DEVICE FOR COOLING A BODY REGION

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for cooling and / or heating a body region, preferably a head region, comprising at least one thermally conductive skin contact material and at least one Peltier element, wherein the Peltier element is connected to the skin contact material. The invention is defined by the appended claim 1. Exemplary embodiments are disclosed in the dependent claims.

[0002] Thousands of cosmetic surgeries are performed annually, for example on the nose. After a nose operation, a 3 mm to 5 mm thin plaster cast is usually placed over the nose for postoperative care. In addition to medication, doctors also recommend cooling and drying the nose to achieve rapid pain relief and speedy wound and scar healing. An ice pack is often used to cool the nose and reduce swelling.

[0003] The disadvantage of using an ice pack is that it soaks through a cast or bandage, requiring frequent replacement. Furthermore, the cooling temperature with an ice pack is uncontrollable and is usually too low. It has been found that when cooling a swollen body region such as the nose to promote healing, a certain temperature must not be exceeded. Excessive, prolonged drops in temperature, which occur when using an ice pack, are undesirable, as the patient may experience negative effects such as pain, numbness, and other sensory disturbances.

[0004] This is where the invention comes in. The object of the invention is to provide a device of the type mentioned above with which a body region can be individually and efficiently cooled with little effort.

[0005] The object is achieved according to the invention in that a thermally conductive connecting element, in particular a thermally conductive foil, and a heat dissipation element are provided in a device of the type mentioned at the outset, wherein heat emitted via the connecting element via an outer side of the Peltier element can be distributed to the heat dissipation element.

[0006] A particular advantage achieved with the invention is that heat on an outer side of the Peltier element can be transferred directly or indirectly, preferably by direct contact, to the connecting element and can then be distributed or transferred to the heat dissipation element and then dissipated to the outside via the heat dissipation element. Alternatively, the skin contact material can be heated by means of a Peltier element. This allows a specific body region that is in contact with the skin contact material to be heated. This also enables different temperature profiles on each individual skin contact material. For this purpose, the skin contact material can be designed, for example, as skin contact plates. A device according to the invention can, for example, comprise one or more such skin contact plates.

[0007] The thermally conductive connecting element is preferably flexible and made of a heat spreader material, for example graphite or copper. The connecting element can be designed, for example, as a thermally conductive film such as graphite foil or copper sheet. However, the connecting element is usually designed as a flexible thermally conductive pad. A thermally conductive film designed as a graphite foil is bendable or flexible and wafer-thin. The thermally conductive connecting element is suitable for dissipating heat on an outer side of the Peltier element, wherein the latter is arranged between the at least one Peltier element and the heat dissipation element designed, for example, as an aluminum sheet. By means of a conductive thermally conductive film or a thermally conductive pad or a thermally conductive paste, heat can be distributed over a large area, in particular to the heat dissipation element provided for dissipating the heat.Particularly preferably, the connecting element is connected directly to an outer side of a circuit board. The thermally conductive connecting element is in particular flat, so that it covers a large part of a surface of the device. A cross-sectional area of ​​the thermally conductive film is at least as large as, but preferably many times larger than, a cross-sectional area of ​​the at least one Peltier element. It can be provided that the flat and thin thermally conductive film extends from a first Peltier element to a next or second one. Alternatively, the thermally conductive connecting element can also be designed as a thermally conductive paste or thermally conductive paste, which connects the Peltier element to the heat dissipation element. A cross-sectional area of ​​such a paste essentially corresponds to the area of ​​the Peltier element.If multiple Peltier elements are provided, a thermally conductive paste is provided between each Peltier element and the heat dissipation element. The heat dissipation element is preferably flat and extends, in particular, over a large part of the device.

[0008] According to the invention, the heat dissipation element is designed to be flexible. For this purpose, it can be provided, for example, that the heat dissipation element is made of an aluminum sheet. Two or more heat dissipation elements can also be provided if necessary. To make the heat dissipation element flexible, it can be made of a flexible material. Alternatively, the heat dissipation element can be designed in multiple parts, with the parts being connected in a flexible manner.

