ITBS20080068A1 - DEVICE AND METHOD TO SUPPORT BODY THERMOREGULATION - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

Attached to a patent application for INDUSTRIAL INVENTION having the title

"DEVICE AND METHOD TO ASSIST BODY THERMOREGULATION"

The present invention refers to a device, its use and a method capable of assisting the body thermoregulation process.

Heating or cooling devices are known, to be applied on various areas of the body. Such devices are for example described in G B2160425 A, US6139486A, US4981135A, W096 / 06580A, US4592358A, US3900035A, US5692238.

Known devices are generally designed for the treatment or cure of traumas or injuries through the application of hot or cold elements: the purpose is therefore to cool or heat entire parts of the body having a certain extent, and the desired effect is brought back, and is exhausted, to the entire part of the body affected by the operation.

MI2006A000896 describes a cooling or heating cuff to ensure adequate regulation of body temperature.

The Applicant has realized that the devices of the known art have numerous disadvantages.

In the known art, the cooling or heating effect is distributed, usually uniformly or almost uniformly, over a considerable area of the body part affected by the operation, which can also be of considerable size, for example in the event of trauma involving muscles, joints. or tendons.

Furthermore, in the known art the duration of the cooling or heating effect is short. For example, in the event of trauma, the treatment required is usually immediate and of a relatively short duration.

Furthermore, in the known art the size of the devices is considerable. For example, in the case of trauma, the need to involve as much as possible of the part affected by the trauma is paramount.

Furthermore, the devices of the known art have a considerable weight. For example, in the event of trauma, the traumatized person is normally in conditions of immobility, or poor mobility, and there is no need for the traumatized person to move independently together with the device used.

On the contrary, any weight increase, resulting in an increase in the duration of the effect, is generally considered a necessary and therefore desirable condition.

With the present invention, the Applicant faces and solves the above problems, with particular reference to body thermoregulation.

The object of the present invention is to obtain a device and an adjuvant method of body thermoregulation capable of having an adjuvant effect of body thermoregulation which is effective and at the same time long lasting. Further advantages of the device of the present invention are lightness, compactness, manageability (ease of use and in putting on and taking off the device) and wearability, so that it can be worn for a long time both in normal life conditions. daily and normal sociability, both in conditions of sports and / or work physical activity.

One or more of the aforementioned purposes are achieved by a device, its use and an adjuvant method of body thermoregulation in accordance with the present invention, in which the thermoregulatory intervention is mainly localized (exclusively in optimal conditions) within one or more few areas (typically one or at most two areas per device, up to a maximum of 4 or 6 areas in the case of simultaneous use of several devices) each of reduced size. Advantageously, these areas are located in correspondence with the subcutaneous arterial plexuses. This localization, in addition to guaranteeing the maximum effectiveness of the thermoregulatory effect and long duration, will also guarantee not to intervene in areas of the body where a cooling action is to be considered harmful, especially during a sporting action, such as the muscles, or which, from prolonged exposure to low temperatures, can cause rheumatic damage, such as the joints.

The large arterial plexuses emerge immediately under the skin in the following areas of the human body: temples, neck, wrists, groin and ankles. The most suitable areas for locating a thermoregulation action in accordance with the present invention are the wrists and ankles, without however excluding the temples and, to a lesser extent, the neck. The adjuvant body thermoregulation device is preferably intended for application on the wrist or on the wrists, as this position allows easy wearing in movement, both by sportsmen in the exercise of their disciplines, and by common users in normal daily use, such as even by elderly people or with uncertain manual skills: both of these subjects would have more difficulty wearing the device on the ankles.

In the case of a device designed for application on the wrist or ankle, the single device has a single area in which the heat exchange is mainly or better exclusively localized. In the case of a device designed for application on the temples, the single device, in the form of a band, has at most two areas in which the heat exchange is mainly or better exclusively localized.

