WO2006070031A1 - Thermal skin stimulator using radiant heat - Google Patents

Thermal skin stimulator using radiant heat Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2006070031A1
WO2006070031A1 PCT/ES2005/000693 ES2005000693W WO2006070031A1 WO 2006070031 A1 WO2006070031 A1 WO 2006070031A1 ES 2005000693 W ES2005000693 W ES 2005000693W WO 2006070031 A1 WO2006070031 A1 WO 2006070031A1
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
heat
stimulator
stimulation
skin
console
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PCT/ES2005/000693
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Spanish (es)
French (fr)
Inventor
Gabriela Grzib Schlosky
Pilar Quirós Expósito
Pablo Antonio Conde Guzón
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Universidad Nacional De Educación A Distancia
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Publication of WO2006070031A1 publication Critical patent/WO2006070031A1/en

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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/48—Other medical applications
    • A61B5/4824—Touch or pain perception evaluation
    • A61B5/4827—Touch or pain perception evaluation assessing touch sensitivity, e.g. for evaluation of pain threshold
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
    • A61N5/00—Radiation therapy
    • A61N5/06—Radiation therapy using light
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/48—Other medical applications
    • A61B5/4824—Touch or pain perception evaluation
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/48—Other medical applications
    • A61B5/4824—Touch or pain perception evaluation
    • A61B5/4827—Touch or pain perception evaluation assessing touch sensitivity, e.g. for evaluation of pain threshold
    • A61B5/483—Touch or pain perception evaluation assessing touch sensitivity, e.g. for evaluation of pain threshold by thermal stimulation

Definitions

  • the invention falls within the field of Psychophysics specifically in the field of thermal sensory stimulation.
  • the way to stimulate by means of heat conducted is to apply plates, generally of copper, on the skin.
  • the stimulation by radiant heat is much more known and used, which consists in stimulating the skin with infrared radiation producing a thermal elevation of the same (Main and Waddell, 1989).
  • the radiation source consists of an incandescent lamp.
  • the radiation is focused on the skin, dyed black, by means of a lens, the beam passing through a circular aperture of fixed dimensions.
  • a shutter Between the lamp and the lens is a shutter that allows to open or close the passage of the radiant beam in order to regulate the duration of the stimulation.
  • the device is calibrated in mcal / s / cm 2 .
  • the intensity of the heat provided by the light is controlled by a rheostat.
  • Lee and Stitzer (1995) point out the advantages of the nociceptive stimulation technique with radiant heat, highlighting that it is a simple and reliable method compared to others, such as immersion of the hand in ice water, electrical stimulation and tests of skin pressure (Chery-Croze, 1983;
  • the heat source is a 15V and 150W Philips halogen lamp, with a built-in reflector, included in a parallelepiped structure of black material (in order to absorb most of the radiation) as can be seen in Ia Figure 1.
  • a hole with a shutter that allows access of the heat beam to the outside by opening it.
  • the power of the lamp is controlled by a variable transformer connected to it.
  • the lamp has been provided with a fan in order to maintain a constant temperature inside the stimulator.
  • the power of the lamp is controlled to minimize the effects produced by the radiation and the rapid temperature rises that could occur due to the effects of caloric concentration as advised by the experience of Yamistky and Ochoa (1990).
  • the device is controlled from an external table to it (figure 2) and is connected to the stimulator by a cable long enough to allow the experimenter to be able to move away (5 meters) from the subject, or to control the variables from a different room.
  • the minimum electrical intensity of the apparatus is that corresponding to 38.3W of power and the maximum electrical intensity is that corresponding to 136.3W of power.
  • the apparatus is provided with a stopwatch that controls the exposure times of the stimulus, by opening a shutter with a latency range of 0.1 to 0.99 seconds of exposure for each of the intensity levels.
  • a stopwatch that controls the exposure times of the stimulus, by opening a shutter with a latency range of 0.1 to 0.99 seconds of exposure for each of the intensity levels.
