WO2023180974A1

WO2023180974A1 - Device for controlling menopausal hot flashes

Info

Publication number: WO2023180974A1
Application number: PCT/IB2023/052859
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kranthi Kiran Vistakula; Srujana VISTAKULA; Naveen Kumar BOGA; Shiva KUMBAR
Original assignee: Dhama Innovations PVT. Ltd.
Priority date: 2022-03-23
Filing date: 2023-03-23
Publication date: 2023-09-28

Abstract

A device 100 for controlling menopausal hot flashes includes a housing having multiple components, and the housing 102 is worn on wrist to provide cooling on the wrist, that facilitate instant comfort and cooling to entire body of a wearer. The housing 102 includes a cooling unit 104 configured to provide cooling, and an actuator 106 positioned on the housing to control the cooling unit 104. Upon actuation of the actuator 106, the cooling unit 104 is controlled i.e. activated to different levels of cooling and deactivated. In addition, the housing includes a power supply unit 110 to supply power to the multiple components, and supply of power is automatically cut off for a pre-defined time.

Description

DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING MENOPAUSAL HOT FLASHES

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to therapeutic devices. More particularly, the invention relates to a device for controlling menopausal hot flashes.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

[0003] During the menopausal transition, the ovaries begin to work less effectively, and the production of hormones like estrogen and progesterone declines over time. Such changes can cause aberrations in the body’s thermal regulation mechanism leading to hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. Hot flashes are sudden increases in body temperature and are perceived as intense increases in body temperature that are characteristically manifested by nearly instant occurrence of any one or a combination of flushing, sweating, dizziness, nausea, palpitations, and diaphoresis. The hot flashes can disrupt sleep, interfere with mental concentration and adversely affect the quality of life. The hot flashes are characterized by a sensation of intense warmth in upper body, followed by skin redness (flushing) and perspiration. Typically, these symptoms begin in the head and spread down towards the neck and chest. The hot flashes occur with varying frequencies ranging from a few flashes per week to several flashes an hour, some hot flashes pass after a few seconds, while a few last for more than 10 minutes. On average, hot flashes last for around 4 minutes but can be debilitating until their passage and during a complete recovery period that can last up to 30 minutes.

[0004] Moreover, the hot flashes are the most common symptom of menopause and perimenopause. They also affect women who start menopause after chemotherapy or surgery to remove their ovaries. In general, approximately 2 in 10 women never get hot flashes. Others have hot flashes for only a very short period of time. Still, others may have them for 11 years or more. On average, however, women get hot flashes or night sweats for about 7 years.

[0005] Existing treatment includes hormone replacement therapy (HRT), natural Food and preventive solutions, medicines, and many others. However, women are reluctant to undertake the HRT because a number of clinical trials have indicated a significant correlation between HRT and an increased incidence of heart disease, stroke, blood clots, and breast cancer. For this reason, many women have shunned HRT, leaving them with few effective alternatives for treating or controlling their hot flashes. Also, some women started taking natural food and preventive solutions, however efficacy not proven due to absence of scientific research. In addition, women have been prescribed medicines for controlling their hot flashes. However, multiple side effects of the medicines are detected, such as nausea, difficulty in sleeping, drowsiness, weight gain, dry mouth, sexual dysfunction, or the like. Thus, none of the existing solutions is found effective and safe.

[0006] There is, therefore, a need in the art to provide an efficient solution that can obviate the abovementioned limitations, and provides a device for controlling hot flashes by avoiding undesired and dangerous side effects of all known treatments.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0007] A general object of the present disclosure is to provide a solution to the problem of menopausal hot flashes.

[0008] An object of the present disclosure is to provide solution to the problem of menopausal hot flashes that does not suffer from drawbacks of known methodology for controlling the menopausal hot flashes.

[0009] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a therapeutic device for controlling menopausal hot flashes.

[0010] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a therapeutic device for controlling menopausal hot flashes that uses body’s own temperature control mechanism to control hot flashes.

[0011] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a therapeutic device for controlling menopausal hot flashes that is light weight and easy to use.

