Couplable portable device and system for skin thermal therapy

Abstract

The invention relates to a portable device and a system for the thermal therapy of the skin, characterized in that a therapy accessory (12) can be coupled via an interface (5) to a mobile data processing unit (7), preferably a smartphone or tablet computer, the housing (6) of the treatment attachment (12) overlaps the treatment attachment (12) and, directly below the surface facing away from the data processing unit (7), is provided with a heating element (2) which is coupled to the temperature sensor (3), the heating element (2) being connected to the electrically conductive interface (5) by means of an intermediate access control unit (4) or to the data processing unit (7) by means of a Bluetooth connection, the control unit (4) is configured to control the heating element (2) such that the heating element (2) is supplied with power via one or more storage batteries integrated into the data processing unit (7), such that the heating element (2) can be heated to a temperature predefined by the control unit (4).

Description

[0001] This case is a divisional application of Chinese Patent Application No. 201880042105.X entitled "Couplable portable device for skin thermotherapy" filed on July 13, 2018, the content of the parent application is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a couplable device and system for skin thermotherapy, in particular in the case of skin irritations or slight injuries caused, for example, by insect bites or plants.

[0003] In this regard, EP 1 231 875 B1 discloses a device for local thermotherapy of insect bites, which is suitable for acting on the skin affected by the thermotherapy. In particular, the device is equipped with a heating element designed as an electric heating plate and fed by a not specifically designated voltage source. In this case, in order to avoid possible burns, the temperature of the heating plate is limited to a maximum temperature of 50° to 65°, preferably 55° to 60°. In addition to this, this temperature is only maintained for a few seconds. To ensure this, the heating element is provided with a temperature sensor and a control device in order to control the corresponding thermotherapy, in particular the temperature used and the duration of the treatment, according to the above specifications. In practice, however, it is slightly impractical to carry a heating plate during outdoor activities.

[0004] It has been found in the case of skin irritations described above that, in particular, the effectiveness of the thermotherapy also depends on the fact that the thermotherapy can be carried out as quickly as possible. However, in the case of skin irritations caused not only by insect bites, plants, but also by fish, algae, jellyfish or other cnidarians, a reasonable treatment is usually carried out in so-called outdoor areas, the thermotherapy is carried out as quickly as possible, i.e. preferably directly on site. It goes without saying that a solution as compact as possible can be carried for a long time and enables timely treatment.

[0005] In addition, US 2017 / 0079834 A1 discloses a method for treating dry eye, in which heating bands are placed above and below the human eye, which are each connected via a current-carrying cable to a programmable control unit, which controls the further treatment of the eye. The control unit is also connected to a portable electronic device, such as a smartphone or a tablet computer. However, the heating bands are powered by the control unit, so that a suitable energy store must be integrated in the control unit.

[0006] WO 2015 / 1909397 A1 discloses a portable device for treating external lumps, i.e. swellings of the human body, which also proposes the use of heating bands or compresses for acting on the body affected. Here too, a thermotherapy is carried out, in which the user expects that he can treat the body swelling in an emergency situation even with a relatively bulky portable device if he is in the situation of the corresponding injury.

[0007] Finally, US 2017 / 0172227 discloses a portable garment, in particular for the upper body, in which so-called microtubes are built in, wherein each of these microtubes is provided with an inlet and an outlet in order to be able to heat or cool the air conducted through these microtubes, giving the user a cooling or warming. In addition to this, such a garment is provided with an environmental sensor for detecting the ambient temperature in order to be able to automatically adjust according to the ambient temperature and the user's assumption. This only relates to adjusting the temperature of the human body, in particular the upper body, and not to the treatment of possible skin irritations.

[0008] It is also known from some devices that are able to relieve the itching and swelling of insect bites with targeted heating and microelectronic control (EP 1231875, CN 102429762 A, US 000007537605 B2, US 000007637930 B2, DE 202012100037, DE 202014104077 U1, WO 2007 / 082648, DE 000019954424 A1). For all of the above-mentioned devices, they work independently and are provided with a housing, which is required for handling these prior art devices during the heat treatment. The mentioned devices are not enabled for the Internet or otherwise networked.

