Wearable Thermoelectric Cooling for Predictive Hot Flash Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wearable thermoregulation devices lack the ability to predict and effectively mitigate hot flashes by providing timely cooling, as they rely on user perception and do not utilize advanced biometric and contextual inputs to control temperature regulation.
Innovation Solution
A wearable thermoregulation device equipped with a thermoelectric device, skin temperature sensors, heart rate sensors, and a wireless control module that uses firmware algorithms to detect rapid skin temperature rises and implement predictive cooling based on biometric and contextual data, such as activity status and ambient temperature, to preemptively manage hot flashes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wearable thermoregulation devices rely on user perception to control temperature regulation, then the device operation is simple, but the device cannot predict and effectively mitigate hot flashes in advance
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs preliminary cooling action before the hot flash fully manifests by detecting early physiological indicators (skin temperature rise, heart rate changes). The firmware algorithm analyzes these biometric signals and activates cooling preemptively, addressing the hot flash before it reaches peak intensity and providing more effective mitigation.
Solution Approach 2:
The device implements a feedback control system that continuously monitors biometric data (skin temperature, heart rate, activity status) and adjusts cooling output accordingly. The firmware algorithm processes this feedback loop to optimize cooling timing and intensity, transitioning from simple user-perception-based control to automated predictive control.
2Measurement precision
If the device uses multiple biometric sensors and firmware algorithms for predictive cooling, then hot flash detection accuracy improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device merges multiple biometric sensors (skin temperature sensor, heart rate sensor, activity sensor) into a unified monitoring system. The firmware algorithm integrates data from all these sensors to detect hot flash patterns, achieving high detection accuracy through combined sensor input rather than relying on a single complex sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
The firmware algorithm serves multiple functions: it processes data from various biometric sensors, detects hot flash onset, determines cooling timing, and controls cooling intensity. This multi-functional approach consolidates complex control logic into a single universal controller, managing device complexity while maintaining high detection accuracy.
3Ease of operation
If the device provides preemptive cooling based on detected hot flash patterns, then user comfort improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device activates cooling preemptively at the earliest detection of hot flash indicators, providing maximum user comfort during the brief window before the hot flash peaks. By timing the cooling activation precisely based on biometric pattern recognition, the device achieves effective comfort relief while minimizing total cooling duration and associated energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The firmware algorithm employs periodic monitoring of biometric data and activates cooling in periodic cycles rather than continuous operation. Cooling is activated when hot flash patterns are detected and deactivated when patterns subside, creating an on-demand periodic operation mode that balances user comfort with energy conservation.
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 can detect hot flashes before they occur, providing preemptive cooling that reduces their impact and duration, enhancing user comfort and effectiveness in managing hot flashes.
Implementation Method 1
a thermoelectric device that is configured to controllably heat and cool a control surface
Implementation Method 2
a separate skin temperature sensor carried by the carrier structure such that it is direct contact with the user's skin
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable thermoregulation device, system, and method. A thermoelectric device is configured to controllably heat and cool a control surface. A power source is configured to provide power to operate the thermoelectric device. A wireless communications and control module is configured to wirelessly send and receive signals, and to control the thermoelectric device. A carrier structure carries the thermoelectric device, the power source, and the wireless communications and control module, and is configured to be removably carried on the body of a user such that the heated and cooled control surface is in direct contact with the user's skin.