[0012] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a therapeutic device for controlling menopausal hot flashes that allows a user to adjust amount of cooling.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to controlling menopausal hot flashes. Specifically, the present disclosure provides a therapeutic device for controlling menopausal hot flashes, wherein, in event of occurrence of hot flashes, a user can activate the device to effectively reduce core temperature of the user to effectively control the hot flashes. [0014] In an aspect, the disclosed device for controlling menopausal hot flashes is wearable as a cuff around wrist of a user, and provides a cooling effect to at least a portion of the wrist of the user to control menopausal hot flashes being experienced by the user. The device includes a cooling device to provide a cooling effect to the at least a portion of the wrist of the user.

[0015] In an embodiment, the cooling device may be configured to achieve a temperature range of 7 to 16 degrees Centigrade at the at least a portion of the wrist pf the user.

[0016] In an embodiment, the cooling device may be configured to maintain a temperature range of 7 to 16 degrees Centigrade for a duration of 30 sec to 8 minutes

[0017] In an embodiment, the cooling device may be configured to cool a wrist area in a range of 3.0 sq cm to 20.0 sq cm.

[0018] In an embodiment, the cooling device may include a cold conducting plate, and the cooling device may be configured with the device such that, when the device is worn by the user, the cold conducting plate is in contact with wrist of the user to provide cooling.

[0019] In an embodiment, the cooling device may include a thermoelectric cooler that functions to provide cooling effect based on Peltier effect.

[0020] In an embodiment, the thermoelectric cooler may include an array of semiconductor devices comprising a plurality of n-type and p-type semiconductors arranged thermally parallel and electrically in series between a hot conducting plate and the cold conducting plate.

[0021] In an embodiment, the thermoelectric cooler may include a heat sink thermally coupled to the hot conducting plate, and a means for removing heat from the heat sink.

[0022] In an embodiment, the means for removing heat from the heat sinks may be any of a fan and a blower that is configured to cause a flow of air through a plurality of fins of the heat sink.

[0023] In an embodiment, the blower may be configured on a side of the thermoelectric cooler such that the blower sucks ambient air through air inlet holes and slits, and air after extracting heat from the heat sink is passed out through air outlet holes and slits. The air inlet and outlet holes and slits may be provided on an outer surface and on sides of the device to prevent blockage during sleep.

[0024] In an embodiment, the device may include a power supply unit having rechargeable batteries, and an actuator to control supply of electric current from the power supply unit to the cooling device. [0025] In an embodiment, the device may also include a processing unit operatively coupled to the actuator and the cooling unit such that the actuator is operable to achieve different levels of cooling of wrist of the user.

[0026] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a proposed device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 2 illustrates layers of a housing of the device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 3A illustrates an exemplary view showingcomponents of a cooling unitof the proposed device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 3B illustrates an exemplary perspective view of a thermoelectric cooler of the cooling unitof the proposed device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] FIG. 3C illustrates an exemplary representation of the thermoelectric cooler of FIG. 3B, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 4A-4B illustrates coupling mean of the proposed device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 5A illustrates a front view of the proposed device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] FIG. 5B illustrates an exemplary view of the proposed device worn on wrist, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure..

[0036] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary view of an actuator of the proposed device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary view of charging of the proposed device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [0038] FIG. 8A illustrates and exemplary schematic view of the proposed device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] FIG. 8B illustrates a view of exemplary arrangement of a cooling unit of the proposed device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] FIG. 9 illustrates a coupling mean to attach the proposed device on the hand, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosures as defined by the appended claims.

[0042] Embodiments explained herein relate to therapeutic devices. In particular, the invention relates to a device for controlling menopausal hot flashes. More particularly, the present disclosure provides a device for cooling a wrist area of a user to control menopausal hot flashes. As known, menopausal hot flashes occur due to malfunctioning of the thermal regulation mechanism of the body due to hormonal imbalances caused by menopause. In event of even a slight increase in core body temperature, the body keeps thinking it is overheating and tries to cool down by sweating and flushing and blood rushes to the skin to help shed heat. In an aspect, the disclosed device for controlling menopausal hot flashes works along the same thermoregulation principle by cooling blood flow in that it cools down blood to control the menopausal flashes, thereby obviating any need for HRT or any other medication.

[0043] As is well known, wrist is one of the key points for heat dissipation. During exercise blood flow through the wrist increases by four times, and the inner side of the wrist dissipatesfive times as much heat as any other part of the body. Therefore, cooling directly on the wrist removes heat faster and reduces sweating almost immediately, providescooling to the entire body and an instant comfort. Therefore, accelerating heat dissipation at the wrist by cooling is an efficient way to cool the entire body.

