical device for thermotherapy uses a heating element containing reduced iron and a moisture permeable sheet with a moisture permeability of 300~1200g/ ^m2.day , if it is applied to the shoulder, it cannot increase blood flow to the hand and cannot provide a whole-body warming effect.

Claims (6)

A medical device for thermotherapy is provided, which is installed on at least a part of the sole of the foot and comprises: a heating part, which generates heat to be transmitted to the sole of the foot; and a housing, which houses the heating part and contains a moisture-permeable sheet on at least one side; the heating part is composed of a heat-generating composition containing reduced iron powder and 5-50% by weight of water, and the moisture permeability of the moisture-permeable sheet is 300-1200 g/m ² . day. For example, a medical device for thermotherapy as described in claim 1, wherein the heat-generating portion further contains an oxidant. A medical device for thermotherapy as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the moisture permeable sheet is a laminated sheet of a porous breathable resin layer and a fiber base material. For example, the medical device for thermotherapy of claim 1 or 2 has an adhesive layer disposed on one surface of the aforementioned storage body. For example, a medical device for thermotherapy as specified in claim 1 or 2, which is used to impart a thermogenic effect to the entire body. A use of a chemical heating pack is used to manufacture a medical device for thermotherapy that is mounted on at least a portion of the sole of the foot and used. The chemical heating pack comprises: a heating portion that generates heat that is conducted to the sole of the foot; and a housing that houses the heating portion and contains a moisture permeable sheet on at least one side. The heating portion is composed of a heat-generating composition containing reduced iron powder and 5-50% by weight of water, and the moisture permeability of the moisture permeable sheet is 300-1200 g/m ² . day.