RU2299711C2 - Thermoelectric semiconductor device for local thermal action on human arm - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: medical equipment, applicable for local temperature action on human arm.

SUBSTANCE: the device has a thermal stimulus including a set of series-connected thermal action elements connected to a programmed DC current source and installed with a thermal contact on an elastic interlayer, each of them consists of a thermoelectric battery, the inner battery seal positioned near the elastic interlayer has a thermal contact with a heat-leveling plate, and the outer one-with a finned radiator. The elastic interlayer is made for provision of a tight contact on the section of the human arm, and each thermal action element is provided with a mating device including a hinge with a guide plate fastened on it, made with a longitudinal slot of the trapezoid shape and the first contact land on its surface, connected to the first lead out of the thermoelectric buttery by means of a metal spring, and the second spring-loaded contact land positioned on the heat-insulation layer of the thermal action element for a tight contact and formation of the electric coupling to the first contact land of the other thermal action element. The radiator fin located on the side of the guide plate of the other thermal action element has a flange of the similar trapezoid shape made for formation of a mechanical joint by means of a fight entering into the longitudinal slot of the guide plate of the adjacent thermal action element.

EFFECT: enhanced efficiency and simplified realization of procedures associated with local thermal action on the human arm, as well as enhanced precision of dosage of the thermal action.

3 dwg

Description

The invention relates to medicine and is intended for local temperature effects on the human hand.

Methods of local heat exposure are widely used in medical practice in the treatment and prevention of stimulation of physiological processes. Thermal effects have a significant effect on the energy balance of the body. The reaction of vessels to the thermal procedure extends to the entire surface of the body, but it is most intensively expressed at the site of direct application of heat. With local temperature exposure, skin is in close contact with the temperature stimulus, the receptors of which perceive pain (mechanical, thermal), temperature (cold, heat) and tactile irritation. In this case, blood flow in the vessels of the skin changes 100-180 times, and the regulation of heat transfer is carried out mainly due to changes in blood circulation, especially in the tissues of the arms and legs [1].

This is the basis for a number of methods used in physiotherapeutic practice, which include baths of gradually increasing temperature (Gauff baths), contrast baths, partial baths (hand baths), etc., as well as the use of various media, such as paraffin, ozokerite et al. [2].

Partial or local baths include hydrotherapy procedures that affect a specific part of the body. Hand baths with appropriate vessels made of galvanized iron are widely used [2]. In this case, the forearm and one or both hands are immersed in water. These baths are prescribed in different temperatures and durations: warm at a water temperature of 37-38 ° for up to 20-30 minutes, hot at a water temperature of 40-44 ° for 10 to 20 minutes and cold at a water temperature of 8-14 ° for 5 to 12 minutes

To enhance the irritating effect, baths of contrasting temperatures can be prescribed [2]. In this case, take two baths, one of which is filled with hot water (40-45 °), the other - cold (8-10 °). The patient is offered to lower his hand alternately first in hot water for 1-2 minutes, and then in cold water for 10-15 seconds, repeating this procedure several times. Finish the procedure with cold water.

Cold hand baths are usually indicated for acute inflammatory processes on the arm, baths of contrasting temperatures for sweating, acrocyanosis, etc., hot ones for resorption of infiltrates, etc.

The disadvantages of the methods described above are the low efficiency and discomfort of the procedures, the complexity and inconvenience of the implementation, the insufficient accuracy of the dosage of the temperature effect.

The aim of the invention is to develop a device free from the above disadvantages.

The block diagram of the device shown in Fig.1-3.

