US4585002A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for treatment of pain by frequently alternating temperature stimulation
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1985-04-22
•
Granted: 1986-04-29
•
Expires: 2005-04-22
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for use in the treatment of pain through frequently alternating temperature stimulation uses a Peltier effect thermoelectric unit to induce thermal gradients in a patient's skin to selectively elevate and lower the temperature of the skin relative to a baseline skin temperature for brief intervals. The duration, intensity, frequency, and direction of the thermal gradient may be controlled via a microprocessor-based controller and a set of rheostats.
Inventors
- 👤 Igor Kissin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:43
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F7/00; A61F7/007; A61F5/00; A61F2007/0075; A61F2007/0093; A61F7/02; A61F2007/0295; A61F2007/0296; F; F25; F25B; F25B21/00; F25B21/02; F25B21/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
Apparatus for treatment of pain by iterative application of a thermal gradient to the skin comprising: (a) thermoelectric means for generating a thermal gradient in adjacent skin tissue responsive to an electrical current input thereto; (b) controller means operatively connected to said thermoelectric means for adjusting the duration of the application of said thermal gradient and the direction of the thermal gradient periodically whereby the direction of said thermal gradient is reversed at least once per minute; and (c) means for varying the intensity of said thermal gradient by varying amplitude of the electrical current input to said thermoelectric means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
Apparatus for treatment of pain by iterative application of a thermal gradient to the skin comprising: (a) thermoelectric means for generating a thermal gradient in adjacent skin tissue responsive to an electrical current input thereto; (b) controller means operatively connected to said thermoelectric means for adjusting the duration of the application of said thermal gradient and the direction of the thermal gradient periodically whereby the direction of said thermal gradient is reversed at least once per minute; and (c) means for varying the intensity of said thermal gradient by varying amplitude of the electrical current input to said thermoelectric means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
96 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said thermoelectric means comprises: (a) a thermally conductive plate adapted for contact on one side thereof with the skin on a predetermined area of the body; (b) a plurality of thermally responsive semi-conductors operably connected to one side of said plate for inducing a thermal gradient therein in accordance with the amplitude and direction of electrical current flow through said semi-conductors; (c) a heat sink operably connected to said semi-conductors for dissipating excess heat therefrom; and (d) a second thermally conductive plate intermediate said semi-conductors and said heat sink.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
69 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said means for varying the intensity of said thermal gradient comprises: (a) a negative gradient rheostat operably connected to said controller means for varying the electrical current thereto when said thermal gradient has a negative slope; and (b) a positive gradient rheostat operably connected to said controller means for varying the electrical current thereto when said thermal gradient has a positive slope.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said controller means comprises: (a) means for selecting the direction of current flow through said semi-conductors; and (b) means for varying the diration of current flow in a selected direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein the duration of current flow in a selected direction is variable within a duration range of five seconds to sixty seconds.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein the skin temperature is varied by said plate between a lower temperature of 15° C. and an upper temperature of 43° C.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said controller means comprises means for selecting the direction of current flow through said thermoelectric means; and means for varying the duration of current flow in a selected direction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein the duration of current flow is variable within a duration range of five seconds to sixty seconds.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein the thermoelectric means varies the skin temperature between a lower temperature of 15° C. and an upper temperature of 43° C.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising a portable power supply operably connected to provide electrical current to said thermoelectric means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
67 words
Apparatus for treatment of pain by iterative application of a thermal gradient to the skin, comprising: (a) thermoelectric means for generating a thermal gradient proximal the skin responsive to an electrical current input thereto; and (b) controller means operably connected to said thermoelectric means for controlling the duration and intensity of said thermal gradient and reversing the direction of said thermal gradient at least once per minute.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
67 words
Apparatus for treatment of pain by iterative application of a thermal gradient to the skin, comprising: (a) thermoelectric means for generating a thermal gradient proximal the skin responsive to an electrical current input thereto; and (b) controller means operably connected to said thermoelectric means for controlling the duration and intensity of said thermal gradient and reversing the direction of said thermal gradient at least once per minute.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
77 words
A method for treatment of pain comprising the steps of: (a) applying a thermal gradient to the skin by placing a thermoelectric apparatus adjacent the skin over a local area associated with the pain whereby the temperature of the skin is varied within a predetermined range relative to predetermined baseline temperature; (b) varying the duration of said thermal gradient within a predetermined range; and (c) varying the direction of said thermal gradient at least once per minute.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
77 words
A method for treatment of pain comprising the steps of: (a) applying a thermal gradient to the skin by placing a thermoelectric apparatus adjacent the skin over a local area associated with the pain whereby the temperature of the skin is varied within a predetermined range relative to predetermined baseline temperature; (b) varying the duration of said thermal gradient within a predetermined range; and (c) varying the direction of said thermal gradient at least once per minute.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said applying step comprises: (a) varying the temperature of said thermoelectric apparatus by introducing electrical current flow therethrough, and (b) controlling the intensity of said temperature variation by controlling the amplitude of electrical current passing through said thermoelectric apparatus.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the direction of said thermal gradient is varied by varying the direction of current flow through said thermoelectric apparatus.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the duration of said thermal gradient lasts between five and sixty seconds.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the said predetermined range is from 15° C. to 43° C.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the predetermined range is between said baseline temperature and 43° C.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said predetermined range is between said baseline temperature and 15° C.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-04-28 | 1989-10-28 | 1990-04-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-04-28 | 1993-10-28 | 1994-04-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-04-28 | 1997-10-28 | 1998-04-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |