Heating device for heating a skin surface on partial areas of the human body

• US 6,066,164 A
• Filed: 03/04/1998
• Issued: 05/23/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Therm-IC Products GmbH
• Original Assignee: David Macher, Heinz Zorn
• Inventors: Macher, David, Zorn, Heinz
• Primary Examiner(s): Dvorak, Linda C. M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ROLLINS, ROSILAND STACIE
• Application Number:
  US09/034,715
• Time in Patent Office: 811 Days
• Field of Search: 607/96, 607/98, 607/99, 607/115, 607/152, 607/154, 607/155, 607/156, 607/149, 607/72, 604/20, 219/211, 219/527, 219/528, 219/549, 219/546
• US Class Current: 607/96
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 19/01535 Heated gloves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00154 pulsed
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0078 with a battery
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/007 characterised by electric heating
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 1/3241 using predistortion circuits H03F1/3211, H03F1/3217 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 3/24 of transmitter output stages
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 1/02 Automatic switching arrangements specially adapted to apparatus ; Control of heating devices thermally-actuated switches H01H37/00
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/013 Heaters using resistive films or coatings
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/033 Heater including particular mechanical reinforcing means
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/036 Heaters specially adapted for garment heating
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/34 flexible, e.g. heating nets or webs

Abstract

The invention relates to a heating device (1), particularly for heating and/or maintaining the temperature of a skin surface with a depth effect on partial areas of a human body. The latter has at least one heat transfer element (2) comprising a heating element (3) and an energy supply device connected by an energy transfer device to the heat transfer element (2), and preferably a control and/or switching device (9). In order to supply the heating element (3) with energy, an oscillating switch circuit is located in the control and/or switching device (9) in order to generate constant pulse signals. Following this is an adjustable pulse modulation switching circuit for altering the pulse signals for controlling a power end stage.

Claims

1. Heating device for heating or maintaining the temperature of a skin surface with a deep effect on a body zone of a human body, comprising:

a heat transfer element;

an energy supply device connected via an energy transfer device to the heat transfer element; and

a control and switching device for controlling a power end stage so as to control energy supply to the heating element from the energy supply device, the control and switching device having an oscillating switching circuit for generating constant pulse signals, and an adjustable pulse modulation switching circuit for altering the pulse signals for controlling the power end stage;

wherein the heat transfer element comprises a multilayered construction having a film-like base layer formed of a resilient and heat-insulating breathable material, and a heating element attached via an adhesive to an inner side of the base layer, the heating element including a fiber-reinforced resin film attached to the base layer, a heating conductor layer attached to the fiber-reinforced resin film, and a resilient microporous cover layer adhered to and covering the heating conductor layer.

2. Heating device according to claim 1, characterised in that the power end stage is formed by at least one switch member.

3. Heating device according to claim 1, characterised in that the power end stage is located in the energy supply device.

4. Heating device according to claim 1, characterised in that the power end stage is located in the heat transfer element.

5. Heating device according to claim 1, characterised in that the pulse modulation switching circuit is conductively connected to a temperature selector regulator for temperature regulation of the heating element.

6. Heating device according to claim 1, characterised in that the heating device includes an adhesive layer disposed so as to contact and attach the heating device to the body zone.

7. Heating device according to claim 1, characterised in that the heating element includes a semi-conductor component forming a spot heat source connected to the heating conductor layer.

8. Heating device according to claim 1, characterised in that the cover layer is located on a heat transfer surface of the heating element that faces toward the skin surface and away from the inner side.

9. Heating device according to claim 1, characterised in that the heating device includes an adhesive layer located on at least one of a support surface of the base layer facing the body zone and a base surface of the cover layer facing the body zone, said adhesive layer being adapted to attach the heating device to the skin surface.

10. Heating device according to claim 9, characterised in that an adhesive surface of the adhesive layer has a configuration annularly surrounding the cover layer.

11. Heating device according to claim 9, characterised in that the heat transfer element, for protection from contamination during transport and storage, is provided on a contact surface having the adhesive surface with a detachable plastic film.

12. Heating device according to claim 1, characterised in that the base layer forms a recess in which the heating element is located.

13. Heating device according to claim 1, characterised in that the base layer of the heating element is formed from a glass fiber-reinforced epoxy resin film.

14. Heating device according to claim 1, characterised in that the heating conductive layer is formed of at least one of rolled copper, silver, and oxides thereof.

15. Heating device according to claim 1, characterised in that the cover layer is formed from resilient non-woven material with a hypoallergenic adhesive.

16. Heating device according to claim 1, characterised in that the base layer has an aperture which surrounds a cable of the energy transfer device.

17. Heating device according to claim 16, characterised in that the cable has a plug for detachable connection to the energy supply device.

18. Heating device according to claim 1, characterised in that the cover layer has a recess in a side thereof that faces the skin surface, and a non-woven material is disposed in the recess.

19. Heating device according to claim 18, characterised in that the non-woven material serves to accommodate a liquid active ingredient.

20. Heating device according to claim 1, characterised in that the energy supply device comprises a portable supply apparatus provided with chargeable accumulators, is conductively connected to the heating element for energy supply thereof.

21. Heating device according to claim 1, characterised in that the control and switching device is located in the energy supply device.

22. Heating device according to claim 1, characterised in that a plurality of heat transfer elements are connected to a supply apparatus via a supply cable.

23. Heating device according to claim 1, characterised in that at least one heat transfer element is located in a glove.

24. Heating device according to claim 1, characterised in that at least one heat transfer element is located in a shoe.

25. Heating device according to claim 1, characterised in that the heat transfer element is attached to a carrier strip.

26. Heating device according to claim 25, characterised in that end portions of the carrier strip have hook and loop fasteners.