EP3746015A1

EP3746015A1 - Hot and/or cold pad

Info

Publication number: EP3746015A1
Application number: EP19708155.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Michael Breiter
Original assignee: Braincept AG
Current assignee: Braincept AG
Priority date: 2018-01-30
Filing date: 2019-01-28
Publication date: 2020-12-09
Also published as: JP2021513378A; CN111787889B; RU2020127746A3; CA3089889A1; AU2019213712A2; CN111787889A; AU2019213712A1; JP7303813B2; US12042426B2; RU2020127746A; KR20200115574A; WO2019150238A1; US20210052418A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a hot and/or cold device (10) for dispensing heat and/or cold energy to the body of a living being (28). The hot and/or cold device (10) comprises a heating and/or cooling pad (12) which can be connected to the body of the person (28). The heating and/or cooling pad has an upper face (122) and a lower face (121), and the lower face (121) is equipped with an adhesive surface (1210) for securing the heating and/or cooling pad (12) to the surface of the skin of the person (28). The heating and/or cooling pad comprises at least one heating and/or cooling element (26), by means of which electric energy dispensed by an electric energy source (22) can be converted into heat and/or cold energy. The hot and/or cold device (10) additionally comprises a control unit (14) which is designed to rigidly or releasably receive the energy source (22) and has a signal processor (16). Furthermore, the control unit (14) is designed to output a control and/or regulating signal, by means of which the transfer of energy from the energy source (22) to the heating and/or cooling element (26) can be controlled. The heating and/or cooling pad (12) and the control unit (14) can be electrically and mechanically connected together by at least one electric connector (18a, 18b), via which the electric energy can be transmitted to the heating and/or cooling element (26), and by at least one mechanical and/or magnetic connector (20a, 20b).

Description

Heat and / or chill

Technical area

The present invention relates to a heating and / or cooling device for emitting heat and / or cooling energy to the body and to a method for controlling and / or regulating such as well as a computer program with a program code for carrying out the method.

State of the art

A large part of the population suffers from partly "chronic" neck and Rückenverspan voltages. Chronic neck and back tension can lead to incorrect body posture. Tension and poor posture can result in a poorly bloated musculature and this can, for example, promote migraine attacks. Furthermore, it is often used in a neck and back tension to avoid pain, a restraint. Continuous restraint can cause enormous damage to the joints. In addition, the intervertebral discs can be damaged by poor posture, which can lead to an acute herniated disc. This has particular long-term consequences. Many sufferers try to eliminate the tension or pain with the help of passive means such as ointments or thermal patches, without any additional effort or movement. Often, pain persists and can become chronic.

From the prior art, for the treatment of pain, especially in Na cken- and back tension, as previously mentioned, for example, Wärmepflas ter known. These can generate heat through a chemical reaction. However, in many sufferers, these heat treatments can cause skin rashes due to the chemical reaction that generates the heat. In addition, thermal patches with chemical reactants must be replaced regularly with new heat patches. This is not sustainable.

Furthermore, it can not be generated by a thermal patch over a longer period of constant heat at the pain affected or strained body. The pain is thus alleviated only for a short time and in particular a longer-lasting treatment is expensive. Also, the heat is generated only on the skin surface and does not penetrate deeper into the body. A deep heat can thus not be generated. Furthermore, there is no possibility to regulate the temperature, which depending on the person and the skin type skin injuries such as redness or burns can be caused by too much heat.

Also, the heat can not be switched on and off. An alternating heat supply (switching on / off) is not possible with conventional heat pliers. Furthermore, traditional thermal patches require about> 30 minutes to reach the therapeutic heat of 42 ° C. A constant supply of heat can have a negative impact on the healing process, depending on the needs. Continuous heat supply can lead to a habituation of the muscle tissue, whereby a relaxing effect is missing. There is therefore no possibility of intelligent heat therapy method, since the heat is released uncontrollably.

There is also a risk of a wrong application of heat therapy. Often who applied the heat patches only at the point where the pain occurs or was lokali Siert. This can release the pain and tension in the short term, but new tension can develop on other parts of the body, as the warming place relieves, while other places cramp. This can lead to further stresses due to incorrect application of local heat.

Furthermore, larger heating pads are known, which can be connected directly via a power outlet. These are relatively inflexible and restrict, on the basis of the power cord which must be connected to a power outlet, the freedom of movement in everyday life.

Object of the invention

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved concept for the delivery of heat and / or cold energy to the body of a living being and / or an animal (hereafter living beings) that is less expensive, more sustainable and more intelligent.

Solution of the task

This object is achieved by the device according to the invention as claimed in claim 1, the method according to the invention as claimed in claim 14, and the computer program according to the invention as claimed in claim 16. Detailed description

Embodiments of the present invention comprise a heating and / or cooling device for delivering heat and / or cooling energy to the body of a Lebewe sens. The heating and / or cooling device comprises a heating and / or cooling pad which can be connected to the body of the living being. The heating and / or cooling pad has an upper side and a lower side, wherein on the underside of an adhesive surface for securing the heating and / or cooling pad is provided on the skin surface of the living being. The heating and / or cooling support comprises at least one heating and / or cooling element, by means of which electrical energy emitted by an electrical energy source can be converted into heat energy and / or the cooling energy. Furthermore, the heating and / or cooling device comprises a control unit, which is provided for fixed or detachable recording of the energy source and which has a signal processor. Furthermore, the control unit is provided for outputting a control and / or regulating signal, by means of which the energy output from the energy source to the heating and / or cooling element can be controlled and / or regulated. The heating and / or cooling pad and the control unit are connected by at least one electrical connec tion element through which the electrical energy to the heating and / or cooling element is bar, and at least one mechanical and / or magnetic connector, electrically and mechanically connected to each other ,

Embodiments provide concepts to deliver heat and / or cold energy to the body by a living being. The heating and / or cooling pad can be arranged by an adhesive surface to the body of a living or glued or fastened who the. The heating and / or cooling pad may have a more or less flat shape or flat-shaped, so that no possible pressure points on the body of the Le arise when carrying the heating and / or cooling device. Furthermore, the heating and / or cooling pad is flexible by a flat shape possible. The heating and / or cooling pad may have a substantially flat shape with a lower side or a first surface and an upper side or a second surface. The adhesive surface may be provided or formed on the underside of the heating and / or cooling pad. The adhesive surface can be acted upon with a protective layer against accidental attachment, which can be removed before attaching to the body. The heating and / or cooling pad can absorb electrical energy or electricity and, for example, convert it into heat and / or cooling energy or thermal energy. This conversion can be done in example by an electrical resistance or an electrical heating or heating and / or cooling element. The electrical resistance or the electrical heating and / or cooling element can convert electrical energy into heat. The heat and / or the cold can be released by the contact of the heating and / or cooling pad with the body of the Le, to the body of the living being.

The muscle or muscles, which are under the skin at the location of the heating and / or cooling pad, which releases heat and / or cold to the body, by the heat and / or cold, which of the heating and / or or cooling pad is delivered to the body of the Le, is stimulated. By delivering heat and / or cold to muscles and other soft tissues, contracted or contracted muscles and / or soft tissues may relax. Furthermore, through the heat and / or cooling of muscles, the circulation of the muscle can be promoted.

Stimulating the muscles can release cramps and reduce pain. It is also possible for the antagonist of a muscle or muscle group to be stimulated to relax the cramped opponent (s). Relaxed muscles and relaxed muscles generally improve the posture and / or movement of the animal. By Körperhal tion, which can be understood more static, in the following always a body movement, which can be understood rather dynamically meant. A good posture can protect joints and reduce pain. As a result, the well-being of the living being can be increased.

By using an electrical energy storage instead of a chemical energy storage, such as. In a thermal plaster, there is no risk of allergic skin reactions to the chemical energy storage.

The heating and / or cooling device can furthermore comprise the control unit, to which a signal processor, a processor unit or a controller can be arranged. The signal processor may be configured to generate a control and / or control signal or a signal for controlling and / or regulating an electrical energy source. The signal processor can receive and process data or signals and output data or signals. The signals may be received or output as radio signals or wirungsgebun dene signals, analog or digital signals. The data can be generated, for example, by sensors or a controller and fed to the signal processor. be guided. The processing can take place, for example, by evaluating or evaluating or comparing the measured or acquired data with reference data. The processing can be done in software or hardware.

The signal processor may be configured to control the energy flow of an electrical energy source. Also, the signal processor may be configured to control the ther mix energy supply or energy delivery to the body or the musculature. The electrical energy can, for example, be delivered continuously by adjusting the power or by changing a pulse-pause ratio from the electrical energy source to the heating and / or cooling pad.

The electrical energy source may e.g. a battery or an accumulator. The battery or the accumulator can give off electrical energy or electric current. An accumulator can be charged or recharged with electrical energy via a further energy source and a charging circuit.

Thus, for example, a rechargeable battery or a battery as a mobile electric energy source can provide the electrical energy for the heating and / or cooling circulation. In addition, the electrical energy source can supply the signal processor, sensors, radio unit, vibration generator, electrodes, heating element, or transmission units with electrical energy. The battery or the accumulator can be fastened to the control unit or be fastened. The electrical energy can also be transmitted to the control unit eg. Via a cable. The cable can be connected to a power supply or a socket, which provides the energy. Thus, the power source, which is detachably receivable in the control unit, also be an external power source, which is received via a cable, for example. A power cord in the control unit.

Via an electrical connector or an electrical connection element, the electric current can be transmitted from the control unit or the electric power source to the heating and / or cooling pad. By the electrical connector, an electrical coupling and a separation between the control unit or the electric power source and the heating and / or cooling pad can be made possible. By complemen tary electrical connection elements such as a plug or pin and a matching socket or magnets or push buttons, a secure and reli sible electrical connection can be made, which can be separated. complementary Connecting elements are connecting elements, which produce a force and / or formschlüs sige connection to each other.

In addition, at least one mechanical and / or magnetic connector or a mechanical and / or magnetic connection element can be arranged on the control unit and a complementary mechanical and / or magnetic connection element on the heating and / or cooling support. The connecting element may be arranged on the upper side of the heating and / or cooling support or on the surface opposite the adhesive surface of the heating and / or cooling support. Thereby, the heating and / or cooling pad between the control unit and the body of the living being can be arranged. By the mechanical and / or non-mechanical connector, a safe and reliable mechanical and / or magnetic coupling between the control unit and the heating and / or cooling pad can be made, which can be separated. Mentioned by com plementäre mechanical and / or magnetic connection elements such as previously in the electrical connection elements, a secure and reliable mechanical and / or magnetic connection can be made, which can be separated. Due to the mechanical and / or magnetic Verbindungsele elements, the heating and / or cooling pad can be separated after use for cleaning or disposal of the control unit. The control unit can be reused indefinitely, whereby the maintenance or operating costs of the heat and / or Kältevor direction can be reduced and a sustainable benefit arises.

