US2798493A - Devices for transferring thermoelectric power effects to the skin of a human - Google Patents

Devices for transferring thermoelectric power effects to the skin of a human Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US2798493A
US2798493A US435391A US43539154A US2798493A US 2798493 A US2798493 A US 2798493A US 435391 A US435391 A US 435391A US 43539154 A US43539154 A US 43539154A US 2798493 A US2798493 A US 2798493A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
strip
plate
skin
strips
transferring
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US435391A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Sukacev Lev
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US435391A priority Critical patent/US2798493A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US2798493A publication Critical patent/US2798493A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
    • A61N1/00—Electrotherapy; Circuits therefor
    • A61N1/18—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes
    • A61N1/20—Applying electric currents by contact electrodes continuous direct currents
    • A61N1/28—Apparatus for applying thermoelectric currents
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H10—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H10N—ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H10N10/00—Thermoelectric devices comprising a junction of dissimilar materials, i.e. devices exhibiting Seebeck or Peltier effects

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to devices for use in transferring thermo-electric power effects to the skin of a human.
  • a highly desirable feature of the invention is an improved arrangement of elements in a unit that is conveniently applied to the human body for the purpose of transferring thermo-electric power effects to the skin of a human.
  • the unit comprises an insulating base or plate that has on one side or face a plurality of thermocouples adapted to be placed against the surface of the external integument of a body.
  • the side or face of the base or plate is preferably relatively smooth, and free from projections which are apt to produce indentations.
  • Attached to the base is a thin metallic strip composed of a plurality of lengths of dissimilar metals connected in series in overlapping relationship and forming a thermocouple at each junction.
  • the strip is attached to, and lies flatly against, the face of the base.
  • a terminal is provided in the base at each end of the strip.
  • a separate lead, of any desirable form, is connected to each terminal and each lead serves as a conductor for direct contact with the body.
  • a further feature of the invention may be included as a part of the above-mentioned unit for the purpose of increasing its efficiency.
  • the current from the unit may be effectively increased by including between each end of the strip and the terminal to which it is connected, a properly insulated metallic means for dissipating the heat from the thermocouples.
  • the aforesaid base or plate serves as a heat-insulating means for this purpose as well as an electrical insulator.
  • Fig. l is a view of a side of one form of the device;
  • Fig. 2 is an elevational view;
  • Fig. 3 is a view of a side of a modification of the device;
  • Fig. 4 is a plan view of enlarged details for use in the device;
  • Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view on line 55 of Fig. 4;
  • Fig. 6 is an enlarged section of a fragment of the device shown in Fig. 2;
  • Fig. 7 is a view of one face of a preferred form of a current generator unit for application to a body;
  • Fig. 8 is an elevational view of the unit; and
  • Fig. 9 is an enlargement of a sectional view of a fragment of the unit.
  • Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate a form of the device that may be applied to the wrist or arm of a person as a bracelet, for instance.
  • a shield-like base or plate 1 which may be quadrangular, as shown, or in the form of a disc, preferably of plastic, transparent if desired, or other heat and electricity insulating material, is aflixed a relatively thin metallic strip 2 composed of alternating, electrically connected, overlapping sections of dissimilar metals 3 and 4, for forming thermocouples 5.
  • the metals used should be properly spaced in the electromotive force series of elements.
  • the sections 3 may be of copper, and the sections 4 of zinc, for instance; or the sections 3 may be of copper and the sections 4 of nickel.
  • An end section 3 of the strip 2 is connected to a terminal 7, and the other end section 4 of the strip 2 is connected to a terminal 8.
  • These terminals are in the plate 1 and form a part of the current generating unit.
  • the terminal 7 is electrically connected to one end of a chain 9 which serves as a lead and is brought around the wrist of a person and is attached to the insulator plate 1 at 10.
  • the terminal 8 is electrically connected to one end of a chain 11 which also serves as a lead and is brought around the wrist and is attached to the plate 1 at 12.
  • each of the chains 9 and 11 is composed of alternate sections of different metals as in the case of the strip 2.
  • the ends of these chains may be provided with suitable means for separate and convenient attachment to or detachment from the plate 1.
  • the plate 1 When a bracelet is worn on the arm of a person, the plate 1, provided with ornamentations if desired, is placed so that the coated side to which the strip 2 is affixed is in close contact with the skin. By transfer of heat, the temperature of the strip 2 is raised, and the heat-insulating plate 1 serves to maintain the strip more nearly at the temperature of the body.
  • the metal chains 9 and 11 arev constant and continuous fiow of a small electric current results.
  • the plate 1 is connected to an elastic fabric strip 16 which can be substituted for the chains 9 and 11 (Fig. 1).
  • a low gauge wire 17 is embedded in undulating form in the fabric strip 16 along one edge thereof.
  • One end of the wire 17 is electrically attached to the terminal 18 at one end of the bimetallic strip 2 on the plate 1.
  • a similar wire 20 is embedded in the fabric strip 16 along the op posite edge thereof and is electrically attached to the terminal 21 at the other end of the strip 2.
  • the wire 17 extends to a point 22 short of the end of the fabric strip 16 adjacent the ring 23 for attachment to the plate 1.