[0044] The present disclosure, by providing a cooling device that can be worn at wrist, makes use of above characteristics of wrist to efficiently and quickly bring down core body temperature during occurrence of hot flashes, Blood flowing through the wrist cooled by thedevice flows back to the core, reducing core temperature and eliminating the need for hot flashes by the body and providing instant relief..

[0045] In an embodiment, the device can include a housing adapted to be worn on the wrist, and the housing can include a cooling unit. In addition, the cooling unit can be configured to facilitate cooling the wrist, upon actuation of the device.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 1, a device 100 for controlling menopausal hot flashes is disclosed. The device 100 can include a housing 102 to be worn on a wrist of a user like a smartwatch strap, band, or the like.The housing 102 can includecooling unit 104 for cooling the wrist, an actuator 106 for turning ON and OFF the device 100, and a processing unit 108 for controlling the device 100.

[0047] In an embodiment, the housing 102 can include a top layer 202 and a bottom layer 204(as shown in FIG. 2), both are of same size and shape. The housing 102 can include multiple components that can be secured inside the top layer 202 and the bottom layer. In addition, the multiple components include the cooling unit 104, the actuator 106, and the processing unit 108.

[0048] In an embodiment, the housing 102 can be made of a breathable air mesh fabric, thus enabling the user to wear the device 100 easily for some time. The fabric can be nylon, polyester, rayon, and the like. In addition, the housing 102 can be made of Polyethylene foam or other similar material, thus the device 100 is lightweight, and enables the user to wear the device 100 conveniently.

[0049] In an embodiment, the cooling unit 104 can be attached to the housing 102 to cool the wrist of the user, thus providing comfort to the entire body. The cooling unit 104 can be a Peltier effect device. In another embodiment, thecooling unit 104 can include a fan 104A, a heat sink 104Bfor dissipating heat generated by the Peltier effect, and a thermoelectric cooler (TEC) 302 (as shown in FIG. 3A). The fan can be 5.0VDC fan and the heat sink 104B can be made of aluminum.

[0050] In an exemplary embodiment, size of the fan 104A can be 30x30x6 mm, the size of the heat sink 104B can be 34x34x10 mm, and the size of the TEC 302 can be 34x34x10 mm.

[0051] In an embodiment, the fan 104 A can be coupled to the heat sink 104B, and the heat sink 104B can be attached to the TEC 302. In another embodiment, the fan 104A can be coupled to a first end of the heat sink 104B using one or more screws, and the TEC 302 can be coupled to a second end of the heat sink 302 using an adhesive, for example, an arctic silver thermal glue, or the like. [0052] In an exemplary embodiment, the fan 104 A, the heat sink 104B, and the TEC 302 can be coupled to each other using any or a combination of compression method, adhesive bonding method, solder mounting method, or the like. A thermal interface materials such as thermal grease, thermal sheets, or the like are used to couple the components using the compression method. A thermally conductive adhesive such as epoxy is used to couple the components using the adhesive bonding method.

[0053] In an embodiment, the cooling unit 104 can be attached to the housing 102 using an adhesive or can be stapled, stitched, woven or affixed with means such as small pins. In addition, the fan 104Acan be towards the top layer 202, and the TEC302 can be towards the bottom layer 204.

[0054] In an exemplary embodiment, the heat sink 104B can be designed to maximize its surface area in contact with a cooling medium surrounding it, such as the air. Air velocity, choice of material, protrusion design and surface treatment are factors that affect the performance of the heat sink 104B. In addition, the heat sink attachment methods and thermal interface materials also affect the performance of the cooling unit 104.

[0055] In an embodiment, the TEC 302can include a cold side and a hot side. At the cold side, a cold conducting plate with threaded holes is attached. In addition, on the hot side of the TEC 302, the heat sink 104B is attached.

[0056] In an embodiment, the cooling unit 104 can be configured on the device 100 such that, when the device 100 is worn by the user, the cold conducting plate of the TEC 302 is in contact with wrist of the user to provide cooling effect to the user. In an embodiment, the device 100 can be worn by the user such that the cold conducting plate is on an inner side of the wrist, which dissipates body heat more efficiently.

