Abstract: A thermostimulation device is disclosed, said device being intended for application to thermographic investigation and allowing sensitivity and specificity in the clinical field of such investigation to be improved, in particular for dermatology, oncology, angiology and capillaroscopy. The finding comprises a probe whose inside is discontinuously supplied with a refrigerating or a heating liquid mixture that comes from a reservoir where it is kept at the temperature that has been set forth previously for the specific test, respectively +5° C. in case of cryostimulation and +40° C. in case of “hot” stimulation. The introduction of the mixture into the probe is adjusted by means of a valve whose opening time is controlled by the operator, so as to determine the passage of a predetermined volume of the mixture immediately before proceeding to thermal stimulation. At the end of thermal stimulation the liquid is sent back from the probe to the reservoir.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns an apparatus for testing pain sensitivity in an animal. The apparatus can be used to evaluate pain sensitivity in response to a disease state, drug, surgical procedure, or other intervention. The subject invention also pertains to methods for testing pain sensitivity in an animal, using the apparatus. The apparatus of the subject invention can be automated and used in conjunction with software for control of experimental conditions, response measurements, and data analysis.

Abstract: A non-invasive quantitative somatosensory method is provided for evaluating erectile dysfunctions and involves the applications to the glans penis of different temperatures in increments of about 1° C. until the patient can correctly identify which temperature starting at an ambient temperature was warmer for at least two consecutive times. The method of this invention provides a relatively simple procedure to assess a patient's neurological response to therapies. Incremental decreases in temperature can also be used to assess a patients's neurological response. The method of this invention can also be supplemented, if desired, by determination of the spatial perception threshold and/or the application of pressure, i.e., the sensitivity to touch determination to provide a two-point determination.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining caloric expenditure of a subject. The apparatus includes a heat flow sensor having an overlay and/or conductive layer for measuring the evaporative heat loss, in addition to substantially total heat loss, for the subject. The sensor also includes a structure to enhance the migration of perspiration from edges or a bottom of the sensor onto an active region of the sensor. One sensor includes electrodes to effectuate electroendosmosis such that positively biased electrodes are formed at an edge or bottom of the sensor and a negatively biased electrode is formed at a center or top of the sensor. Through electroendosmosis the perspiration is migrated from the positively biased electrodes at the edge or bottom of the sensor to the negatively biased electrode in the center or top of the sensor. Another sensor places thermocouples at edges of a sensing portion to reduce a distance that the perspiration has to migrate.

Abstract: A portable dolorimeter arrangement for determining a subject's cutaneous pain tolerance level at any site on the body allows for chronic pain diagnosis, and for the diagnosis of subtle sensory abnormalities. The arrangement comprises a heat projector (9) and an IR thermopile (19) focused on the same area of the subject's skin. The heat projector (9) is controlled via an interface (22) by a lap top computer (4) which performs acquisition, processing, display and storage of pain tolerance latency data.

Abstract: Several embodiments of a temperature gradient sensing probe formed from a printed circuit thermocouple array are disclosed. The printed circuit thermocouple array is formed by an electrically insulative sheet having a first surface, a second surface and N electrically conductive junctions passing through the sheet from the first surface to the second surface, wherein N is an integer greater than one. N electrically conductive paths formed from a first conductive material are applied to the first surface, wherein each of the N conductive paths formed from the first conductive material have a junction end electrically connected respectively to one of the N conductive junctions and a connector end for electrical connection to a signal transmission conduit. N electrically conductive paths formed from a second conductive material, dissimilar to the first electrically conductive material are also provided.

Abstract: An arrangement and a method for scanning the human breast for localized areas of elevated temperature and which areas do not cool as rapidly as other areas. An array of closely spaced apart, small mass thermistors is supported on several, circle segment, flexible substrate support panels that are adhered to the skin for producing concentric circular closely spaced arrays of thermistors, each connected to a pair of conductors on the panels. The conductors are connected through a connector to a circuit which measures the voltage and/or resistance of each of the thermistors, which is dependent upon its temperature. The voltage and/or resistance and thereby the temperature of each thermistor is measured at several second intervals. A test subject is iced for causing vasoconstriction, and the rate of temperature change in each of the thermistors is noted, to note which localized area of the breast does not cool as rapidly as other areas, or to show other cooling profiles.

Abstract: A device and methodology is disclosed for the objective measurement of pain in awake human subjects. A variable intensity painful stimulus is given to the subject in a time dependent manner, the patient's brain responses are recorded using an appropriate imaging modality (e.g. functional MR) while the subject indicates the level of discomfort using a "perceptometer" or other similar pain rating device. The pain rating is correlated with the imaging results using a quantitative analysis to characterize the brain's representation of this pain. Color overlays are generated on high resolution anatomical images (MR or other modality) of the brain summarizing the calculated pain related analysis information.

Abstract: The present invention provides both devices and methods for determining a subject's cutaneous pain tolerance level at any site on the body so as to provide both for examiner and subject input as well as automatic data acquisition.The present invention fulfills a need for a devices and methods that provide a quantitative, objective measure of the pain tolerance level. The portability and automatic data acquisition capability of the present invention allow for its use as a cost-effective diagnostic tool in the general practitioner's office, thereby allowing for earlier assessment of neurological abnormalities than is possible with currently available pain measurement devices. The present invention further allows for chronic pain diagnosis, the diagnosis of subtle sensory abnormalities, and pain measurement quality assurance. The present invention is currently alone in its ability to address both the clinical and commercial needs in quantitative pain measurement.