  • the wire 20 extends to a point 24 short of the end of the strip 16 adjacent the attaching ring 25.
  • the fabric strip 16 To the fabric strip 16 are afiixed a plurality of spaced, thin metal plates or discs 28 and 29.
  • the discs 28 are electrically connected to the wire 17, and the discs 29 are electrically connected to the wire 20.
  • the coated face of plate 1 When a belt is applied to the body, the coated face of plate 1, and the bare side of each of the discs 28 and 29 are placed against the skin.
  • the wires 17 and 20 are insulated from the body. Thermo-electric power effects produced upon application of a belt, are transferred to the body'througlr,
  • a metal strip 36 and a metal strip 37 electrically connected to the battery as hereinafter described.
  • the plate 31 may be of any shape, and the face 3.2 thereof is preformed to provide uniform contact with the skin, and, if desired, it may be shaped to conform with the contour of the surface of the part of a body to which the 'device is applied.
  • the plate. 31, forming the base or support for the battery of thermocouples is composed preferablyof a thermoplastic material, such as Lucite or Vinylite, and its dimensions depend to some extent on the number of thermocouples in the battery or vice versa.
  • the base may also, if desired, be formed of thermosetting materials. Instead of being in one piece and of the same material, it may be a laminated structure.
  • the metal strips 33 and 34 of dissimilar metals are electrically connected in series and are shown'alternately arranged in a sinuous path across the face 32 of the base 31.
  • the connecting ends of the strips are preferably in overlapping relationship, as'exaggeratedly shown in Fig. I
  • thermocouple 40 forming a thermocouple 40 at each connection.
  • thermocouples 40 are in alignment across the face 32 of the plate 31 and serve informing the aforementioned battery.
  • the strips 33 lie to one side of the thermocouples 40 and the strips 34 he to the other side.
  • An end strip 41 is joined. to a strip 34 at one end of the series to forma thermocouple 42, and extends to a connector 43 that passes through the plate 31 and electrically connects with the'strip 36 on the face 35 of'the plate 31.
  • An end strip 44 is joined with a strip 33 at the other end of the series to form a thermocouple '45, andextends to a connector 46 that passes through the plate 31 and electrically connects .with the strip 37 on the face 35 of the plate 31.
  • the positions of the end strips 41 and 44, the strips 33 and 34, and the strips 36 and 37, as shown, are a matter 'of convenience in the simultaneous formation thereof by electrolytic deposition.
  • the metal for these strips may be deposited by known processes in grooves, if desired,-preformed in the plate 31.
  • the metal forming the strips 33, 41 and 36 is affixed or deposited'adjacentonc end of the plate 31, and then the metal forming the strips 34, 44 and 37 is aflixed or deposited adjacent the other end of plate 31, while overlapping the previous deposit, to form the thermocouples40, 42 and 45, shown diagrammatically in a line between the vertices of the outer curves or bends indicated in the sinuous strip formed by the lengths 33 and 34.
  • thermocouples may be applied and the relative positions and arrangement thereof may be determined, by the contour of the surface of the part of a body to which the article is applied, and, so that at least one thermocouple in thebattery can be placed for transmission of heat from the body.
  • the plate 31 is preferably of a thickness that effectively maintains the thermocouples at or close to the temperature of the surface of a body to which they are applied, and also that prevents passage of heatwhich would'raise or'appreciably raise the temperature of the metal strips 36 and 37.
  • These strips, as formed, and as exposed to the atmosphere, function as heat dissipating means to effect a cooling and to prevent the heat that might otherwise be conducted through the connectors 43 and 46 fromraising 'on the strips 33 and 34'and on the thermocouples 40.
  • This coating 51 should not prevent penetration of heat to the thermocouples' and should serve as'electrical insulation.
  • thermoelectric power effects are transferred to the body through the chains or conductors which are preferably constructedor insulated to maintain a temperature below the temperature at the thermocouples.
  • a temperature differential may be conveniently maintaincd by use of the'strips 36 and 37 in the current gencrating unit.
  • each is approximately or substantially .at least the same length as the combined lengths of the strips of the metal to which connection is made to the thermocouples on the opposite face of the plate 31; forinstance, the length of the strip 36 as compared with the combined lengths of strips 33 and strip 41.
  • a plate consisting of thermoplastic, heat-insulating material having a surface that can be shaped to conform with the contour of the part of the body to which the plate is applied, a thin metallic strip aflixed flatly against said surface and shapable to conform with the contour of said surface, the said strip consisting of alternate lengths of dissimilar metals joined end to end by an overlap forming on said surface in spaced relation to each other a plurality of thermocouples among which at least one odd overlap touches the skin when applied to said part of the body and is heated thereby, a metallic extension electrically connected to each end of said strip, each said extension passing through the plate to the opposite surface thereof and there-across to a terminal, and each said extension lying flatly against said opposite surface in the form of a thin strip; and metallic means forming a lead connected to each terminal for contacting the skin.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
  • Radiology & Medical Imaging (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Thermotherapy And Cooling Therapy Devices (AREA)
  • Measuring Temperature Or Quantity Of Heat (AREA)
US435391A 1954-06-09 1954-06-09 Devices for transferring thermoelectric power effects to the skin of a human Expired - Lifetime US2798493A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US435391A US2798493A (en) 1954-06-09 1954-06-09 Devices for transferring thermoelectric power effects to the skin of a human