  • the stimulus can be prolonged until the subject presses a switch and stops it with the purpose of being able to work with latencies and thresholds in which the variable of interest is time.
  • the device allows you to program the interval between stimuli from 1 to 99 seconds. Control of the number of stimuli in each trial:
  • the radiant energy is applied to the skin through four different areas through a hole that varies in size by the interposition of four elliptical masks with different surfaces between the source and the subject's skin (Figure 4).
  • the surface of each of these masks can be seen in Table 1.
  • Table 1 Surfaces of the masks with which the area of stimulation of the skin is varied.
  • the stimulus output is specially designed to selectively activate specific areas of the skin with significantly different concentrations of nerve endings (forehead and forearm, fundamentally).
  • FIG. 1 Heat source of the thermal stimulation apparatus (disposition of the mask and disposable surface where the subject supports the area of skin to be stimulated) is observed.
  • Figure 2 Control table of the device
  • Figure 3 Interposition masks between the lamp and the subject's skin to vary the stimulation surface.
  • Figure 4 General circuit of the thermal stimulation apparatus.
  • Figures 5, 6 and 7 detail the circuits corresponding to the three fundamental components of which it consists.
  • Figure 5 Counter with preselection and display
  • Figure 6 Interval timer.
  • Figure 7 Stimulus-oscillator duration
  • the thermal stimulator of the skin with radiant heat consists of two distinct parts:
  • the second structure consists of a console attached to the previous one by cable.
  • the lower part of it allows the programming of each test: the embodiment (manual or programmed), the intensity of the heat stimulation, the duration of the exposure to it and the inter-stimulus interval (see figures 4, 5 , 6 and 7).
  • the intensity of the heat stimulation can vary according to 21 levels (the minimum power being 38.3W and the maximum power being 136.3W, corresponding to 0.3 and 16.6 mcal / s / cm 2 respectively).
  • the duration of the exposure to the stimulation is variable in a range between 0.1 and 0.99 s through a stopwatch incorporated in the console.
  • the interval between stimuli can be varied between 1 and 99 s. It is possible to program the number of tests in the determination of absolute and differential thresholds.
  • the device allows working with time thresholds.
  • the upper part of the console contains a series of luminous indicators that inform about the precise state in which the experiment is in each moment: the order number of the test, the elapsed time of the interval between stimuli and the validity of the phases existing in each trial.
  • the stop and pause LEDs indicate that the stimulator is on, while the shutter is closed. Those corresponding to heat and stimulus are on during heat stimulation (see figure 2).

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Pain & Pain Management (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Medical Informatics (AREA)
  • Molecular Biology (AREA)
  • Surgery (AREA)
  • Biophysics (AREA)
  • Hospice & Palliative Care (AREA)
  • Psychiatry (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
  • Radiology & Medical Imaging (AREA)
  • Measurement Of The Respiration, Hearing Ability, Form, And Blood Characteristics Of Living Organisms (AREA)
  • Radiation-Therapy Devices (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for stimulating skin using radiant heat in order to measure absolute, differential and latent thresholds to heat stimulation. The inventive apparatus comprises a stimulator and a console which are connected by means of a cable. The interior of the stimulator contains a 15V and 150W Philips halogen lamp with a built-in reflector which forms the heat source and the internal temperature is maintained constant by means of a ventilator. The invention also includes an opening which is equipped with an obturator, through which the heat ray leaves the apparatus. The exterior of the stimulator is designed to support the area of skin to be stimulated. The stimulation surface can be altered using masks of different sizes. The console is used to control the levels of heat intensity (21 in total, ranging from 38.3 W to 136.3 W with successive increments ≈ 4.9 W, calibrated in mcal/s/cm2), the exposure times (0.1 to 0.99 seconds) and the intervals between stimuli (1 to 99 seconds).

Description

Estimulador térmico de Ia piel con calor radiante. Thermal stimulator of the skin with radiant heat.
