DEVICE FOR HYPERTHERMIA TREATMENT OF ITCHING

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A device for hyperthermic treatment of itching comprising a) at least one treatment surface (1) and b) a control device (6) for regulating the temperature of the treatment surface (1), characterized in that the control device (6) can regulate the treatment surface (1) by heating at least one heating element (2) in a heating phase to a treatment temperature of between 42 C. and 56 C. and in a treatment phase the treatment temperature can be maintained for a period of 2 to 12 s, wherein a hardware-implemented temperature controller limits the maximum temperature of the treatment surface (1) to a value of between 54 C. and 58 C., preferably approximately 56 C., and a safety fuse (11) shuts off the device in case of a short-circuit or uncontrolled continuous heating.

2. The device according to the preceding claim characterized in that the device comprises at least one first temperature sensor (4) for measuring the temperature of the treatment surface (1) and the control device (6) adjusts the temperature of the at least one heating element (2) based on the measurement data of the temperature sensor (4).

3. The device according to the preceding claim characterized in that the hardware-implemented temperature controller comprises at least one second temperature sensor (3) for measuring the temperature of the treatment surface (1) and a comparator (5), wherein the comparator (5) compares the temperature of the treatment surface (1) with the maximum temperature, and if the maximum temperature is exceeded, stops the current feed to the heating element (2).

4. The device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the safety fuse (11) has a threshold value for a maximum current which corresponds to the heating of the treatment surface (1) to 65 C. for 1 second.

5. The device according to the preceding claim characterized in that the threshold value of the safety fuse (11) is preferably between 1 A and 2.5 A, particularly preferably about 2 A.

6. The device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the treatment surface (1) comprises ceramic and/or gold.

7. The device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the treatment surface (1) is surrounded by a marker that lights up during the treatment cycle.

8. The device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the device comprises an optical display (7) and/or a sound generator (8) that indicates the start of the heating phase, the reaching of the treatment temperature, the duration of the treatment phase and/or the end of the treatment phase with an acoustic and/or optical signal.

9. The device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the device comprises a watertight housing.

10. The device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the device comprises a power supply unit (13) as well as a voltage controller (10) that monitors the voltage of the power supply unit (13).

11. The device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the control device (6) comprises at least one microprocessor.

12. The device according to the preceding claim characterized in that the microprocessor, the at least one heating element (2) and the at least one temperature sensor (3, 4) are installed on a printed circuit board (PCB), wherein at least the heating element (2) and the temperature sensors (3, 4) are coated with a protective lacquer.

13. The device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the device comprises a data memory for storing the system data and/or error messages.

14. The device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that firmware is installed on the control device (6) which is launched when the device is started up and at least guides the temperature regulation of the treatment surface (1), wherein the control device (6) comprises a hardware-implemented watchdog counter (WDC) that monitors whether the firmware is executed.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0080] FIG. 1 Block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the device

[0081] FIG. 1 shows the block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the device. The treatment surface 1 is heated to the treatment temperature with the aid of at least one heating element The treatment surface 1 is preferably a contact pad made of ceramic or gold. Especially semiconductor elements such as FETs, more preferably MOSFETs, have proven advantageous as heating elements. In addition to their small size, these are characterized by highly dynamic heat generation and release, and a particularly rapid response behavior. The regulation of the temperature of the treatment surface 1 takes place with the aid of a control device 6, which is preferably a microcontroller, and controls the current feed to the heating elements The temperature of treatment surface 1 is monitored with a first temperature sensor 4, which is preferably an NTC thermistor. Based on the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 4, the control device 6 can set the optimal current feed to keep the treatment temperature constant during the desired time period. During the operation of the device, a visual display 7, preferably an LED, and a sound generator 8, preferably a buzzer, shows the user the phase of the treatment cycle. Thus for example at the start of the heating phase, the sound generator 8 can generate a buzzing tone and the optical display 7 can be illuminated. The preferred treatment time is input through the input element 9, which is preferably a pushbutton switch. The various program sequences and the regulation of the temperature of the treatment surface 1 are controlled by the control device. The current or voltage supply of the device is provided by a power supply unit 13, e.g., a battery.

[0082] If the control device 6 for controlling the temperature of the treatment surface 1, for example, because of faulty electronics, the hardware-implemented temperature controller will allow the heating elements 2 to be shut off if the maximum temperature is exceeded. For this purpose the device has a second temperature sensor 3, preferably an NTC thermistor, which is connected to comparator 5. If the temperature of the treatment surface 1 rises, the voltage value at the comparator 5, regulated by the second temperature sensor 3, moves toward a voltage reference value that corresponds to a predetermined maximum temperature. As soon as the temperature of the treatment surface 1 exceeds the maximum temperature, the output signal on the comparator 5 changes in a binary manner, interrupting the supply voltage for the heating element 2.

[0083] In addition to the hardware-implemented temperature controller, the device also has a safety fuse 11 that functions as an additional safety element. During the treatment phase, in the case of smooth operation, the heating elements 2 draw a defined treatment power from the power supply unit 13. If a defect results in continuous heating of the heating elements 2, the supply current increases greatly. Advantageously, above a maximum current, the safety fuse 11 is triggered. In this way, even in the case of short-circuiting of the device, uncontrolled heating of the treatment surface 1 can be avoided. Advantageously, this safety mechanism will only need to intervene if the temperature regulation both by the control device 6 and by the hardware-implemented temperature controller do not function properly. For further controlling the power supply unit 13, the device also comprises a power supply reverse polarity protector 12 and a voltage controller 10, which is preferably a supply voltage supervisor (SVS).

LIST OF SYMBOLS

[0084] 1 Treatment surface [0085] 2 Heating element(s) [0086] 3 Second temperature sensor for the hardware-implemented temperature controller [0087] 4 First temperature sensor for regulation by the control device [0088] 5 Comparator of the hardware-implemented temperature controller [0089] 6. Control device [0090] 7 Optical display [0091] 8 Sound generator [0092] 9 Input element for the treatment time [0093] 10 Voltage controller [0094] 11 Safety fuse [0095] 12 Voltage supply inverse polarity protection [0096] 13 Current supply unit