EP0370073A1 - Appareil de chauffage ou de refroidissement du corps - Google Patents

Appareil de chauffage ou de refroidissement du corps

Info

Publication number
EP0370073A1
EP0370073A1 EP19890900283 EP89900283A EP0370073A1 EP 0370073 A1 EP0370073 A1 EP 0370073A1 EP 19890900283 EP19890900283 EP 19890900283 EP 89900283 A EP89900283 A EP 89900283A EP 0370073 A1 EP0370073 A1 EP 0370073A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
heat
thermal contact
cooling
body region
heating
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP19890900283
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Barrie Blake-Coleman
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Public Health Laboratory Service Board
Original Assignee
Public Health Laboratory Service Board
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Public Health Laboratory Service Board filed Critical Public Health Laboratory Service Board
Publication of EP0370073A1 publication Critical patent/EP0370073A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F7/00—Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body
    • A61F7/007—Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body characterised by electric heating
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F7/00—Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body
    • A61F2007/0001—Body part
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F7/00—Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body
    • A61F7/007—Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body characterised by electric heating
    • A61F2007/0075—Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body characterised by electric heating using a Peltier element, e.g. near the spot to be heated or cooled
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F7/00—Heating or cooling appliances for medical or therapeutic treatment of the human body
    • A61F2007/0087—Hand-held applicators

Definitions

  • This invention relates to apparatus for heating or cooling defined regions of the human or animal body.
  • the measured response of a body region to an applied hot or cold stimulus is a valuable diagnostic tool.
  • vascular response can be investigated by the controlled heating or cooling of the palm of the hand with blood temperature being monitored at the back of the hand by thermographic techniques.
  • the present invention consists in apparatus for * . heating or cooling a defined region of the human or animal body, comprising at least one Peltier effect thermo-electric element having first and second element surfaces; current supply means for supplying- a controlled current to said element; heat,sink means in thermal contact with said first element surface and means for establishing thermal contact between said second element surface and the body region.
  • said second element surface is adapted for contact with the body region substantially directly.
  • heat exchanger means is provided to establish heat exchange between said second element surface and the body region.
  • FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic representation of one apparatus according to this invention.
  • FIGURE 2 is a circuit diagram showing power and control circuitry for use with the apparatus shown in Figure 1,
  • FIGURE 3 s a diagram illustrating apparatus according to a further embodiment of this invention.
  • FIGURE 4 is a sectional view illustrating an alternative component for use in apparatus according to this invention.
  • FIGURE 5 is a somewhat diagrammatical section through apparatus according to a further embodiment of this invention.
  • FIGURE 6 is a circuit diagram illustrating circuitry for use in the apparatus of FIGURE 5.
  • This invention utilises the Peltier thermo-electric effect whereby the flow of current through, for example, a bismuth telluride element can produce a relatively large temperature differential between hot and cold junction surfaces.
  • the effect is reversible in that a flow of current in the opposite sense will reverse the direction of the temperature differential.
  • a planar array of Peltier effect elements 10 is arranged on the flat upper surface of a heat sink block 12.
  • the Peltier elements are connected in known manner to receive DC through leads 1 and 16.
  • the upper surfaces of the Peltier elements 10 are covered by a thin thermal contact plate 1 .
  • the underside of the heat exchanger block 12 is cross-cut to produce a "pin-fin" array 18, to improve thermal transfer.
  • the described assembly is mounted within a plastics housing shown schematically at 20.
  • This housing is connected through a conduit 22 with an external power supply unit, the conduit 22 providing not only electric cabling but also a cooling air feed.
  • an auxiliary cooling fan 24 the function of which will be described hereinafter.
  • a variable voltage is provided in generally conventional manner by means of a mains control 30.
  • Th mains control 30 receives a control input through switching relay 36 and temperature comparators 38 and 40 which receive in turn an input 42 from a temperature measuring circuit, (not shown)
  • a polarity relay 44 is provided to enable reversal of the DC applied from the bridge rectifier 3 ⁇ to terminals 14 and 16. This polarity relay, as well as the switching relay 36. ar e controlled by a timer 46 governed by a master timer 48.
  • the operator will pre-set hot and cold temperatures in comparators 38 and 40 and will enter parameters such as switching rate and length of dwell at each temperature in the timer 46.
  • the palm of the hand is placed upon the thermal contact plate 17 and the polarity relay operated so as to produce cooling at the upper surfaces (as shown in Figure 1) of the Peltier effect elements. Since human tissue has a relatively high heat capacity, it is necessary to remove relatively large amounts of heat if a significant temperature drop is to be achieved. Peltier effect elements are capable of establishing relatively high temperature differentials but ⁇ . require relatively high current flow.
  • the first, therapy circuit 50 comprises a hollow block 52 carrying a planar array of Peltier elements on both of two opposing faces. Under the action of a pump 6, fluid passes through the block 52 and is, in the manner described above, heated or cooled by the Peltier elements.
  • a thermal contact pad 58 includes a coil 60 which is connected by means of a flexible coupling 62 so as to receive the circulating fluid. The flexible coupling 62 will be of an appropriate length to enable the contact pad 8 to be disposed upon the body region.
  • the therapy circuit 0 is completed by a temperature sensor 64 providing a control output on terminal 66.
  • a second, radiator circuit 70 comprises two heat exchange blocks 72 arranged one each side of the block 52 such that each array of Peltier elements 5 contacts, on one face, the block 52 and, on the opposite face one of the heat exchange blocks 7 .
  • a circulating flow is established through the heat exchange blocks 7 in series.
  • each heat exchange block 72 is provided with internal baffles or other elements providing for a serpentine fluid path, to improve the heat transfer.
  • the radiator circuit 70 is completed by a coil 7 through which air may be blown from blower 78.
  • a planar array of Peltier elements 100 is sandwiched between a mounting surface 102, provided at one end of a heat pipe 104, and a mounting surface 106 of a heat exchange block 108.
  • the heat pipe 104 is provided at its opposite end with a series of radiator fins 109-
  • the block 108 is, as in the previous embodiment, connected for the passage of heat fluid in a circuit which includes a pump, a thermal contact pad and a temperature sensor.
  • the power and control circuitry shown in Figure 2 can be used with either of the embodiments shown in Figures 3 and 4.
  • Peltier element or array of elements
  • one surface of a Peltier element can be established in thermal contact with the human body region of interest, with an opposing surface of the Peltier element being established in thermal contact with appropriate heat sink means.
  • FIG. 5 An alternative application for apparatus according to the present invention is a device for measuring the sensitivity of human skin regions to temperature.
  • the - device shown generally at 200 has a thermally conducting tip 202 providing a mounting for a Peltier element 204.
  • Peltier element 204 is established -in thermal contact with the tip 202 whilst the opposing surface of the "Peltier element, is 'exposed, for " : contact with the skin.
  • Appropriate electrical insulation is provided for the Peltier element 204 and electrical contact is established through leads 206 with control circuitry 208, to be described later in more detail.
  • a heat pipe 210 extends from the tip 202 to a fin array 212 serving as a heat sink.
  • the fin array communicates with the exterior of the device and a blower unit 214 is provided to enable air to be blown through the fin array.
  • the device includes a bank of rechargeable Ni-Cd battery cells connected with the circuitry 208 via an on-off switch 218 and a polarity reversing switch 220.
  • the device also includes a temperature display 220.
  • a power supply unit 250 is provided which is of generally conventional form and which is connected with the battery cells.
  • the output of the power supply unit 250 is connected with leads 206 via a relay 25 controlled by a timer 254.
  • the leads 206 are also connected with the input of a voltage to temperature converter 256 which provides a display drive for the temperature display means.
  • the relay 22 operates to connect the leads 206 (and thus the Peltier element 204) to the power supply 20 for a heating cycle and, alternately, to the converter 256 in a measurement cycle.
  • the heating cycle may comprise 30% to 10/».
  • the measurement cycle use is made of the fact that the Peltier element has a thermo-voltaic effect, generating a voltage which is indicative of the instaneous temperature of the element.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Vascular Medicine (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Thermotherapy And Cooling Therapy Devices (AREA)