[0057] In an embodiment, an actuator 106 can be coupled to the top layer 202 of the housing 102 using the adhesive, for example, silicon adhesive or the like. The actuator 106 can be a push-button that enables the user to apply slight force on the actuator, to control the device 100. The actuator can be coupled to the cooling unit 104 through the processing unit 108 for controlling level of cooling provided by the device 100. For example, successive pressing of the actuator 106 can change the level of cooling from a low level to a medium level and to a high level of cooling, besides putting the device ON and OFF.

[0058] In an embodiment, the processing unit 108 can be coupled to the housing 102 using the adhesive. The processing unit 108can be operatively coupled to the cooling unit 104, and the actuator 106. In addition, the processing unit 108 can include one or more processor(s). The one or more processors can be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate data based on operational instructions. Among other capabilities, the one or more processor(s) can be configured to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory of the processing unit. The memory can store one or more computer-readable instructions or routines, which may be fetched and executed to create or share the data units over a network service.

[0059] In an embodiment, the processing unit 108 can also include an interface(s). The interface(s) can include a variety of interfaces, for example, interfaces for data input and output devices, referred to as I/O devices, storage devices, transducers, actuators, and the like. The interface(s) can facilitate communication of the processing unit with various components coupled to the processing unit. The interface(s) can also provide a communication pathway for one or more components of the processing unit. Examples of such components include, but are not limited to, processing engine(s) and database. A database can include data that is either stored or generated as a result of functionalities implemented by any of the components of the processors(s).

[0060] In an embodiment, a power supply unit 110 can be coupled to the housing 102 to supply power to the cooling unit 104, the actuator 106, and the processing unit 108. Further, the power source can include any or a combination of rechargeable battery, lithium (Li) ion cell, rechargeable cells, electrochemical cells, storage battery, and secondary cell. In an exemplary embodiment, the battery can be a 3.7V Rechargeable Lithium Polymer that can consume power 5 watts maximum, approximately.

[0061] In an embodiment, upon actuation of the actuator 106, the power supply unit 110 can supply power to the device 100 to activate the device 100, further, the cooling unit 100 can be activated to provide cooling to the wrist of the user. Upon activation, the cooling unit 104 operates according to the Peltier effect. The effect creates a temperature difference by transferring heat between two electrical junctions, and a voltage is applied across joined conductors to create an electric current. When the current flows through the junctions of the two conductors, heat is removed at one junction and cooling occurs. The heat is deposited at the other junction. In addition, the fan 104A can be configured to blow air to cool the cooling TEC 302 faster. In an exemplary embodiment, the cooling occurs when a current passes through one or more pairs of elements from n to p type, thus decreasing temperature at the cold side resulting in absorption of heat from the environment. The heat is carried along with the elements by electron transport and released on the hot side as the electrons move from a highto a lowenergy state. Thus providing a cooling effect on the wrist to the user, and due to heat dissipation at the wrist, the entire body can be cooled automatically.

[0062] FIGs. 3B and 3Cshow details of the thermoelectriccooler 302 of the cooling unit 104 of FIG. 3A. As shown therein, the TEC cooler 302 includes an array of semiconductor devices comprising a plurality of n-type semiconductors 316 and p-type semiconductors 314 arranged thermally parallel and electrically in series between a hot conducting plate 310-2 and the cold conducting plate 310-1. hot conducting plate 310-2 and the cold conducting plate 310-1 can be made of electrically insulating and thermally conducting material, such as ceramic material. The n-type semiconductors 316 and p-type semiconductors 314 can be electrically coupled to a battery by copper plated 308 and wires 318.The heat sink 304 can be thermally coupled to the hot plate 310-2.

[0063] In an embodiment, the cold conducting plate can be sized to have a surface area in a range of 3.0 sq cm to 20.0 sq cm such that when the device 100 is put on wrist, an area of the wrist in a range of 3.0 sq cm to 20.0 sq cm is cooled.

[0064] Referring to FIG. 4A and 4B, a first attaching mean 402can be attached to a first end of a top layer 202, and a second attaching mean 404 can be attached to a second end of a bottom layer 204. In addition, the attaching mean can be a Velcro, and the first attaching mean 402 is a loop, and the second attaching mean 404 is a hook. Moreover, the device 100 can be easily worn on the wrist by coupling the first end and second end of the housing 102 through the first attaching mean 402 and the second attaching mean.

[0065] Referring to FIG. 5A-5B, a front view of proposed device 100 is disclosed. A support member 502 can be mounted on the housing 102, where, beneath the housing 102, a cooling unit 104 is attached. The support member 502 indicates the user to wear the device 100 in such a way, that the support member 502 needs to be positioned on the wrist, as shown in FIG. 5B.