The device contains a set of series-connected removable elements of temperature exposure 1 (Fig. 1) brought into good thermal contact with an elastic layer 2 forming an open ring, when the edges are closed, a circle is formed with a radius corresponding to the average geometric parameters of a person’s hand and designed to provide tight mechanical and thermal contact of the hand with the device. Each element of the temperature effect 1 (Fig. 2) consists of a thermoelectric battery (TEB) 3, the internal junction (located in the immediate vicinity of the elastic layer 2) of which is brought into thermal contact with the heat-equalizing plate 4, and the external one with the fin radiator 5, and interface devices. The interface device (see Fig. 3) includes a hinge 6 with a guide plate 7 fixed to it, having a trapezoidal longitudinal groove along the entire height (both the hinge 6 and the guide plate 7 are made of dielectric material), and two contact pads 8 and 9. At the same time, on the radiator rib 5, located on the side of the opposite guide plate 7, there is a protrusion of the same trapezoidal shape that fits snugly into the groove of the interface device of the neighboring element of the temperature effect 1 with the formation of mechanical soy dignia. Moreover, the first contact pad 8 is made on the surface of the guide plate 7 and connected to the first terminal of the thermopile 3 by means of a metal spring 10 (mechanically also connected to the guide plate 7), and the second contact pad 9, made spring-loaded, is placed on the side surface of the insulation layer 11. Location both contact pads 8 and 9 are such that, when two adjacent elements of the temperature action are brought into mechanical contact 1, the spring-loaded contact pad 9 is in close contact with pause pad 8 with the formation of an electrical serial connection of two fuel cells 3. The device is powered by electric energy by a programmable source of constant electric current (not shown in Fig. 1). The supply of electrical energy to the device is carried out by means of electrical wires connected to the contact pads of the two extreme elements of the temperature effect 1.

The device operates as follows.

Before starting the procedure, the device is fixed on the portion of the human hand subject to temperature exposure, ensuring close contact due to the elastic properties of the structure and the presence of an elastic layer 2. Moreover, the number of elements of the thermal effect 1 included in the device is determined by the geometric dimensions of the human hand and the dose of thermal exposure . The mechanical and electrical connections of the elements of temperature influence 1 are made by means of an interface device consisting of a hinge 6 with a guide plate 7 fixed on it, a metal spring 10 and two contact pads 8 and 9. The procedure begins with the inclusion of a programmable power supply unit, according to a given program, which supplies electric power current of the required magnitude and polarity of the thermopile thermopile 3. The dose and duration of the temperature exposure are determined by the attending physician, he also makes the current control s of the patient. Radiator 5 is designed to remove excess heat from the external junctions of the thermopile thermopile 3 when exposed to low temperatures and to mechanically connect adjacent elements of the temperature effect 1, and the heat-leveling plate 4 provides a more uniform temperature distribution. Thermal insulation 11 protects the thermopile 3 from external factors (temperature, moisture, dust).

The constructive simplicity of the device and the ability to change modes in a wide temperature range provide its use in various fields of medicine.

Literature

1. Kolushkin A.N. Healing cold water. - M .: Physical education and sport, 1996.

2. Magazinik G.L. Thermal remedies. - L .: Medgiz, 1961

Claims (1)

A thermoelectric semiconductor device for local temperature exposure of a person’s hand, containing a temperature stimulus, including a set of series-connected elements of temperature exposure, connected to a programmable source of constant electric current and installed with thermal contact on an elastic layer, each of which consists of a thermoelectric battery, with an internal located near the elastic layer junction which has thermal contact with thermal a bobbing plate, and the outer one with a ribbed radiator, characterized in that the elastic layer is made with the possibility of tight contact on the area of the human hand, and each element of the temperature effect is equipped with a mating device, including a hinge with a guide plate fixed to it, made with a longitudinal groove of a trapezoid the form and the first contact pad on its surface connected to the first terminal of the thermoelectric battery by means of a metal spring, and the second spring-loaded a contact pad placed on the thermal insulation layer of the element of the temperature effect with the possibility of tight contact and the formation of an electrical connection with the first contact pad of another element of the temperature effect, while the radiator rib located on the side of the guide plate of the other element of the temperature effect has a protrusion of the same trapezoidal shape, made with the possibility of the formation of a mechanical connection by tightly fitting into a longitudinal groove guide a plate of an adjacent element of the temperature effect.

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