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THERMAL STIMULATION PROBE AND METHOD

  • US 20120095535A1
  • Filed: 12/26/2011
  • Published: 04/19/2012
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2003
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A physiological thermal stimulation probe, comprising:

  • (a) an electrically controlled heat control element including a part having a relatively low thermal capacity and adapted for contact with tissue on one side thereof;

    (b) a thermal sink/source with a relatively high effective thermal capacity and a relatively low thermal impedance, said thermal sink/source being thermally coupled to said side adapted for contact with tissue and said thermal sink/source having a thermal capacity of at least four times a thermal capacity of said part of said electrically controlled heat control element; and

    (c) circuitry which activates said heat control element to achieve a desired temperature stimulation profile of said tissue,wherein said coupling of said thermal sink/source to said side adapted for contact with tissue is sufficient so that heat flow between the control element and the sink/source can change a temperature of said side adapted for contact with tissue at a rate above 10 degrees Celsius per second.

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