In a preferred embodiment, the electrical connector has a first electrical connection element connected to the control unit and a second connection element connected to the heating and / or cooling support. The mechanical and / or magnetic connector has a first mechanical and / or magnetic connection element connected to the control unit and a second mechanical and / or magnetic connection element connected to the heating and / or cooling support. Since when encloses the first and second mechanical connection element to korres ponding first or second electrical connection element. The electrical connector or the electrical connection element or the electrical interface can be arranged or integrated in the mechanical connector or the mechanical connection element. The mechanical and / or magnetic connector or the mechanical and / or magnetic connection element can also be arranged or integrated in the electrical connector or the electrical connection element. This offers the advantage that fewer connecting elements when connecting the heating and / or cooling pad must be connected or coupled together with the control unit. This simplifies operation and handling. As a connecting element can, for example, me-metallic snaps, magnets or a click system can be used. The connection system should on the one hand produce a mechanically stable, detachable connection to the other should the smallest possible electrical resistance occur.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, at least three mechanical and / or magnetic connecting elements and opposite to the heating and / or cooling support at the same point, three complementary mechanical and / or magnetic connecting elements are formed on the control unit. By three mechanical and / or non-mechanical fasteners can be a stable mechanical and / or Magneti cal connection between the heating and / or cooling pad and the control unit Herge provides. This in particular when the heating and / or cooling device is attached to the body of a living being. By means of more than two mechanical and / or magnetic connecting elements, it is less important to pay attention to the position of the connecting elements when attaching the heating and / or cooling device to the body of the living being. In addition, with three or more connecting elements, in particular in an asymmetrical arrangement of the connecting elements, a position-optimized or position-determined connection between heating and / or cooling pad and control unit can be specified. This means that the control unit can be connected to the heating and / or cooling support in two positions (0 ° and / or 180 °). Malfunctions or short circuits between the control unit and the heating and / or cooling pad are not possible.

In a preferred embodiment, the energy source and the heating and / or cooling lelement is formed to heat the heating and / or cooling pad in less than 1 min, preferably in less than 20 seconds, more preferably in less than 5 seconds by 20 K. and / or to cool. This offers the advantage that heat and / or cold energy can be quickly supplied to the body, for example at trigger points of the musculature, by rapid heating and / or cooling. This can cause a particularly effective stimulation of the muscles and thereby a relaxation of the muscles. The heating and / or cooling pad can be heated and / or cooled rapidly from 8 ° to 42 ° C, preferably also up to 45 ° C and vice versa (therapeutic heat and / or cold). Where the body reacts very sensitively to heat and / or cold in the range of the own body temperature (36 ° C) and temperature changes in this range are clearly perceived. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the heat and / or Kältevor direction comprises at least one posture sensor. The posture sensor may be formed to detect the posture and / or movement of the subject at least in part. The posture sensor may generate posture data. The Körperhal management sensor may be arranged or formed on the control unit. The Körperhal management sensors may comprise at least one of the following sensors, for example. A 3D gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, a bending sensor, a temperature sensor or a sensor with strain gauges. The posture or the movement can be determined by the posture data which the body posture sensor (s) output. The posture data may be supplied to the signal processor.

By a posture sensor or by the generated posture data can be detected or determined whether the posture of the living being is correct or whether the posture is wrong or bad. It is also possible to use only part of the body posture e.g. The attitude of the upper body of a living being, with at least one Kör perhaltungssensor to capture and create posture data.

A correct posture can include a relaxed musculature. With a correct posture, the entire body can be erect. With proper body posture, the body should not lean against the left or right side of the body. The head or body may appear in correct posture, as if it were attached to or suspended from an invisible thread exiting at the highest point of the head. In a wrong or bad posture, the body can tilt too far forward, backward, left or right. It is also possible that e.g. the shoulders are pulled too high up or down. Furthermore, a hump or a hollow cross may be a bad or wrong posture. A correct body posture is an indication of a relaxed musculature. A wrong posture is an indication of a tense or cramped muscles.

A relaxed posture can be different. Certain living things can, for example, show congenital or altered body postures due to illness, accident or age. It is also possible to define this changed posture as a correct posture and to detect deviations from this altered posture as a body malposition or incorrect posture. Thus, for example, a calibration of the current posture or correct posture may be possible, so that living things For example, with congenital disorders of attitude no false body posture data aufwei sen.

The determination of the posture may be made by evaluating or evaluating the posture data or comparing the measured posture data with reference posture data in the signal processor. By determining the posture, it can be recognized whether, for example, tension is present in the body or in the musculature of the living being. Muscle tension can cause pain in various parts of the body such as the neck or back. The posture data can show exactly where the problem needs to be tackled or solved.

If, due to the posture, it is recognized that a certain or several muscles are spanned, they can be stimulated or relaxed, for example, by the supply of energy or heat and / or cold. Depending on the body data, the signal processor can change the signal by means of which the energy output from the energy source to the heating and / or cooling element can be controlled.

In a further preferred embodiment, the heat and / or Kältevorrich device comprises a radio unit for transmitting and / or receiving data. The data may include sensor data, control data, status data or other data. The radio unit can be arranged or formed on the control unit. By means of the radio unit, a first heating and / or cooling device can exchange data with at least one second heat and / or the refrigeration device. Through the radio unit, the heating and / or cooling device can also exchange data with a mobile device such as a tablet, a mobile phone or a smartphone. The data can be exchanged between the Sig nalverarbeiter on the first heating and / or cooling device and a Signalverarbei ter on the second heating and / or cooling device or a signal processor on egg nem mobile device. Thus, e.g. the ease of use of the controller and the efficiency of the treatment are increased.

In a preferred embodiment, the heating and / or cooling device comprises a temperature sensor which is designed to generate temperature data and the signal processor is formed, depending on the temperature data, the control and / or regulating signal for controlling and / or regulating the electrical energy source produce. The temperature sensor can be connected to the heating and / or cooling device, for example, to the heating and / or cooling pad may be arranged. The temperature sensor can detect or measure the surface temperature of the skin and / or the temperature of the heating and / or cooling pad. It can also be arranged a plurality of temperature sensors on the heat and / or Kältevor direction or the heating and / or cooling pad. Depending on the detected temperature of the temperature sensor, the control and / or regulating signal for controlling and / or regulating the electrical energy source or the electric current can be generated. For example. the signal processor can be configured to generate the control and / or regulating signal for controlling and / or regulating the electric current as a function of the temperature data or the detected temperature and thus the output of the heating and / or cooling energy or the temperature the heating and / or cooling pad to control or regulate. Thus, the temperature of the heating and / or cooling pad can be controlled or controlled.

By measuring the body temperature or the surface temperature of the skin, the living being can, for example, be given a pleasant, warm and / or cool body sensation. Furthermore, the temperature of the heating and / or cooling pad can be adjusted to the optimum treatment temperature Be. Furthermore, it can be prevented that gene by excessive warming and / or cooling of the heating and / or cooling pad to Verbrennun or other skin injuries occurs.

Depending on the organism and the skin type, different high and / or low temperatures on the heating and / or cooling pad can be perceived as pleasant and cause a stimulation or a healing of the muscle. If the heating and / or cooling pad is heated too weak and / or cooled, the muscle is not stimulated or not relaxed and thus there is no positive effect on the animal, as for example. The pain is not relieved. By detecting or measuring the temperature of the heating and / or cooling pad and compare with a setpoint or a setpoint tempera ture an optimal temperature at the heating and / or cooling pad can be generated. Measures the temperature sensor on the skin, a temperature which is less than a desired temperature, the heating and / or cooling pad, for example. Be activated by the signal processor ak and convert electrical energy into heat and / or cooling energy. By delivering the heat and / or cold energy to the skin, the skin can be heated to a predetermined desired temperature and / or cooled. After reaching the target temperature, the conversion of the heat and / or cooling energy in the heating and / or the cooling pad is reduced or increased until the temperature of the skin drops again below or above a predetermined value. The temperature is preferably detected at the surface resting on the skin (adhesive surface) of the heating and / or cooling pad. The electric current is regulated according to the temperature of the heating and / or cooling pad. If the target temperature of the heating and / or cooling pad should be higher than the measured temperature of the elec- tric electricity or the delivery of electrical energy to the heating and / or cooling pad can be increased. If the setpoint temperature of the heating and / or cooling support is to be lower than the measured temperature, the electric current or the delivery of the electrical energy to the heating and / or cooling support can be reduced. Thus, a predetermined or optimum temperature can be achieved at the adhesive surface of the heating and / or cooling pad. The heat output can be constant on the entire surface or adhesive surface or film surface of the heating and / or cooling pad.

It has been found in experiments that the temperature of the heating and / or cooling pad on contact with the skin <60 ° C, preferably <50 ° C, more preferably <45 ° C or in a range between 38 ° C and 42 ° C in case of heating should be to avoid skin injuries. Similarly, when cooling, the temperature should be in a range between 8 ° C and 15 ° C. In particular, for example, in small children, the temperature should be <40 ° C, but above 8 ° C to avoid skin injuries. In order to achieve stimulation of the muscle, the temperature should be> 35 ° C, preferably> 40 ° C, more preferably> 45 ° C.

Furthermore, the well-being regarding the temperature of a heating and / or cooling pad may depend on its size. In this case, the larger the heating and / or cooling pad, the lower should be the temperature at which it is operated, since with large heating and / or cooling pads, the risk of skin injuries is greater. In addition, there is the danger that the body of the living being overheated and / or overcooled in large-scale heating and / or cooling pads.

In a further preferred embodiment, electrodes are arranged on the underside of the heating and / or cooling pad, and the signal processor is designed to determine the muscle tension and / or measure the skin resistance by measuring the conductance of the skin by electography. The heating and / or cooling device may comprise electromyography electrodes for measuring muscle tension. The electrodes for measuring the muscular tension EMG can be arranged on the heating and / or cooling support. Electromyography (EMG) can be used to measure electrical muscle activity. the. With electrodes placed on the surface of the skin, changes in the potential of one or more muscles can be measured. The measurement of potential changes with an EMG gives information about muscle tension. The informa tion of muscle tension can be made available to the signal processor. The signal processor may be configured to generate a control signal adapted to the muscle voltage for controlling the electrical energy source. Through the information of the muscle tension, a targeted relaxation by the heat supply to the Mus cle can be achieved. Thus, tension in the muscles can be determined and corrected. EMG sensors can also identify or record skin data. Other sensors for detecting muscle tension can be posture sensors such as a 3D gyro sensor (gyroscope 3D), an acceleration sensor, a temperature sensor, a bending sensor or a strain gauge.

The heating and / or cooling device may comprise electrodes for detecting the skin resistance. The heating and / or cooling device may include a skin resistance sensor, which is designed to detect the skin resistance of the person. The signal processor can be configured to generate a control signal adjusted to the skin resistance for controlling the electrical energy source or for controlling the energy output from the energy source to the heating element. By detecting the Hautwiderstan of the example can be determined how strong the person sweats. The heating and / or cooling device may also include a sensor for detecting the moisture or the skin moisture. Such moisture sensors change, for example, their electrical resistance as a function of the moisture to be measured. The release of electrical energy by the electrical energy source and thus the heat output from the heating and / or cooling device can thus be regulated or changed depending on the skin resistance or on the intensity of the sweat delivery or the transpiration of a living being.