Sector de Ia técnicaTechnical sector
La invención se encuadra dentro del campo de Ia Psicofísica concretamente en el ámbito de Ia estimulación sensorial térmica.The invention falls within the field of Psychophysics specifically in the field of thermal sensory stimulation.
Estado de Ia técnicaState of the art
En Ia mayoría de las investigaciones de estimulación térmica en el laboratorio se han utilizado dos tipos de estimuladores aplicados a Ia piel. El primero se denomina calor conducido y el segundo, calor radiante. La manera de estimular mediante calor conducido es aplicar placas, generalmente de cobre, sobre Ia piel. No obstante, es mucho más conocida y usada Ia estimulación mediante calor radiante, que consiste en estimular Ia piel con una radiación infrarroja produciendo una elevación térmica de Ia misma (Main y Waddell, 1989).In most of the thermal stimulation investigations in the laboratory, two types of stimulators applied to the skin have been used. The first is called conducted heat and the second, radiant heat. The way to stimulate by means of heat conducted is to apply plates, generally of copper, on the skin. However, the stimulation by radiant heat is much more known and used, which consists in stimulating the skin with infrared radiation producing a thermal elevation of the same (Main and Waddell, 1989).
Dentro del campo de Ia estimulación con calor radiante el primer aparato utilizado que se conoce es el dolorímetro radiante, diseñado por Hardy, Goodell y Wolff en 1952. La fuente de radiación consiste en una lámpara incandescente. La radiación se focaliza en Ia piel, teñida de negro, mediante una lente, atravesando el haz una apertura circular de dimensiones fijas. Entre Ia lámpara y Ia lente se encuentra un obturador que permite abrir o cerrar el paso del haz radiante con objeto de regular Ia duración de Ia estimulación. El aparato está calibrado en mcal/s/cm2. La intensidad del calor proporcionada por Ia luz se controla mediante un reostato. Actualmente los sistemas han ido adquiriendo una mayor complejidad, pasando de Ia concentración mediante lentes de un rayo de luz, a Ia utilización de rayo láser, láser de argón, láser de vapor de cobre o láser de CO2 (Svensson, Bjerring, Arendt-Nielsen, Nielsen y Kaaber, 1991 ), el método de calor inducido por pulsos de argón (Gronrooss, Reúnala y Pertovaara, 1996) o Ia técnica más sofisticada de calor radiante mediante láser de 805 mm conectado con microfibra con pulsos de 1 a 6 segundos (Mordon, Desmettrem, Devoisselle y Joulie, 1997). Casi todos los aparatos de estimulación con calor radiante, excepto los que utilizan el láser, se han basado en el dolorímetro de Hardy. Este es el caso del diseñado por Kenshalo, Decker y Kamilton (1967), el que se utiliza para los experimentos de sumación espacial con estimación de magnitudes de Stevens y Marks (1971), el de Perkins, Grabe, Jennings, Epstein y Elash (1992), el de Akita, Noda y Aikawa (1993), el descrito en los experimentos de Lee y Stitzer (1995)Within the field of radiant heat stimulation, the first known apparatus is the radiant painimeter, designed by Hardy, Goodell and Wolff in 1952. The radiation source consists of an incandescent lamp. The radiation is focused on the skin, dyed black, by means of a lens, the beam passing through a circular aperture of fixed dimensions. Between the lamp and the lens is a shutter that allows to open or close the passage of the radiant beam in order to regulate the duration of the stimulation. The device is calibrated in mcal / s / cm 2 . The intensity of the heat provided by the light is controlled by a rheostat. Currently systems have gained greater complexity, from the concentration by lenses of a light beam, a means of using laser, argon laser, copper vapor laser or CO 2 laser (Svensson, Bjerring, Arendt Nielsen, Nielsen and Kaaber, 1991), the method of heat induced by argon pulses (Gronrooss, Gather it and Pertovaara, 1996) or the most sophisticated technique of radiant heat by means of 805 mm laser connected with microfiber with pulses of 1 to 6 seconds (Mordon, Desmettrem, Devoisselle and Joulie, 1997). Almost all radiating heat stimulation devices, except those that use the laser, have been based on Hardy's painmeter. This is the case of the one designed by Kenshalo, Decker and Kamilton (1967), which is used for spatial summation experiments with magnitude estimation of Stevens and Marks (1971), that of Perkins, Grabe, Jennings, Epstein and Elash ( 1992), that of Akita, Noda and Aikawa (1993), the one described in the experiments of Lee and Stitzer (1995)
