Application US20170333667

TETHERLESS WEARABLE THERMAL DEVICES AND METHODS OF USING THEM FOR TREATMENT OF SLEEPING AND NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS
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US20170333667

1. An apparatus for applying thermal energy to a subject's forehead to enhance sleep, the apparatus comprising: (6) (4)

a conformable body configured to be worn on the subject's forehead having a skin-facing surface;

a plurality of thermoelectric temperature regulators arranged across the skin-facing surface;

a controller configured to apply power to cool the thermoelectric temperature regulators to between 1° C.-30° C.; and

a holdfast configured to secure the apparatus to the subject's forehead.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a sensor configured to detect one or more of the subject's autonomic state and the subject's sleep/wake state. (4) (0)

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the sensor is an accelerometer integrated into the conformable body. (0)

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the sensor is configured to detect one or more of: body movement, respiratory rate, heart rate, electrocardiogram (ECG) signals, and electroencephalogram (EEG) signals. (0)

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the controller is further configured to apply the power to cool the thermoelectric temperature regulator to between 1° C.-30° C. until the subject experiences a diving reflex. (0)

6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the controller is further configured to apply the power to cool the thermoelectric temperature regulator to between 1° C.-30° C. when the subject is awake. (1) (0)

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a battery. (0)

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a charging antenna configured to power the controller and the thermoelectric temperature regulators when power is received by the charging antenna. (0)

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a wireless communications circuit configured to wirelessly transmit and receive to and from the controller. (0)

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to apply energy in a pulsatile manner so that the thermoelectric temperature regulators apply pulsed cooling to the forehead. (1) (0)

14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a cover having a thermally transmissive surface configured to be positioned over the skin-facing surface. (0)

15. An apparatus for applying thermal energy to a subject's forehead to enhance sleep, the apparatus comprising: (7) (5)

a conformable body configured to be worn on the subject's forehead having a skin-facing surface;

a plurality of thermoelectric temperature regulators arranged across the skin-facing surface;

a sensor;

a controller configured to receive sensor data from the sensor and to determine when the subject is sleeping or awake; further wherein the controller is configured to apply power to cool the thermoelectric temperature regulators to a first temperature of between 1° C.-30° C. when the patient is awake and to apply power to cool the thermoelectric temperature regulators to a standby temperature of between 26-38° C. when the patient is asleep; and

a holdfast configured to secure the apparatus to the subject's forehead.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the sensor is an accelerometer integrated into the conformable body. (0)

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the sensor is configured to detect one or more of: body movement, respiratory rate, heart rate, electroencephalogram signals. (0)

18. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a battery. (1) (0)

20. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a charging antenna configured to power the controller and the thermoelectric temperature regulators when power is received by the charging antenna. (0)

21. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a wireless communications circuit configured to wirelessly transmit and receive to and from the controller. (0)

22. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the controller is configured to apply energy in a pulsatile manner so that the thermoelectric temperature regulators apply pulsed cooling to the forehead. (0)

24. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a removable cover having a thermally transmissive surface configured to be positioned over the skin-facing surface. (0)

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Application US20170333667

TETHERLESS WEARABLE THERMAL DEVICES AND METHODS OF USING THEM FOR TREATMENT OF SLEEPING AND NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS

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