[0009] The Peltier element makes it possible to bring the thermally conductive skin contact material to a specific temperature, thus ensuring ideal healing of a swollen body region. For example, a nose operation can be individually cooled, particularly at the nasal bone, lateral cartilage, alar cartilage, zygomatic area, and cheekbones. The skin contact material is made, in particular, of a metal, preferably aluminum, copper, titanium, or a corresponding alloy containing such a metal. Particularly preferably, the skin contact material is made of a flexible metallic foil, for example, a silver-plated copper foil or an anodized or silver-coated aluminum plate. The skin contact element can also be made of a copper plate that is silver-plated in a first step and rhodium-plated in a second step, or of a gold-plated plate.The skin contact material can also be made of palladium or another metal. Alternatively, it may also be advantageous if the skin contact element is made of several small, rigid sheet metal elements. This allows the skin contact material to be adapted to the shape of the body region to be cooled, thus ensuring that the body region can be cooled evenly.

[0010] Heat can be extracted from the body region to be cooled via the Peltier element. If multiple body regions, such as both cheekbone areas, are to be cooled, a skin contact material and a Peltier element are provided for each body region to be cooled. If multiple Peltier elements are provided, they can be controlled independently of one another, with the Peltier elements being designed either interdependently or independently.

[0011] The wearable device advantageously comprises a thermally conductive layer structure with which heat can be dissipated to the outside, wherein the layer structure is at least partially flexible. This allows the wearable device to be flexibly adapted to a body region to be cooled, and heat can be dissipated to the outside via the layer structure.

[0012] The device is designed without any liquid heat transfer medium.

[0013] This prevents the area to be cooled, including a plaster cast or other dressing material, as well as the patient's skin and hair, from becoming wet. Furthermore, it is advantageous if the device is free of any flow-generating machinery such as fans, ventilators, and the like.

[0014] It is advantageous if a printed circuit board is provided. The printed circuit board is in particular at least partially flexible. Alternatively, it comprises, for example, two, three, four or more rigid parts that are connected to one another by flexible cables or the like. This further advantageously comprises several electronic components and extends in particular over the entire surface of the device, whereas the Peltier element is smaller. This means that the heat to be dissipated can be distributed over a large area and thus efficient cooling can be carried out quickly. No liquid heat transport medium and no fan and / or ventilator are provided or necessary. The device is designed to cool a body region, for example a head area or nose area, in particular after an operation.It is particularly advantageous if the circuit board is configured with one or more thermal vias to enable heat dissipation through a, in particular, heat-insulating, circuit board material such as FR4. Furthermore, a cover made of a thermally conductive material, for example a thin aluminum sheet, in particular with a thickness of approximately 0.2 mm, can be arranged on the circuit board, which dissipates heat from the vias to the ambient air. Furthermore, this cover can provide a smooth, safe, and in particular skin-friendly surface.

[0015] The circuit board expediently extends from one Peltier element to the next. However, the circuit board can also be interrupted by wire connections or two parts of the circuit board can be connected by a wire connection. Furthermore, it can be provided that the circuit board is arranged continuously over a warm side of the Peltier element. Due to the at least partially flexible design of the circuit board, the circuit board can be adapted to the shape of the body region to be cooled, so that the body region to be cooled can be individually and efficiently cooled. The at least one Peltier element can be controlled and regulated via the circuit board, which enables individual cooling. Furthermore, a flexible insulating material can be provided which extends essentially over the entire surface of the device and in which the Peltier element is embedded.The insulating material is designed to protect the Peltier element and other elements of the device from damage and wear. The circuit board is advantageously arranged on the outside of the insulating material. The skin contact material preferably has a larger surface area than the Peltier element and extends over an underside of the insulating material in order to subsequently cool a body region. The insulating material can be made of latex, silicone or another soft plastic, for example, or a combination of different plastics. Alternatively, the insulating material can also be made of or comprise a rigid plastic. In particular, the insulating material is made of a thermoplastic elastomer such as a thermoplastic polyurethane. For improved thermal insulation, a plastic film can also be inserted to prevent heat feedback.Furthermore, the skin contact material is always positioned on the device so that it is in direct contact with the body region to be cooled. Since temperature gradients can be precisely controlled with the Peltier element, the device can also be used for gentle warming, for example, in hot-cold therapy. The device is specifically designed to allow for cooling gradients. For this purpose, all cooling surfaces are freely adjustable and controllable, allowing any desired cooling curve to be applied to the desired location.