Lee y Stitzer (1995) señalan las ventajas de Ia técnica de estimulación nociceptiva con calor radiante, resaltando que se trata de un método sencillo y fiable comparado con otros, como son el de inmersión de Ia mano en agua helada, estimulación eléctrica y pruebas de presión cutánea (Chery-Croze, 1983;Lee and Stitzer (1995) point out the advantages of the nociceptive stimulation technique with radiant heat, highlighting that it is a simple and reliable method compared to others, such as immersion of the hand in ice water, electrical stimulation and tests of skin pressure (Chery-Croze, 1983;
Collier, Mehta y Spear, 1990; Harris y Rollman, 1983)Collier, Mehta and Spear, 1990; Harris and Rollman, 1983)
Explicación de Ia invenciónExplanation of the invention
Descripción del aparato:Description of the equipment:
La fuente de calor es una lámpara Philips de 15V y 150W de tipo halógeno, con reflector incorporado, incluida en una estructura con forma de paralelepípedo de material negro (con el fin de absorber Ia mayor parte de las radiaciones) como se puede ver en Ia figura 1. En una de las caras de Ia estructura se encuentra un orificio con un obturador que permite el acceso del rayo calorífico al exterior mediante Ia apertura del mismo.The heat source is a 15V and 150W Philips halogen lamp, with a built-in reflector, included in a parallelepiped structure of black material (in order to absorb most of the radiation) as can be seen in Ia Figure 1. On one of the faces of the structure there is a hole with a shutter that allows access of the heat beam to the outside by opening it.
Sobre el orificio aparece una estructura que permite introducir diferentes máscaras para poder modificar Ia superficie de estimulación. Sobre ella se ha colocado una superficie blanda desechable sobre Ia que se puede apoyar Ia piel del sujeto (Figura 2).A structure appears on the hole that allows different masks to be introduced in order to modify the stimulation surface. On it a soft disposable surface has been placed on which the subject's skin can be supported (Figure 2).
La potencia de Ia lámpara es controlada por un transformador variable conectado a Ia misma. Se ha dotado a Ia lámpara de un ventilador con el fin de mantener una temperatura constante en el interior del estimulador.The power of the lamp is controlled by a variable transformer connected to it. The lamp has been provided with a fan in order to maintain a constant temperature inside the stimulator.
La potencia de Ia lámpara está controlada para minimizar los efectos producidos por Ia radiación y las rápidas subidas de temperatura que pudieran ocurrir debido a los efectos de concentración calórica tal como aconseja Ia experiencia de Yamistky y Ochoa (1990).The power of the lamp is controlled to minimize the effects produced by the radiation and the rapid temperature rises that could occur due to the effects of caloric concentration as advised by the experience of Yamistky and Ochoa (1990).
El aparato se controla desde una mesa exterior al mismo (figura 2) y está unido al estimulador mediante un cable suficientemente largo para permitir que el experimentador pueda estar alejado (5 metros) del sujeto, o pueda controlar las variables desde una habitación distinta.The device is controlled from an external table to it (figure 2) and is connected to the stimulator by a cable long enough to allow the experimenter to be able to move away (5 meters) from the subject, or to control the variables from a different room.