[0066] In an embodiment, an actuator 106 can be positioned at a distance from the cooling unit 104. In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, an indicator can be positioned on the actuator 106 that can emit various colours. For example, when cooling level of the cooling unit 104 is low, the indicator can emit light of red colour, when the cooling levelof the cooling unit 104 is medium, the indicator can emit light of pink colour, and when the cooling levelof the cooling unit 104 is high, the indicator can emit light of blue colour.

[0067] In an exemplary embodiment, the user can choose a cooling level by pressing the actuator 106. For example, when the actuator 106 is pressed for three seconds, the device 100 can be turned on. Afterwards, pressing the actuator 106 for one second, the low cooling level can be selected, similarly, to choose the medium cooling level, and the actuator 106 can be pressed again for one second.

[0068] In an embodiment, cooling temperatures of the cooling unit 104 can be set in between 7.0 °C to 22.0 °C. In an exemplary embodiment, the cooling temperature can be set in between 7.0 °C to 10.0 °C, because below 7 °C the body starts generating heat to compensate and above 10 °C the cooling is not sufficient to be effective.

[0069] In an exemplary embodiment, cooling the cooling unit 104 forthirty seconds to one minute is optimal for immediate relief of the hot flashes. In addition, the temperature has to be maintained for more than three minutes otherwise the hot flash symptoms tend to come back. Moreover, the cooling area has to be more than one inch.

[0070] In an embodiment, power supply to the device 100 can be automatically cut off after activation of the cooling unit 104 for a few minutes and can be activated again after 5-10 minutes. In an exemplary embodiment, when the device 100 is in full charge, it can work for approximately two and half hours long.

[0071] In an embodiment, after a time period of around five minutes the cooling unit 104 can be automatically shut off. This time period of activation has been found to be sufficient to stop the symptoms of the hot flash before they are fully expressed. If the hot flash ceases before the automatic shutoff of the device 100, the user may simply depress the actuator 104 (i.e. on/off switch) to deactivate the device 100.

[0072] In an embodiment, the device 100 can be used for minimum fifteen cycle in full charge. In addition, the battery life can be 1.5 to 2.5 hour.

[0073] In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, when the battery is drained out the device 100 can be charged again. A USB port 702 is attached on the housing 102, which enables the user to connect the device 100 to a power socket using a cable to charge the device 100. In an exemplary embodiment, the USB port 702 can be a typeC port.

[0074] Another embodiment of the present disclosure pertains to a device 800 as shown in FIG. 8A. The device 800 can be of hexagonal shape to compact the device, and provide aesthetic look. The device 800 can include a housing 802 that can be worn on a wrist of a user. In addition, the housing 802 can include the cooling unit 804that can be attached to the housing 802 to cool the wrist of the user, thus providing comfort to the entire body.

[0075] In an embodiment, an actuator 806 can be coupled to the housing 802 using the adhesive, for example, silicon adhesive or the like. The actuator 806 can be a push-button that enables the user to apply slight force on the actuator, to control the device 800. [0076] Referring to FIG. 8B, a first attaching mean 822 and a second attaching mean 824 can be attached to the housing 102. The attaching mean can be a Velcro, the first attaching mean 822 is a loop, and the second attaching mean 824 is a hook. Moreover, the device 100 can be easily worn on the wrist by coupling a first end and a second end of the housing 102 through the first attaching mean 822 and the second attaching mean 824.

[0077] In an embodiment, the cooling unit 804 can be a Peltier effect device. In another embodiment, the cooling unit 804 can include a blower 804 A, a heat sink 804B, and a thermoelectric cooler (TEC) 804C. The blower 804A can be of 5.0V de fan and the heat sink 804B can be made of aluminum.As shown in FIG. 9 a hot side of the heat sink 804B can be attached to the TEC 804C using an adhesive such as arctic silver thermal glue or the like. In addition, the blower 804 A can be placed adjacent to the TEC 804C to blow air over fins of the heat sink 804B. In addition, a graphite sheet is placed on top of the heatsink 804B for better heat spread.

[0078] In an exemplary embodiment, the air can be sucked inside from the fan 804A, and the air can be released from the heat sink 804B in the housing 102, and the housing 802 can be made of the housing 102 can be made of a breathable air mesh fabric, thus release the air toenvironment.

