ELECTRONIC COLDPACK AND METHOD OF USE

Abstract

An electronic coldpack and method of use are provided. The coldpack includes one or more thermoelectric components (e.g., thermocouples) that absorb heat at one surface and dissipate heat at another surface when energized (i.e., when electrical power is applied to the component). Multiple thermoelectric components may be aligned in a grid or other pattern, and sensors (e.g., temperature, optical, infrared) may be included in the coldpack and placed in proximity to some or all of the thermoelectric components. The sensors may monitor temperature output of the coldpack, monitor a temperature of an object to which the coldpack is applied (e.g., a body part), detect a skin condition (e.g., by skin color or temperature), or operate in some other way. In one mode of operation, the coldpack provides long-term uninterrupted cooling of the object. In another mode of operation, the coldpack is used to perform cryosurgery on a skin condition.

Description

RELATED ART

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/830,445, filed Jun. 3, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates to the field of electronics. More particularly, an electronic coldpack and methods of using an electronic coldpack are provided.

Ice packs are often used for topical cooling to alleviate pain or swelling due to injury, and for general cooling in shipping containers, ice chests, and/or other vessels. Ice itself is often used for such cooling, but is not reusable and therefore provides limited utility.

Reusable ice packs in the form of liquid-filled sacs or pouches are popular, and generally contain water, a non-toxic material, or a combination of water and a non-toxic material (e.g., hydroxyethyl cellulose, vinyl-coated silica gel). These packs are frozen and left frozen until needed, and thus are not always immediately available when needed. Some ice packs need not be frozen before use, however, such as those that contain water and a breakable tube of ammonium nitrate. When the tube is broken, the nitrate mixes with the water in an endothermic reaction, thereby cooling the pack for use. Reusable packs may be re-frozen and used again; also, in packs that use ammonium nitrate, the nitrate may be dried and reused afterward.

However, known ice packs, including reusable packs, have limited periods of use, and therefore provide only relatively short-duration cooling. Long-term local cooling of an injury may be desired (e.g., overnight), but one ice pack (or even a collection of ice packs) will be spent relatively quickly and will not provided the long-term uninterrupted effect that is desired. Further, ice packs tend to be bulky and/or unstable, and tend to easily shift position and become displaced from the area of injury. Their weight and/or shape may also be uncomfortable.

SUMMARY

In some embodiments, an electronic coldpack and a method of using an electronic coldpack are provided. An electronic coldpack incorporates one or more thermoelectric components (e.g., thermocouples, thermoelectric coolers), which may illustratively be installed in a lightweight and flexible wrap, with Velcro® straps or other means for affixing the coldpack in place. The coldpack may be powered by AC (alternating current) or DC (direct current) provided by an external source or an internal source (e.g., a battery or fuel cell), and includes one or more input controls (e.g., for setting a temperature or mode of operation) and/or output components (e.g., for displaying a temperature or mode of operation).

In some implementations, an electronic coldpack may include internal and/or external sensors, to determine a temperature of an object being cooled (e.g., a body part, a user's skin, an inanimate object), to help in positioning (e.g., an image sensor), to detect movement or loss of alignment with a reference point or position, or for some other purpose. Illustrative sensors include an optical sensor for capturing an image, an infrared sensor, a temperature sensor (e.g., a thermistor), and/or others.

In some therapeutic methods of use, an electronic coldpack is placed adjacent to or in contact with a target area (e.g., an ankle, a wrist) and secured using straps, a bandage, or other means. The coldpack is then configured to yield a temperature and mode of operation selected by a user, doctor, nurse, physical therapist, or other qualified operator. The configuration may include a time period of operation after which it turns off, may maintain the specified temperature indefinitely, may cycle on and off (e.g., to provide intermittent rest periods with or without changing a level of cooling), may include vibration (for massage purposes), may modify operation based on sensor input (e.g., to apply cooling only when a temperature hits a threshold, to only apply cooling by a subset of the thermoelectric components), etc.

In some embodiments, an electronic coldpack may be specifically designed to provide cryotherapy. In these embodiments, the thermoelectric component(s) is or are operated to yield a temperature low enough for cryosurgery to treat skin conditions such as warts, moles, actinic keratoses (AKs), or other lesions. Sensors within the coldpack may assist with positioning and/or targeting.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a block diagram depicting an electronic coldpack, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart demonstrating a method of use of an electronic coldpack, in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the disclosed embodiments, and is provided in the context of one or more particular applications and their requirements. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the scope of those that are disclosed. Thus, the invention or inventions associated with this disclosure are not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but rather is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the disclosure.