To determine the skin resistance, the impedance between two electrodes, which abut the body, can be measured. The impedance is also dependent on the sweat on the skin surface. The signal processor may be configured to determine or measure the impedance. The signal processor may be configured to generate an impedance-matched control signal for controlling the energy output from the energy source to the heating and / or cooling element. In a further preferred embodiment, the adhesive surface of the heating and / or cooling pad comprises an adhesive and / or an adhesive element. A pressure-sensitive adhesive offers the advantage that the adhesive has no hardening mechanism, whereby the adhesive does not form a permanent connection. Thus, the heating and / or cooling pad can be solved after use of the body surface or skin surface of the user and Be may again attach to the body of a living being.

In a preferred embodiment, the adhesive is gel-shaped. The adhesive on the adhesive surface of the heating and / or cooling pad may comprise a gel-like adhesive or the consistency of the adhesive may be gelatinous. Gel-like substances may readily reside on uneven surfaces such as e.g. Adjust the skin surface and contact this large area. By contacting large areas, the heat and / or the cold energy can be well transferred from the heating and / or cooling pad on the body of a living being.

In a further preferred embodiment, the heating and / or cooling pad is a way throwing element and the control unit is a reusable element. The heating and / or cooling pad can be glued to the body or the skin of the person. For hygienic reasons (perspiration, body fat) or e.g. because different people use the heating and / or cooling device or because after a certain time, the adhesive effect of the adhesive subsides, the heating and / or cooling pad can be disposed of after a certain period of use or after a certain number of uses.

The control unit may comprise the electronics or various electronic elements, which can be reused as desired. The heating and / or cooling pad can be removed after wear of the control unit and replaced by a new heating and / or cooling pad. By reusing the control unit and only the replacement of the heating and / or cooling pad, which is brought into contact with the skin of the animal, the operating costs for the heat and / or Kältevorrich device can be lowered.

In a further preferred embodiment, the heat and / or Kältevorrich device comprises a vibration generator which is adapted to convert electrical energy emitted by the electrical energy source into mechanical energy, which can be delivered to the body of the person .. The vibration generator, the electrical energy in mechani converting energy and, for example, deliver it to the body in the form of vibrations. The Vibration generator, for example, have an electric motor with me on the shaft asym metric attached mass (imbalance). When the shaft of the electric motor is driven by the electric power, the mass connected to the shaft starts to rotate. The rotating mass generates an imbalance, whereby mechanical vibrations or mechanical energy is generated. The unbalance is generated by the offset of the shear point of the mass to the axis of rotation of the shaft. By contact of the heating and / or cooling device with the body of the living organism, the mechanical cal energy can be transmitted to the skin or the body of the living being.

Among other things, the mechanical energy depends on the mass or imbalance and the rotational speed of the electric motor or the shaft of the electric motor. The greater the imbalance, the more mechanical energy is generated. The generated mecha African energy is also greater, the greater the speed of rotation or Rotationsge the mass or the shaft of the electric motor.

By delivering the mechanical energy to the body of the animal, the person can perceive vibrations. These vibrations can inform the living being about a body malaise or signal the body malaise. Through the vibration, the living being can become aware and can, for example, improve their posture through their own conscious observation. False postures can thus be signaled by vibrations. The signaling of the malposition can, for example, by a heating and / or cooling device close to the malposition done. Furthermore, by displaying information of the heating and / or cooling device to the living being, for example, on the display of a mobile device, the living being can be informed about postural errors or posture improvements. Through the vibration, the living being can also be reminded, for example, of physical exercises (gymnastics exercises) for improving posture.

Furthermore, embodiments provide a system for delivering heat and / or cold energy to the body of a living being. The system can promote the relaxation of the body musculature. The system comprises at least one first thermal and / or Käl tevorrichtung according to described embodiments and at least one second heating and / or cooling device according to described embodiments and / o of a mobile device which are suitable, data with the first heat and / or Kältevorrich device exchange. In embodiments, the system may be configured such that data from the first heating and / or cooling device to the second heat and / or Refrigeration device to send and / or receive. The heat and / or Kältevorrichtun conditions can thus exchange data with each other and form a network. The heating and / or cooling devices may also be designed to send data to a mobile device and / or to receive it from a mobile device. The mobile device may be a mobile phone or a smartphone or a tablet or a mobile device specially designed for the delivery of heat and / or cold energy to the body of a living being. So with can also form a network. The data may be sensor data, body posture data, control data or other data which are essential to the operation of the heating and / or cooling devices. The heating and / or cooling devices can also be connected to one another via a cable.

Furthermore, a method for controlling a heating and / or cooling device according to exemplary embodiments is provided, which is provided for delivering heat and / or cooling energy to the body of a living being. The heat and / or Käl tevorrichtung comprises a control unit and a ver with the body of the living ver bindable and provided with a heating and / or cooling element heating and / or Kühlauf location, which are electrically and mechanically connected to each other, wherein by means of the control unit a control signal is generated by means of which the energy output from an energy source to the heating and / or cooling element is controllable.

Furthermore, by means of the posture sensors, the posture of the person measured and determined in the control unit and from the control and / or control signal can be calculated to control the heat release such that the posture is corrected.

Furthermore, a computer program with a program code for carrying out the method described above is provided when the computer program runs on a computer or processor.

Embodiments of the present invention will be explained with reference to the accompanying Figures. Show it:

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a heating and / or cooling device in a plan view. 2 is a schematic representation of a second embodiment of a heating and / or cooling device with three connecting elements in a plan view;

Fig. 3a is a further schematic representation of a heating and / or cooling device in a side view with connected heating and / or cooling pad and control unit;

Figure 3b is a further schematic representation of a heating and / or cooling device in a side view with separate heating and / or cooling pad and Steuerein unit.

4 shows a further schematic representation of a heating and / or cooling device in a lateral sectional view with a separate heating and / or cooling support and control unit;

Figure 5a shows a person in a front view with multiple heat and / or Kältevorrich lines.

Figure 5a shows a person in a back view with multiple heat and / or Kältevorrich lines.

6 shows a system for delivering heat and / or cooling energy to the body of a

Living with various heating and / or cooling devices;

Fig. 7 shows a system for delivering heat and / or cooling energy to the body of a

Living with a mobile device;

8a-c a mobile device with illustrations for improving posture;

In the following description of the embodiments of the invention, the same or equivalent elements in the figures are given the same reference numerals, so that their description in the different embodiments is interchangeable. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a heating and / or cooling device 10 for delivering heat and / or cooling energy to the non-illustrated body 28 of a living being in a plan view. The heat and / or the cooling device 10 comprises a connectable to the body 28 of the person heating and / or cooling pad 12 having a top and a bottom and at the bottom is an adhesive surface 1210, for fixing the heating and / or Cooling pad 12 provided on the skin surface of the person. The adhesive surface 1210 may be formed on a first surface of the heating and / or cooling pad 12. The adhesive surface 1210 may be brought into contact with the skin surface of a living being. When contacting the adhesive surface 1210 with the skin surface of the person, the adhesive surface of the heating and / or cooling pad should stick to the person's skin. The adhesive surface 1210 may be protected from contamination or accidental attachment prior to contacting the skin surface with an adhesive protective layer, for example. This protective layer is removed before attaching to the skin.

The adhesive used should have skin-friendly properties. This means that the adhesive surface 1210 or the adhesive does not damage or irritate the skin as much as possible. Furthermore, the adhesive surface should 1210, for example. After use of the heating and / or cooling pad 12 can be easily removed from the skin. The adhesive surface 1210 should be used several times.

The adhesive may preferably comprise a pressure-sensitive adhesive. Pressure-sensitive adhesives have no hardening mechanism. This means that they remain highly viscous and permanently tacky after the jobs on a substrate and by applying pressure on a counterpart example. The skin are applied and stick there. The adhesive on the adhesive surface 1210 of the heating and / or cooling pad 12 may be gel-shaped. The adhesive on the adhesive surface of the heating and / or cooling pad 12 may have a high Viskosi ity. The adhesive on the adhesive surface of the heating and / or cooling pad 12 may have a gel-like consistency. A gel-like adhesive can easily be incorporated into skin folds or bumps on the skin, thus producing a good adhesive contact. The adhesive should have good thermal conductivity. By a good thermal conductivity and good thermal contact between the heating and / or Kühlauf layer 12 and the skin surface, the heat and / or cooling energy well from the heating and / or cooling pad 12 on the body 28 and der Haut der Person to be transferred. The heating and / or cooling pad 12 may comprise at least one heating and / or cooling element 26, is converted by the output of an electrical energy source 22 electrical energy or electric power into heat and / or cooling energy or thermal energy. The heating and / or cooling element or the heating and / or cooling pad 12 can be designed to deliver or transfer the heat and / or cooling energy to the body 28 of the person. The heating and / or cooling element 26 can be heated by conversion of electrical energy into heat energy. The conversion of the electrical energy or the electric current into heat energy or thermal energy can, for example, by an electrical resistance (R) or by an electrical cal heating or heating element done. The thermal energy generated is more or less proportional to the input or output electrical energy.

The heat and / or cold energy may be as e.g. in a thermal patch, delivered to the body 28 of the person. By giving off heat and / or cold energy, contracted muscles can relax very well. The release of heat can expand the blood vessels in the muscles and can thus promote the circulation of the muscle. Through the better blood circulation also pollutants which block the muscle can be flushed out of the muscle and the muscle can regenerate. By relaxing the muscles, cramps and pain are reduced.

The heating and / or cooling element 26 or the electrical resistance which converts the electrical current into heat and / or cold, can be arranged centrally on the heating and / or cooling pad 12 and via a thermally well conductive material such. Me tall the heat and / or cooling energy on the heating and / or cooling pad 12 distribute. However, the heating and / or cooling element 26 can also be arranged flat on the heating and / or cooling pad 12 (shown in dotted line in FIG. 1). So that the electrical energy is converted over a larger area on the heating and / or cooling pad 12 in heat and / or Käl teenergie. The heating and / or cooling pad 12 or the heating and / or cooling element 26 may comprise a heat foil, a wire, a wire mesh or a wire mesh. These can, for example, more or less deliver a constant heat and / or cold over their entire surface.