The adjuvant effect of body regulation will be perceptible in a very short time (about two minutes from the correct application), after which the user will see his body sweating consistently reduce, both in case of high external temperature and in case of prolonged effort ( typically sporty, but not only); in addition, you will notice a progressive slowing of the heartbeat, due to the adjuvant effect of thermoregulation, with imaginable benefits both for elderly or heart patients, and for athletes who will be able to improve their competitive performance. For all those who are doing physical activity, a lesser effect of fatigue will be perceptible. Furthermore, in case of use of the device object of the present invention after a prolonged, competitive or working effort, the physical recovery times are significantly reduced.

The device of the present invention can be advantageously worn by one or more of the following groups of users: athletes engaged in competitive and non-competitive sports activities, elderly and / or heart patients, workers engaged in physically heavy activities, users who consider important in their life daily, limit sweating with the resulting comfort benefits.

The main purpose of the present invention is that of realizing a device which intervenes in conditions of high external temperature, or of high body temperature due to prolonged efforts; however, its use in the case of low ambient temperatures is not excluded, and in this case the adjuvant effect of body thermoregulation will take place through the transfer of heat from the device to the distal arteries (radial in the case of the wrist).

Advantageously, the device in accordance with the present invention comprises (or is adapted to include) one (typically) or more thermoregulating elements thermally insulated everywhere except in the localized area in charge of the thermoregulating intervention. The heat-insulating coating, possibly composed of several layers, is of fundamental importance in the localization action of the thermoregulation intervention. Through the appropriate spatial distribution of coatings having different insulating power, an almost total inhibition of the passage of calories or refrigeration is obtained where not required, and the calibration of this passage only in the area suitable for the purpose. The heat-insulating coating, in addition to spatially modulating the passage of calories / refrigeration, also has the function, thanks to its ability to inhibit the passage of the same where not required, to increase the duration of the thermoregulating intervention for the same weight, thus contributing to the achievement of the objectives of lightness and also of reduced size. The coating layer is made of highly insulating material, which entirely envelops the thermoregulator device, except in the portion responsible for cooling or heating the distal or radial artery. This portion is preferably included for at least 80% of its extension (preferably 90% of its extension) within one (in the case of application on the wrist or ankle) or at most two (for applications on the temples) separate areas, each of such areas being extended less than 18 cm <2> (preferably less than 12 cm <2>). Advantageously, each of said areas is geometrically connected, ie it does not comprise separate sub-areas. Typically each of these areas has an elongated shape having a longitudinal dimension and a transversal dimension, wherein said longitudinal dimension is advantageously less than or equal to about 60 mm and / or greater than or equal to about 5 mm. The transverse dimension is advantageously less than or equal to 30 mm and / or greater than or equal to 5 mm.

In optimal conditions, said portion responsible for heat exchange is entirely included (i.e. for 100% of its extension) within one or at most two of these areas, however the applicant believes that the present invention also includes the case in which a minority of the extension of said exchange portion lies outside said two areas, without however this unacceptably degrades the performance of the device.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an adjuvant device for body thermoregulation which can be worn or removed, preferably but not exclusively from the wrists, with only one hand and in a very easy way.

A further purpose of the present invention is to provide the user with a device with characteristics of maximum wearability, and with great attention to the containment of weights and dimensions: the pursuit of this purpose mainly contributes to the rigorous thermal insulation of the thermoregulating elements, through the use of light but highly insulating materials which, by limiting the dispersion of frigories (or calories) from the thermoregulating elements towards the external environment, or towards areas of the body to be excluded from the intervention, as already specified, contribute significantly to the achievement of constant performance and prolonged over time, without having to increase the quantity, and consequently the bulk and weight, of the thermoregulating substances. The dimensions of the device are advantageously less than or equal to 10 cm. The weight of the device is advantageously less than or equal to 100 g, less than or equal to 80 g in optimal conditions.

