Neuropathy Test Device

• US 20140163394A1
• Filed: 04/26/2012
• Published: 06/12/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: University of Brighton
• Original Assignee: University of Brighton
• Inventors: Katz, Timothy
• Application Number:
  US14/114,046
• Publication Number:
  US 20140163394A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/483
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0252 using ambient temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0431 Portable apparatus, e.g. comprising a handle or case
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/01 Measuring temperature of body parts ; Diagnostic temperature sensing, e.g. for malignant or inflamed tissue clinical contact thermometers G01K13/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0261 using optical means, e.g. infrared light
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4035 Evaluating the autonomic nervous system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4047 afferent nerves, i.e. nerves that relay impulses to the central nervous system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/483 by thermal stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7475 User input or interface means, e.g. keyboard, pointing device, joystick

Abstract

A device for testing for the presence of neuropathy by applying a thermal stimulus to a test area of skin includes a temperature sensing arrangement for determining a reference temperature being a reference skin temperature or room temperature, a thermal stimulus application arrangement and a temperature controlling arrangement for controlling temperature of the thermal stimulus. The reference temperature is used in controlling the temperature of the applied thermal stimulus. The device may include a blood flow sensing arrangement which provides a measurement of blood flow in an area of the skin which may be considered to be indicative of a blood flow in response to an applied stimulus.

Claims

1. A neuropathy test device comprising;

a thermal stimulus application arrangement for applying a thermal stimulus to a test area of skin in use,

wherein the neuropathy test device further comprises a temperature sensing arrangement for sensing a reference temperature for use in controlling the temperature of a thermal stimulus applied by the thermal stimulus application arrangement, wherein the reference temperature is a temperature of the ambient environment or a reference skin temperature.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the thermal stimulus application arrangement comprises a thermal stimulus applicator surface for contacting the test area of skin to apply the thermal stimulus thereto, wherein the heat transfer arrangement is in thermal contact with the thermal stimulus applicator surface for delivering heat to and/or receiving heat from the thermal stimulus applicator surface.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the thermal stimulus application arrangement comprises an applicator plate defining said thermal stimulus applicator surface, preferably wherein the applicator plate is a foot plate, or wherein the applicator surface is a surface of a pad.

4. The device of claim 2 further comprising a temperature sensing arrangement for sensing the temperature of the thermal stimulus applicator surface, preferably wherein the temperature sensing arrangement comprises a contact temperature sensor.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the device further comprises a thermal stimulus temperature controlling arrangement operable to control a temperature of the thermal stimulus applied by the thermal stimulus application arrangement taking into account a reference temperature sensed by the temperature sensing arrangement.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein the device is arranged such that a sensed reference temperature is input to the temperature controlling arrangement for use by the temperature controlling arrangement in controlling the temperature of the applied thermal stimulus.

7. The device of claim 5 wherein the temperature controlling arrangement is operable to control the temperature of an applied thermal stimulus in accordance with one or more temperature settings taking into account the sensed reference temperature, preferably wherein the temperature settings are user selectable.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein the temperature controlling arrangement is in communication with a temperature setting arrangement for providing one or more temperature settings for the thermal stimulus to be applied.

9. The device of claim 7 wherein the temperature controlling arrangement is arranged such that the reference temperature is used to determine a base temperature level for use in controlling the temperature of the thermal stimulus in accordance with a given temperature setting.

10. The device of claim 4 wherein the temperature sensing arrangement for sensing the reference temperature comprises a non-contact, and preferably an infrared temperature sensor.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein the thermal stimulus application arrangement comprises a heat transfer arrangement.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein the heat transfer arrangement comprises a thermoelectric heat transfer device, preferably a Peltier device.

13. The device of claim 1 wherein the temperature sensing arrangement is operable to sense the reference temperature at least before the thermal stimulus application arrangement is operated.

14. The device of claim 1 wherein the thermal stimulus application arrangement is selectively operable to apply either a heat stimulus or a cold stimulus to the test area.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein the device is arranged to automatically select whether a hot or cold stimulus is applied, preferably wherein the arrangement is arranged to pseudo randomly select a temperature for an applied stimulus between given limits above and below the reference temperature.

16. The device of claim 1 wherein the device further comprises a blood flow sensing arrangement for sensing blood flow in the skin.

19. The device of claim 1 wherein the reference temperature sensing arrangement and/or the blood flow sensing arrangement is in communication with a set of one or more processors for controlling operation thereof and/or processing an output thereof and/or communicating the results of the sensing.

21. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is in the form of a hand held portable device.

23. A method of operating a device in accordance with claim 1 comprising the steps of operating the temperature sensing arrangement to obtain a reference temperature, and operating the thermal stimulus application arrangement to apply a thermal stimulus to the test area of skin taking into account the reference temperature.

17. A neuropathy test device comprising;

a thermal stimulus application arrangement for applying a thermal stimulus to a test area of skin, and a blood flow sensing arrangement for sensing blood flow in the skin.

18. The device of claim 17 wherein the blood flow sensing arrangement comprises a transmitter for transmitting electromagnetic radiation and a detector for detecting electromagnetic radiation, preferably wherein the electromagnetic radiation is infrared radiation.

20. (canceled)

22. (canceled)

24. A method of operating a neuropathy test device including a thermal stimulus application arrangement and a blood flow sensing arrangement comprising the steps of:

operating the thermal stimulus application arrangement to apply a thermal stimulus to the test area of skin, and operating the blood flow sensing arrangement to determine the effect of the thermal stimulus upon blood flow.

25. (canceled)