FIG. 10 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a control unit 14 which has a multiplicity of electrical components and one or more electrical connection elements 18 a, 18 b between the control unit 14 and the heating unit. and / or cooling carrier 12 (not shown). The control unit 14 is referred to in Wei direct text as the control unit 14. It includes:

- An energy source 22. The power source 22 can be taken in the control unit 14 is taken - either fixed or removable. The power source 22 may also be an externally arranged power source 22, for example. A power grid, the supply via a cable or non-contact, for example by means of inductive or capacitive Energieübertra in the control unit 14 is added. When a rechargeable battery is used as the power source 22, the controller 14 may also include a suitable charging circuit 104;

a signal processor as a signal processor 16, which is configured to receive signals that are relevant to the operation of the control unit 14. Some of these signals 38, 107, 116, 117 may be electrical and sourced from outside the control unit 14 - in which case the signal may be passed through an electrical connector 18. The signals 1 17 can be digital, in which case they can be processed directly by the signal processor 16. Some signal processors 16 may be able to process analog signals directly, but in most cases an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 108 may be used to process external analog signals 38, 107, 16 to convert or adapt them accordingly ;

- A controller or a microcontroller 110. This may be a separate compo nent or be combined with a signal processor 16, as shown in Figure 10 Darge. The microcontroller 110 is configured and arranged to control the operation of the control unit 14 -in particular, the control unit 14 may be configured to control the energy output from the power source 22 to one or more heating and / or cooling elements 26 via one or more to control electrical connector 18. Some microcontrollers 110 may be able to directly provide the appropriate current and / or voltage for the one or more heating and / or cooling elements 26, but in most cases a separate PWM may be used - for example a PWM control by means of a pulse width modulator 1 12. In such a case, the microcontroller 1 10 can provide a treatment instruction be provided, such as heat the skin for 2 minutes at 30 ° C; Let cool to room temperature; Repeat 1 minute - the power control can then be configured to operate the one or more heating and / or cooling elements 26 using any suitable control algorithm, such as the transfer function of a PID controller; optionally, a display 101 may be provided to inform the operator of important parameters such as skin temperature, battery 22 condition, or mode of operation;

Optionally, a vibration generator 42 may be included in the control unit 14 as a means for providing stimulation other than heating and / or cooling. These additional means may be provided in the control unit 14, as shown, or from within the control unit 14 using an electrical connector 18 to supply these further stimulation means 114 with electrical energy;

Optionally, one or more skin temperature sensors 38. To prevent heat-induced and / or cold-induced damage to the skin. The signal processor 16 and controller 110 may be configured to provide heat and / or cold at treatment stages only when the skin near pad 12 is not sufficiently hot and / or too cold. Thus, for example, before the electrical supply Ver one or more heating elements 26 with an electrical current signal of the pulse width modulator 1 12 are first checked whether the skin is below a threshold lentemperatur. After the start of the heat treatment, the skin temperature can be continuously monitored and the treatment stopped when the skin temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold. Thus, for example, before the electrical supply of one or more cooling elements 26 with an electrical current signal of the pulse width modulator 112, it can first be checked whether the skin is above a threshold temperature. After the start of the cooling treatment, the skin temperature can be continuously monitored and the treatment stopped when the skin temperature falls below a predetermined threshold. Although shown outside of the unit 14, other options within the unit 14 may be used, such as a thermal imaging camera or an optical temperature detector mounted within the unit 14 and provided with a skin-facing opening. In general, a maximum temperature of about 42 - 43 ° C is given to avoid thermal damage to the skin. Typical values during the treatment for this are about 8 ° C to 15 ° C, preferably also up to 20 ° C. These values may vary depending on the position on the body to which the treatment is applied and are individually dependent;

optionally one of a plurality of skin detection sensors 107. The signal processor 16 and the microcontroller-based controller 110 may be configured to provide heat and / or cold at treatment levels only when the overlay 12 is sufficiently in contact with a skin surface. Before, for example, one or more Heating and / or cooling elements 26 are supplied with electrical energy, a measurement 107 may first be performed to establish sufficient contact with the skin. After initiation of treatment, skin contact may be continuously monitored and treatment stopped when the level of skin contact falls below a pre-set threshold. Although shown outside unit 14, other options within unit 14 may be used, such as a capacitive detector within unit 14. One or more skin temperature sensors 38 may also be configured as a skin detection sensor;

Optionally, but preferably, safety monitoring and protection 109. Under predetermined conditions during operation, the signal processor 16 and controller 110 may be configured to supply the electrical energy supplied to the one or more heating and / or cooling elements 26 to change or even suspend. For example, as mentioned above, when a temperature of the skin is outside a predetermined range or when the degree of skin contact is below a predetermined threshold. Optionally, a current, voltage, energy and / or power monitor 113 may be provided to determine a dose on the skin - if the dose exceeds a predetermined value, the power of the electrical current signal of the pulse width modulator 12 may be changed or even changed get abandoned. Optionally, the unit 14 may include a memory storing predetermined limits and ranges, and it may be advantageous to allow the user to change or set these limits and ranges. Optionally, parameters such as the temperature of the power source 22 or the state of charge of the power source 22 may also be monitored - for example, the signal processor 16 and the controller 110 may be configured to suspend or prevent the treatment, if not in the power source 22 enough energy is available to complete the treatment; and

optionally additional sensors 16, 17, such as one or more attitude sensors, one or more EMG (electromyography) sensors, one or more bending sensors, one or more 3D gyro sensors, one or more acceleration sensors, one or more strain gauges.

The signal processor 16 may be configured to generate a control signal to the controller 110 of an electrical energy source. The signal processor 16 may be configured to receive and process signals from one or more signal sources 38, 107, 16, 17, for example, body posture sensors, temperature sensors 38, or other sensors. The signal processor 16 may generate a control signal with which the electrical signal Controlled energy source or the energy supply or energy delivery to the body or the muscles is controlled. The signal processor 16 may include a processor or a computing unit. The signal processor 16 may also partially or not process the signals and forward the signals for processing to another signal processor, for example in a mobile device or at a further heating and / or cooling device 10 or control unit 14. In this case, the signal processor 16, for example, can only receive and / or transmit radio signals.

The heating and / or cooling element 26 may be configured to directly receive the electric current from the electrical energy source 22 and to deliver the heat and / or cold energy to the skin of a living being. The heating and / or cooling element 26 may also be configured to receive the electrical current from the electrical energy source 22 through the signal processor 16 and microcontroller 1 10 and deliver the thermal and / or Käl teenergie to the skin of the person. Furthermore, the signal processor 16 can transmit the control signal to the controller 1 10 of the electrical energy source 22 to the heating and / or cooling pad 12 and the heating and / or cooling pad 12 can transmit the signal to the electrical energy source 22 and the electrical energy from the electrical Energy source 22 received.

The electrical energy source 22 and the heating and / or cooling element 26 may be ausgebil det the heating and / or cooling pad 12 in a few than 1 min, preferably in less than 20 seconds, more preferably heated in less than 5 seconds by 20 K. The heating of the heating and / or cooling pad 12 can be monitored by a temperature sensor 38 in order to avoid skin injuries, such as. Burns. The temperature sensor 38 may be disposed on the heating and / or cooling pad 12 and, for example, monitor the temperature of the heating and / or cooling pad 12. The signal processor 16 may, for example, process a measured value of the temperature sensor 38 and change the control signal to the control 110 of the electrical energy source 22 depending on the measured value or temperature value measured at the temperature sensor 38, so that more electric energy is supplied to the heating and / or cooling pad 12 is when the heating and / or cooling pad 12 is to heat more and less or no electrical energy of the heating and / or cooling pad 12 is supplied when the heating and / or cooling pad 12 should heat less or not at all. The temperature sensor 38 can also measure the skin temperature or body temperature of the person and, depending on the body temperature, control the electrical energy as described above, so that the heat and / or refrigeration device 10 warms the person as soon as a predetermined temperature value of the skin temperature or body temperature is reached.

The time it takes to heat and / or cool the skin depends on a number of parameters, including:

the time in which the heating and / or cooling pads 12 reach the particular desired temperature and the rate of heat transfer between the pads 12 and the adjacent skin;

- The current, the voltage and the energy output of the pulse width modulation power controller 1 12;

the maximum current, the maximum voltage and the maximum energy output of the energy source 22;

the type of heating and / or cooling elements 26;

the dimensions of the heating and / or cooling elements 26;

- For a heating element 26, the resistance and the dimensions of the heating conductors (to the ge suitable metals include copper, aluminum, platinum or chromium or alloys of these metals);

- For a heating element 26, the density (distance) of the heating conductors. In embodiments where one or more resistance heating elements are connected from the center of the overlay 12, the central portion of the pad is likely to heat faster than the edges of the pad;

the power control profile - e.g. The PI D control is usually based on the error between the actual values and the setpoint. However, the initial heating and / or cooling may be initially accelerated by exceeding the threshold of the PID controller. For example, the desired value can be increased by 1 or 2 ° C - if the setpoint is actually 42 ° C, a heater can be given an overshoot value of 44 ° C or even 45 ° C. Although, for safety reasons, the skin temperature is typically maximized at 42 ° C or 43 ° C, a higher temperature can be tolerated for a very short period of time, such as e.g. 45 ° C for no longer than 5 seconds. By suitable optimization temperatures of up to 42 ° C were reached within 20 seconds near the center of the pad 12.

The electrical energy source 22 may be, for example, a mobile electrical energy source such as a battery or an accumulator. The battery or the accumulator can elekt rische energy or electrical power delivered. An accumulator can be charged with electrical energy via a further energy source 22 and a charging circuit 104 be reloaded. The electrical energy source 22 may also be a public power network, for example, via a power supply, the voltage of the power grid can be reduced before feeding into the heating and / or cooling device 10.

The heating and / or cooling pad 12 and the control unit 14 are connected by at least one electrical connector 18, via which the electrical energy to the heating and / or Kühlele element 26 is transferable, and at least one magnetic connector 20 electrically and mechanically interconnected.

On the control unit 14, an electrical connection element 18a for transmitting the electrical energy or an electric current from the control unit 14 to a complementary electrical connection element 18b, which is formed on the heating and / or cooling pad 12 may be arranged. The electrical connector 18 may be connected to the electrical energy source, the signal processor 16, or, for example, a control that receives the control signal to the controller 110 of the electrical energy source 22. The electrical connector 18 may be formed, for example, as an electrical plug and elec- rical socket or in the form of magnets. The electrical connection elements 18a, 18b are preferably made of metal. The electrical connection elements 18a, 18b may additionally have a coating with another metal, wel Ches has a small contact resistance or not oxidized (eg. Gold). The electrical connectors 18 may be mechanically fixed to the control unit 14 and / or the heating and / or cooling pad 12 for transmitting the electrical energy. The electrical connector 18 may also be connected via a flexible cable with the Steuerein unit 14 and / or the heating and / or cooling pad 12.

On the control unit 14, at least one mechanical connection element 20a may be arranged on. To the mechanical connecting element 20a, which is arranged on the control unit 14, a complementary mechanical connecting element 20b can be arranged on the heating and / or cooling support 12. The mechanical connection element 20b may be disposed on the heating and / or cooling pad 12 at the, the adhesive surface opposite the top of the heating and / or cooling pad 12. The mechanical cal connecting element 20a on the control unit 14, should be aligned with the position of the mechanical African connecting element 20b on the heating and / or cooling pad 12, so that can easily connect the connecting elements 20a, 20b. By the mechanical connector 20 a, 20 b, the control unit 14 and the heating and / or cooling pad 12 can easily menennen together to a heating and / or cooling device 10. Conversely, the heating and / or cooling device 10 can be through the mag netic connector 20in a control unit 14 for use in a heating and / or cooling device 10 according to the embodiment and in a heating and / or cooling pad 12 for use in a heat and / or refrigeration device 10 according to execution example split or separate. In FIG. 1, the control unit 14 and the heating and / or cooling pad 12 are connected by two of the magnetic connectors 20.

The heating and / or cooling pad 12 may be a disposable element, which can be replaced after one or more times about ten or about twenty times or about thirty times use. This has advantages in terms of hygiene, since the heating and / or cooling pad 12 is stuck directly on the body or the skin of the person and sometimes comes with a lot of body sweat and fat in touch. On the other hand, the adhesive surface of the heating and / or cooling pad 12 can be achieved by replacing the heating and / or cooling pad 12 again a good adhesive effect of the heating and / or cooling device 10 on the body 28 of the person upon release of the adhesive effect. It is also possible that e.g. the heating and / or cooling element 26, which converts the electrical energy into heat energy, is removed from a used heating and / or cooling pad 12 and inserted into another, new heating and / or cooling pad 12. By reusing the heating element 26 or sensors on the heating and / or cooling pad 12 costs and resources can be saved.

