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 Arctic Stream Therapy Machines LLC: The purpose of Arctic Stream Therapy Machines LLC's premier technology is to replace the sub-standard technology that is offered to the public. The ice-water reservoir style ergonomic therapy devices are what is currently used for home and professional use. The positive health results for the currently available devices are well documented. However, through customer discovery and my own experience with it, there are multiple reasons why they get used for a week or two, then lay in the closet possibly losing value between uses. Firstly, preparation and post use maintenance are inconvenient. The patient or therapist must have an adequate amount of ice on hand in a nearby freezer before using. Afterwards, if the device is not disinfected, flushed and drained properly after each use, according to active members in the home therapy industry, problems with the device will make using very unpleasant. Secondly, on most models  there is little to no temperature control during usage outside of adjusting the speed control knob.

 The Arctic Stream Therapy Machines’ DCP1 prototype solves these issues by pre-storing and chilling the reservoir and "ice cells" passively beforehand so all the user needs to do is set the time and temperature then press the on button for instant cold relief. 

 So why not use a small industrial chiller to chill a reservoir as needed? Because the time to noise ratio and the accuracy to wattage ratios are relevant. The DCP1 peaks at 30 Decibels of noise and the therapy pad is at a stable temperature within two minutes. The pad temperature fluctuates a mere +/- 0.5°F.  The 60 watt compressor not only chills the reservoir beforehand, it also pre-chills what I refer to as the ice cells. The ice cells keep the reservoir temperature stable while in use, along with the compressor. By comparison a 1000 watt industrial chiller peaks above 70 Decibels of noise, while taking +10 minutes to reach low temperatures. It also fluctuates far more at around +/- 5°F while the compressor is in its necessary hold cycle to prevent compressor failure. Using a 500 watt compressor would make it quieter but then it would take twice as long to reach the same temperature which makes it impractical for home or office use (and so on, using the start time to noise ratio). A high noise level may be acceptable in an industrial environment, but it becomes undesirable in a home or office setting with patients trying to relax. As far as electrical efficiency factor, the machine averages 0.5 kilowatts per day, averaging $0.04 cents per day depending on local rates. Basically, passively storing cold is cheaper than creating it directly on-demand with a high wattage compressor and coils.

 The DCP1 can operate indefinitely at comparable temperatures to the Ossur Coldrush style devices. Which is more than enough time, as a typical cryotherapy session lasts less than 30 minutes. The DCP1 prototype machine uses a clever blending technology that instantly and accurately reaches the desired pad temperature, regardless of the reservoir temperature. The reservoir temperature can be adjusted separately between -15°F to 20°F or higher depending on the users preference. The ice cells also replace the need for large battery cells, helping make the DCP1 machine cordless and fully portable. 

 Like the currently available ergonomic devices, the flow speed can be adjusted and the flexible pads are easily interchangeable. Unlike the currently available devices, the DCP1's pad temperature can be instantly adjusted to operate at temperature ranges from below-freezing to moderately cool. The cool settings can transform the machine into a personal cooling machine for outdoor summer usage. The flexible pad can even be swapped to radiator-fan attachment for personal air cooling purposes. 

 There are other style cryotherapy machines that require nitrogen gas and/or are non-ergonomic. Some spray gas directly to the skin, which in my opinion, does not penetrate deep enough into the tissue to be practical or effective. Then there is the flat metal applicator style devices that are far from ergonomic, let alone affordable. There are also new thermoelectric cooling devices that utilize peltier plates instead of a traditional compressor. The electrical efficiency referred to as the "coefficient of performance" for this technology is not good, being at between 5-15%. Where as a traditional compressor is between 70-90%. A compressor is roughly 10 times as efficient at creating cold.

 The machine prototypes currently use the existing cold therapy pads on the market using the valved CPC quick release hose fittings. Technically, using anything other than water would void the warranty of these pads. From my experience testing them with the Arctic Stream fluid, they have held up as well as when used exclusively with water. The manufacturer of these pads warns against applying the pad directly to the skin for liability reasons, which I also recommend. With additional funding, we plan to design and manufacture a line of more durable pads that can be used directly to the skin.

About Arctic Stream Therapy Machines LLC 

 Arctic Stream Therapy Machines, LLC is owned and managed by James Edward Brown. James is a 48 year old from Alexandria VA, USA. James has a background in engineering and is a small business owner of 10 years. His interest in therapy devices comes from his close relationship with family members, who are and were practitioners in the field of Chiropractic and other related fields. Spending much of his youth at his fathers and grandfathers offices, he saw firsthand what made a desirable therapy device. His other grandfather was quite a talented man himself, creating multiple patents for camera lenses. The inspiration was out of necessity for his own needs. He found the available cryotherapy devices to be unsatisfactory for routine use. His lovely wife Rita has been by his side sacrificing just as much so the world can have the gift of better health. We should also give recognition to Irfan Ali, who is his Virginia ICAP mentor that has helped guide him in the recent years.

 A campaign is the next step in a long seven year journey so far. Being an underdog to this field, intellectual property was the first goal. That has now been accomplished through a patent US#11,246,750B2 : Ice Therapy Method and Apparatus. The technology is now to be presented to the general public. Until now, the project has been solely funded and operated by James. Getting a finalized product and means of mass production is the next hurdle. This hurdle can not be done with his money and not-so-spare time alone. Inspiration waits for no one, even the inspired. James is seeking corporate sponsorship, a joint venture or some funding in order to get this product where it belongs, into the customer's hands...   ...and legs. He is a perfectionist of sorts so he has not offered the prototype for sale. Currently a DCP1 machine is being tested in local Physical Therapy centers. They take him about 20 hours to build at the moment, but that can be streamlined.

 Arctic Stream has other models and technologies in development as we are always looking to make ideas into reality.