Methods and devices for applying hypothermic therapy to a human auditory system
AssigneeRestorear Devices, LLC
InventorCurtis S. King
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An assembly 100 to provide thermal therapy to a human auditory system includes a thermal transducer 125, a stimulus transducer 120, 135, a receiver 130, and a processing device 145. Some or all of the individual components may be carried in headwear. The thermal transducer 125 applies hypothermic temperature conditions to an area of the head near an ear. The stimulus transducer 120, 135 applies a stimulus signal, and the receiver 130 detects otoacoustic emission (OAE) responsive to the stimulus signal. The processor 145 compares the received OAE signal to a reference. Discrepancy between the OAE and reference is used in a feedback loop to control operation of the system 100.
Claims20
A method, comprising:
- providing a thermal therapy system, the system comprising:
- headwear carrying a device to transmit thermal energy to, or receive thermal energy from, a portion of the head of a human patient in the vicinity of an ear of the patient;
- a transmitter to impart a first signal to a portion of the head;
- and
- a first receiver to detect a second signal comprising acoustic emission from the ear;
- installing the headwear onto the head of the patient to dispose a heat transfer area of the device in operable registration with a temporal bone of the patient;
- using the transmitter to impart the first signal;
- using the first receiver to monitor for presence of the second signal;
- comparing a received second signal to a first reference to create a first feedback signal based at least in-part upon deviation of the received second signal from the first reference;
- and
- incorporating the first feedback signal into operation of the system to apply thermal therapy to the patient.
A method, comprising:
- providing a thermal therapy system, the system comprising:
- a device to transmit thermal energy to, or receive thermal energy from, a portion of the head of a human patient in the vicinity of an ear of the patient;
- a transmitter to impart a stimulus to a portion of the head;
- a receiver to detect a signal comprising acoustic emission from the ear responsive to the stimulus;
- and
- a processing element disposed in operable connection with the device, transmitter, and receiver to compare the signal to a reference;
- disposing a heat transfer portion of the device in operable registration with a temporal bone of the patient;
- using the transmitter to impart the stimulus;
- using the receiver to receive the signal;
- using the processing element to compare a received signal to the reference and create a feedback signal, the feedback signal being based at least in-part upon deviation of the received signal from the reference;
- and
- incorporating the feedback signal into operation of the system to control application of thermal therapy to the patient.
An apparatus, comprising:
- a device to cause flow of thermal energy toward or away from a portion of the head of a human patient in the vicinity of an ear of the patient;
- a transmitter to impart a first stimulus signal to a portion of the head;
- a first receiver to detect a second signal comprising acoustic emission (OAE) from the ear responsive to the first signal;
- and
- a processor disposed in-circuit with the device, transmitter, and receiver, the processor to regulate flow of thermal energy between the device and the patient based at least in-part on a discrepancy between the second signal and a reference.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.