Heat Pumps

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 General Information

Heat therapy is effective in the dilation of blood vessels, thereby increasing the blood flow to the heated area.  Heat therapy has a variety of uses, the most common being treatment of aches and pains in joints and muscles.

Heat Therapy System provides a means of applying heat therapy by supplying temperature-controlled water through a connector hose to a T/Pad.

The T/Pad provides the interface for delivering the heat therapy.  The unique button design allows water to flow and provides trouble-free operation when the pad is folded.  The pads are applied to the part of the body requiring heat therapy, and the circulating water maintains the pad at the set point temperature.  The temperature set point is “key-operated” to prevent tampering.

Features of the Heat Pump

1.      Before filling the pump, always attach a pad to the connector hose or close the clamps on the connector hose ends.  Then, unroll pad and hose.  Open hose clamps

2.      Open the fill cap on top of the pump.  Fill the pump with room temperature, (i.e., not hot), distilled water to the operating level indicated on the side of the pump.  NOTE: Using tap water will decrease the life of the pump.

3.      Insert temperature setting key.  Set temperature as prescribed by the physician.  Remove key to prevent tampering.

4.      Plug T/Pump into a properly grounded outlet.

5.      Turn on the power switch. After T/Pump has been running for one-minute recheck water level.  Add distilled water if needed then turn back on.

6.      The selected water temperature will be reached in approximately 20 minutes. 

7.      If the water level drops below the operating level, add distilled water.  Do not overfill.  Overfilling can result in reduced pump motor life.

8.      Apply T/Pad to the patient.  Follow T/Pad instructions.

9.      For specified performance, keep the pump at or above the level of the pad.

10.  If the pump is placed below the pad(s), water will drain into the pump when it is shut off.  If the pump has been overfilled, excess water can leak out onto the floor or cause reduced motor life.

Clik-Tite Connectors 

To attach Clik-Tite connectors from hose to pad:

1. Insert male fittings into female fitting with a twisting motion (figs. 3A and 3B).
2. When fittings are fully inserted, snap locking ring into place (figs. 3C and 3D).
3. To disconnect, simply reverse the procedure.
    

Colder-style Connectors:

1. To attach Colder-style connectors to a pad push the male coupling onto the female coupling.  When you hear an audible “click,” the connectors are joined (figs 4A).
2. To open or close the hose pinch clamps: Open the clamp by pushing the serrated end (fig 4B). Close the clamp by pressing the clamptogether (fig. 4C).
3. To disconnect Colder-style connectors to a pad, push down on the thumb tab of the female coupling. The couplings will partially disconnect.  Pull the male coupling out fully to disconnect (fig. 4D).  

Shutdown Procedure 

1.      Turn off the pump before disconnecting pad.  Close all hose clamps.  To prevent water spillage, always disconnect the pad from pump with connectors raised above the level of the pad and pump.

Storage (short term):  Disconnect pad.  Connect ends of the connector hoses together, where applicable.  Open hose clamps.  Leave water in the reservoir.  To prevent hose kinks, coil the hose rather than folding it.  Fasten the hose and cord with strap.

Storage (long term):  Connect pad.  Open hose clamps.  Add ¼ ounce germicidal, or equivalent to water already in reservoir.  Run for two minutes.  Drain pump.  Close hose clamps.  Disconnect pad.  To prevent hose kinks, coil the hose rather than folding it.  Fasten the hose and cord with strap and store pump.

Draining:  Disconnect the T/Pump from AC poser.  Disconnect the pad or hoses from one another, keeping hoses at or above the level of the T/Pump.  Remove the fill cap and invert the T/Pump over a sink.  When all fluid has drained from the hoses and reservoir, replace the fill cap and connect the hoses together, where applicable

Cleaning:  Clean outer surfaces of the T/Pump with a damp cloth and soapy water, Fantastik spray cleaner, or a mild abrasive such as Soft Scrub cleanser without bleach.

To clean the fluid system, prepare a germicidal solution according to the manufacturer’s instructions.  Drain the pump. Fill the reservoir to the operating level indicated on the side of the pump.  Set the temperature indicator to its lowest setting (fully counterclockwise), start the T/Pump, and circulate the solution for one hour.  Drain the solution and refill the pump with distilled water.  Using distilled water will not promote algae growth or mineral buildup.  Change the distilled water monthly or more often depending upon use.

 Troubleshooting/Maintenance

If you have received instructions from your physician or therapist that differ in any way from the above information, follow those instructions explicitly. If you experience any functional problems with this product, discontinue use and call your First Health Medical Supply office for assistance.