[0009] As a result, all known devices are not suitable for outdoor sports use, such as free climbing, mountain biking or long-distance cycling or hiking, etc., which are usually limited sports projects with personal luggage, because the luggage can not be ideally carried due to its weight and size. The same applies to long-term use in everyday life.

[0010] Based on this prior art, it is the object of the present invention to provide a portable device which can be carried simply and saves space and weight and quickly produces a preliminary relief or even complete medical treatment of the aforementioned skin irritations.

[0011] The solution according to the invention to achieve the above-mentioned object is a portable device according to the description. Advantageous embodiments of the invention can be found in claims 2 to 10. The invention relates to a portable device for the heat treatment of the skin, for example for insect bites or other skin irritations. In this case, the device according to the invention essentially consists of a small treatment attachment, the width and length of which is only a few centimetres, so that it can be easily carried, for example in a trouser pocket.

[0012] The treatment attachment essentially consists of a housing and is coupled to the mobile data processing unit on the underside via an interface. Via this interface, the treatment attachment can both be connected to the mobile data processing unit in terms of data and also be supplied with electrical energy. Via an external power source, an energy store, which is usually integrated in the mobile data processing unit, can be used to feed a suitably arranged heating element. By suitably operating the connected data processing unit, it is possible to place a surface thus heated onto the skin surface to be treated in order to carry out a heat treatment in the preferred range of 50° to 65° thereon.

[0013] This heat treatment serves to alleviate itching and a more advantageous healing process, which involves treating insect bites, snake venom or nettle substances, for example, which are transmitted by plants or animals, such as jellyfish. The device according to the application can also be used to treat herpes or other skin diseases.

[0014] By means of the heat treatment, for example, toxins registered are broken down and the healing process is accelerated overall. In this case, the treatment process can be displayed and tracked on the data processing unit via the data connection. It is also possible to reduce the risk of possible infections, for example, caused by insect bites or tick bites. In the coupled state, the usually larger area of the data processing unit can be used to place the treatment attachment on the skin lesion to be treated as usual, so that the small treatment attachment is easy to handle.

[0015] In a specific embodiment, in the housing of the treatment attachment, a heating element, which is generally embodied by a resistor, which heats up under control, is arranged directly below the surface of the treatment attachment, which faces away from the data processing unit in the coupled state. A temperature sensor is arranged directly adjacent to the heating element, by means of which the ambient temperature of the resistor is detected.

[0016] In another embodiment, the temperature sensor is in data connection with the mobile data processing unit via the interface, so that the temperature of the resistor can be controlled and / or regulated by means of suitable software.

[0017] In this case, both the heating element and the temperature sensor are connected to the mobile data processing unit via the interface mentioned above by means of an intermediate access microcontroller. The control or regulation of the temperature of the resistor is carried out by means of the microcontroller, so that this can be independent of the control or regulation of the mobile data processing unit if necessary. In this case, the heating element and the temperature sensor can be combined into a single component.

[0018] In an advantageous embodiment of the application, the interface is used not only to supply the resistor used for the heat treatment with electrical energy, but also to establish a data connection with the mobile data processing unit. It is thus possible to transmit further information, for example, about the treatment process, to the data processing unit and store it there. In addition to this, the data obtained can also be used to obtain information about potential infestations and the transmission of insects or diseases.

[0019] In a further advantageous embodiment of the application, the treatment attachment itself can be provided with a small energy store, so that the treatment attachment itself can be used at least for a preliminary relief treatment if necessary, for example in the absence of a data processing unit or if the data processing unit itself is not functioning. In these cases, the treatment attachment can also be used as a stand-alone device if appropriate.

[0020] The data obtained in connection with the treatment can be transmitted to the data processing unit, for example by means of a microcontroller, in a wireless manner, for example by means of Bluetooth.

[0021] In order to be able to use the treatment attachment universally, the interface is provided with a conventional port for connection to a conventional data processing unit, for example a lightning port or a USB port. In principle, a wireless connection, for example by means of Bluetooth or induction, is also possible. In this way, the attachment can be used in conjunction with all commercially available mobile computing devices.

[0022] In an advantageous embodiment, the application is designed to be waterproof or even watertight, so that it can be used in certain adverse conditions, for example in the rain and in sanitary cleaning.

