A controller controls a temperature sensation provider that provides temperature sensations to an object contacting a contact surface of the temperature sensation provider. The controller includes a database including control information that associates values of a temperature of the contact surface with values of a controlled variable of the temperature sensation provider for each of the temperature sensations, and a temperature controller that controls the temperature sensation provider based on a measured temperature of the contact surface, a temperature sensation to be provided, and the control information.

The present disclosure relates to measuring recovery of a finger skin temperature of a writing instrument's user, comprising: measuring a first finger skin temperature of a user's finger contacting a grip area of the writing instrument during a writing session with the writing instrument; cooling the finger contacting the grip area with a cooling element and for a cooling duration; measuring a second finger skin temperature after lapse of the cooling duration; calculating the skin temperature reduction; measuring a series of finger temperature measurements after lapse of the cooling duration; calculating a temperature recovery rate based on the series of finger temperature measurements; comparing the skin temperature reduction and the temperature recovery rate to historical data and/or reference data; and providing an indication to the user in case that the skin temperature reduction and/or the temperature recovery rate are abnormal as compared to the historical data and/or reference data.

The various embodiments herein disclose a method and a system with a portable handheld diagnostic device for detecting and/or monitoring the prognosis of nerve impairment or diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The system provides a multi-parameter diabetic neuropathy-screening device to perform a combination of tactile threshold test, vibration threshold test, thermal threshold test and contactless skin-temperature measurement. The present invention provides a smartphone application that helps a user to operate/control the device, store and share the results. The smartphone application interacts with the hardware modules in the device and guides the user to perform the various tests. Further, the neuropathy diagnostic system provides a wireless feedback button that enables the subject to respond to various sensations during the course of the test.

A configurable system is used to evaluate stimulus sensitivity of a subject. An action channel provides a stimulus to the subject and a reaction channel receives a response from the subject. A signal pathway is connected to the action channel and to the reaction channel. A controller establishes loops within the signal pathway. Loop types include a transduction loop including the action channel and forming a path terminating in the signal pathway, and a channel loop including the action channel and terminating at a reference unit. Other possible loop types include an interface loop including the action channel, the reaction channel and the reference unit having an initial parameter value, and an adaptive loop including the action channel, the reaction channel and the reference unit whose parameter value is adapted based on the response from the subject. A method using the system is also described.

A wearable appliance or a set of wearable appliances, arranged for being worn by a person on the person's body comprises: one or more cold applicators, one or more biosignal sensors for measuring biosignals indicative of physiological stress experienced by the person and control circuitry connected to the one or more cold applicators and configured so as to activate them in response to detection, based upon the measured biosignals, that the person experiences elevated physiological stress. According to a further aspect, the invention proposes a communication system comprising a wearable appliance (24) or a set of wearable appliances (24, 26) and one or more mobile terminals (22) comprising each a human interface device with one or more output devices (40, 46, 50) for indicating the level of stress to a second person holding the mobile terminal and with one or more input devices (44, 50) for receiving input from that person. The system translates input received by the one or more mobile terminals into a control signal provided to the one or more cold applicators (18).

An orifice probe, particularly for detecting if a patient has or has a risk of having cauda equina syndrome and a method for using same, the probe having a body for insertion into the anus of a patient, a sensing device for measuring at least one of the rectal tone and perianal or rectal sensation, and an output device for yielding at least one of the measurement of the rectal tone of the patient and whether the patient has perianal or rectal sensation.

Device (1) for assessing, preventing and treating LBP, which comprises: six units (100a, 100b, 100c, 100d, 100e, 100f), each unit comprising: an EMG acquisition subsystem (30a); connecting means (10a-20a, 10b-20b, 10c-20c, 10d-20d, 10e-20e, 10f-200 for connecting the EMG acquisition subsystem (30a) to a pair of electrodes attached to a patient's skin, such that each unit receives the surface EMG signals of a specific muscle group of the patient; and, a actuator (60a) for providing haptic stimulus to said muscle group; a muscular activity pattern recognition and feedback subsystem (200, 500);
the device further comprising: a wearable garment (300, 301, 302) with a central portion (300e) to which the second and fifth units (100b, 100e) are attached parallel to each other; and a set of four straps (300a, 300b, 300c, 300d) to which ends are attached the first, third, fourth and sixth units (100a, 100c, 100d, 100f) at 45, 135, 135 and 45, respectively, with respect to the second and fifth units (100b, 100e).

The invention relates to a device for assessing thermoalgesic and vibratory sensitivity, including a first unit (1) configured to apply, to localized points of the patient, a plurality of stimuli comprising vibrations and temperature changes, a second unit (2) for gathering data communicating with the first unit, wherein the communication between the first unit (1) and the second unit (2) takes place by means of a two-way wireless transmission means. The invention also relates to a method for assessing vibratory, thermal and thermoalgesic sensitivity using the device according to the invention.

Disclosed are appendage mountable electronic systems and related methods for covering and conforming to an appendage surface. A flexible or stretchable substrate has an inner surface for receiving an appendage, including an appendage having a curved surface, and an opposed outer surface that is accessible to external surfaces. A stretchable or flexible electronic device is supported by the substrate inner and/or outer surface, depending on the application of interest. The electronic device in combination with the substrate provides a net bending stiffness to facilitate conformal contact between the inner surface and a surface of the appendage provided within the enclosure. In an aspect, the system is capable of surface flipping without adversely impacting electronic device functionality, such as electronic devices comprising arrays of sensors, actuators, or both sensors and actuators.

Disclosed are methods and medical device systems for automated delivery of therapies for pain and determination of need for and safety of treatment. In one embodiment, such a medical device system may comprise a sensor configured to sense at least one body signal from a patient; and a medical device configured to receive a first sensed body signal from the sensor determine a patient pain index based at least in part on said first sensed body signal; determine whether said patient pain index is above at least a first pain index threshold; determine a safety index based at least in part on a second sensed body signal; select a pain treatment regimen based on at least one of said safety index and or a determination that said pain index is above said first pain index threshold; and deliver said pain treatment regimen.