In some embodiments, an electronic coldpack and method of using an electronic coldpack are provided. In these embodiments, the coldpack contains one or more thermoelectric components (e.g., thermocouples) that provide cooling when energized (i.e., when provided electrical energy), in accordance with the thermoelectric (or Peltier) effect. In other embodiments, a device or apparatus described herein for providing cooling may also, or instead, be configured to provide heat.

The degree of cooling varies from one embodiment to another, based on the configurations of different coldpacks, which may differ according to the number and/or size of thermoelectric components, the number of stages, number of couples, current rating, their alignment (i.e., which side of a given component is oriented in which direction), and/or other parameters.

As one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize, a typical (single-stage) thermoelectric component is made of a mesh or grid of interconnected semiconductors of two different types (such as n- and p-types having different electron densities), arranged in parallel thermally and in series electrically, sandwiched between two thermally conductive plates. When a current is applied to the semiconductor mesh, one plate absorbs heat (becomes cold) while the other dissipates or radiates heat (becomes hot). When the current is reversed, the effect on the plates is reversed.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic coldpack according to some embodiments. In these embodiments, coldpack 100 features an array of thermoelectric components 110 and optional sensors 120, installed within a cover, swatch, pouch, sleeve, bandage, wrap, sling, compress, brace, or other means 130 for supporting and unifying the elements of the coldpack. Cover 130 thus acts as a base of the coldpack, and may be substantially flat except for the dimensions of components 110, sensors 120, and any supporting circuitry, and may be made of fabric, rubber, plastic, or any other flexible material that can withstand heat and/or cold.

Individual components 110 may be sewn into cover 130, the cover may feature pockets or slots for receiving individual components, or components 110 may be affixed to or embedded within the cover in some other manner. Optional strap 102 may be used to secure the coldpack in place, and may use Velcro fasteners, elastic, a clip, and/or other means for doing so. Multiple straps or means for affixing the coldpack to an object may be implemented.

Thermoelectric components 110 (and sensors 120) are aligned in a grid in FIG. 1, but may have various different layouts in other embodiments (e.g., circle, line, random, diamond), and may be spaced with any desired distance between adjacent elements. On the heat dissipation side of cover 130, which radiates heat, air channels may be built into the cover to assist with heat dispersion.

Components 110 may be homogeneous (i.e., of the same configuration) or heterogeneous (i.e., of different configurations). For example, in some implementations all components 110 of coldpack 100 may be identical and may be installed with the same orientation, such that when coldpack 100 is energized, all components are powered and one side of cover 130 absorbs heat while the other side dissipates heat.

In another illustrative configuration, different thermoelectric components 110 may have different configurations, such that some yield a greater temperature differential than others, thereby causing some areas of cover 130 to become colder (or hotter) than others. Or, different components 110 may be selectively powered depending on a desired temperature output.

In yet another illustrative configuration, one subset of components 110 may be installed with one orientation and another subset with the opposite orientation, such that when the first subset is powered, one side of cover 130 is cooled (or heated), and when the other subset is powered the other side of cover 130 is cooled (or heated). Or, they may all have the same orientation (e.g., their heat absorption sides are coplanar and their heat dissipation sides are also coplanar), but different subsets of the components are energized in different modes of operation.

In some embodiments, sensors 120 are temperature sensors (e.g., thermistors). In these embodiments, the sensors may be operated to detect the temperature output by the coldpack, or the temperature of a user's skin or whatever other object the coldpack is in contact with. Illustratively, the current supplied to different components 110, and the resulting output (e.g., temperature differential), may be adjusted based on the temperature that has been sensed by sensors 120. For example, if the purpose for using coldpack 110 is to maintain the object within a particular temperature range, as the temperature changes, more or less current may be applied, different components may be powered, etc. A given thermoelectric component may therefore cycle on and off at regular or varying intervals.

In some embodiments, sensors 120 are optical or infrared sensors, and capture images of the skin or other object in contact with coldpack 100. The sensors may, for example, identify dark skin colorings that are indicative of a wart, mole, lesion or other condition. The sensors can therefore assist in targeting such conditions for cryotherapy or cryosurgery performed by one or more of the thermoelectric components 110.

In some of these embodiments, components 110 may be very small (e.g., 0.1 inches, 0.25 inches), and tightly packed, thereby allowing them to target small skin conditions. Also, or instead, larger components may be employed, thereby allowing full coverage of larger conditions. Or, multiple small components may be selectively powered to cover a larger condition.