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US435391A US2798493A (en) 1954-06-09 1954-06-09 Devices for transferring thermoelectric power effects to the skin of a human
GB4410/56A GB823946A (en) 1956-02-13 1956-02-13 Improvements in or relating to devices for generating and transferring thermo-electric power effects to the human skin

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US2798493A true US2798493A (en) 1957-07-09

Family

ID=9776676

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US435391A Expired - Lifetime US2798493A (en) 1954-06-09 1954-06-09 Devices for transferring thermoelectric power effects to the skin of a human

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US2798493A (enEXAMPLES)
BE (1) BE530291A (enEXAMPLES)
FR (1) FR1113084A (enEXAMPLES)
GB (1) GB823946A (enEXAMPLES)

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3207159A (en) * 1962-06-14 1965-09-21 Tateisi Denki Kabushikikaisha Thermoelectric therapeutic instrument
US3360404A (en) * 1962-10-08 1967-12-26 Beckman Paul Grid type thermocouple
US3767470A (en) * 1968-02-19 1973-10-23 F Hines Thermally compensated heat flow sensors
US3971229A (en) * 1972-03-29 1976-07-27 Panoduz-Anstalt Co. Apparatus for producing cold principally for the application of cold by contact on the body of living beings
US3998212A (en) * 1974-06-28 1976-12-21 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Electrode for percutaneous polarographic measurements
US4470263A (en) * 1980-10-14 1984-09-11 Kurt Lehovec Peltier-cooled garment
US5411600A (en) * 1992-06-03 1995-05-02 Eastman Kodak Company Ultrathin film thermocouples and method of manufacture
DE19530382A1 (de) * 1995-08-18 1997-02-20 Meiners Horst Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Erzeugen von elektrischem Strom und Verwendung des Verfahrens und der Vorrichtung
EP0927062A4 (en) * 1996-10-01 2004-09-01 E L Management Corp COSMETIC PREPARATION THAT WORKS AS A BATTERY ON THE SKIN
EP0967832A3 (de) * 1998-06-23 2006-05-10 Cochlear Limited Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Versorgung eines mindestens teilimplantierten aktiven Gerätes mit elektrischer Energie
WO2008012388A1 (es) * 2006-07-28 2008-01-31 Antonio Gallego Pujante Brazalete para regular la temperatura corporal por exceso de calor
US10842205B2 (en) 2016-10-20 2020-11-24 Nike, Inc. Apparel thermo-regulatory system

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2284341A1 (fr) * 1974-07-10 1976-04-09 Laguerre Rene Vetements et sous-vetements utilisant les effets peltier et hall pour agir sur divers troubles fonctionnels
EP0040658A3 (en) * 1980-05-28 1981-12-09 Drg (Uk) Limited Patient plate for diathermy apparatus, and diathermy apparatus fitted with it
IT221363Z2 (it) * 1990-10-26 1994-03-04 Vupiesse Italia Sas Dispositivo di ginnastica passiva rassodante e snellente a mezzo di impulsi elettrici prodotti da un generatore di corrente e trasmessi da elettrodi posti a contatto con la cute.

