APPARATUSES AND METHODS FOR COOLING A SURFACE
First Claim
1. An apparatus configured to provide localized cooling of a surface, the apparatus comprising:
- at least one cooling interface configured to contact the surface; and
at least one solid-state thermoelectric element thermally coupled to the at least one cooling interface, the at least one solid-state thermoelectric element being configured to facilitate a conductive transfer of heat from the surface through the at least one cooling interface, thereby decreasing a temperature of the surface.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatuses for providing localized cooling of a surface are described. Localized cooling devices may include a thermal element configured to generate a temperature gradient in a cooling interface in contact with the surface. Temperature gradient may operate to facilitate conductive heat transfer from the surface, through the cooling interface, and out into the ambient environment. The thermal elements may include thermoelectric cooling elements (TECs), such as Peltier cooling elements. In some embodiments, the localized cooling devices may be configured to treat swelling associated with periorbital edema by providing convenient, efficient, and continuous cooling of the affected area.
-
Citations
25 Claims
-
1. An apparatus configured to provide localized cooling of a surface, the apparatus comprising:
-
at least one cooling interface configured to contact the surface; and at least one solid-state thermoelectric element thermally coupled to the at least one cooling interface, the at least one solid-state thermoelectric element being configured to facilitate a conductive transfer of heat from the surface through the at least one cooling interface, thereby decreasing a temperature of the surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A method of cooling a surface, the method comprising:
-
providing at least one cooling interface configured to contact the surface; thermally coupling at least one solid-state thermoelectric element to the at least one cooling interface to facilitate a conductive transfer of heat from the surface through the at least one cooling interface; providing power to the at least one solid-state thermoelectric element to facilitate the conductive transfer of heat; and contacting the at least one cooling interface with the surface, thereby decreasing a temperature of the surface. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
-
21. A method of cooling human skin located in a periorbital region of a human face to reduce swelling thereof due to periorbital edema, the method comprising:
-
providing at least one cooling interface configured to contact the human skin, the at least one cooling interface being shaped to correspond to the periorbital region of a human face; thermally coupling at least one solid-state thermoelectric element to the at least one cooling interface to facilitate a conductive transfer of heat from the human skin through the at least one cooling interface; providing power to the at least one solid-state thermoelectric element to facilitate the conductive transfer of heat; and contacting the at least one cooling interface with the human skin, thereby decreasing a temperature of the human skin. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
-
Specification