Limited heat transfer device and method
OwnerEichenlaub, John E.inventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Devices and methods for transferring heat to another object with close regulation of the maximum temperature obtainable. All embodiments utilize a vaporization unit wherein heat transfer material is vaporized. Vapors are directed to terminals where controlled heat transfer is effected through condensation heat loss. Terminals include devices for removing excess ear wax, providing physical therapy to body extremities and industrial, high temperature applications such as plastic welding. Condensate and excess vapor are under some circumstances reused through the use of a condensation unit.
Claims26
A vapor-utilization device for heating human body tissue without danger thereto at or below a predetermined maximum temperature, comprising:
- (a) vaporization means for heating a liquid within a chamber to produce vapors;
- (b) vapor transfer means connected to said vaporization means in non-diluting vapor-conducting relation for directing said vapors in non-diluted condition to a heating terminal;
- and
- (c) a heating terminal having throughout its extended use a normally non-pressurized interior in free fluid communication with the atmosphere and being connected to said vapor transfer means in non-diluted vapor-receiving relation and including a heat conductive surface which allows the heat of condensation to transfer from said vapor across said surface, said heating terminal comprising a heating chamber with a vapor inlet and outlet and a flexible, heat transmitting glove in sealed relationship within said heating chamber such that an object may be inserted into said glove within said heating chamber.
An ear wax removing device comprising:
- (a) a mounting member;
- (b) a curette having a hollow interior and rigid exterior surfaces movably mounted on said mounting member for forward and rearward longitudinal movement relative thereto and having a forward end portion and rearward end portion;
- (c) said curette having fluid passages defined within the hollow interior through which vapor may be circulated;
- (d) liquid vaporization means for providing a source of vaporized liquid;
- (e) vapor circulating means connected to said vaporization means and curette in fluid circulating relation for passing vaporized liquid through said curette thereby warming said curette;
- (f) curette mounting means movably connecting said curette to said mounting member;
- and
- (g) pressure applying mechanism carried by said curette mounting means and connected to said curette in pressure-transmitting relation for continuously but gently urging said curette forwardly.
An ear wax removing device comprising:
- (a) a mounting member;
- (b) a rigid, heated ear wax softening curette movably mounted on said mounting member for forward and rearward longitudinal movement relative thereto and having a forward end portion and rearward end portion;
- (c) a pressure applying mechanism mounted on said mounting member separate from said curette and connected to said curette for gently urging said curette forwardly relative to said mounting member;
- (d) curette-penetration limiting means carried by said mounting member for limiting the extent to which said curette may be inserted in the ear;
- (e) liquid vaporization means for providing a source of vaporized liquid;
- (f) vapor circulating means connected to said vaporization means and curette in fluid circulating relation for passing vaporized liquid through said curette and effectively warming said curette;
- and
- (g) wax removing means constructed and arranged to be utilized with said curette for removing ear wax after it has been warmed by said curette.
A method for closely controlling heat transfer to living tissue which limits the maximum temperature of a transfer agent comprising:
- (a) heating a heat transfer liquid to its boiling point to produce vapor, said heat transfer liquid having a boiling point below the tissue damage point;
- (b) sustaining said liquid at its boiling point;
- (c) directing said vapor through conduits to a heat transfer agent terminal;
- and
- (d) heating said living tissue by placing said heat transfer agent terminal in heat transmissive relation to said tissue such that same is warmed due to the heat of condensation.
The method of removing excess ear wax comprising:
- (a) heating a liquid to its boiling points to produce vapor;
- (b) sustaining said liquid at its boiling point;
- (c) passing said vapor through a heat conductive tube;
- (d) inserting said heat conductive tube within an ear until said tube contacts excess ear wax;
- (e) removing said ear wax when said wax is liquefied by heat;
- and
- (f) removing said heat conducting tube from said ear.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.