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US 2020/0345971 A1Published application
Wearable thermal devices and methods of using them
OwnerJeffrey J. SCHIRM, Robert E. TUCKER +3inventors
InventorsJeffrey J. SCHIRM, Robert E. TUCKER, Rochak CHADHA, Jeremy P. GRODKIEWICZ, Aislinn T. TAN
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Abstract
Described herein are forehead-mounted temperature regulation apparatuses and methods of using them. These apparatuses may be used for improving sleep. Also described herein are methods of improving sleep using these apparatuses.
Claims30
An apparatus comprising:
- a conformable body configured to be worn on the subject's forehead having one or more thermally conductive skin-facing surfaces;
- one or more thermoelectric temperature regulators (TERs) in thermal communication with the one or more skin-facing surfaces;
- one or more cooling fans coupled to the conformable body through a mechanical damping member;
- and
- a controller configured to apply power to the one or more TERs to cool or heat the one or more thermally conductive skin-facing surfaces to between 1° C.-30° C.
2 more elements
A method of treating a subject to improve or enhance sleep, the method comprising:
- applying, by a controller, a control scheme to a plurality of thermoelectric temperature regulators in communication with a skin-facing surface of a conformable body of an apparatus worn on a subject's forehead, wherein the control scheme repeatedly:
- applies power to the thermoelectric temperature regulators to cool or heat the thermally conductive skin-facing surface in thermal communication with the thermoelectric temperature regulator to a set temperature of between 1-30° C.,
- maintains the set temperature for a dwell time of between 1 and 15 seconds, and
- reduces or stops power to the thermoelectric temperature regulators until a temperature of the thermally conductive skin-facing surface varies from the set temperature by between 1-5° C.
1 more element
A method of treating a subject to improve or enhance sleep, the method comprising:
- applying, by a controller, a control scheme to a plurality of thermoelectric temperature regulators in communication with a skin-facing surface of a conformable body of an apparatus worn on a subject's forehead, wherein the control scheme cyclically applies power to the thermoelectric temperature regulators to cool or heat the thermally conductive skin-facing surface in thermal communication with the thermoelectric temperature regulator so that a temperature of the thermally conductive skin-facing surface varies by between 1 and 5 degrees about a set temperature of between 1-30° C.;
- and
- directing airflow from one or more cooling fans arranged to cool the plurality of thermoelectric temperature regulators so that the airflow is directed away from the subject's ears.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.