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US310140A (en) * 1884-12-30 Thermo-electrical pad
GB247095A (en) * 1925-08-12 1926-02-11 Wilhelm Graefe Improvements in devices for transferring thermo-electric power effects to the skin
GB399092A (en) * 1932-03-09 1933-09-28 Wilhelm Lengeling Device for the utilization of the electro-therapeutic action of the autogalvanic weak current

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US310140A (en) * 1884-12-30 Thermo-electrical pad
GB247095A (en) * 1925-08-12 1926-02-11 Wilhelm Graefe Improvements in devices for transferring thermo-electric power effects to the skin
GB399092A (en) * 1932-03-09 1933-09-28 Wilhelm Lengeling Device for the utilization of the electro-therapeutic action of the autogalvanic weak current

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3207159A (en) * 1962-06-14 1965-09-21 Tateisi Denki Kabushikikaisha Thermoelectric therapeutic instrument
US3360404A (en) * 1962-10-08 1967-12-26 Beckman Paul Grid type thermocouple
US3767470A (en) * 1968-02-19 1973-10-23 F Hines Thermally compensated heat flow sensors
US3971229A (en) * 1972-03-29 1976-07-27 Panoduz-Anstalt Co. Apparatus for producing cold principally for the application of cold by contact on the body of living beings
US3998212A (en) * 1974-06-28 1976-12-21 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Electrode for percutaneous polarographic measurements
US4470263A (en) * 1980-10-14 1984-09-11 Kurt Lehovec Peltier-cooled garment
US5411600A (en) * 1992-06-03 1995-05-02 Eastman Kodak Company Ultrathin film thermocouples and method of manufacture
DE19530382A1 (de) * 1995-08-18 1997-02-20 Meiners Horst Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Erzeugen von elektrischem Strom und Verwendung des Verfahrens und der Vorrichtung
EP0927062A4 (en) * 1996-10-01 2004-09-01 E L Management Corp COSMETIC PREPARATION THAT WORKS AS A BATTERY ON THE SKIN
EP0967832A3 (de) * 1998-06-23 2006-05-10 Cochlear Limited Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Versorgung eines mindestens teilimplantierten aktiven Gerätes mit elektrischer Energie
WO2008012388A1 (es) * 2006-07-28 2008-01-31 Antonio Gallego Pujante Brazalete para regular la temperatura corporal por exceso de calor
US10842205B2 (en) 2016-10-20 2020-11-24 Nike, Inc. Apparel thermo-regulatory system
US11497258B2 (en) 2016-10-20 2022-11-15 Nike, Inc. Apparel thermo-regulatory system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB823946A (en) 1959-11-18
FR1113084A (fr) 1956-03-23
BE530291A (enEXAMPLES) 1957-08-30

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US2798493A (en) Devices for transferring thermoelectric power effects to the skin of a human
US2798494A (en) Devices for transferring thermoelectric power effects to the skin of a human
RU2113035C1 (ru) Термогенератор
US2519785A (en) Thermopile
GB1021486A (en) Improvements in and relating to thermopiles
GB2181628A (en) Electrically heated pipe assembly
DE3462742D1 (en) Electrical heating element to be incorporated in an inner layer of a garment or of an accessory, to be applied to a part of the human body
ES426294A1 (es) Hilo de doble revestimiento para electroimanes.
JPS5215428A (en) Threeelayered thin gold film having electric conductivity and corrosion resistance
BE851228A (fr) Tuyau flexible comportant un ou plusieurs conducteurs electriques
IT1029419B (it) Rpocedimento per fissare un elemnto conduttor ad un dispositivo a semiconduttore e prodotto ottenuto
ATE80501T1 (de) Elektrische leistungsverbinder.
IT7867488A0 (it) Lega di rame ad elevata conducibilita elettrica e termica ed elevata resistenza meccanica
DE3275483D1 (en) Temperature sensing device
US3657515A (en) Diving suit
FR2365268A1 (fr) Element de chauffage de surface et procede pour sa fabrication
JPS53101687A (en) Electric conductor for heat-resisting wire
GB728747A (en) Improvements in or relating to methods of and means for anodizing metal articles
GB823435A (en) Electrical surface heaters
JPS53101685A (en) Electric conductor for heat-resisting wire
JPS598964Y2 (ja) 防寒手袋
GB703584A (en) Improvements relating to electric heating elements
RU25134U1 (ru) Гибкий электронагревательный элемент
US1482254A (en) Electrical connecter
US2944236A (en) Electrical temperature measuring device