Hyperthermia Itching Device With Hardware Temperature Limit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hyperthermic treatment devices for itching, such as insect bites and herpetic diseases, face issues with temperature control, where desired temperatures may be exceeded due to moisture damage or lack of redundant safety mechanisms, leading to potential skin injuries and incomplete relief of itching symptoms.
Innovation Solution
A device with a temperature controller that regulates the treatment surface to between 42° C. and 56° C. for 2 to 12 seconds, incorporating a hardware-implemented temperature controller and a safety fuse to prevent overheating, ensuring a controlled heat pulse that activates TRPV1 and TRPV2 receptors for effective itching relief without causing pain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a temperature controller is used to regulate the treatment surface temperature, then the treatment temperature can be maintained within the optimal range (42°C to 56°C), but the temperature may still be exceeded due to moisture damage or lack of redundant safety mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a hardware-implemented temperature controller that limits the maximum treatment surface temperature to between 54°C and 58°C, creating a safety buffer before skin damage can occur. This redundant safety mechanism operates independently of the main control device, providing beforehand protection against temperature-related skin injuries even if the primary controller fails or is damaged by moisture.
Solution Approach 2:
The hardware-implemented temperature controller acts as an intermediary safety layer between the heating element and the skin. This separate control mechanism mediates the temperature regulation process, ensuring that even if the main control device fails, the treatment surface temperature remains within safe limits and cannot cause skin burns.
2Reliability
If the treatment temperature is increased to 50°C to 56°C to activate TRPV1 and TRPV2 receptors for effective itching relief, then the itching relief effectiveness is improved, but the risk of causing pain or skin injury increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the treatment temperature parameter to a specific range of 50°C to 56°C, which is sufficient to activate TRPV1 and TRPV2 receptors for effective itching relief without causing pain. The hardware controller further limits the maximum temperature to 54°C to 58°C, ensuring the therapeutic effect is achieved while preventing pain and skin injury.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial heating action by limiting the treatment duration to 2 to 12 seconds at the optimized temperature range. This controlled partial action activates the necessary receptors for itching relief without excessive heat exposure that would cause pain or skin damage.
3Reliability
If the treatment duration is extended to ensure complete itching relief, then the therapeutic effect is improved, but the risk of overheating and skin damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by controlling the treatment duration to 2 to 12 seconds. This time-limited periodic heating provides sufficient therapeutic effect for itching relief while preventing overheating and skin damage through the hardware-implemented temperature controller that operates independently of the main control device.
4Device complexity
If a single control device is used for temperature regulation, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of temperature control is insufficient due to potential moisture damage or failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the temperature control system into two independent parts: a main control device for regulating the treatment surface temperature to between 42°C and 56°C, and a separate hardware-implemented temperature controller that limits the maximum temperature to between 54°C and 58°C. This segmentation provides redundant safety protection while maintaining relatively simple device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The hardware-implemented temperature controller provides localized safety protection specifically for temperature control, operating independently from the main control device. This localized quality approach ensures that even if the main controller fails, the temperature remains within safe limits without requiring complete system redundancy.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device provides reliable and safe hyperthermic treatment by maintaining optimal temperature ranges, effectively relieving itching through targeted nerve stimulation and immune system modulation, reducing the risk of skin injuries and offering prolonged symptom relief.
Implementation Method 1
a control device for regulating the temperature of the treatment surface, wherein the control device can regulate the treatment surface by heating at least one heating element in a heating phase to a treatment temperature of between 42° C. and 56° C.
Implementation Method 2
the application of heat causes the breakdown of the thermolabile insect toxins responsible for the itching. On the other hand the heat transfer results in masking of the itching by other temperature-related skin sensations.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for hyperthermic treatment of itching, for example following insect bites, wherein during the treatment a treatment surface is regulated at a temperature of preferably between 42° C. and 56° C. for a period of 2 sec to 12 sec and a hardware-implemented temperature monitor limits the maximum temperature of the treatment surface and a safety fuse shuts off the device in the case of a short-circuit or uncontrolled continuous heating.