A further object of the present invention is to provide the aforementioned device so that it does not hinder, limit, create discomfort and in any case it does not interfere with the joints of the limbs in normal daily movements, as well as during sports activities, be they amateur or competitive.

Advantageously, the adjuvant device of body thermoregulation can be applied on both affected limbs (wrists or ankles) and, given the specular location, with respect to the center of the limb, of the distal arterial plexuses (radial in the case of the wrist), it can be realized in the two shapes "right" and "left", to be used univocally and not interchangeably on the limbs, respectively, right and left. For this purpose, the device of the present invention will be able to clearly and uniquely report the identification of the two devices as "right" and "left", in order to avoid incorrect positioning of the devices themselves.

The present invention also contemplates the case in which more than two devices are worn simultaneously, for example one for each of the two wrists and one on the temples or on the two wrists and on the two ankles, etc.

In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a portable device for applying to a portion of the epidermis (40) of a human body as claimed in claim 1. The dependent claims 2 to 26 claim preferred embodiments of this first aspect of the invention.

In a second aspect, the present invention refers to a use, for example non-therapeutic, of the above portable device, as claimed in claim 27. The dependent claims 28 to 34 and 39 claim preferred embodiments of this second aspect.

In a third aspect, the present invention refers to a method, for example non-therapeutic, for assisting body thermoregulation, as claimed in claim 35. The dependent claims 36 to 39 claim preferred embodiments of this third aspect.

The constitutive and functional characteristics of the device, its use, and the adjuvant method of body thermoregulation are detailed in the following description, which refers to the attached drawings, and which refers to a preferred but not exclusive embodiment.

Figure 1: view of the external side of the device of the present invention in a first embodiment in a completely unwound position;

Figure 2: view of the internal side of the device of Figure 1 in the completely unwound position;

Figure 3: sectional view along the line A-A of Figure 2 of the device of Figure 1 in a completely unwound position, with some parts removed;

Figures 4A-C: illustrations of some phases of the use of the device of figures 1-3. Figure 5: view of the external side of the device of the present invention in a second embodiment in a completely unwound position;

Figure 6: view of the internal side of the device of Figure 5 in the completely unwound position and with some parts removed;

Figure 7: sectional view along the line A-A of Figure 6 of the device of Figure 5 in a completely unwound position, with some parts removed and in a first operating configuration; And

Figure 8: sectional view along the line A-A of Figure 6 of the device of Figure 5 in the completely unwound position, with some parts removed and in a second operating configuration.

With reference to the above drawings, 1 generally indicates the device according to the present invention. The device 1 is in this case a left cuff which helps the body thermoregulation.

The device 1 comprises, or is able to comprise, one (or more) thermoregulating elements 2 (whose position and extension are schematically indicated by a hatched line in figures 2 and 6), a casing 3 arranged around the thermoregulating element, all placed inside a positioning structure 5. Furthermore, a closure system 6 associated with the positioning structure 5 helps to ensure the correct positioning of the device on the human body, and preferably its fixing with one hand.

In accordance with the present invention, the device has (Figures 3, 7 and 8) a wall 20 intended to be interposed between the thermoregulating element 2 and the skin of a user, when the device is worn. It should be noted that in the present description and claims the wall 20 is understood to consist of all and only those parts of the device 1 (possibly with the inclusion of the hermetic wall of the thermoregulating element itself) which are all simultaneously interposed between the thermoregulating element 2 (more properly the fluid contained in it), or all the thermoregulating elements if more than one, and the skin of a user, when the device is worn. In the example shown, the outermost layer of this wall 20 consists of a portion of the positioning structure 5, the external surface of this portion of the positioning structure forming the contact surface of the device 1 with the human epidermis.