[0079] In an exemplary embodiment, size of the heat sink 804B can be 34x30x8 mm, and the size of the TEC 804C can be 30x30x4.6 mm.

[0080] In an embodiment, a power supply unit 810 can be coupled to the housing 802 to supply power to the cooling unit 804, the actuator 806, and the processing unit 808. Further, the power source can include any or a combination of rechargeable battery, lithium (Li) ion cell, rechargeable cells, electrochemical cells, storage battery, and secondary cell. In an exemplary embodiment, the battery can be a 3.7V Rechargeable Lithium Polymer that can consume power five watts maximum, approximately.

[0081] In an exemplary embodiment, three small batteries are used for compact and flexible design. At least two batteries can be of 30x30x8 mm, and one battery can be of 25x22x5.6 mm.

[0082] In an embodiment, cooling temperatures of the cooling unit 804 can be set in between 8.0 °C to 22.0 °Cwith a 1.5 to 2.5hour battery life. In another embodiment, when the battery is drained out, the device 100 can be charged again. A USB port 812 is attached on the housing 102, which enables the user to connect the device 100 to a power socket using a cable to charge the device 100. In an exemplary embodiment, the USB port 812 can be a typeC port. [0083] In an embodiment, upon actuation of the actuator 806, the power supply unit 810 can supply power to the device 800 to activate the device 800, further, the cooling unit 804 can be activated to provide cooling to the wrist of the user. Upon activation, the cooling unit 804 can operate according to the Peltier effect.

[0084] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0085] The present disclosure provides a solution to the problem of menopausal hot flashes.

[0086] The present disclosure provides a solution to the problem of menopausal hot flashes that does not suffer from drawbacks of known methodology for controlling the menopausal hot flashes.

[0087] The present disclosure provides a therapeutic device for controlling menopausal hot flashes.

[0088] The present disclosure provides a therapeutic device for controlling menopausal hot flashes that uses body’s own temperature control mechanism to control hot flashes.

[0089] The present disclosure provides a therapeutic device for controlling menopausal hot flashes that is light weight and easy to use.

[0090] The present disclosure provides a therapeutic device for controlling menopausal hot flashes that allows a user to adjust amount of cooling.

Claims

We Claim:

1. A device for controlling menopausal hot flashes, the device being wearable as a cuff around wrist of a user and provide a cooling effect to at least a portion of the wrist of the user to control menopausal hot flashes being experienced by the user.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device comprises a cooling device to provide a cooling effect to at least a portion of the wrist of the user.

3. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the cooling device is configured to achieve a temperature in a range of range of 7 to 16 degrees Centigrade at the wrist of the user.

4. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the cooling device is configured to maintain a temperature in a range of 7 to 16 degrees Centigrade for a duration of 30 sec to 8 minutes

5. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the cooling device is configured to cool a wrist area in a range of 3.0 sq cm to 20.0 sq cm.

6. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cooling device comprises a cold conducting plate, and the cooling device is configured with the device such that, when the device is worn by the user, the cold conducting plate is in contact with wrist of the user to provide cooling.

7. The device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the cooling device comprises a thermoelectric cooler that functions to provide cooling effect based on Peltier effect.

8. The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the thermoelectric cooler comprises an array of semiconductor devices, the array of semiconductor devices comprising a plurality of n-type and p-type semiconductors arranged thermally parallel and electrically in series between a hot conducting plate and the cold conducting plate. .

9. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the thermoelectric cooler comprises a heat sink thermally coupled to the hot conducting plate, and a means for removing heat from the heat sink.

10. The device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the means for removing heat from the heat sinks is any of a fan and a blower that is configured to cause a flow of air through a plurality of fins of the heat sink.

11. The device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the blower is configured on a side of the thermoelectric cooler such that the blower sucks ambient air through air inlet holes and slits, and air after extracting heat from the heat sink is passed out through air outlet holes and slits, the air inlet and outlet holes and slits being provided on an outer surface and on sides of the device to prevent blockage during sleep. The device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the device comprises a power supply unit comprising rechargeable batteries, and an actuator to control supply of electric current from the power supply unit to the cooling device. The device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the device comprises a processing unit operatively coupled to the actuator and the cooling unit such that the actuator is operable to achieve different levels of cooling of wrist of the user.