The VitalWrap System consists of three components: a control unit, a tubing set, and a thermal fabric wrap. Once the control unit is turned on, the cooled or warmed fluid is passed through the tubing set to the wrap. As it circulates into the wrap from the control unit, the fluid either applies heat to warm the treatment area or draws it away for deep cooling. The fluid then flows back into the control unit, where it is re-cooled or re-warmed before cycling back into the wrap. Compression is delivered through the wrap itself, and can continue even if the user chooses to disconnect the tubing set and control unit

The VitalWrap System is designed so that the user can apply thermal therapy for extended periods. This provides tremendous benefit to the injury site beyond the normal application periods of conventional therapies, such as heating pads and cold packs. The typical transition time between the warm and cold settings in the temperature range is about one minute.