Furthermore, this wall 20 is composed of a first portion of wall 4, responsible for heat exchange with the environment external to the device 1, and of a second portion of wall 22 complementary to the first portion and thermally insulated from the external environment. The contours of the first portion of the wall 4 are schematically illustrated by a continuous line in Figures 2 and 6. It is preferable that an indication identifying the position and / or the shape and / or the extension of the first portion of the wall 4 is visible. to the user, such as for example a line of the type shown in the figure present on the external surface of the positioning structure 5. In addition or alternatively, any other visual indication capable of allowing the control of correct positioning on the body of the device is contemplated, such as the visualization of an anatomical part of the body. The thermoregulating element (or elements) 2 can be a fluid or gel-tight container or tank, preferably made of waterproof, thin, resistant and flexible material. It may contain a substance 2a capable of accumulating frigories through cooling, which can be obtained by inserting the entire device in an appliance suitable for the purpose, for example a freezer, and / or to accumulate calories by, for example, placing it in a microwave oven. Examples of suitable substances 2a are known in the art. Among the suitable substances 2a, mixtures of glycols and water can be used, preferentially but not exclusively, with possibly added elements suitable to make the mixture better able to accumulate cold or heat, but the use of materials in able to generate frigories or calories by its nature. The substance 2a typically maintains a liquid or gel state even at temperatures significantly below ambient temperature, for example -20 ° C. The substances contained within said tank 2 are such as to ensure the greatest specific ability to accumulate calories / frigories, and the greatest ability to release them gradually, in order to obtain the greatest possible duration at the same weight. The total weight of the tank 2 for each device 1 is preferably not more than 50-70 g, so as to bring to a total weight of the device 1 not more than 80 g per wrist. Higher weights are to be considered critical for their impact on the physical activity, both sporting and daily, of the wearer. In a preferred solution, substance 2a is Nexcare ™ gel, marketed by 3M ™ company.

If the elements 2 were more than one, they must in any case be communicating with each other, as the task of those not directly in contact with the first portion of the wall 4 (and therefore, in use, with the arterial area concerned) will be that to act as a "reserve" of frigories / calories, to be continuously exchanged with element 2 in contact with this portion, in order to increase the duration and effectiveness of the intervention.

The shape of the thermoregulating element (s) 2 can be any, and is preferably shaped according to the anatomy of the area involved in the intervention, so as to allow a precise location, as well as greater comfort of use. Their dimension in length (along the line A-A of figure 2 or 6) does not advantageously exceed that of the average width of a wrist (or of an ankle), while the dimension in height (that in figure 2 orthogonal to the length) does not exceed 10 cm, in order to ensure maximum comfort of use in daily or sports use. The result is a device size no larger than 10 cm, both because larger dimensions would be useless, in consideration of the extreme localization of the intervention, and because they would introduce critical issues in wearability and handling.

The casing 3 is arranged to completely envelop the thermoregulating element 2, possibly with the exception of a localized portion 31 (figures 3 and 7) which is located in correspondence with, and is part of, the aforementioned first portion of the wall 4, designed for the 'thermoregulation intervention.

Outside the first portion of the wall 4, the envelope 3 comprises one (or more) layers of heat-insulating material 3a, so that the overall insulating power of the envelope 3 outside the first portion of the wall 4 is greater or equal to 0.15 m <2> K / W, preferably greater than or equal to 0.20 m <2> K / W, even more preferably greater than or equal to 0.25 m <2> K / W. The thermal insulation coating 3a is made of highly insulating material. This material is also as light as possible so as not to affect the overall weight of the device. For example, the thermal insulation material 3a can be Thinsulate ™ marketed by the 3M ™ company, in its C200 version with insulating power (also called 'Thermal insulation degree') equal to about 0.31 m <2> K / W (known also as Rct).

The envelope 3 performs the function of spatially localizing the thermoregulation intervention, through the spatial distribution of layers of different insulating power, which will totally inhibit the passage of calories or refrigeration where not required, and will calibrate this intervention only in the area suitable for the purpose. , indicated with 4 in figures 2 and 3. Furthermore, the thermal insulation 3a will also have the function, thanks to its ability to inhibit the passage of calories / refrigeration where not required, to increase the duration of the intervention for the same weight.