Control de Ia intensidad de estimulación:Control of the stimulation intensity:
Existen 21 niveles diferentes de intensidad controlada por un conmutador con 21 posiciones. La mínima intensidad eléctrica del aparato es Ia correspondiente a 38.3W de potencia y Ia intensidad máxima eléctrica es Ia correspondiente a 136.3W de potencia.There are 21 different levels of intensity controlled by a switch with 21 positions. The minimum electrical intensity of the apparatus is that corresponding to 38.3W of power and the maximum electrical intensity is that corresponding to 136.3W of power.
Entre cada paso sucesivo de intensidad existe un incremento de potencia eléctrica de 4,9W aproximadamente. Estas potencias varían en función de Ia tensión de Ia red. Se estima que esta variación debida a este efecto no controlable no sobrepasa + 5% y afecta por igual a todas las posiciones del conmutador.Between each successive step of intensity there is an increase of electric power of approximately 4.9W. These powers vary depending on the voltage of the network. It is estimated that this variation due to this uncontrollable effect does not exceed + 5% and affects all switch positions equally.
En un estudio preliminar de calibración se comprobó las medidas de las 21 intensidades en mcal/s/cm2 In a preliminary calibration study, the measurements of the 21 intensities in mcal / s / cm 2 were checked
Figure imgf000005_0001
Figure imgf000005_0001
Figure imgf000006_0001
Figure imgf000006_0001
Energía calorífica correspondiente a las 21 diferentes intensidades eléctricas.Heat energy corresponding to the 21 different electrical intensities.
Control de Ia exposición al estímulo:Control of exposure to the stimulus:
El aparato está dotado de un cronómetro que controla los tiempos de exposición del estímulo, mediante Ia apertura de un obturador con un rango de latencia de 0,1 a 0,99 segundos de exposición para cada uno de los niveles de intensidad. También existe Ia posibilidad de que el estímulo se pueda prolongar hasta que el sujeto apriete un interruptor y Io pare con Ia finalidad de poder trabajar con latencias y umbrales en los que Ia variable de interés es el tiempo.The apparatus is provided with a stopwatch that controls the exposure times of the stimulus, by opening a shutter with a latency range of 0.1 to 0.99 seconds of exposure for each of the intensity levels. There is also the possibility that the stimulus can be prolonged until the subject presses a switch and stops it with the purpose of being able to work with latencies and thresholds in which the variable of interest is time.
Control del intervalo entre estímulos:Control of the interval between stimuli:
El aparato permite programar el intervalo entre estímulos desde 1 a 99 segundos. Control del número de estímulos en cada ensayo:The device allows you to program the interval between stimuli from 1 to 99 seconds. Control of the number of stimuli in each trial:
Se puede programar previamente el número de estímulos que van a tener lugar en cada ensayo o, por el contrario, administrar éstos manualmente uno a uno. Control del área de estimulación sobre Ia piel:You can pre-program the number of stimuli that will take place in each trial or, on the contrary, administer these manually one by one. Control of the stimulation area on the skin:
La energía radiante se aplica a Ia piel a través de cuatro áreas diferentes mediante un orificio que varía su tamaño por Ia interposición de cuatro máscaras elípticas con diferentes superficies entre Ia fuente y Ia piel del sujeto (figura 4). La superficie de cada una de estas máscaras se puede ver en Ia tabla 1.The radiant energy is applied to the skin through four different areas through a hole that varies in size by the interposition of four elliptical masks with different surfaces between the source and the subject's skin (Figure 4). The surface of each of these masks can be seen in Table 1.
MASCARA SUPERFICIESURFACE MASK
S1 2,52 cm¿ S1 2.52 Cm
S2 5,80 cm2 S2 5.80 cm 2
S3 10,39 cm2 S3 10.39 cm 2
S4 17,13 cm2 S4 17.13 cm 2
Tabla 1 : Superficies de las máscaras con las que se varía el área de estimulación de Ia piel.Table 1: Surfaces of the masks with which the area of stimulation of the skin is varied.