[0016] It is further advantageous if at least one heat sink is provided to dissipate the heat dissipated by the skin into the air through thermal conduction or free convection. The heat sink can be rigid or slightly flexible. It is advantageously made of a metal, in particular aluminum or copper sheet, which has good thermal conductivity and is not completely rigid.

[0017] It is expedient if an energy source is provided for operating the Peltier element, wherein the energy source is connected to the Peltier element in particular via cables. Alternatively or additionally, the energy source can also be connected to the Peltier element via the circuit board. The energy source can be designed as an accumulator and connected indirectly to the Peltier element via cables to supply power to the latter. In particular, an external energy source is provided. However, it can also be provided that an energy source such as one or more batteries or accumulators is embedded in the device. Cables of the Peltier element are preferably cut off close to the element and electrically connected to the circuit board. In particular, it can be provided that the energy source is enclosed in a plastic housing or accumulator housing, for example made of a thermoplastic elastomer, preferably one that is compatible with skin.

[0018] It is also advantageous if a control unit is provided. The control unit is connected to the Peltier element and the energy source so that the Peltier element can be controlled and regulated. Alternatively or in addition to the control unit, a regulating unit can be provided. The control unit and / or regulating unit can in principle be arranged in any position, but it is expedient if it is arranged between the energy source and the device. The control unit monitors and regulates temperatures with which a body region is to be cooled. This allows cooling processes to be designed as desired; for example, it is possible to set interval cooling or cooling at a constant temperature. In addition, the control unit allows certain maximum and / or minimum values ​​for the temperature to be specified, so that a desired temperature range can be set for an individual treatment.This makes it possible, for example, to avoid an undesired drop below a minimum temperature. Furthermore, a patient can individually adjust any treatment temperature to their well-being. Temperature values ​​and / or temperature profiles are particularly preferably variably programmable or adjustable. Furthermore, external signals from the body, environment and / or surroundings can be incorporated into a program sequence. The device or control unit can also be designed to be adaptive. This makes it possible to monitor bodily functions such as blood oxygen levels and / or skin resistance as well as external signals such as light intensity, volume and / or vibrations. Furthermore, the influence of the weather can also be monitored. Due to changes in temperature and / or air pressure, the probability of, for example, headaches or general physical well-being varies.The control unit for regulating special cooling processes is expediently controlled via a mobile phone or the like, which is connected to the control unit, for example, via Bluetooth Low Energy. The control unit and / or regulating unit expediently comprises an accumulator, an operating element for setting the temperature, and a rectifier for generating direct current. If several Peltier elements are provided, it is expedient if these can be controlled individually or separately in order to enable different cooling curves in different areas of the body. In particular, the at least one Peltier element is controlled with slow pulses of approximately 1 Hz, in particular approximately 0.7 Hz, particularly preferably approximately 0.5 Hz or less. However, the Peltier element can also be controlled with a faster pulse frequency. Furthermore, it can be provided that the device orThe control unit can be controlled via an app on a mobile phone, tablet PC, or similar device. Such an app offers various curves or data for different complaints, from which a patient or user can choose.