Coldpack 100 may be powered by a built-in source, such as one or more batteries (e.g., lithium-ion, fuel cell), or by a wired or wireless source (e.g., inductive coupling, resonant induction, magnetic induction). A wired or inductive power source may include a quick-disconnect tether that uses magnetic energy to remain connected, but that can be easily and safely disconnected if, for example, a user of the coldpack walks away while it is affixed to the user, shifts position while wearing the coldpack in bed, etc. Thus, although not shown in FIG. 1, coldpack 100 also includes a connection or coupling to an internal or external source of power.

Control panel 140 may be attached to any portion of coldpack 110, or may be remotely coupled via a wireless communication connection (e.g., Bluetooth), in which case the coldpack will also include suitable communication and computing components (e.g., a radio, a processor). Data regarding operation of the coldpack may be stored on the coldpack and/or transmitted to an external entity for processing and/or retention.

Display 142 of control panel 140 may display a current (output) temperature of the coldpack, a current mode of operation, a status (e.g., all components operating, a first subset of components operating), and the display may be cycled through various states to display different information. Controls 144 of control panel 140 allow a user or operator to set or change a mode of operation, operating parameters (e.g., minimum temperature, maximum temperature, a timer), etc.

Different modes of operation may serve to allow a timed period of cooling or heating operation, intervals or repeating periods of powering on and off some or all components 110, alternating between applying heat and cold (e.g., by reversing the current supplied to the components), automatic operation in which one or more components automatically start operating if a sensor detects a predetermined condition (e.g., skin temperature rising above a threshold temperature), setting a timer to turn components on or off, and so on.

As described above, not all components 110 must operate at the same time. In particular, different subsets of the components may form different zones that can be controlled separately.

Nonvolatile memory 150 (e.g., flash memory) stores settings, programming instructions for different modes of operations, communication parameters (e.g., Bluetooth paired device names), log files, usage history files, diagnostic routines, and/or other executable instructions or data for use by a processor included in the control panel or some other portion of the coldpack.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart demonstrating a method of use of an electronic coldpack, according to some embodiments.

In operation 200, the coldpack is affixed to, attached to, or otherwise placed in contact (or close proximity) to an object. This may involve strapping the coldpack to an injury (e.g., a sprained ankle, a sore knee) or to some other object that is to be cooled.

In operation 202, the coldpack is turned on by pressing an on/off button, plugging it into an external source of electrical energy. Turning on the coldpack will supply electrical energy to an onboard processor and make it available to the one or more thermoelectric components affixed to or built into the apparatus.

In operation 204, a diagnostic check or other self test routine is executed. This check may entail checksumming onboard memory, ensuring that connected sensors are reporting reasonable inputs, loading operating logic, etc. Results of the diagnostic check may be stored onboard (e.g., in a log file) and/or reported externally.

In optional operation 206, the apparatus may sense and activate a special mode of operation. For example, one or more input controls may be activated to initiate a diagnostic mode, reset the apparatus' programming to a default state, update operating logic, enter a physician settings mode, output a history log file, set a date/time and/or other parameters, clear a log file, etc.

In optional operation 208, if the apparatus includes or is coupled to an external device (e.g., an external, remote control pad), a handshaking process or other interface routine may be executed to establish or re-establish a wireless communication connection (e.g., a Bluetooth connection, a Wi-Fi connection). Success or failure of this operation may be stored (e.g., in an onboard log file).

In operation 210, a user or operator sets a mode of operation. This may entail activation of one or more input controls to select the desired mode, adjust any relevant parameters (e.g., temperature, duration, periodicity for cycling on/off), and/or other action. Operation of the device may begin immediately upon activation of a final control, or may automatically pause for a short period of time (e.g., a few seconds) to allow the user to make himself or herself comfortable, for example.

In operation 212, the electronic coldpack begins operating according to the specified mode of operation. As described above, this operation may entail any desired pattern of cooling, heating, alternating heating and cooling, changing temperature quickly or slowly, heating or cooling alternating with deactivation of the thermoelectric components, etc.

In operation 214, the apparatus determines whether operation should change. If so, the method advances to operation 220; otherwise the method returns to operation 212.

In operation 220, the apparatus determine how operation should change. Illustratively, if the user or an operator modifies the mode of operation or one or more operating parameters, the method may return to operation 210. If the user or an operator turns off the apparatus, or if the programmed mode of operation has terminated, or if a power connection is interrupted (e.g., the object moves and disconnects a tether that must be attached to enable operation), the method ends.