Las ventajas que aporta este aparato son:The advantages of this device are:
Ventajas técnicas:Technical advantages:
• Superioridad técnica respecto a los anteriores en cuanto a Ia posibilidad de manipulación de Ia intensidad de los estímulos (21 niveles diferentes dentro del campo estimular no doloroso), control de Ia exposición al estímulo, control del intervalo entre estímulos, control del número de estímulos en cada ensayo y control del área de la estimulación sobre Ia piel.• Technical superiority with respect to the previous ones regarding the possibility of manipulation of the intensity of the stimuli (21 different levels within the non-painful stimulus field), control of the stimulus exposure, control of the interval between stimuli, control of the number of stimuli in each trial and control of the area of stimulation on the skin.
• Bajo coste económico en Ia construcción, en comparación con los altamente complejos que se utilizan actualmente.• Low economic cost in construction, compared to the highly complex ones that are currently used.
• Alta fiabilidad: demostrada mediante un estudio de test-retest con una muestra de 32 sujetos (18 varones y 14 mujeres) con 28 días de intervalo. Método de los límites: Correlaciones (0,49; p = 0,025 y 0,93; p = 0,000 para frente y antebrazo respectivamente).• High reliability: demonstrated by a test-retest study with a sample of 32 subjects (18 men and 14 women) with a 28-day interval. Boundary method: Correlations (0.49; p = 0.025 and 0.93; p = 0.000 for forehead and forearm respectively).
Ambas correlaciones son mayores que las encontradas en estudios preliminares con aparatos más caros y sofisticados, aún utilizando tiempos menores entre las sesiones test- retest (Perkins et al. 1992; Lee y Stetzer, 1995)Both correlations are greater than those found in preliminary studies with more expensive and sophisticated devices, even using times minors between the test-retest sessions (Perkins et al. 1992; Lee and Stetzer, 1995)
Ventajas de aplicación: • Probablemente sea el primer aparato construido "ad hoc" dentro del campo de Ia Psicofísica en España en el ámbito de Ia investigación en Ia Psicología, permitiendo de manera específica controlar las variables de interés dentro de Ia medición de Ia sensibilidad térmica. En este sentido, Ia salida del estímulo está especialmente diseñada para activar selectivamente áreas concretas de la piel con concentraciones de terminaciones nerviosas significativamente diferentes (frente y antebrazo, fundamentalmente).Advantages of application: • It is probably the first device built "ad hoc" within the field of Psychophysics in Spain in the field of research in Psychology, allowing specifically control the variables of interest within the measurement of thermal sensitivity . In this sense, the stimulus output is specially designed to selectively activate specific areas of the skin with significantly different concentrations of nerve endings (forehead and forearm, fundamentally).
• Sencillez de manejo comparado con los altamente sofisticados de láser y otros modernos, ofreciendo las mismas prestaciones respecto a Ia estimación de umbrales.• Simplicity of handling compared to the highly sophisticated laser and other modern ones, offering the same benefits with respect to the estimation of thresholds.
• Seguridad de no producir daño tisular comparado con el del calor conducido o los de láser o CO2• Safety of not producing tissue damage compared to that of conducted heat or laser or CO2
• Posibilidad de mediciones de umbrales absolutos y diferenciales.• Possibility of absolute and differential threshold measurements.
• Sencillez para Ia utilización por personas poco expertas (alumnos, prácticas, etc.)• Simplicity for the use by little experts (students, practices, etc.)
Descripción de los dibujos y figuras.Description of the drawings and figures.
Figura 1: Fuente de calor del aparato de estimulación térmica (se observa disposición de Ia máscara y superficie desechable donde el sujeto apoya el área de piel a estimular).Figure 1: Heat source of the thermal stimulation apparatus (disposition of the mask and disposable surface where the subject supports the area of skin to be stimulated) is observed.