[0019] If a temperature is to be precisely regulated, it is further advantageous if at least one temperature sensor is provided. In particular, it is advantageous if several, for example six, temperature sensors are arranged at different locations on the device. The temperature sensors are preferably arranged close to the skin and on the cooling materials. In particular, the at least partially flexible circuit board comprises one or more temperature sensors. Furthermore, at least one temperature sensor can be designed to measure an ambient temperature. The circuit board can also comprise further electronic components, for example sensors for determining light intensity or bodily functions. Furthermore, it can be advantageous if actuator devices are provided, for example a vibration device for temple massage.

[0020] For treatments that also require the administration of medications and / or disinfectants, it is advantageous to provide a line for the administration of medications. This line is preferably located on an outer surface of the skin contact material. This allows for the simultaneous administration of healing substances to a body region during treatment, in addition to cooling the area. Such substances or medications are preferably located in a dedicated tank and can be delivered to the skin surface using a targeted control system.

[0021] It is advantageous if an acoustic output device and / or a vibration output device are provided. These can be designed to output various parameters such as warning signals and / or cooling progress for a patient or a treating physician. The vibration output device preferably comprises one or more vibration motors for generating a vibration signal or a vibration signal sequence. A specific vibration signal sequence or vibration pattern can, for example, encode a specific parameter, function, or warning signal. The vibration output device thus serves as a feedback system for, for example, overheating or a weak battery. Furthermore, it can be provided that the at least one vibration motor can be controlled externally, for example via a smartphone application.This allows, for example, a vibration to be specifically adjusted during a cooling phase so that it has a stimulating or relaxing effect. Alternatively, the Peltier element and / or the at least one vibration motor can be controlled by a predefined program that includes a predetermined temperature profile and / or a predetermined vibration sequence.

[0022] It is advantageous if a holder is provided for attaching the device to a body region. In principle, it is expedient to cool a body region such as a nose or forehead in a horizontal body position. However, it can also be provided to cool a body region in an upright position. For this purpose, the holder connected to the device is designed to attach the device, e.g. to the head. This provides additional support or a particularly firm fixation to enable use in a sitting or standing position or for portable use. The holder is designed in particular to prevent the device from accidentally slipping or wobbling. The device can also be designed in a shape that allows it to be held automatically to a body region, so that the device itself serves as a holder.

[0023] It is advantageous if the device is at least partially constructed in layers. In particular, the device is designed as a thermally conductive layer structure which dissipates heat to the outside and is also flexible. The skin contact material is connected to the Peltier element on an inner side thereof, wherein the skin contact material is in direct or immediate contact with the body region to be cooled. The at least one Peltier element is embedded in an insulating material to which the thermally conductive connecting element or the circuit board is connected. The circuit board is arranged on the outside of the connecting element, or vice versa. At least one heat sink is provided on the outer side, which is arranged above the Peltier element and can be designed as an aluminum sheet. An additional rigid cooling element can also be provided, which is conductively connected to the heat sink.Additionally, a wire mesh and / or expanded metal can be provided in the same plane. According to the invention, the heat dissipation element is arranged on the outside of the device and is designed in particular as a plate made of an aluminum alloy, preferably of the alloy AlMgSi1. This alloy has similar mechanical properties to spring steel and additionally has good or high thermal conductivity. The plate made of an aluminum alloy can also be coated on the outside with a thin layer of varnish. It is expedient if the varnish layer is a maximum of 60 µm, in particular a maximum of 50 µm, preferably 40 µm, thick. The varnish layer can comprise a primer and a varnish. Alternatively or in addition to the varnish layer, the plate can have an anodized layer.Furthermore, it can be provided that the heat dissipation element comprises recesses such as slots, circles or the like, particularly approximately in the center, so that the heat dissipation element is particularly flexible in this area. Alternatively, the heat dissipation element can also be made thinner in certain areas in order to adapt it specifically to any body shape via predetermined bend points. Such material weakening for the predetermined bend points can also be achieved, for example, by milled pockets. It is also advantageous if the device is largely flexible so that it can be adapted to the body region to be cooled. The individual layers of the device are connected to one another by a thermally conductive adhesive, a thermally conductive film and / or a thermally conductive paste, in particular glued, welded, soldered or otherwise joined. For example, the connecting element can be designed as thermally conductive paste.Alternatively, the individual layers can be milled from a solid piece.