In one embodiment, the insulating material 3a is completely absent in correspondence with the aforementioned localized portion 31. In this case the first portion of the wall 4 shown in Figure 3 comprises only the wall of the tank 2 and possibly the material of which the structure is made. positioning 5. Alternatively, the insulating material 3a is also present in this portion 31, albeit with reduced insulating capacity (for example through a thinning of the layer of insulating material 3). In any case, for the purposes of the present description and claims, the little or no insulated portion 31 is considered part of the casing 3, even when it is devoid of insulating material. In any case, the overall insulating power of the first wall portion 4 preferably remains below 0.15 m <2> K / W (preferably less than or equal to 0.10 m <2> K / W). This first portion of wall 4, little or no insulated and precisely localized, extends in optimal conditions approximately on a rectangle of 5cmX2cm and is responsible for cooling or heating the radial artery.

The coating layer 3a is preferably joined to each thermoregulator element 2 in a fixed way so as not to introduce possible sources of dispersion of the frigories / calories contained therein. This union can be obtained by using non-toxic and non-aggressive adhesives for the skin, or by sewing, or high-frequency welding, or by another method capable of guaranteeing the correct achievement of the predetermined result.

The positioning structure 5 can be assimilated to a further casing suitable for containing or in any case supporting the thermoregulating device 2 and the casing 3. In the examples illustrated in Figures 3, 7 and 8, the positioning structure 5 completely covers the thermoregulating device 2 and the insulating material 3 also in correspondence with the first portion of the wall 4 (and in the area 31 which is poorly or not at all insulated) assigned to the thermoregulation intervention; this in order to avoid a too aggressive impact of the skin with the cold or hot area 31, and to better modulate the transfer of frigories or calories to the skin area affected by the passage of the arteries, so as to also contribute to the longer duration of the effect due to less dispersion. In an alternative form (not shown), especially advantageous when the insulating material 3a is present, with reduced insulating power, also in correspondence with the portion 31 or in the example shown in figures 5-8, the structure 5 has a through opening in correspondence with of the first portion of the wall 4, where the material of the structure 5 is absent.

The positioning structure 5 is made of soft, flexible, light and washable material, natural or synthetic, preferably not elastic to avoid incorrect positioning of the thermoregulating zone 4, for example in cotton. The insulating power of the material of which the positioning structure 5 is made is advantageously less than or equal to 0.05 m <2> K / W, more advantageously less than or equal to 0.03 m <2> K / W.

Figures 5-8 show a second embodiment of the present invention, for which the elements already described above will not be further described. These elements are indicated with the same reference numbers introduced previously. As can be seen in particular in Figures 6, 7 and 8, advantageously the device 1 is equipped with a tab 60 which is movable at least between a first position (active position, shown in Figures 6 and 7) in which it extends over the area 31 a little or not insulated at all (thus forming part of the aforementioned first portion of wall 4) and a second position (passive position, shown in Figure 8) in which it is retracted so as not to overlap the aforementioned portion 31 which is poorly or not insulated at all.

The tab 60 can be conveniently stiffened, while remaining flexible, in order not to deform during the repeated activation-removal actions. It advantageously has an overall insulating power greater than or equal to 0.03 m <2> K / W and less than or equal to 0.10 m <2> K / W. On a first side of the tab 60, at the two ends of this side, there are two elastic webbing 61. Each elastic webbing 61 has one end sewn or fixed on the tongue 60 and the opposite end fixed on the positioning structure 5, advantageously on the surface opposite the external surface of contact with the epidermis. The rubber bands 61 are thin, resistant, and not subject to yielding (elongation and / or loss of elasticity) with time and use. Furthermore, two or three tie rods 62 (substantially inelastic) are fixed on a second side of the tab 60 opposite the first side to connect the latter with a webbing of fabric 63 (substantially inelastic). The opposite free end of the webbing 63 comes out through a slot 65 on the structure 5, on the side of the thermoregulating element 2 opposite to that where the tab 60 is located. This free end has a Velcro insert 64 hook for fixing on the Velcro slot 10A or on the structure 5 itself.

