Abstract: A physiological thermal stimulation probe, comprising: (a) an electrically controlled heat control element with a relatively low thermal capacity and adapted for contact with tissue on one side thereof; (b) a thermal sink/source with a relatively high effective thermal capacity and a relatively low thermal impedance, such that said thermal sink/source sink can rapidly change a temperature of said heat control element, at a rate above 10 degrees Celsius per second, from a temperature of below 100 degrees Celsius; and (c) circuitry which activates said heat control element to achieve a desired temperature stimulation profile of said tissue.

Abstract: A physiological thermal stimulation probe, comprising: (a) an electrically controlled heat control element with a relatively low thermal capacity and adapted for contact with tissue on one side thereof; (b) a thermal sink/source with a relatively high effective thermal capacity and a relatively low thermal impedance, such that said thermal sink/source sink can rapidly change a temperature of said heat control element, at a rate above 10 degrees Celsius per second, from a temperature of below 100 degrees Celsius; and (c) circuitry which activates said heat control element to achieve a desired temperature stimulation profile of said tissue.

Abstract: A physiological thermal stimulation probe, comprising: (a) an electrically controlled heat control element with a relatively low thermal capacity and adapted for contact with tissue on one side thereof; (b) a thermal sink/source with a relatively high effective thermal capacity and a relatively low thermal impedance, such that said thermal sink/source sink can rapidly change a temperature of said heat control element, at a rate above 10 degrees Celsius per second, from a temperature of below 100 degrees Celsius; and (c) circuitry which activates said heat control element to achieve a desired temperature stimulation profile of said tissue.

Abstract: A physiological thermal stimulation probe, comprising: (a) an electrically controlled heat control element with a relatively low thermal capacity and adapted for contact with tissue on one side thereof; (b) a thermal sink/source with a relatively high effective thermal capacity and a relatively low thermal impedance, such that said thermal sink/source sink can rapidly change a temperature of said heat control element, at a rate above 10 degrees Celsius per second, from a temperature of below 100 degrees Celsius; and (c) circuitry which activates said heat control element to achieve a desired temperature stimulation profile of said tissue.

Abstract: A vaginal probe, and method of use is disclosed for stimulation of the nerves of the vagina with the purpose of testing their reaction to stimuli in the hope of defining, and treating sexual dysfunction in women. One embodiment of the invention (20) includes a shaft (22) adapted to be inserted into the genetalia of a human female. The shaft (22) includes a stop (24), presented as a thickening of the shaft (22). The probe (20) includes at least one stimulation area (26, 28) defined on a portion of the shaft (22) so that only a selected portion of the genetalia is stimulated. The shaft (22) may have sensors for measuring the reaction of the nerves to stimulation, and the stimulation areas (26, 28) may stimulate the nerves of the vagina using temperature, vibration, electricity, and/or pressure.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring threshold sensitivity to a stimulus is disclosed. The apparatus includes sensory stimulation application apparatus for providing stimulus to a subject, computer apparatus for governing operation of the sensory stimulation application apparatus and operator interface apparatus for interfacing between an operator and the computer apparatus. The computer apparatus and the operator interface apparatus include apparatus for enabling an operator to selectably apply sensory stimulation to a patient minimally in accordance with any of the following protocols; method of limits, forced choice method; and staircase method. Other protocols which can be selected are Thermal Sensitivity Limen method and method of suprathreshold.