Figura 2: Mesa de control del aparato Figura 3: Máscaras de interposición entre Ia lámpara y Ia piel del sujeto para variar Ia superficie de estimulación. Figura 4: Circuito general del aparato de estimulación térmica. En las figuras 5, 6 y 7 se detallan los circuitos correspondientes a los tres componentes fundamentales de los que consta. Figura 5: Contador con preselección y display Figura 6: Temporizador de intervalos. Figura 7: Duración estímulo-osciladorFigure 2: Control table of the device Figure 3: Interposition masks between the lamp and the subject's skin to vary the stimulation surface. Figure 4: General circuit of the thermal stimulation apparatus. Figures 5, 6 and 7 detail the circuits corresponding to the three fundamental components of which it consists. Figure 5: Counter with preselection and display Figure 6: Interval timer. Figure 7: Stimulus-oscillator duration
Modo de realización de Ia invenciónEmbodiment of the invention
El estimulador térmico de Ia piel con calor radiante consta de dos partes diferenciadas:The thermal stimulator of the skin with radiant heat consists of two distinct parts:
Estructura en forma de paralelepípedo, de color negro, montada sobre un pie, cuya altura puede ser modificada, según Ia zona corporal a estimular y las características físicas de los participantes. En ella está situada Ia fuente de calor reflectante consistente en una lámpara de tipo halógeno (Phillips de 15V y 150W). Para evitar el sobrecalentamiento se ha incorporado un ventilador que mantiene constante Ia temperatura en el interior. La potencia de Ia lámpara se controla mediante un transformador variable conectado a Ia misma. La energía radiante se puede aplicar a superficies de diferentes tamaños de Ia piel. Esto se logra variando el orificio de salida de dicha energía interponiendo máscaras con aperturas de distinto tamaño (ver figuras 1 y 3).Structure in the form of a parallelepiped, black, mounted on one foot, whose height can be modified, according to the body area to be stimulated and the physical characteristics of the participants. In it is located the reflective heat source consisting of a halogen lamp (Phillips 15V and 150W). To avoid overheating, a fan has been incorporated that keeps the temperature inside constant. The power of the lamp is controlled by a variable transformer connected to it. The radiant energy can be applied to surfaces of different sizes of the skin. This is achieved by varying the exit orifice of said energy by interposing masks with openings of different sizes (see figures 1 and 3).
La segunda estructura consiste en una consola unida a Ia anterior mediante cable. La parte inferior de Ia misma permite Ia programación de cada ensayo: Ia forma de realización (manual o programada), Ia intensidad de Ia estimulación calorífica, Ia duración de Ia exposición a Ia misma y el intervalo ínter-estímulo (ver figuras 4, 5, 6 y 7). La intensidad de Ia estimulación calorífica puede variar según 21 niveles (siendo Ia potencia mínima de 38.3W y Ia máxima de 136.3W, que corresponde a 0,3 y 16,6 mcal/s/cm2 respectivamente). La duración de Ia exposición a Ia estimulación es variable en un rango comprendido entre 0,1 y 0,99 s a través de un cronómetro incorporado en Ia consola. El intervalo entre estímulos puede variarse entre 1 y 99 s. Es posible programar el número de ensayos en Ia determinación de umbrales absolutos y diferenciales. Así mismo el aparato permite trabajar con umbrales de tiempo. La parte superior de Ia consola contiene una serie de indicadores luminosos que informan del estado puntual en que se encuentra el experimento en cada momento: número de orden del ensayo, tiempo transcurrido del intervalo entre estímulos y vigencia de las fases existentes en cada ensayo. Los leds de paro y pausa indican que el estimulador está encendido, estando cerrado el obturador. Los correspondientes a calor y estímulo están encendidos durante Ia estimulación con calor (ver figura 2).The second structure consists of a console attached to the previous one by cable. The lower part of it allows the programming of each test: the embodiment (manual or programmed), the intensity of the heat stimulation, the duration of the exposure to it and the inter-stimulus interval (see figures 4, 5 , 6 and 7). The intensity of the heat stimulation can vary according to 21 levels (the minimum power being 38.3W and the maximum power being 136.3W, corresponding to 0.3 and 16.6 mcal / s / cm 2 respectively). The duration of the exposure to the stimulation is variable in a range between 0.1 and 0.99 s through a stopwatch incorporated in the console. The interval between stimuli can be varied between 1 and 99 s. It is possible to program the number of tests in the determination of absolute and differential thresholds. Likewise, the device allows working with time thresholds. The upper part of the console contains a series of luminous indicators that inform about the precise state in which the experiment is in each moment: the order number of the test, the elapsed time of the interval between stimuli and the validity of the phases existing in each trial. The stop and pause LEDs indicate that the stimulator is on, while the shutter is closed. Those corresponding to heat and stimulus are on during heat stimulation (see figure 2).