[0024] The device according to the invention is fundamentally designed to be flexible. For this purpose, the predetermined bending points or bending points can generally be designed in any way. An articulated connection of individual sections of the device is also possible, although this results in a more complex structure.

[0025] Further features, advantages, and effects will become apparent from the following exemplary embodiments. The drawings, to which reference is made, show: Fig. 1 shows a section through a device according to the invention; Fig. 2 shows a device according to the invention; Fig. 3 shows a further device according to the invention; Fig. 4 shows a further device according to the invention; Fig. 5 shows a schematic representation of a device according to the invention; Fig. 6 shows a further schematic representation of a device according to the invention; Fig. 7 shows a schematic representation of a further device according to the invention; Fig. 8 shows a schematic representation of part of a further device according to the invention.

[0026] Fig. 1 shows a section through a device 1 according to the invention for cooling a body region, which is designed for cooling a nasal area. The device 1 is designed in layers. On an underside of the device 1, two skin contact materials 2 are provided, which can be arranged on body regions to be cooled. Above each of these, a Peltier element 3 is provided, which directly adjoins the respective skin contact material 2. The Peltier elements 3 are arranged in a flexible insulating material 11, which can be made of latex, silicone or another soft plastic, in particular of a thermoplastic elastomer such as a thermoplastic polyurethane, and has a cold and a warm side. Adjoining the insulating material 11 is a connecting element designed as a heat-conducting foil 5, which is designed as a graphite foil or, in principle, as a so-called heat spreader material.In principle, however, the connecting element can also be formed from thermally conductive paste, which connects the Peltier element 3 to a heat dissipation element 12. An at least partially flexible circuit board 4 is provided on the outside of the thermally conductive foil 5. The circuit board 4 advantageously comprises one or more . Fig. 1 temperature sensors 18 (not shown) and / or other electronic components. Both the insulating material 11 and the heat-conducting foil 5 and the circuit board 4 are at least partially flexible or bendable, so that they adapt to the shape of the nose area. Furthermore, these elements extend substantially over an entire area of ​​the device 1. Furthermore, two rigid heat sinks 6 are provided, with a heat dissipation element 12 such as a wire mesh being arranged between them, which closes off the device 1 on the outside. Instead of the wire mesh, expanded metal or full-surface aluminum strip can also be provided as the heat dissipation element 12. The heat dissipation element 12 is designed with different thicknesses so that it can be individually adapted to a body region. An inner region of such a device 1 can also be rigid.To prevent the device 1 from slipping, two anti-slip elements 13 are provided. These rest on a skin surface and can be made of latex. In principle, the device 1 can comprise any number of anti-slip elements 13. The individual layers of the device 1 are preferably at least partially bonded to one another, for example, with thermally conductive adhesive. Furthermore, a connecting element 14 made of textile, silicone, or a soft plastic can be arranged at two lateral ends.

[0027] To supply the Peltier element 3 with energy or current, an energy source 7, preferably designed as a rechargeable battery, is provided, which is indirectly connected to the device 1 via a cable 8. Furthermore, a control unit 9 is provided, which is preferably arranged locally near the energy source 7 and connected to it, and is also connected to the device via the cable 8. However, the energy source 7 can also be integrated directly into the device 1.