The control unit 14 may be a reusable element. The control unit 14 may e.g. the signal processor 16, a radio unit, the electrical energy source 22 or further electronics. The control unit 14 should include components that are easy to recycle and / or expensive. The entire intelligence or the contributing to the intelligence of the heating and / or cooling device 10 components may be arranged on the control unit 14. The control unit 14 can be reused as often as desired, whereby costs and resources can be saved.

The control unit 14 may be arranged on the heating and / or cooling pad 12 in such a way that it does not come into direct contact with the skin of the person when worn or in the state of the heating and / or cooling device 10 glued to the body 28 of a living being , This results in less unhygienic contaminants on the control unit 10, eg. By sweat or body fat. The electrical connector 18 has a first electrical connection element 18 a connected to the control unit 14 and a second connection element 18 b connected to the heating and / or cooling layer 12. Furthermore, the magnetic connector 20 has a first mechanical connecting element 20a connected to the control unit 14 and a second mechanical connecting element 20b connected to the heating and / or cooling pad 12. The first and second mechanical connection elements 20a; 20b, the corresponding first and second electrical connection element 18a; 18b. The mechanical connection element 20a, 20b may comprise the electrical connection element 18a, 18b for transmitting the electrical current. In other words, the electrical connection element 18a, 18b may be integrated for transferring the electrical current, for example, into the mechanical connection element 20a, 20b. The mechanical connection element 20a, 20b can also z. B. in the electrical connection element 18 a, 18 b be integrated for transmitting the electric current. For example. a me-metallic push button with corresponding counterpart or a metallic magnet, both as a mechanical connection element 20a, 20b as well as electrical connec tion element 18a, 18b are used for the transmission of electrical power.

Embodiments of a heating and / or cooling device 10, as smartes heat paving, be self-adhesive and as a heating and / or cooling element in the heating and / or cooling pad 12 include a heat foil or wire mesh, which by energy within seconds on the therapeutic heat from 40 ° C to 42 ° C can be heated.

The self-adhesive film of the heating and / or cooling pad 12 can quite several times, preferably before twenty to thirty times be used. Moreover, in the context of the invention, it has proved to be particularly advantageous if, in embodiments of the invention, a particularly skin-friendly adhesive is used for the self-adhesive film, so that the heating and / or cooling pad 12 can be similarly applied to a daily tattoo and also can remain on the skin overnight or for several days. This is particularly advantageous since the remaining components of the heating and / or cooling pad 10 can only be placed on treatment requirements for the heating and / or cooling pad 12 and removed after treatment Be.

Figure 2 shows a heating and / or cooling device 10 with three mechanical connec tion elements 20a, 20b. The heating and / or cooling device 10 may comprise at least three mechanical connecting elements 20a, 20b, wherein the control unit 14 has three mechanical connecting elements 20a and at the same place opposite to the heating and / or cooling pad 12 three complementary mechanical connecting elements 20b for connecting the heating and / or cooling pad 12 are formed with the control unit 14. The mechanical connection elements 20a, 20b may also comprise the electrical connection elements 18a, 18b. The mechanical connecting elements 20 a, 20 b can thus be arranged mirror-inverted between the control unit 14 and the heating and / or cooling pad 12.

By positioning the mechanical and / or magnetic connecting elements 20a, 20b, for example, an alignment coding can be achieved, so that the control unit 14 can be connected to the heating and / or cooling pad 12 only in a specific position or position (coding). As a result, for example, certain forces, for example vertical forces, which act on the body when being carried on the body 28 of a living being on the heating and / or cooling device 10, can be better absorbed. Further, by Codie tion at the connecting elements 18 a, 18 b; 20a, 20b, which both mechanical Ver connecting elements 20a, 20b as well as electrical connection elements 18a, 18b comprehensive sen, the risk of electrical reverse polarity when connecting the heating and / or Kühlauf position 12 can be reduced to the control unit 14. Further, in three pairs of connec tion elements 18 a, 18 b; 20a, 20b, together with the two-pole electrical supply, a control signal is transmitted to the third connection element. In the case of a control signal modulated on the two-pole electrical supply signal, in turn, the necessity of a third pair of connecting elements 18a, 18b; 20a, 20b. However, it is also possible for more than three, for example, four or more mechanical connecting elements 20a, 20b and / or electrical connecting elements 18a, 20b, the heating and / or cooling pad 12 and the control unit 14 to connect to a heating and / or cooling device 10.

Figure 3a and 3b shows a further illustration of an embodiment of the heating and / or cooling device 10 in a side view. Figure 3a shows the heating and / or cooling device 10 with connected or coupled heating and / or cooling pad 12 and control unit 14. In the coupled state can not in the representation between electrical rule or mechanical and / or magnetic fasteners 18a, 18b; 20a, 20b, which are attached to the control unit 14 or to the heating and / or cooling pad 12, are distinguished. The connectable to the body of the person heating and / or cooling pad 12 has a top 122 and a bottom 121 on which the adhesive surface 1210, for attaching the heating and / or cooling pad 12 on the skin surface of Kör pers 28 is provided. The heating and / or cooling pad 12 comprises at least the heating and / or cooling element 26. By the heating and / or cooling element 26 can be converted from the electrical energy source 22 output electrical energy into heat and / or cooling energy. The control unit 14 may include the signal processor 16 for controlling the delivery of energy from the power source 22 to the heating and / or cooling element 26.

Figure 3b shows the heating and / or cooling device 10 with separate heating and / or cooling pad 12 and control unit 14. At the control unit 14 are each two electrical connection elements 18a and two mechanical connection elements 20a shown. The mechanical and / or magnetic connection element 20a encloses or in this case encompasses the electrical connection element 18a for transmitting the electrical current. The connecting elements can thus be mechanical and / or magnetic 20a and / or electrical 18a connecting elements. At the heating and / or cooling pad 12 may be arranged to the connecting elements 18a, 20a of the control unit 14 complementary electrical connection elements 18b and mechanical and / or magnetic connection elements 20b. The mechanical and / or magnetic connection element 20b encloses or comprises in the illustration the electrical connection element 18b for transmitting the electrical current.

The adhesive surface 1210 may be formed on a lower side 121 or first surface 121 of the heating and / or cooling pad 12. On an opposite upper side 122 and second surface, the electrical or mechanical and / or magnetic Ver connecting elements 18b, 20b may be arranged. The heating and / or cooling pad 12 in turn comprises at least the heating and / or cooling element 26. By the heating and / or cooling lelement 26 can be converted from the electrical energy source 22 electrical energy into heat and / or cooling energy. The control unit 14 may include the signal processor 16 for controlling the output of energy from the power source 22 to the heating and / or cooling element 26.

Figure 4 shows a further schematic representation of a heating and / or cooling device 10 in a side sectional view with separate heating and / or cooling pad 12 and STEU ereinheit 14. In the sectional view various elements are shown, which the control unit 14 and the heating and or 12 may include cooling pad.

In or on the control unit 14, for example, the electrical energy source 22 may be arranged or fixed. The electrical energy source 22 may also be arranged or attachable bar. This means that the electrical energy source 22 can be fixed to the control unit 14 be connected or removable. The electrical energy source 22 may be configured to supply the heating and / or cooling pad 12 and / or the control unit 14 with electrical energy. As a result, the heating and / or cooling device 10 is independent of a line-connected electrical power supply, which, for example, would have to be connected to a socket ver and limits the freedom of movement of the person. The mobile electrical energy source 22 may be, for example, a battery or an accumulator. The bat terie or the accumulator can deliver electrical energy or electricity. An accumulator can be charged or recharged with electrical energy via a further energy source 22 and a charging circuit 104. The heat and / or Kältevor direction 10 can be connected in embodiments for power supply also, for example. Via a power supply to a power outlet. The heating and / or cooling device 10 can thus be connectable to an externally arranged energy source. By the versor supply of the heating and / or cooling device 10 with electrical energy from a socket, the electrical energy source does not need to be replaced or recharged.

The heating and / or cooling device 10, preferably the control unit 14, may comprise a posture sensor 24, wherein the posture sensor 24 may be configured to at least partially detect the posture and / or movement of the person and to generate posture data. The signal processor 16 may be configured to control the energy output from the energy source 22 to the heating and / or cooling element 26 by means of the body posture data. The heat and / or chill pad 10 may include only one posture sensor 24 or multiple posture sensors 24. In this case, several body posture sensors 24, the body posture usually he take it more precisely. The posture sensor 24 or the signal processor 16 can detect if the person is poorly or incorrectly malformed or if the posture is correct or more correct. The posture data may be generated due to body posture. The posture data may be an analog or digital electrical signal generated by the posture sensor 24. The signal may be provided as a conducted signal on an electrical or wireline signal (wireless) or radio signal from the posture sensor 24.

The posture sensor 24 may be disposed on or in the control unit 14. The posture sensor 24 may also identify the posture by means of skin data. The posture sensor 24 may include a 3D gyro sensor (gyroscope 3D), acceleration sensor, temperature sensor 38, bending sensor, EMG sensor, strain gauge or other sensors for detecting the posture include. By the posture sensor 24, the posture of the person can be detected. Body posture sensors 24 may be arranged, for example, on the shoulders or neck or in the area of the We spine and capture the posture of the person. A 3D gyroscope or a 3D gyroscope such as the ITG-3200 from IvenSens Inc. can detect movements in 3-axes and thus determine the position in the room. By means of an acceleration sensor or an accelerometer sensor such as, for example, BMA400 from Bosch, it is possible to detect a change in the position in the room. There are also sensors which combine the two previously described functions, for example the MO 416.H1X or the M0416.H13 from Makersan.

Preferably, at the heating and / or cooling pad 12, which is arranged closer to the body, as the control unit 14, a bending sensor 241 can be arranged as a posture sensor 24. Flexure sensors 241 can detect posture, particularly in the area of the shoulder and spine, and can easily detect spinal curvature or pulling up or down of the shoulders. The bending sensor 241 may have a length of 5 cm to 40 cm. Bend sensors 241 preferably have a length of 10 cm to 30 cm. For example, long bending sensors 241 can be arranged in the region of the spinal column and detect this over their entire length from the coccyx to the cervical vertebrae. Further, flexure sensors 241 may sense the posture at the shoulders, for example, from the left arm to the right arm. Also, depending on a bending sensor 241 may be disposed on the left shoulder and on the right shoulder. Instead of individual long bending sensors 241, a plurality of shorter bending sensors 241 having a length of, for example, 1 cm to 5 cm, preferably 2 cm to 3 cm, for example, can be arranged at the locations described. With a bending sensor 241, such as Spectra Symbo's SEN-10264, it is possible to detect curvatures of, for example, the spine or a pull-up or fall of the shoulders. The bending sensor is a narrow strip with a length of 7.3 cm and a width of 6.3 mm. At rest, the applied resistance is 25 kOhm. The more the sensor is bent, the more the resistance increases, which can amount to a maximum of 125 kOhm.