AplicacionesApplications
• Investigación.• Investigation.
• Docencia: Prácticas de asignaturas de Psicología y Medicina. • Teaching: Practices of Psychology and Medicine subjects.

Claims

REIVINDICACIONES
1. Estimulador térmico de Ia piel con calor radiante que consiste en un estimulador y una consola, conectados a través de un cable. El estimulador es una estructura en forma de paralelepípedo de color negro que aloja una lámpara halógena Philips de 15V y 150W con reflector incorporado como fuente de calor y cuya potencia es controlada por un transformador variable conectado a Ia misma. La temperatura en el interior de Ia estructura se mantiene constante gracias a Ia incorporación de un ventilador. La superficie de estimulación es modificable mediante Ia utilización de máscaras de diferentes tamaños. Desde Ia consola se controla Ia intensidad de Ia estimulación calorífica (calibrada en mcal/s/cm2), Ia duración de Ia misma (en segundos), el intervalo entre estímulos (en segundos) y el número de estímulos por ensayo. 1. Thermal stimulator of the skin with radiant heat consisting of a stimulator and a console, connected through a cable. The stimulator is a black parallelepiped shaped structure that houses a Philips 15V and 150W halogen lamp with a built-in reflector as a heat source and whose power is controlled by a variable transformer connected to it. The temperature inside the structure is kept constant thanks to the incorporation of a fan. The stimulation surface is modifiable through the use of masks of different sizes. From the console, the intensity of the heat stimulation is controlled (calibrated in mcal / s / cm 2 ), the duration thereof (in seconds), the interval between stimuli (in seconds) and the number of stimuli per test.
PCT/ES2005/000693 2004-12-22 2005-12-20 Thermal skin stimulator using radiant heat WO2006070031A1 (en)

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ESP200403057 2004-12-22
ES200403057A ES2255859B1 (en) 2004-12-22 2004-12-22 THERMAL SKIN STIMULATOR WITH RADIANT HEAT.

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Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4686986A (en) * 1981-09-02 1987-08-18 Marta Fenyo Method and apparatus for promoting healing
EP0311124A1 (en) * 1987-10-07 1989-04-12 "Harrier" Gmbh Gesellschaft Für Den Vertrieb Medizinischer Und Technischer Geräte Therapeutic lamp for biostimulation with polarized light
EP0311898A1 (en) * 1987-10-16 1989-04-19 Maxs Ag Phototherapy device
ES2069175T3 (en) * 1990-11-16 1995-05-01 Maxs Ag IRRADIATION DEVICE.

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4686986A (en) * 1981-09-02 1987-08-18 Marta Fenyo Method and apparatus for promoting healing
EP0311124A1 (en) * 1987-10-07 1989-04-12 "Harrier" Gmbh Gesellschaft Für Den Vertrieb Medizinischer Und Technischer Geräte Therapeutic lamp for biostimulation with polarized light
EP0311898A1 (en) * 1987-10-16 1989-04-19 Maxs Ag Phototherapy device
ES2069175T3 (en) * 1990-11-16 1995-05-01 Maxs Ag IRRADIATION DEVICE.

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ES2255859B1 (en) 2007-07-16

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