Medical devices incorporating thermoelectric transducer and controller
First Claim
1. A temperature control system comprising:
- a thermoelectric device;
a controller electrically coupled to the thermoelectric device wherein the controller is configured to sense a first value of an electrical characteristic of the thermoelectric device, to generate a first electrical control signal to pump heat through the thermoelectric device in response to sensing the first value of the electrical characteristic of the thermoelectric device, to sense a second value of the electrical characteristic of the thermoelectric device wherein the first and second values of the electrical characteristic are different, and to generate a second electrical control signal to pump heat through the thermoelectric device in response to sensing the second electrical characteristic of the thermoelectric device, wherein the first and second electrical control signals are different,a heat transfer structure thermally coupled to a first side of the thermoelectric device; and
a temperature controlled medium thermally coupled to a second side of the thermoelectric device so that the thermoelectric device is thermally coupled between the heat transfer structure and the temperature controlled medium, wherein the temperature controlled medium comprises a medical instrument configured to contact living tissue,wherein said controller is configured to provide thermal pulses to the temperature controlled medium.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A temperature control system may include a thermoelectric device, a controller electrically coupled to the thermoelectric device, a heat transfer structure thermally coupled to the thermoelectric device, and a temperature controlled medium thermally coupled to the thermoelectric device. The controller may be configured to sense a first value of an electrical characteristic of the thermoelectric device and to generate a first electrical control signal to pump heat through the thermoelectric device in response to sensing the first value of the electrical characteristic of the thermoelectric device. The controller may be further configured to sense a second value of the electrical characteristic of the thermoelectric device and to generate a second electrical control signal to pump heat through the thermoelectric device in response to sensing the second value of the electrical characteristic of the thermoelectric device.
82 Citations
38 Claims
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1. A temperature control system comprising:
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a thermoelectric device; a controller electrically coupled to the thermoelectric device wherein the controller is configured to sense a first value of an electrical characteristic of the thermoelectric device, to generate a first electrical control signal to pump heat through the thermoelectric device in response to sensing the first value of the electrical characteristic of the thermoelectric device, to sense a second value of the electrical characteristic of the thermoelectric device wherein the first and second values of the electrical characteristic are different, and to generate a second electrical control signal to pump heat through the thermoelectric device in response to sensing the second electrical characteristic of the thermoelectric device, wherein the first and second electrical control signals are different, a heat transfer structure thermally coupled to a first side of the thermoelectric device; and a temperature controlled medium thermally coupled to a second side of the thermoelectric device so that the thermoelectric device is thermally coupled between the heat transfer structure and the temperature controlled medium, wherein the temperature controlled medium comprises a medical instrument configured to contact living tissue, wherein said controller is configured to provide thermal pulses to the temperature controlled medium. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 37)
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36. A method of delivering caloric vestibular stimulation to a subject in need thereof, comprising:
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positioning a temperature control system in the ear canal of a subject; and activating the thermoelectric device to deliver caloric vestibular stimulation to said subject, wherein the subject suffers from migraine headaches, and wherein the temperature control system comprises; a thermoelectric device; a controller electrically coupled to the thermoelectric device wherein the controller is configured to sense a first value of an electrical characteristic of the thermoelectric device, to generate a first electrical control signal to pump heat through the thermoelectric device in response to sensing the first value of the electrical characteristic of the thermoelectric device, to sense a second value of the electrical characteristic of the thermoelectric device wherein the first and second values of the electrical characteristic are different, and to generate a second electrical control signal to pump heat through the thermoelectric device in response to sensing the second electrical characteristic of the thermoelectric device, wherein the first and second electrical control signals are different, a heat transfer structure thermally coupled to a first side of the thermoelectric device; and a temperature controlled medium thermally coupled to a second side of the thermoelectric device so that the thermoelectric device is thermally coupled between the heat transfer structure and the temperature controlled medium, wherein the temperature controlled medium comprises a medical instrument configured to contact living tissue.
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38. A method of stimulating a nerve in a subject in need thereof, comprising
positioning a temperature control system in or adjacent said nerve; - and
activating the thermoelectric device to stimulate said nerve, wherein the subject suffers from migraine headaches, and wherein the temperature control system comprises; a thermoelectric device; a controller electrically coupled to the thermoelectric device wherein the controller is configured to sense a first value of an electrical characteristic of the thermoelectric device, to generate a first electrical control signal to pump heat through the thermoelectric device in response to sensing the first value of the electrical characteristic of the thermoelectric device, to sense a second value of the electrical characteristic of the thermoelectric device wherein the first and second values of the electrical characteristic are different, and to generate a second electrical control signal to pump heat through the thermoelectric device in response to sensing the second electrical characteristic of the thermoelectric device, wherein the first and second electrical control signals are different, a heat transfer structure thermally coupled to a first side of the thermoelectric device; and a temperature controlled medium thermally coupled to a second side of the thermoelectric device so that the thermoelectric device is thermally coupled between the heat transfer structure and the temperature controlled medium, wherein the temperature controlled medium comprises a medical instrument configured to contact living tissue.
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Specification