Thus, with body posture sensors 24, for example, poor posture can be detected in the posture. Misbehavings with respect to the posture are, for example, a hump, a Hollow back, shoulder tension, imbalance of the shoulders or the back. From the measured values of the various posture sensors, the posture of the person can then be determined.

Furthermore, the control unit 14 may include the signal processor 16. The signal processor 16 may be arranged on or in the control unit 14. The signal processor 16 may, for example, be a processor or a processor unit. The processor may also be integrated, for example, in a device specialized in improving posture, in particular on a mobile device. The processor can also be used in a universal mobile device such. As a T ablet or a smartphone or other mobile device to be integrated. Specialized or universal mobile devices are often indistinguishable, as features can often be provided through the software in the mobile device. Specialized or universal mobile devices usually include at least one input unit, a display, a processor, sensors, communication means and an energy storage.

Depending on the posture data or signal of the posture sensor 24, the signal processor 16 may determine posture. Depending on the specific posture by the signal processor 16 posture, the signal processor 16 may generate a control signal for controlling an electrical energy source 22. The control signal for controlling the electrical energy source 22 may in turn be an analog or digital electrical signal generated by the signal processor 16. The signal may be provided as a wireline signal on an electrical or wireline (wireless) signal from the signal processor 16. The signal processor 16 may also directly output more or less electrical energy generated or stored by an electrical energy source 22.

The signal processor 16 may be configured to receive the posture data. The signal processor 16 may be configured to receive the posture data as a signal. The signal may be a conducted signal on an electrical or wireline signal (wireless) or radio signal. Preferably, the receipt of the signal at the signal processor 16 is tuned to the output of the signal of the posture sensor (s) 24, 241. The heat and / or cooling pad 10 or the control unit 14 may include a radio unit 36 for transmitting and / or receiving data. The radio unit can be arranged on the control unit 14. The radio unit 36 can also be integrated or arranged, for example, in the signal processor 16 or a processor. The radio unit 36 may exchange data between heating and / or cooling devices 10 and / or a mobile device. The entire electronics (except some sensors) may be located on the control unit 14.

The heating and / or cooling pad 12 may be configured to receive electrical power from the electrical energy source 22 or from the signal processor 16. The heating and / or the cooling pad 12 may be connected via electrical line which can transmit the electrical energy or the current with the electrical energy source 22 and the signal processor 16. The heating and / or cooling pad 12 may include temperature sensor 38, bending sensor 241, electrodes 40, heating and / or cooling element 26 (heating foil / heating wire mesh), adhesive surface 1210 with adhesive and connecting element 18b, 20b.

The heating and / or cooling pad 12 can at least partially convert the electrical energy into ther energy and deliver it to the body 28 of the Peron. The released thermal energy can have a relaxing or stimulating effect on the muscles and can improve the posture of the person.

The energy delivered to the body by one or more heating and / or cooling pads 12 may also include other body tissue such as e.g. Influence fatty tissue. In particular, by the contraction of the muscles, the burning of fatty tissue in the body can be activated. This can also increase the well-being of the person and improve posture.

The heating and / or cooling element 26 or the heat element in the heating and / or cooling pad 12 may, for example, comprise a film, wherein the film more or less over its entire surface can convert electrical energy into thermal energy. As a heat sheet, for example, electrically heatable polyamide film such as. The RS film Kapton verwen be used. The thermal foil allows a constant and effective heat exchange. The heating and / or cooling element 26 may also include, for example, electrical conductors or a wire mesh and be designed to deliver constant heat at a lower energy requirement. The heating and / or cooling element 26 can also convert the electrical energy into heat energy in a relatively small space and have a good thermal energy thermal conductors, such as a metal plate, which distribute heat over a larger area in or on the heating and / or cooling pad 12.

On the heating and / or cooling pad 12 electrodes 40 may be arranged and the Sig nalverarbeiter 16 may be formed by electromyography to determine the muscle tension. The electrodes 40 can be used to measure changes in the potential of a muscle or a group of muscles. The signal processor 16 may generate a control signal to control 1 10 of the electrical energy storage 22 which is dependent on the muscle voltage. When tensing the muscle, e.g. the heating and / or cooling device 10 by emitting electrical energy, from the electrical energy storage 22 to the heating and / or cooling pad 12, are heated. By heating, muscles can be stimulated.

With the electrodes 40 and the skin resistance can be determined. In this case, for example, by a current which flows from a first electrode 40 to a second electrode 40, by measuring the voltage between the two electrodes, the conductance, the Wi resistance or the impedance between the electrodes 40 and thus the skin of the person are determined , The conductance or resistance value can also be used to control the heat and / or cooling energy by the signal processor 16 on the heating and / or cooling device 10.

The heating and / or cooling device 10 may include a vibration generator 42, wel cher is formed to convert electrical energy from the source 22 electrical energy into mechanical energy and deliver mechanical energy to the body of the person. Mechanical energy can be delivered in the form of vibrations to the skin or body of the person. The vibrations may be generated by a vibrator 42 which may be e.g. an electric motor and an imbalance are generated. In case of an imbalance, the center of gravity is not on the spin axis. The vibration generator may also be a linear motor that moves a mass back and forth, thereby generating vibrations. The vibrations can give the person an indication, for example, of posture or relax or relax muscles through massage.

The heating and / or cooling device 10 or the heating and / or cooling pad 12 may also include a temperature sensor 38. The temperature sensor 38 may, depending on the arrangement of the heating and / or cooling device 10 or on the heating and / or Cooling pad 12 detect the skin temperature or body temperature of the person. The temperature sensor Tem 38 can also detect the temperature of Heizauflege 12. The temperature sensor 38 may be connected to the signal processor 16 and, due to the measured temperature value of the temperature sensor 38, provide the signal processor 16 with temperature data. The signal processor 16 may generate the control signal to the controller 110 of the electrical energy source 22 depending on the temperature data. Thus, depending on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 38, the energy output from the energy source 22 to the heating and / or cooling element 26 can be controlled or the electrical energy supply for the Heizauflege 12 are controlled.

Both the heating and / or cooling pad 12 and the control unit 14 are shown in the figure 1 around. If standard gel pads are used with a diameter of 80 mm, the control unit 14 is preferably designed for a smaller diameter - about 60 - 70 mm, preferably 62 - 68 mm -.

The heating and / or cooling pad 12 and the control unit 14 may also have an oval or n-square shape. Both the heating and / or cooling pad 12 and the control unit 14 may also have a quadrangular or square shape, for example. With pointed or round corners. Both the heating and / or cooling pad 12 and the STEU ereinheit 14 may have any shape. The heating and / or cooling pad 12 and the control unit 14 may also have different shapes. For example. For example, the control unit 14 may be round and the heating and / or cooling pad 12 has an elongate four-cornered shape.

FIG. 9 illustrates a heating pad 12 comprising heating elements 26 with resistive conductors. The figure shows a view from above on the top 122 of the heating pad.

For clarity, not all features are shown.

The overall shape of the heating pad 12 is approximately square with rounded corners. In this configuration, eight approximately triangular heating elements 26 are provided: P, Q, R, S, T, U and V. Each extends from a position near the center to a position closer to the periphery of the support 12. Each of the eight heating elements 26 is further divided into two parts - a portion near the center of the plate 12, in which the conductors are relatively close to each other (a small distance) - these are the areas P1, Q1, R1, S1, T1, T1, U1 and V1 - and another portion near the circumference of the support 12, in which the conductors are relatively far apart (a greater distance) - these are the areas P2, Q2, R2, S2, T2, U2 and V2. The sections of each heating element 26 are electrically connected to one another - P1 and P2 / Q1 and Q2 / R1 and R2 / S1 and S2 / T1 and T2 / U1 and U2 / V1 and V2, W1 and W2. This means that, when a current is applied to each of the heating elements 26, the near-center portions heat up faster than the peri-pheric portions.

In the center of the support 12 there are six electrical 18b and magnetic connections 20b of two different sizes. Two larger ports A & B, and four smaller ports 1, 2, 3, 4. In this configuration, ports 18b, 20b have a symmetry axis so that pad 12 can be connected in one of two directions. The use of two much larger A, B (about twice the diameter of the smaller links 1, 2, 3, 4) connections means that other directions and possible failures are at least less likely and some incorrect connections become impossible ,

Also in the middle is a temperature sensor labeled T which is configured and arranged to measure temperature 38 near the skin.

The control unit 14 is not shown for reasons of clarity, but has corresponding electrical 18a and magnetic 20a connecting elements, which correspond to the illustrated 18b, 20b. Thus, these compounds produce a physical and electrical connection by coating appropriately dimensioned magnets with a conductive metal such as chromium, gold or platinum. On the upper layer 122 of the heating pad 12, a suitable cover plate (not shown) can be seen easily - with openings that have the same dimensions as the controllers 14 terminals 18 a, 20 a or the heating pad 12 terminals 18 b, 20 b are provided savings from which facilitate the alignment of the two parts of the terminals 18a to 18b and 20a to 20b.

Depending on the number of different electrical connections required, one or more of the magnetic connection elements 20a, 20b may be configured as a pure magnetic connection and not as an electrical connection - eg, connections A and B may be solely magnetic 20a, 20b, while 1, 2, 3, 4 are both magnetic 20a, 20b and electrically 18a, 18b are, 18b, the four different electrical connections between the control unit 14 and the Heizauflage 12 ago steep. In the simplest configuration, all the heating elements 26 are operated in parallel and benö only two electrical connection elements 18 a, 18 b. In order to avoid undesired heating of the connecting elements 18a, 18b, more than one connection can be used for each channel - for example A, 1, 2, with one side of each heating element 26 and B, 3, 4, with the other Side of each heating element 26 is connected.

In the illustrated embodiment, six different electrical Verbindungsele elements are provided. By connecting each electrical connection element 18b with at least two heating element connections, it is possible to set and adjust the electrical energy in each heating element 26:

1 to A => heating element P (26)

1 to B => heating element Q (26)

2 on A => heating element R (26)

2 on B => heating element S (26)

3 to A => heating element T (26)

3 to B => heating element U (26)

4 on A => heating element V (26)

5 on B => heating element W (26)

Since the heating pads 12 must be disposed of after a number of applications, it may be helpful to keep the number of fasteners and consequently also the connec as low as possible in order to reduce costs.

In the configuration of FIG. 9, the heating elements 26 were in various, successive segments that extend beyond the periphery of the heating pad 12. Alternatively or additionally, different concentric heating elements 26 may be provided.

The temperature sensor 38 (T) may use two or more of the electrical terminals 18b depending on the sensor type and the number of control signals of the parking heater 26 to be supplied.

A similar configuration may also be provided for a cooling pad when the resistance conductors have been replaced by appropriately sized cooling elements 26, such as Peltier elements. FIGS. 5a and 5b show a person with a plurality of heat and / or refrigeration devices 10 glued or fastened to the body 28. FIG. 5a shows the person in a front view. Depending on a heating and / or cooling device 10 is disposed on the right and left upper thigh. Two further heating and / or cooling devices 10 are arranged above the breast. The heating and / or cooling devices 10 can be arranged or glued anywhere on the body. Preferably, the heating and / or cooling devices 10 on the skin over underlying muscle or muscle groups which are cramped or braced are arranged. The heat of the heating and / or cooling devices 10 can help relax the muscles. The heating and / or cooling device 10 can, for example, also be used or arranged at all trigger points of the body (for example thighs, back, etc.).