[0028] In Fig. 2 the device 1 according to the invention for cooling a body region according to Fig. 1 which is arranged on the nasal area of ​​a patient. This comprises two skin contact materials 2 and two Peltier elements 3. The skin contact materials 2 are Fig. 2 not visible, since these are each arranged between a Peltier element 3 and a skin of the nose area. The illustrated device 1 further comprises two rigid heat sinks 6, which are arranged on both sides of the nose. However, only a single heat sink 6 can be provided. Fig. 2 Insulating material 11 is also visible. Also shown are external energy source 7 and external control unit 9, which are connected to device 1 via cable 8. Energy source 7 can, for example, be arranged on the neck of a patient, being fixedly connected to device 1 or connectable to it. Furthermore, cords or the like can be provided for adjusting the size of device 1, which can be arranged behind the patient's ears and thus fix device 1 to the patient's head. A holder 10 (not shown) can also be provided for fastening device 1 to the patient's head. A device 1 for cooling a nasal area can, for example, be used after nasal surgery, lacrimal sac removal, eyelid surgery, or in the case of facial swelling.Furthermore, the device 1 is suitable for promoting blood circulation and reducing wrinkles or dark circles under the eyes.

[0029] Fig. 3 and 4each show a further device 1 according to the invention for cooling a body region. These are each designed to cool a forehead and temple region and each comprise several skin contact materials 2 and Peltier elements 3. Cooling is advantageously carried out precisely at the frontal branch and at the roots of the trigeminal nerve, with four cooling points being provided. These locations are cooled for this purpose with Peltier elements 3 arranged accordingly on the device. The Peltier elements 3 are powered by an energy source 7. In addition to the energy source 7, a control unit 9 is provided, via which the device 1 can be controlled and regulated. The energy source 7 and the control unit 9 are connected to the Peltier elements 3 via cables 8, with cables 8 being guided within the device 1 and therefore in Fig. 3 are not shown. The device 1 further comprises a heat dissipation element 12, which can be designed to be bendable. Particularly preferably, the heat dissipation element 12 is formed as an aluminum sheet made of the alloy AlMgSi1, which has similar properties to spring steel and also conducts heat well. This makes the device 1 adaptable to different head shapes and sizes. Furthermore, the device 1 can have a predetermined bending point 21, for example, between the forehead and temple. In addition, the Fig. 3 The device 1 shown can be attached to the head of a patient via a holder 10. The holder 10 can be made of textile, silicone, or a soft plastic and fixes the device to the head so that it does not slip. Fig. 4 In contrast, the device 1 shown is designed such that it can be automatically fixed to the head of a patient or user without a holder 10 due to a clamping effect of the heat dissipation element 12, which is designed as an aluminum sheet. This device 1 comprises a bracket with an energy source 7, wherein the bracket can be arranged behind an ear of the patient such that the device 1 is fixed to the patient's head. The device 1 therefore has a shape similar to glasses and is flexible so that the device 1 can be put on. Furthermore, the device 1 can have a predetermined bending point 21 in the area of ​​the ear in addition to a predetermined bending point 21 between the forehead and temple. It can also be provided to integrate a device 1 into optical glasses, sunglasses or virtual reality glasses or into a helmet or other wearables.

[0030] One in Fig. 3 and 4The device 1 shown for cooling a forehead and temple region can have a positive effect on various complaints: migraines, headaches, stress, fever, difficulty concentrating, hot flashes, circulatory problems, fatigue, loss of energy, sinusitis and other complaints. Furthermore, such a device 1 can be used by astronauts in space, as they often suffer from headaches, nausea and disorientation. Another application is for fighter pilots, snipers, air traffic controllers and similar professional groups. It can also be provided that the individual elements of the device 1 are enclosed in a casing made of, for example, plastic, in order to protect the Peltier element 3 and its thermal transitions from mechanical stress. A casing made of plastic advantageously has a corresponding degree of flexibility, so that the device 1 is designed to be flexible.A plastic with a Shore hardness in the range of approximately 50 Shore to 70 Shore is particularly suitable for this purpose, so that an optimum of adaptability and usage properties is achieved.

