R.I.C.E. Device

According to ACSM, 25,000 Americans suffer from an ankle sprain each day (9 million annually). Ankle sprains account for almost half of all sports injuries.  The treatment of ankle sprains in the U.S. costs more than $2 billion each year.  The idea I have is not a solution to the problem, but a way to minimize the time of healing.  A device or system needs to be created that carries out all of the four functions recommended by medical staff when a sprained ankle happens: rest, ice, compress, and elevate.

Definition: The RICE Device is a medical influenced system that is based off of thermochemical principles. RICE stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. These are all key components in healing something such as a sprained ankle.  The system consists of a cooling/heating pad that attaches to a tripod stand. This pad can also be compressed by a pump similar to that of a sphygmomanometer (medical device that applies pressure to arm to measure blood pressure).  The black rectangular prism in the CAD sketch represents the pump similar to a sphygmomanometer.  The heat and cooling of the pad come from the reaction of menthol and methyl salicylate to create an oscillating cooling and heating sensation.  This is the same reaction that is present in IcyHot® and other coolants.

This is my personal computer-aided design (CAD) of the R.I.C.E. Device.  In conclusion, The R.I.C.E. Device would cut down the cost of healing a sprained or bruised ankle because one would not have to buy separate parts like ice, a heating pad, and something to prop the foot at an angle above the hip.  The device would also cut down the time of healing.  With an apparatus performing four different tasks at the same time, one would be fully healed in several weeks (if used daily) as opposed to a couple months.  Millions of people would recover from ankle sprains every year.  I really wish I had access to this device early into my first year at the University.  The R.I.C.E. Device would also have a high chance of getting sponsored by a sports team in the NBA or NFL since many of the players in those sports experience the injuries.