In medicine, heat is primarily attributed to the following effects: muscle relaxation, improvement of the blood circulation, reduction in the viscosity of the joint fluid, improvement in the extensibility of the collagenous connective tissue and alleviation of pain. The heating and / or cooling devices 10 can fight or relieve the pain or the stresses where they take place. Thermal therapies should not be used in inflammatory processes such as inflammatory rheumatism (acute thrusts) and in acute illnesses associated with endogenous heat development (local inflammation, redness, overheating, fever).

The heating and / or cooling device 10 should be positioned on the body 28 of the person, the contracted muscles which are under the skin of the body 28, stimulated ie supplied with heat and / or cooling energy of the heating and / or cooling device 10 who the can. By the heating and / or cooling device 10, energy or heat and / or cold energy can be abge to the body 28 of the person or to contracted muscles. The more precisely the heating and / or cooling device 10 are arranged over contracted or tense muscles, the more precise the energy can be delivered to the con trained muscle. Thus, waste losses can be reduced by unnecessary energy gieabgabe in places that have no tense muscles, and thus the total energy consumption can be reduced by efficient use of energy. This will keep the batteries longer. Preferably, the heat pad 10 pos as close as possible or directly on the body in order to transfer the energy as lossless as possible to the body. The heating and / or cooling device 10 can be arranged in the region of the neck or the vertebral column. In the area of the neck and / or the spine, tension or cramping or prolonged contractions of the musculature often occur. By the heating and / or cooling devices 10 thermal energy is supplied to the affected areas or muscle Mus, which this relaxed or relaxed. It can thus be a decontraction of the muscle in the body of the person. The energy delivered to the body of the person can produce a change in the contraction of the muscles under the skin of the person. The arrangement in this area, the energy can be delivered with little scattering loss to the affected areas with tension.

The heating and / or cooling devices 10 may also be arranged at body sites to allow a conclusion about the posture of the person, for example. At the shoulders or on the spine or in the vicinity of the shoulder or the vertebral column. Of course, depending on the shoulder region and in the back region min least one posture sensor can be arranged. The area of the neck, the shoulder and the spine are particularly suitable for detecting the posture of the person. Preferably, the posture sensors are as close as possible or directly to the body to keep a measurement error in the detection of body posture data as small as possible or to avoid measurement errors.

The heating and / or cooling devices 10 can also be used for various heat therapy scenarios (trigger point treatment). Heat will be released to trigger points on the body. The signal processor (s) may generate control signals for controlling the energy output from the energy source to the heating and / or cooling element in various heat and / or refrigeration devices according to a pre-given pattern. In the treatment, the heating and / or cooling device 10 are heated briefly. By the arrangement of the heating and / or cooling devices 10 and the successive warming of the heating and / or cooling devices 10, for example, a kind of thermal wave motion can be generated on the body 28 of the person. This means that, for example, several, more or less lying in a line heating and / or cooling devices 10 are turned on in succession. By aufeinan the following turn on or warm up the heating and / or cooling devices 10, a kind of wave motion is generated on the body 28 of the person or the coordinated warming of the heating and / or cooling devices 10 generates for the person the impression of a from one point continuing or spreading heat wave. By this wave-shaped heat transfer to the body, a particularly we kungsful relaxation of the muscles can be achieved. A first heat and / or Käl tevorrichtung 10 may, for example. Between 5 minutes and 2 hours, preferably between 20 minutes and 1 hour supplied with electrical energy and thereby kept warm. Thereafter, a second heating and / or cooling device 10 is supplied with electrical energy for a similar period of time and thereby kept warm. Thereafter, it may be again the first or a third or further heating and / or cooling device 10 is heated and kept warm.

A heating and / or cooling pad 14 may be continuously supplied with a predetermined power, for example, a predetermined voltage (e.g., 5 volts (V)) or a predetermined current. The heating and / or cooling pad 14 may be supplied with a lower voltage (e.g., 3V) or higher voltage (e.g., 7V) or current to control the heat 110. It is also possible to control the heating and / or cooling pad 14 with a contan tem current or voltage and by changing the on-off time (pulse-pause ratio) in their heating. Thus, the heating and / or cooling pad 12 may be e.g. supplied with electrical energy for 2 seconds and not supplied with electrical energy for 1 second. About the ratio of the period between power supply and not supply, the heating of the heating and / or cooling pad can be controlled. The length of time for an optimum pulse-pause ratio depends on the thermal capacity of the heating element and can be between milliseconds and a few minutes.

In this case, autonomously and intelligently the heat to the individual heating and / or cooling devices 10 or heat and / or cold patches can be controlled with each other. This means that each heating and / or cooling device 10 can control its temperature itself or receive control commands. The heating and / or cooling device 10 can communicate data about its sensors and / or its operating state, for example, further heating and / or cooling devices 10 or obtain data from them. Artificial intelligence can be used to generate an intelligent distribution of heat. Thus, a selection of different heat therapy scenarios can be provided. Through software and / or artificial intelligence, any extensions and regulations are possible.

Depending on the posture or the body malaise, the energy or the heat and / or cold at a given time unequal or intelligent of the Heating and / or cooling devices are distributed, so that individual heating and / or cooling lelemente the heating and / or cooling pad are supplied with different energy gene conditions simultaneously. The energy can also be supplied time-varying such that heating and / or cooling elements are supplied with energy one after the other. Thus pain can be relieved and tension can be solved. The signal processor can be designed to detect a body malaise of the person based on the Körperhal tion data and to control the delivery of electrical power to at least one of the heating and / or cooling devices. In this case, body data can be generated by the at least one posture sensor. This body data can be transmitted to the signal processor. Depending on the body data, the signal processor can generate the control signal by means of which the energy output from the energy source to the heating and / or cooling element can be controlled.

FIG. 6 shows a system 30 for delivering heat and / or cooling energy to the body of a living being with various heating and / or cooling devices 10. The system 10 may comprise at least two heating and / or cooling devices 10 with a radio unit 36, wherein the heating and / or cooling devices 10 are designed to send data and / or receive data. The heating and / or cooling devices 10 could also be connected via a cable, for example. With each other and / or with a central energy source 22 and / or a signal processor 16. The heat and / or Käl tevorrichtungen 10 may be connected to each other for data exchange, for example. Via a radio link 32. The data may be posture data, temperature data, data for controlling the power source 22, signal processing data, sensor data, control data, operating data or any other data. The data can be sent from egg ner first heating and / or cooling device 10 to a second heating and / or cooling device 10. Thus, the heating and / or cooling devices 10 can exchange data with each other or between each other and thus form a system 30 or a network 30. The connection can take place, for example, via a radio link 32, via a piconet such as Bluetooth, RF24, RF32, ANT or NFC (Near Field Communication). The heating and / or cooling devices 10 may also be connected to each other via electrical lines or to a central control or power supply. The heating and / or cooling devices 10 may generally have a variety of shapes as shown in FIG. In particular, the heat and / or Kältevorrichtun conditions 10 round, oval, square or another preferably on the course of the muscles, which are to be stimulated, have adapted shape.

FIG. 7 shows a system 30 for emitting heat and / or cooling energy to the body 28 with a mobile device 34. The system 30 may include at least one first heating and / or cooling device 10, and at least one second heating and / or cooling device 10 and a mobile device 34. The first and second heating and / or cooling devices 10 and the mobile device 34 are suitable for exchanging data with one another. Each of the heating and / or cooling apparatus 10 shown may be configured to transmit data to and / or receive from a mobile device 34. The heat and / or Käl tevorrichtung 10 may be connected to the data exchange by the radio unit 36 with a mobile phone 34. The data may again be posture data, temperature data, data for controlling the energy source 22, signal processing data, sensor data, control data, operating data, or any other data. The data can be sent from the heating and / or cooling device 10 to the mobile telephone 34 or to another heating and / or cooling device 10. Thus, the heat and / or the refrigeration devices 10 can exchange data between the mobile phone 34 or other heating and / or cooling devices 10 and thus form a system 30 or a network 30. The connection can take place, for example, via a radio link 32, via a piconet such as Bluetooth, RF24, RF32, ANT or NFC (Near Field Communication). Instead of a mobile phone 34, it is also possible to use a smartphone or a tablet or a mobile device specially designed for improving posture. The heating and / or cooling devices 10 may also be connected to the mobile device 34 or a power supply via electrical lines, for example.

By means of a mobile device 34 such as a smartphone or a tablet, for example, data can be received, evaluated or displayed via a software application (app). The signal processor 16 may also be partially or completely located in the mobile device 34. The mobile device 34 may include a signal processor 16 which receives the body posture data via an interface of the mobile device 34, eg, from the posture sensor. The mobile device 34 can also receive processed data from the signal processor 16 at an interface and display or store it, for example. The mobile device 34 may at its interface but also, for example. Partly received by the Sig nalverarbeiter 16 edit posture data and this processing additionally th.

Through an app, the person can be given instructions for improving posture. Through the app, the person can also, for example, individual heat and / or Kältevor devices 10Wärmme- and / or refrigeration devices 10 control manually and provide energy or identify areas on the body 28, which perceives them as distorted and with heat and / or cooling energy wants to take care of it, in order to relax the areas. Or set an intelligent, autonomous heat mode. A mikrocontrollerba-based and thus intelligent control 1 10 can supply the heating and / or cooling pad 12 of the heat and / or cooling pad 10 with energy due to stored data and algorithms and heat. It is also possible for the user to use e.g. For example, by drawing or changing lines in graphics. Also, the system 30 may first be calibrated for pre-existing body malaise, for example, by congenital malpractice or disease. In addition, then from deviations can be detected or treated to this pre-existing body malaise.

The app can also give the person or the user a recommendation for improving posture, for example, by the app of the person graphically or by text on how to improve the posture is. The app can, for example, also give suggestions for gymnastics or gymnastics exercises to improve posture. The app can also make information accessible to the person from the Internet, which, for example, help the person to improve their posture. Furthermore, the app can also, for example, by a movie information about the wrong attitude of the person or suggestions for improvement to the person spend.

The person's body posture can be improved by deliberately changing the posture of the person, for example, by informing the person of a body malaise by vibration or electrical impulses from a heating and / or cooling device 10 or by a display 101 on a mobile device 34. The improvement of the body posture or the correction of the body malaise can also be done unconsciously for the person by individual muscles or groups of muscles by the supply of energy from the heat and / or cooling pad 10 are relaxed. In FIG. 8 a, the outlines of the upper part of a body 28 of a living being, for example, are shown on a display 101 of a mobile device 34, such as a smartphone. In the silhouette on the display 101 arranged on the body 28 heating and / or cooling devices 10 and / or posture sensors 24 may be shown. The person using the system 30 to deliver the heat and / or cold energy to the body 28 of an animal may be referred to as a user. The user may, for example, enter, check or change the arrangement of the posture sensors 24 or the thermal and / or refrigeratory devices 10 on the body. It is also possible for the person 28 to influence or control the supply of electrical energy or the intensity with which thermal energy is applied to the body 28, for example via the touchscreen 101 of the mobile device 34. The influence on the energy output is, for example. With a plus sign and a minus sign on the display 101 of the mobile device 34 Darge presents. By touching the plus sign, users can increase the energy output, for example. By touching the minus sign, the users can reduce the energy output, for example.