[0031] In Fig. 5 A schematic representation of a device 1 according to the invention is shown, in which a layered structure of the device 1 is evident. To ensure efficient heat transfer, individual layers of the device 1 are connected to one another, in particular glued to one another, using a thermally conductive adhesive, a self-adhesive thermally conductive film, a thermally conductive pad 16, and / or a thermally conductive paste.The layered device 1 comprises, starting from one side resting on a body region to be cooled: a skin contact material 2 formed as an anodized or silver-plated aluminum plate, a first silver-plated and then rhodium-plated copper plate, or a nickel-plated and gold-plated copper plate, a Peltier element 3 embedded in an insulating material 11, a circuit board 4 with several electronic components 15, a connecting element formed as a heat-conducting foil 5, and a heat dissipation element 12, preferably made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The copper plate can, for example, be manufactured as a deep-drawn stamped part.

[0032] Also Fig. 6 shows a schematic representation of a device 1 according to the invention. This essentially corresponds to the representation in Fig. 5 In contrast to a Fig. 5 In the device 1 shown, the circuit board 4 runs between a warm side of the Peltier element 3 and the heat-conducting foil 5 or the heat dissipation element 12. Thus, heat is dissipated via the circuit board 4 to the heat-conducting foil 5 and the heat dissipation element 12.

[0033] A schematic representation of a further device 1 according to the invention is shown in Fig. 7 shown. This, in turn, is constructed in layers and comprises a skin contact material 2, a Peltier element 3, a circuit board 4, in particular made predominantly of copper, an optional thermally conductive foil 5, and a heat dissipation element 12. The skin contact material 2 is connected to the Peltier element 3 via a thermally conductive pad 16, which is also connected to the heat dissipation element 12 via a thermally conductive pad 16. Furthermore, an insulating material 11 is provided. The device 1 further comprises a cavity 17 or air-filled space in order to thermally decouple a cold and warm side of the Peltier element 3 from one another.

[0034] It can further be provided that an electrical circuit board 4, which is constructed from rigid and flexible parts, is integrated into the entire device 1. This allows the electronic circuit to be installed in a highly integrated manner in the device 1. Such a circuit board 4 has flexibility at the desired locations, allowing strong bends without damage. At the front of the device 1, the waste heat of the Peltier element 3 is dissipated via a flexible part of the circuit board 4, which is arranged between two thermal pads. Due to the very thin design of the flexible part of the electrical circuit board 2 (approximately 130 µm), the desired heat dissipation via the thermal pads to the surface of the heat dissipation element 12 is hardly affected. The circuit board 4 further comprises copper tracks, which run through the flexible and rigid parts of the circuit board and are electrically connected to one another.This allows additional electrical components, such as temperature sensors 18, to be soldered onto the circuit board 4. Since the copper tracks on the circuit board 4 also heat up, a temperature sensor 18 soldered onto it will also adopt this temperature. Thus, temperatures at the desired locations can be easily measured, since the sensors on the flexible part of the circuit board 4 comprise thermal and electrical connections. Due to their flexibility, parts of the flexible circuit board 4 can be designed such that they can be bent at desired measuring points and partially clamped into the thermal layer structure. Furthermore, overall heat dissipation is improved if the flexible part of the electrical circuit board 4 consists largely of copper tracks, since the heat can also be dissipated along these copper tracks or copper lines of the electrical circuit board 4.The flexible part of the circuit board 4 is therefore basically designed for electronics, whereby the circuit board 4 also has good thermal conductivity due to the copper tracks, which is why it is also ideally suited for temperature measurements.

