Selectively controllable apparatus for insertion into an ear canal, and related methods of use and operation for behavioral control. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a body configured for insertion into an ear canal. In one variant, the body includes one or more thermal mechanisms which enable selective increase or decrease of temperature of at least portions of the ear canal so as to implement behavioral control of the user, such as to mitigate cravings for food, alcohol, narcotics, or other potentially deleterious substances. In one variant, a mild nausea or pre-nausea condition is created within the user according to a time-temperature profile so as to induce the aforementioned behavioral modification.

The invention is broadly directed to a skin care apparatus comprising: a camera; a light device for emitting at least one of a blue, a green, a yellow and a red light; a vibration pad; a heating element; a heat sensor; a skin moisture sensor; an iontophoresis module; and a control processor configured to: operate the camera and the skin moisture sensor to perform a skin quality assessment of a user's skin, and operate any one or more of: the light device, the vibration pad, the heating element, the heat sensor, and the iontophoresis module to provide a bespoke skin treatment for the user's skin based on the skin quality assessment.

A cold/hot compress device with efficient cold/hot switch and quick compress strip replacement includes a host machine and a flexible compress strip, and the host machine can pump the cooled water into the compress strip for a cold compress of an affected part on a human body surface and also can quickly discharge the cold water contained in the compress strip and drive a heating film to generate heat for a hot compress without the need of heating the cold water for an efficient cold/hot switch. The flexible compress strip can be replaced quickly as needed, and its application is very simple and practical.

A non-invasive thermal therapy for the eye dynamically maintains a treatment temperature at the working tip of the instrument. Methods described herein pre-heat the instruments serving to reduce instrument setup time, increase battery life, reduce the weight of the handheld device, and reduce total procedure time. Related apparatuses are also described.

A system for treating clogged glands of the eye includes a heated eye mask and an electrical cord. The heated eye mask includes an outer layer of surface material, an inner layer of surface material, and a carbon fiber heating element. The carbon fiber heating element is disposed between the outer and inner layers of surface material in a therapeutic region of the heated eye mask. The therapeutic region of the heated eye mask extends along the Meibomian glands of the eye. The carbon fiber heating element is encapsulated by an electrically insulating cover. A thermally conductive material evenly distributes heat across the therapeutic region of the heated eye mask. The electrical cord provides power to the heated eye mask.

Devices, systems, and methods for applying pulsed energy to effectuate a physiological response in a human subject. Systems and methods disclosed herein can include, for example, a stimulus device that applies pulsed energy, such as heat, into a volume of tissue. The stimulus device can include one or more electrodes and can be affixed to the skin or implanted at a target site within the body. The systems and method can further include a monitoring device that detects at least one physiological parameter of the human subject during application of the pulsed energy, such as blood flow, oxygen delivery, muscle tension, subcutaneous or muscle temperatures, or brain activity. A control device can use the detected physiological parameter to define treatment parameters of the stimulus device such that the pulsed energy synchronizes with the measured physiological parameter to effectuate a desired response, such as reducing pain, suppressing appetite, and/or activating a hedonic response.

An electrically powered warming sleeve comprised of multiple fabric layers enclosing one or more planar heating panels arranged for positioning the panels over major muscle groups. Operation of the warming sleeve is controlled by a switch, preferably with multiple “on” positions to adjust the level of heating. The switch is conveniently accessible on the exterior of the sleeve and may be made integral with LED indicators to signal the active level of heating. In some embodiments, a receptacle positioned at the proximate posterior portion of a sleeve houses a power receiving means which may be electrically connected to a rechargeable battery. Preferably, the heating panels of the sleeve are engineered to eliminate hot spots and incorporate material to emit far infrared radiation that will penetrate soft tissues of a wearer. The warming sleeve may be used to warm extremities while maintaining dexterity of the digits or as a therapeutic device.

A smart thermal patch for adaptive thermotherapy is provided. In an embodiment, the patch can be a stretchable, non-polymeric, conductive thin film flexible and non-invasive body integrated mobile thermal heater with wireless control capabilities that can be used to provide adaptive thermotherapy. The patch can be geometrically and spatially tunable on various pain locations. Adaptability allows the amount of heating to be tuned based on the temperature of the treated portion.

A multi-layer thermal electronic massage roller with a cylindrical body forming a generally solid body, including an innermost core layer, insulative layer, heating element binder layer, a heating element, a conductive sleeve to pull heat away from the electronic components and direct it to the user, a stiff cylindrical layer, and an outermost fabric layer. The device further includes a battery, a power port and a thermal control module to variably adjust the temperature. A method for configuring the multi-layer thermal electronic massage roller is also provided, including configuration of the elements of the device for optimum performance and disclosure of materials for embodiments of the invention.

A sleep induction device, wherein the control unit reads a stimulation rate that is associated with a stimulation part from a storage unit, calculates a stimulation candidate by making a shift in the stimulation rate by a predetermined amount, outputs a drive signal according to the stimulation candidate, acquires a detection time from start of output of the drive signal to detection of sleep onset by the sensor, and causes the storage unit to store the stimulation candidate and the detection time as the stimulation rate and a sleep induction time, in association with the stimulation part, when the detection time is shorter than the sleep induction time.