As can be seen in figures 7 and 8, the tab 60, the elastic bands 61, the tie rods 62 and a portion of the strap 63 are interposed between the thermoregulating element 2 and the positioning structure 5, on the side of contact with the skin of the Human Body. Therefore a prominent portion of the webbing 63 extends along the outer surface of the casing 3 for about half of the perimeter of its longitudinal section (Figures 7 and 8).

The exemplary solution described above allows the cooling / heating effect to be modulated over time, for example in order to keep it as homogeneous and constant as possible for the entire duration of the intervention. More in detail, the plate 60 is kept in the first position at the start of use of the device 1, approximately for 15-20 minutes. Subsequently, when the substance 2a has lost part of its frigories or calories, reducing the thermal efficiency, the semi-insulating tab 60 can be moved to the second position (fig 8), in order to restore a correct heat exchange, by acting on the fabric which emerges on the external side of the device 1 and which, being equipped with a velcro terminal 64, can be fixed on the part of the cuff 10a designated for closure. The correct repositioning of the insulating plate 60 in the first position, on the occasion of a new reuse, is obtained thanks to the elastic bands 61. It will be sufficient to unhook the velcro of the fabric strip from the device, and the plate will automatically return to its position.

The adjuvant body thermoregulation device 1, and in particular the positioning structure 5, is preferably counter-shaped to the part of the body for which it is intended, for example in order to minimize the interference of the same with the movements of the wrist and not to affect , with an annoying rubbing during use, the benefits brought by the use of the device itself.

In the examples illustrated in Figures 1-8, the positioning structure 5 comprises a part 11 containing the thermoregulator element 2 and preferably shaped so as to distance the element 2 itself from the joint, and a part 9, opposite to the part 11, responsible for closing the device and preferably thinned. The thermoregulatory elements 2, possibly together with the heat-insulating coating 3a surrounding them, are preferably fixed and immovably fixed to the device 1 (and in particular to the positioning structure 5) and such as not to allow reciprocal movement between the two components, since this constitutes a guarantee of a correct and constant alignment of the little or no insulated area 31 with the first portion of the thermoregulating wall 4. However, in an alternative version the thermoregulating elements 2 (preferably together with the insulating casing 3) can be removed from the device, to allow their replacement, for example with others ready for use and / or to allow their cooling / heating without affecting the remaining parts of the device (such as the structure 5 or the closing system 6).

In an embodiment not shown, the positioning structure 5 and the insulating material 3 are a whole.

The closure system 6 comprises the aforementioned thinned part 9 of the structure 5 and closure means comprising, among other things, a locking ring 7 fixed to the structure 5 by means of an elastic support 8, so as to contribute to a correct adjustment of the closure. The locking ring 7 is designed for the passage of the thinned part 9, which is subsequently blocked by a velcro system (velcro loop 10A and velcro hook 10 B), which offers the possibility of adjusting the diameter of the closed device in the best possible way. . As an alternative to velcro, it is also possible to use other systems, such as automatic buttons, zippers, buckles or more.

Advantageously, the part 9 of the closure system is previously inserted into the ring 7, so as to allow the device to be inserted on the wrist with a single gesture. The closing system 6 advantageously comprises a rubber insert 12 with the function of holding the part 9 weakly against the ring 7, so as not to allow, if not with a small effort, the complete opening of the device. The closure system 6 is such as to allow the device 1 to be put on and closed or opened and removed with one hand, both for those who perform the operation during a movement (typically those who practice sports), and for those who, for reasons of age or illness, has an uncertain dexterity. This closure system 6 is advantageously thin and distant from the wrist joint area, in order not to be an element of discomfort to the wrist joint, both during normal daily activities and during amateur or competitive sports activities.