[0023] In a further advantageous embodiment, the mobile data processing unit is equipped with software which can be used to operate and control the treatment attachment. In order to improve the function and the treatment carried out using the treatment attachment, for example, the user can save various parameters in the software, for example the application case, the body part, the age, the allergy case or the relevant illness, so that the treatment can be controlled and / or adjusted taking these parameters into account.

[0024] In addition, the software can be used to issue an emergency call relating to the address, for example when a defined event occurs, for example after a certain time after the treatment it can be determined that the user of the device according to the application lacks further activity or movement.

[0025] The application is explained in detail below with reference to embodiments.

[0026] In the drawings: Figure 1 a sectional view of the treatment attachment is shown; Figure 2 a mobile data processing unit to which the treatment attachment is connected is shown; and Figure 3 a functional block diagram of the treatment attachment according to Figure 1 is shown.

[0027] according to Figure 1The treatment accessory 8 comprises a housing 6, which on the underside has a counter-coupling of the interface 5 for connection to a mobile data processing unit 7 (not shown in the figure). In the housing 6, directly below the surface of the housing 6 facing away from the interface 5, a heating element 2 is arranged, next to which a temperature sensor 3 is additionally arranged. As soon as the heating element 2 is energized, the surface of the housing 6 facing away from the interface 5 is correspondingly heated, so that the heated section of the surface of the housing 6 can be used to perform a heat treatment. The heating element 2 is supplied with power by means of an electrically conductive connection, which is connected to the heating element 2 by means of an intermediate access to a microcontroller 9 via the interface 5. Figure 2 The treatment accessory 12 is shown as Figure 1 The treatment accessory 12 is shown as

[0028] As is also shown in the figure, the treatment accessory 12 in the coupled position only slightly protrudes from the data processing unit 7 in order to use the mobile data processing unit 7 for the purpose of the treatment of skin irritations for the manipulation of the treatment accessory 12, i.e. in particular to place the treatment accessory 12 with the surface facing away from the mobile data processing unit 7 onto the skin affected by the heat treatment.

[0029] Figure 3 A simplified block diagram of the circuit arranged in the treatment accessory 12 is shown. First of all, the circuit shows that the circuit arranged in the housing is connected to the associated data processing unit 7 via a power supply 10 and to the data processing unit 7 via a data line 11 by means of the interface 5.

[0030] In a specific embodiment, the heating element 2 is a resistor. In this case, the temperature sensor 3 and the heating element 2 are both connected to the data processing unit 7 by means of an intermediate access to a microcontroller 9.

[0031] Although not shown in the figure, it is possible or exists within the scope of the application that a mobile application, i.e. in particular an App, is installed on the data processing unit 7, which initially allows the start of the heating process and specifies the applicable parameters. Then, the heating element 2 is activated in accordance with these settings, wherein this process is controlled by means of the microcontroller 9, which also transmits defined data for the visualization and monitoring of the treatment process to the mobile application installed on the data processing unit 7.

[0032] The microcontroller 9 is usually implemented as a component of the control unit 4, wherein the control unit 4 is usually additionally provided with a transistor circuit for the power control of the heating element.

[0033] In this way, for example, the reaching of a predetermined temperature or the end of the treatment process can be transmitted to the data processing unit 7.

[0034] In an advantageous embodiment, the temperature sensor, which is likewise integrated into the housing 6, consists of two mutually thermally decoupled sensors, wherein one sensor measures the temperature of the heating element and the second sensor detects the temperature of the skin. On the basis of this arrangement, the healing process can be precisely monitored and controlled.

[0035] The connection of the treatment accessory 12 with a mobile data processing unit, in particular with a mobile application likewise installed on the data processing unit 7, makes it possible to improve the treatment process, since the mobile application is initially filled with data by the user himself, for example about the health of the user, which can then be taken into account when applying the treatment accessory 12. In addition to this, the monitoring of the treatment process by means of the mobile application can also be used to make an emergency call if necessary, i.e. if the parameters saved in the control unit 4 are met, for example when the user has no further movement or other parameters lead to the possible existence of an emergency situation. In these cases, an emergency call can be made automatically by means of the mobile application, specifying the potential place of residence of the user. A portable device for treating skin irritations or light injuries, for example insect bites, influences of nettle plants or stinging animals, which is small in size and thus easy to carry, has already been described above. In order to use the treatment accessory 12, it is only necessary to be connected to a mobile data processing unit, which is usually carried by everyone nowadays.