Some or all operations may be logged to an internal (and/or external) log file or history file, especially those operations that involve cooling or heating and setting operating parameters. Further, some or all operations may be confirmed with a display on a local or remote control pad, and/or with audible signals.

An environment in which one or more embodiments described above are executed may incorporate a general-purpose device. Some details of such devices (e.g., processor, memory, data storage, display) may be omitted for the sake of clarity. A component such as a processor or memory to which one or more tasks or functions are attributed may be a general component temporarily configured to perform the specified task or function, or may be a specific component manufactured to perform the task or function. The term “processor” as used herein refers to one or more electronic circuits, devices, chips, processing cores and/or other components configured to process data and/or computer program code.

Data structures and program code described in this detailed description are typically stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, which may be any device or medium that can store code and/or data for use by a computer system. Non-transitory computer-readable storage media include, but are not limited to, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, magnetic and optical storage devices such as disk drives, magnetic tape, CDs (compact discs) and DVDs (digital versatile discs or digital video discs), solid-state drives and/or other non-transitory computer-readable media now known or later developed.

Methods and processes described in the detailed description can be embodied as code and/or data, which may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as described above. When a processor or computer system reads and executes the code and manipulates the data stored on the medium, the processor or computer system performs the methods and processes embodied as code and data structures and stored within the medium.

Furthermore, the methods and processes may be programmed into hardware modules such as, but not limited to, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chips, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and other programmable-logic devices now known or hereafter developed. When such a hardware module is activated, it performs the methods and processed included within the module.

The foregoing embodiments have been presented for purposes of illustration and description only. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit this disclosure to the forms disclosed. Accordingly, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. The scope is defined by the appended claims, not the preceding disclosure.

Claims

1. An electronic coldpack, comprising:

a flexible and substantially flat base;

one or more thermoelectric components permanently attached to the base; and

a connection to electrical power for energizing the one or more thermoelectric components.

2. The electronic coldpack of claim 1, wherein:

the electronic coldpack is capable of multiple modes of operation;

a first mode of operation is characterized by all of the thermoelectric components being energized; and

a second mode of operation is characterized by less than all of the thermoelectric components being energized.

3. The electronic coldpack of claim 1, wherein:

the one or more thermoelectric components include multiple thermoelectric components;

each thermoelectric component has a first surface that absorbs heat and a second surface that dissipates heat when the thermoelectric component is energized; and

the first surfaces of a first subset of the thermoelectric components are coplanar with the second surfaces of a second subset of the thermoelectric components.

4. The electronic coldpack of claim 3, wherein:

the electronic coldpack is capable of multiple modes of operation;

in a first mode of operation the first subset of thermoelectric components is energized; and

in a second mode of operation the second subset of thermoelectric components is energized.

5. The electronic coldpack of claim 1, further comprising:

a control panel for controlling operation of the electronic coldpack.

6. The electronic coldpack of claim 1, further comprising:

means for affixing the electronic coldpack to an external object.

7. The electronic coldpack of claim 1, further comprising:

one or more sensors affixed to the base.

8. The electronic coldpack of claim 7, wherein the sensors include at least one of:

a temperature sensor;

an optical sensor; and

an infrared sensor.

9. The electronic coldpack of claim 1, wherein:

the base comprises multiple layers of fabric; and

the one or more thermoelectric components are disposed between the multiple layers of fabric.

10. The electronic coldpack of claim 1, wherein:

the base comprises a flexible sheath enclosing the one or more thermoelectric components.

11. The electronic coldpack of claim 1, wherein:

the one or more thermoelectric components are aligned in a grid pattern.

12. The electronic coldpack of claim 11, further comprising:

multiple sensors disposed within the grid pattern.

13. A method of cooling an object with an electronic coldpack, the method comprising:

affixing the electronic coldpack to the object, the electronic coldpack comprising one or more thermoelectric components;

applying electrical power to the electronic coldpack;

operating a control panel of the electronic coldpack to set a mode of operation; and

monitoring operation of the electronic coldpack.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein:

the electronic coldpack further comprises a set of sensors for sensing a condition of the object; and

monitoring operation of the electronic coldpack comprises monitoring information reported by the sensors.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein:

the object is a human;

the set of sensors includes a first sensor for optically sensing a skin condition of the human; and

the electronic coldpack is operated to perform cryosurgery on the skin condition.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the mode of operation is characterized by uninterrupted operation for multiple hours.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the mode of operation is further characterized by repeated cycles of:

energizing the one or more thermoelectric components;

de-energizing the one or more thermoelectric components; and

operating a sensor of the electronic coldpack to detect a condition of the object.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the condition is a temperature.