FIG. 8b shows the upper part of a body 28 of a living being on the display 101 of a mobile device 34, such as a smartphone. On the display 101, the user may e.g. its system malformation is displayed. On the display 101, the user can also be displayed on how he can improve his posture ver. The output of the suggestions for improvement can be completed or animated with symbols.

FIG. 8c again shows the upper part of a body 28 of a living being on the display 101 of a mobile device 34, such as a smartphone. The smartphone can as a mobile device 34 proposals for improving the posture of the user to spend. The proposals may include, for example, exercise or gymnastics exercises, which the user should perform zer. The suggestions can be communicated to the user in a predetermined temporal regularity, so that the user is reminded, for example, once a day at a certain time or asked to do exercises or gymnastics exercises. The exercises help the user eg to relax tense muscles or to strengthen muscle and thereby improve the posture. The exercises can be described as active measures. The exercises can be personalized to a specific user or to a specific maladjustment, automatically assembled and output. The regular notification motivates to more movement. This can counteract chronic tension and pain. The combination of active and passive measures lead to a healthy and correct posture. Consistently concentrated heat releases tension so that the body can regain its natural posture. Thus, there are no long-term negative consequences.

In embodiments, the heating and / or cooling pad 12 may comprise an allergy-friendly or skin-friendly gel-like adhesive. As a result, there is less risk of an allergic reaction of the skin (allergy-friendly). Further, the electrical energy source 22 may be rechargeable and thus may be more sustainable than a conventional heat patch. Since the heat is generated by electrical energy in the heat and / or cooling pad 12 and not by a chemical reaction, as in the case of a heat plaster, there is less danger of an allergic reaction to the chemical substances in the present heating and / or cooling device 10.

The heating and / or cooling device 10 may also be referred to as a heat patch, heat pad, heat transfer pad, heat patches, heat mat or heat pad. The heating and / or cooling device 10 may be for local positional delivery of thermal energy to the skin. The heating and / or cooling pad 12 may also be referred to as Heizpflaster or Heizpatch. The control unit may also be referred to as a control patch.

In embodiments, the heating and / or cooling device 10 may also be designed to deliver energy in various forms to the body. The delivery of various forms of energy to the body can be carried out simultaneously or sequentially. Thus, e.g. In a first phase, thermal energy is delivered by the heating and / or cooling device 10 to the body 28 of the person. In a second phase, the same heating and / or cooling device 10 can, for example, deliver mechanical or electrical energy to the person's body. By stimulating with different forms of energy (mechanical, thermal, electrical), a faster and more sustainable relaxation of the muscle can be achieved.

Certain aspects have been described in the context of a device, although these aspects may equally well constitute a description of the corresponding method, so that a block or an element of a device can also be understood as a corresponding method step or as a feature of a method step. Accordingly, aspects described in connection with or as a method step also represent a description of a corresponding block or details or feature of a corresponding device. Portions or all of the method steps may be performed using a hardware apparatus such as a hardware device for example, a smart phone, a microcontroller, a programmable computer, or an electronic circuit. In some embodiments, some or more of the most important method steps may be performed by such a hardware device.

Depending on implementation requirements, embodiments of the invention may be implemented in hardware or in software. The conversion may be performed using a digital storage medium, such as a memory stick, a memory card, a DVD, a Blu-ray Disc, a CD, a ROM, a PROM, an EPROM, an EEPROM or FLASH memory, a hard disk or other magnetic or optical memory are stored on the electronically readable control signals that can cooperate with a programmable computer system such interaction or cooperation that the respective method is performed. Thus, the digital storage medium may be computer readable.

Thus, embodiments according to the invention may include a data carrier having electronically readable control signals capable of interacting with a programmable computer system such that one of the methods described herein may be performed.

Embodiments of the present invention may be implemented as a computer program with program code, wherein the program code is operable to perform one of the methods when the computer program runs on a computer. The program code can also be stored, for example, on a machine-readable carrier.

Other embodiments include the computer program for performing any of the methods described herein, wherein the computer program is stored on a machine-readable medium. An embodiment of the method according to the invention is thus expressed differently, a computer program having a program code for performing one of the methods described hereinbefore when the computer program is running on a computer. The data medium, the digital storage medium or the recorded medium are usually tangible or non-volatile.

Furthermore, another embodiment of the inventive method is a data carrier (or a digital storage medium or a computer-readable medium) on which the computer program for performing one of the methods described herein is drawn.

Another embodiment of the method according to the invention is a data stream or a sequence of signals representing the computer program for performing one of the methods described herein. The data stream or the sequence of signals may be configured, for example, to be transferred via a data communication connection, for example via the Internet.

Another embodiment includes a processing device, such as a computer, a tablet, a smartphone, or a programmable logic device that is configured or adapted to perform one of the methods described herein.

Another embodiment includes a computer on which the computer program is installed to perform one of the methods described herein.

Another embodiment according to the invention comprises a device or system configured to transmit a computer program to at least one of the methods described herein for execution to a receiver. The transmission can be done for example electronically or optically. The receiver may be, for example, a computer, a mobile device, a storage device or a similar device. For example, the device or system may include a file server for transmitting the computer program to the receiver.

In embodiments, a programmable logic device (eg, a field programmable gate array, an FPGA) may be used to perform some or all of the functionality of the methods described herein. In some embodiments, a field programmable gate array may include a microcontroller Interaction to perform any of the methods described herein. Generally, in some embodiments, the methods are performed with any hardware device. This may be a universally applicable hardware such as a computer processor (CPU) or hardware specific to the process, such as an ASIC.

The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention. Modifications and variations of the arrangements and details described herein may be apparent to others skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention should be limited only by the scope of the following Pa tentansprüche and not by the specific details which have been presented with reference to the description and explanation of the embodiments herein.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10 heating and / or cooling device 10

12 heating and / or cooling pad

121 Bottom of the heating and / or cooling pad

1210 adhesive surface

122 top of the heating and / or cooling pad

14 control unit

16 signal processors

18 electrical connector

18a electrical connection element on the control unit

18b electrical connection element on the heating and / or cooling pad

20 magnetic connector

20a mechanical and / or magnetic connection element on the control unit

20b mechanical and / or magnetic connection element to the heating and / or

cooling cover

22 electrical energy source

24 posture sensor

241 bending sensor

26 heating or cooling element

28 bodies

30 system, network

32 radio connection

34 mobile device

36 radio unit

38 temperature sensor

40 electrodes

42 vibration generator

101 display

102 antenna

104 charging circuit

107 Skin detection sensor

108 A / D converter

109 Security monitoring and protection

110 microcontroller

112 Pulse Width Modulation Power Control

113 Current, voltage, energy and / or power monitoring further stimulants

other analogue sensors and detectors further digital sensors and detectors

Claims

claims

A heating and / or cooling device (10) for delivering heat and / or cooling energy to the body (28), comprising: a heating and / or cooling pad (12) connectable to the body (28); On the upper side (122) and a lower side (121) and on the underside (121) an adhesive surface (1210) for fixing the heating and / or cooling pad (12) on the skin surface of the body (28) is provided, and at least one Heating and / or cooling element (26), by the output of an electrical energy source (22) electrical energy in heat and / or cooling energy is convertible; a control unit (14) which is provided for receiving the energy source (22) having a signal processor (16) and which is provided for delivering a control and / or control signal, by means of which the energy output from the energy source (22) the heating and / or cooling element (26) is controllable and / or controllable; wherein the heating and / or cooling pad (12) and the control unit (14) by at least one electrical connector (18) via which the electrical energy to the heating and / or cooling element (26) is transferable, and at least one magnetic connector (20), electrically and mechanically connectable to each other.

2. Heating and / or cooling device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the heating and / or cooling pad (12) and the control unit (14) by:

- Another electrical connector (18) via which the electrical energy to the heating and / or cooling element (26) is transferable, and

- Another magnetic connector (20) electrically and mechanically miteinan are connectable.

3. heating and / or cooling device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heating and / or cooling pad (12) and the control unit (14) by at least one mag netic connector (20) through which the electrical energy to Heating and / or cooling lelement (26) is transferable, electrically and mechanically connected to each other.

4. heating and / or cooling device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the electrical energy source (22) and the heating and / or cooling element (26) are out forms, the heating and / or cooling pad (12 ) in less than 1 minute, preferably in less than 20 seconds, more preferably in less than 5 seconds to heat and / or cool 20 K.

5. Heating and / or cooling device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the heating and / or cooling device (10) comprises at least one posture sensor (24, 241) and the posture sensor (24, 241) is formed, the Kör perhaltung and / or the movement of the body (28) at least in part to erfas sen and to generate posture data and by means of the body posture data the energy output from the power source (22) to the heating and / or cooling element (26) controllable and / or is controllable.

6. Heating and / or cooling device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the heating and / or cooling device (10) comprises a radio unit (36) for transmitting and / or receiving data.

7. heating and / or cooling device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the heating and / or cooling device (10) comprises a temperature sensor (38), wel cher is formed to generate temperature data and the signal processor (16) is designed to generate the control and / or regulating signal for controlling (110) and / or regulating the electrical energy source (22) depending on the temperature data.

8. heating and / or cooling device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein on the underside of the heating and / or cooling pad (12) electrodes (40) are arranged and the signal processor (16) is formed by electromyography Muscle tension and / or by measuring the conductance to determine the skin resistance.

9 heating and / or cooling device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the adhesive surface (121) of the heating and / or cooling pad (12) comprises an adhesive, preferably a pressure-sensitive adhesive.

10 heating and / or cooling device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the adhesive is gel-shaped.

11. Heating and / or cooling device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the heating and / or cooling pad (12) is a disposable element and the control unit (14) is a reusable element.

12. Heating and / or cooling device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the heating and / or cooling device (10) comprises a vibration generator (42) which is formed by the electrical energy source (22) output elekt converting energy into mechanical energy that can be transferred to the body (28).

13. System (30) for delivering heat and / or cooling energy to the body (28) for relaxation of the body musculature comprising: at least one first heating and / or cooling device (10) according to claim 1, and at least one second heat and / or refrigeration device (10) according to claim 1 and / or a mobile device (34) which are suitable to exchange data with the first heating and / or cooling device (10).

14. A method for controlling and / or regulating a heat and / or Kältevorrich device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 12, which is provided for the release of heat and / or the cold energy to the body (28) and the one Control unit (14) and one with the body of the person (28) connectable and provided with a heating and / or cooling element (26) heating and / or cooling pad (12), which are electrically and mechanically connected to each other, wherein by means of Control unit (14) a control signal is generated, by means of which the energy output from an energy source (22) to the heating and / or cooling element (26) is controllable.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein by means of the posture sensors (24), the posture (28) measured and determined in the control unit (14) and from the control signal is calculated to the heat and / or cooling release to steer such that the Posture is corrected.

16. Computer program with a program code for carrying out the method according to claim 14 or 15, when the computer program is running on a computer or processor.