Abstract

Appareil permettant de chauffer ou de refroidir des régions du corps à des fins thérapeutiques ou de diagnostic, comprenant un ou plusieurs éléments de Peltier (10). A l'aide d'une surface de l'élément de Peltier établissant un contact thermique avec la région du corps, on fait passer soit directement soit par l'intermédiaire d'un échangeur thermique, un courant régulé à travers l'élément. La face opposée de l'élément de Peltier est reliée à un puits thermique pouvant comprendre un réseau d'ailettes refroidi par de l'air.
EP19890900283 1987-12-04 1988-12-05 Appareil de chauffage ou de refroidissement du corps Withdrawn EP0370073A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB878728360A GB8728360D0 (en) 1987-12-04 1987-12-04 Apparatus for heating/cooling human/animal body
GB8728360 1987-12-04

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0370073A1 true EP0370073A1 (fr) 1990-05-30

Family

ID=10627977

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19890900283 Withdrawn EP0370073A1 (fr) 1987-12-04 1988-12-05 Appareil de chauffage ou de refroidissement du corps

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0370073A1 (fr)
AU (1) AU2814589A (fr)
GB (1) GB8728360D0 (fr)
WO (1) WO1989005129A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB8706141D0 (en) * 1987-03-16 1987-04-23 Thorner D Treatment of damaged limb
US4860748A (en) * 1988-02-23 1989-08-29 Thermapeutics, Inc. Thermal pattern generator for pain relief
DE3925461A1 (de) * 1989-08-01 1991-02-14 Kurt Prof Dr Ing Hoffmann Anordnung zum temperieren von oberflaechennahen bereichen von organismen
US5169384A (en) * 1991-08-16 1992-12-08 Bosniak Stephen L Apparatus for facilitating post-traumatic, post-surgical, and/or post-inflammatory healing of tissue
DE9407101U1 (de) * 1994-04-28 1994-09-08 Lenke Michael Thermisches Hautbehandlungsgerät
GB2350566A (en) * 1999-06-04 2000-12-06 Mark Rawlinson Bailey Liquid cooler and heater
DE10147563A1 (de) * 2001-09-26 2003-04-17 Marcus Maurer Gerät zur standardisierten Temperaturexposition auf der Haut von Patienten mit Kälte- bzw. Wärmeurtikaria
US9132031B2 (en) * 2006-09-26 2015-09-15 Zeltiq Aesthetics, Inc. Cooling device having a plurality of controllable cooling elements to provide a predetermined cooling profile

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1303124B (fr) * 1962-06-14 1900-01-01
DE1912187A1 (de) * 1969-03-11 1970-09-24 Max Planck Gesellschaft Auf vorwaehlbare Temperaturen einstellbare Sonde fuer medizinische Anwendungen
US3618590A (en) * 1969-06-27 1971-11-09 Hoffmann La Roche Thermal electric dental pulp tester
US4614191A (en) * 1983-09-02 1986-09-30 Perler Robert F Skin-cooling probe
US4585002A (en) * 1985-04-22 1986-04-29 Igor Kissin Method and apparatus for treatment of pain by frequently alternating temperature stimulation

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO8905129A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO1989005129A1 (fr) 1989-06-15
GB8728360D0 (en) 1988-01-13
AU2814589A (en) 1989-07-05

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