The device 1 described above and illustrated in Figures 1-8 is a 'left' device and can preferably be combined with a similar device 1 of the 'right' type, the structure of which mirrors that of the 'left' device.

The use of the adjuvant device of body thermoregulation 1, referred to in the present invention, takes place as described below.

The device 1 of the present invention will, before use, be inserted into a refrigerating system (freezer), typically for a minimum of 8 hours, or a heating system (microwave oven), typically for a maximum of 3 minutes. The entire device will be inserted into these systems or alternatively, in the version that allows the extraction and insertion of the thermoregulatory elements 2 without compromising the correct positioning of the thermoregulating effect, only the thermoregulating elements 2 (preferably complete with insulation 3a).

After the aforementioned time has elapsed, the user can immediately use the device, since the positioning structure 5 of the example illustrated in Figures 1-3 itself has a non-zero insulating power in correspondence with the slightly or not at all insulated area 31, so as to avoid any thermal shock to the skin area affected by the operation. For the example of figures 5-8, see the above.

The device will be worn by the user in accordance with what is illustrated in figures 4A-C, paying attention to the correct orientation of the intervention area 4, that is to say the correct positioning of the "right" and "left" devices on the corresponding limbs, this is due to the precise location of the thermoregulating intervention. In particular, the area 4 assigned to the thermoregulatory intervention will be found in the two right and left devices in different positions, and precisely specular with respect to a median axis of the wrist.

The thermoregulator element 2 is placed in the inner part of the wrist (the one where the radial artery is located), while the closing end 9 and the entire closing system 6 on the opposite side of the wrist.

Although the description has been particularly exhaustive in relation to an embodiment of the adjuvant device of body thermoregulation of the present invention, given by way of example and not exclusively, the present patent does not exclude all the modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and the scope. scope of the following claims.

Claims (39)