[0035] In Fig. 8 a first half of a further embodiment of a device 1 is shown. The second half of the device 1 or the complete device 1 is obtained by mirroring the first half about an axis which is Fig. 8is shown by a dashed line, or by extending the device 1 beyond this line. The second half of the device 1 is designed essentially analogously to the first half of the device 1, but does not necessarily comprise all of the components shown. In this case, the holder 10 comprises a sheet metal construction, in particular made of an AlMgSi1 sheet. Individual parts of the holder 10, for example sheets, can have different sizes and / or recesses in order to maximize a surface which is in direct contact with ambient air. The individual sheets of the holder 10 can preferably be glued, screwed, soldered, welded or connected in some other way. Alternatively, the holder 10 can be made from a single piece, for example by milling and / or other machining processes.Active regions of such a device 1 can each comprise a Peltier element 3 and at least one temperature sensor 18. Furthermore, a skin contact material 2 can be provided, which is preferably designed as a gold-plated skin contact plate. The skin contact plate can comprise a material with good thermal conductivity, in particular copper. For example, at least one thermal pad 19 can be arranged beneath the skin contact material 2. An insulating material 11 or a flexible plastic part, in particular made of a thermoplastic elastomer, can be arranged on an upper side of the device 1, in particular in a flexible region, for example in the region of predetermined bend points 21. This flexible plastic part serves in particular to softly rest on a body part. The electrical circuit board 4 is preferably designed with thermal vias, since heat can thus be transported through the circuit board 4 and dissipated to the body.Waste heat is indicated here by curved arrows. One main waste heat area is indicated on the body side and two on the surrounding side. The circuit board 4 itself can preferably be made of an anodized sheet metal. This sheet metal preferably has a thickness of approximately 0.2 mm. For fixing, the circuit board 4 can be connected to the holder 10, for example, with at least one screw 22. In addition, an energy source 7, in particular a lithium polymer battery, is provided, which is enclosed in a battery housing 20. The battery housing 20 can preferably be made of a plastic, for example an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) or the like, or can comprise one or more of these materials. In the case of the device 1, for example, it can be provided that only one energy source 7 is provided.Accordingly, the second half (not shown) can be designed without a power source. To provide a longer-lasting power supply, both halves can be provided with a power source 7.

[0036] In addition to the applications already mentioned, a device 1 according to the invention can also be used for cooling, heating and / or treatment of, for example, the following other body regions and / or complaints: Insect bites; on the hair area during chemotherapy to protect against hair loss; wound and scar cooling; tension headaches in the neck area; jaw and toothache; abdominal discomfort; swelling after a broken bone; in the testicular area to improve sperm quality; epididymitis; contused testicles; testicular rupture; on joints; sports injuries; muscle pain; thrombosis; multiple sclerosis; fatigue.

Claims

1. Device (1) for cooling and / or heating a body region, preferably a head region, comprising at least one thermally conductive skin contact material (2) and at least one Peltier element (3), the Peltier element (3) being connected to the skin contact material (2), wherein the skin contact material (2) is made from a bendable metallic film or from multiple small rigid metal sheet elements and wherein a a thermally conductive connecting element and a heat dissipation element (12) are provided, wherein heat emitted via an outer side of the Peltier element (3) is configured to be distributed to the heat dissipation element (12) via the connecting element, wherein the heat dissipation element (12) is arranged on an outer side of the device (1) and embodied to be bendable, and wherein the device (1) is embodied to be free of liquid heat transfer media.

2. Device (1) of claim 1 characterized in that at least one circuit board is provided.

3. Device (1) of claim 1 or 2 characterized in that at least one cooling body (6) is provided.

4. Device (1) of one of the claims 1 to 3 characterized in that an energy source (7) is provided for operating the Peltier element (3), wherein the energy source (7) is connected to the Peltier element (3) in particular via cables.

5. Device (1) of one of the claims 1 to 4 characterized in that a control unit (9) is provided.

6. Device (1) of one of the claims 1 to 5 characterized in that at least one temperature sensor (18) is provided.

7. Device (1) of one of the claims 1 to 6 characterized in that a line is provided for a supply of pharmaceuticals.

8. Device (1) of one of the claims 1 to 7 characterized in that an acoustic output device and / or a vibration output device are provided.

9. Device (1) of one of the claims 1 to 8 characterized in that a mount (10) is provided for securing the device (1) to a body region.

10. Device (1) of one of the claims 1 to 9 characterized in that the device (1) is constructed in an at least partially layered manner.