[0036] List of reference signs 1 coupling unit; 2 heating element; 3 temperature sensor; 4 control unit; 5 interface of the digital data processing unit; 6 housing; 7 mobile data processing unit; 8 9 microcontroller; 10 data line; 11 power supply; 12 treatment accessory.

Claims

1. A portable apparatus for skin thermotherapy, characterized by, comprises: a housing (6) provided with a heating element (2) and a temperature sensor (3); an interface (5) via which a treatment accessory (12) is coupled to a mobile data processing unit (7), the mobile data processing unit (7) comprising at least one of a smartphone and a tablet computer, the interface being formed as a rigid extension of the housing body; and a control unit (4), wherein the heating element (2) is coupled with the temperature sensor (3) and is interconnected with the control unit (4), the heating element (2) being connected to the mobile data processing unit (7) via the interface (5) to enable the heating element (2) to be powered via one or more accumulators integrated into the mobile data processing unit (7) to enable the heating element (2) to be heated to a temperature controllable by the control unit (4); in the coupled state, the portable device is directly connected to the mobile data processing unit to form a rigid coupling structure by inserting the interface of the housing into an interface opening of the mobile data processing unit, the rigid coupling structure enabling the mobile data processing unit to serve as a handle for the portable device in order to place the housing (6) onto a body part to be treated, with the surface of the mobile data processing unit (7) facing away, by correspondingly manipulating the mobile data processing unit (7), for the purpose of treatment of the skin. The heating element (2) is an electric resistor which heats up when energized, the electric resistor being arranged in the treatment accessory (12) directly below the surface of the housing (6) of the treatment accessory (12) facing away from the mobile data processing unit (7) in the coupled state, next to the temperature sensor (3), wherein both the temperature sensor (3) and the electric resistor are connected to one or more accumulators of the associated mobile data processing unit (7) via a power supply integrated into the interface (5).

2. The portable device according to claim 1, characterized by The temperature sensor (3) is in data connection with the mobile data processing unit (7) via the interface (5) or a Bluetooth connection.

3. The portable device of claim 1, wherein, An accumulator is provided in the housing (6).

4. The portable device of claim 1, wherein, The accumulator is a small energy reservoir.

5. The portable device according to claim 4, characterized by Both the heating element (2) and the temperature sensor (3) are connected to the mobile data processing unit (7) via the interface (5) by means of a microcontroller (9).

6. The portable device according to the preceding claim 1, characterized in that, The interface comprises both an electrical energy transfer (11) to the associated mobile data processing unit (7) in the coupled state and a data connection (10).

7. The portable device of claim 6, wherein, The portable device is connected to a conventional port of the mobile data processing unit via the interface.

8. The portable device according to the preceding claim 1, characterized in that, 9. The portable device according to claim 8, characterized in that the conventional port is preferably a lightning port or a USB port or a similar port.

10. The portable device according to claim 8, characterized in that the portable device is connected to the mobile data processing unit by means of Bluetooth. Both the treatment accessory (12) and the interface (5) are designed to be waterproof or watertight, and the interface (5) is provided with a corresponding sealing element for forming a watertight or waterproof connection with the mobile data processing unit (7).

11. The portable device of claim 1, wherein, ​ 12. The portable device of claim 1, wherein, The mobile data processing unit (7) can be operated and controlled by software for controlling the heat therapy, wherein the heat therapy parameters can be preset by corresponding input into the mobile data processing unit (7) by accessing the control unit (4).

13. A system, characterized by The portable device according to claim 1, comprising a mobile data processing unit, which comprises at least one of a smartphone and a tablet, characterized in that the mobile data processing unit operates and controls the portable device by means of a software application, and that the heat therapy parameters are preset by means of the software application in cooperation with the control unit by corresponding input into the mobile data processing unit.

14. The system according to claim 13, characterized in that The software application is associated with a geotracking function of the mobile data processing unit (7), and at least one of the smartphone and the tablet is configured to automatically make an address-related emergency call when predetermined emergency call parameters occur in the control unit, or to make an address-related emergency call by means of an operation of the software application activated accordingly.

15. The system according to claim 13, characterized in that The heat therapy parameters comprise at least one of a temperature and a duration of use of the heat therapy.

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