RI V E N D I CAZ I O N I 1. Portable device (1) for application on a portion of the epidermis (40) of a human body, the device comprising a positioning structure (5) adapted to house a thermoregulating element (2) and a wall (20) consisting of a first wall portion (4) and in a second wall portion (22), said first and second wall portion being, during said application of the device, all and only parts of the device (1) which are simultaneously interposed between said epidermis and said thermoregulating element, when the latter is housed in the device (1), where said first portion of wall (4) has a lower insulating power than the insulating power of said second portion of wall (22), and where said first portion of wall (4) is located for at least 80% of its extension within a , or at most two separate areas, each of these areas being less than or equal to 18 cm <2>. The device of claim 1, wherein said first wall portion (4) has an insulating power lower than or equal to 0.15 m <2> K / W. The device of claim 2, wherein said first wall portion (4) has an insulating power lower than or equal to 0.10 m <2> K / W. 4. The device of claim 1 or 2 or 3, wherein said first wall portion (4) can assume two operating configurations having respective differentiated insulating power. The device of the preceding claim, wherein said first wall portion (4) has an insulating power lower than or equal to 0.05 m <2> K / W in one of said operative configurations. The device of the preceding claim, wherein said first wall portion (4) has an insulating power greater than or equal to 0.05 m <2> K / W in the other operating configuration. The device of any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein said first wall portion (4) in one of said operating configurations having less insulating power is constituted by a portion of said positioning structure (5). The device of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a plate having insulating power greater than or equal to 0.03 m <2> K / W and less than or equal to 0.10 m <2> K / W and movable between a first operative position in which it is included in said first wall portion (4) and a second operative position in which it is located outside said first wall portion (4). The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said second wall portion (22) has an insulating power greater than or equal to 0.15 m <2> K / W. 10. The device of the preceding claim, wherein said second wall portion (22) has an insulating power greater than or equal to 0.20 m <2> K / W. The device of any one of the preceding claims, where each of said areas extends less than 12 cm <2>. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first wall portion (4) is located for at least 80% of its extension within only one of said areas. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first wall portion (4) is entirely located within said one or at most two areas. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of said one or at most two areas has an elongated shape having a longitudinal dimension and a transverse dimension. 15. The device of the preceding claim, wherein said longitudinal dimension is less than or equal to about 60 mm. 16. The device of claim 14 or 15, wherein said longitudinal dimension is greater than or equal to about 5 mm. The device of any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein said transverse dimension is less than or equal to 30 mm. 18. The device of any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein said transverse dimension is greater than or equal to 5 mm. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein said positioning structure (5) is counter-shaped to a part of the body on which the device is intended to be applied, in such a way that the most ergonomic application of all possible applications on said part of the body is that in which, once the device has been applied, said first portion of wall (4) is located in correspondence with a portion of said epidermis in which a distal arterial vessel (30) emerges. The device of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a positioning indicator suitable for displaying to the user the correct application of the device on said body in such a way that, once the device has been applied, said first portion of the wall is in correspondence to a portion of said epidermis in which a distal arterial vessel emerges (30). 21. The device of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a casing (3) housed in said positioning structure (5) and adapted to wrap said thermoregulating element (2), when the latter is housed in said device, where said wall (20) comprises a portion of said casing (3), said casing (3) having an insulating power greater than or equal to 0.15 m <2> K / W everywhere except in correspondence with the first portion of the wall (4) . The device of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising said at least one thermoregulating element (2). 23. The device of claims 21 and 22, wherein said casing (3) is permanently associated with said thermoregulating element (2). The device of claim 22 or 23, wherein said thermoregulating element (2) is a fluid-tight reservoir for a thermoregulating substance. The device of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a closing system (6) comprising a thinned portion (9) of the positioning structure (5), a closing ring (7) adapted to receive said thinned portion (9 ), a Velcro system (10A, 10B) placed in correspondence with said thinned portion (9) and a block (12) placed at a free end of said thinned portion (9) and able to weakly engage with said ring (7) . 26. Pair of devices, each device (1) being according to any one of the preceding claims, where the two devices are structurally mirrored to each other in order to be worn respectively on a pair of limbs of a user. 27. Non-therapeutic use of the device according to any one of the preceding claims, where the device is applied to a part of said human body in such a way that said first surface portion (4) is found in correspondence with a portion of the skin in which a distal arterial vessel emerges (30). Use according to the preceding claim, wherein said device is applied to a wrist or ankle or to the head. 29. Use according to claim 28, where a pair of said devices is applied to a pair of wrists or ankles. Use according to any one of claims 27 to 29, in order to improve the physical performance of said human body. 31. Use according to any one of claims 27 to 30 in order to reduce the perception of fatigue during or after a physical exercise. 32. Use according to any one of claims 27 to 31 where said user is non-cardiopathic. Use according to any one of claims 27 to 32 where, prior to application, said device is cooled by inserting the device into a refrigerating appliance, or heated by inserting it into an oven. 34. Use according to any one of claims 27 to 33 where the device (1) is applied to a wrist and comprises the thermoregulating element (2) which is located on the side of the wrist where the distal arterial vessel (30) is located. , while the locking system (6) is located on the opposite side of the wrist. 35. Non-therapeutic method to assist in body thermoregulation, including the step of releasing calories or frigories exclusively on one or more portions of an epidermis of a human body, each portion being located for 80% of its extent within a respective area geometrically connected and less than or equal to 18 cm <2>, said respective area comprising a portion of the epidermis in which a respective distal arterial vessel emerges. Method according to the preceding claim, wherein said respective area extends less than 12 cm <2>. Method according to any one of claims 35 to 36, wherein said respective area belongs to the wrists or ankles or temples of said body. 38. Method according to the preceding claim, wherein said one or more portions of epidermis consist of two portions respectively belonging to the two wrists of said body. 39. Method for improving sports or work performance, comprising the method of any one of claims 27 to 38.