Portable heat treatment equipment

The invention relates to a heating device as described in the preamble of claim 1.

A heating device is already known - according to US Pat. No. 4,279,255 A - which consists of a heating device by means of which heat is applied to a local area of ​​a body. The heating device consists of a flexible heating unit which contains a plurality of electrical resistance heating elements which are electrically fed by means of at least one battery inserted in a battery pack. For this purpose, the battery is connected to the resistance heating elements via an energy transmission device, in particular electrically conductive wires, the length of which is dimensioned so that the heating device can be arranged on body parts which are far from the center of gravity of the body. The battery pack with the inserted battery is roughly in the center of gravity of the body. In addition, a switching element in the form of a selector switch is attached to the energy transfer device on the battery pack, by means of which each resistance heating element can be switched on or off, whereby the amount of thermal energy can be adapted to different requirements. Furthermore, the heating device has fastening means in order to arrange the battery pack approximately in the center of gravity of the body, as well as further fastening means by means of which the heating device can be arranged on a part of the body. The disadvantage of this design is that long-term operation requires correspondingly large batteries due to high energy requirements and maintaining a predetermined temperature is only possible with relatively large limits, which significantly reduces the comfort of the heater and, in particular, makes mobile use more difficult.

Furthermore, from EP 0 552 482 A2, a thermal treatment device whose energy supply device contains an oscillator circuit is known. The energy application is regulated by means of a manually adjustable control switch, which means that a larger scatter range in the conversion of the energy and the effect on the treatment zone is unavoidable.

From US Pat. No. 5,601,618 A, a therapeutic heating device controlled with pulse signals is known, in which a surface effect occurs through the simultaneous application of several heating elements distributed over the surface, whereby an increased control and regulation effort is required.

The object of the invention is to create a heating device which can be regulated in its effect and which is characterized by an economical use of energy.

The object of the invention is achieved by the features reproduced in the characterizing part of claim 1. The surprising advantage here is that the energy is generated over a long period of time even with small capacities of the energy sources through the pulsed application of the heating element and the resulting efficient use of energy while at the same time being sensitive to the temperature required for the treatment of a human body part.

An embodiment according to claim 2 is possible, since this achieves a simple control of the power output stage for supplying the heating element with energy.

However, a further development according to claim 3 is also advantageous, as a result of which a very thin, easy-to-wear heat transfer element is achieved.

However, an embodiment according to claim 4 is also possible, because at the same time a punctiform heating source is achieved in the region of the heat transfer element.

An advantageous development also describes claim 5, with which a sensitive, stepless temperature control for the heating element is achieved.

According to an advantageous embodiment, as described in claim 6, the heating device can be arranged in a simple manner in a wide variety of areas of a body and used several times for treatments, with full body contact being achieved in each case.

An embodiment variant according to claim 7 is advantageous, as a result of which the heat loss due to radiation into the environment is reduced.

A further development according to claim 8 is advantageous, as a result of which direct skin contact of the heating element and skin irritation caused thereby are avoided.

An embodiment according to claim 9 has the advantage that when the heating device is removed from the body, the adhesive layer remains on the heating device and thus can be used several times

AT 407 480 B fertilize the heating device for the treatment of body parts is possible.

A further development according to claim 10 is advantageous because a firmly adhering connection is created and thus an automatic detachment of the heating device from the body is avoided and further heat losses in the connection area of ​​the heating device and the body are avoided.

However, an embodiment variant according to claim 11 is also possible, whereby a receptacle for the heating element is created and a simultaneous contact of the adhesive layer and the heating element or the cover layer on the body is achieved.

Claim 12 describes a layer structure of the heating element which is easy to produce and which, as a result of this, has a structure which is protected against external influences, for example a corrosion-resistant structure.

Furthermore, an embodiment according to claim 13 is advantageous, as a result of which a highly conductive heating conductor layer is formed which causes a low loss of energy.

An embodiment variant according to claim 14 is also advantageous, in which the action or formation of secretions from the partial area of ​​the body, in particular the skin, and skin irritations are avoided.

A further development according to claim 15 has the advantage that contamination of the heating device, in particular the adhesive layer, for example during transport, is avoided.

As a result of the further development according to claim 16, the wearing and operating comfort of the heating device is further increased.

In claim 17, an advantageous further development is described by means of which an air cushion is created which contributes to a pleasant and uniform heating of a partial area of ​​a body.

A further development according to claim 18 is also favorable, whereby the dry heat therapy is supported by the use of additional therapeutic agents and an additional positive medical effect is achieved.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments described in the figures.

Show it:

1 shows the heating device according to the invention in a schematic representation;

FIG. 2 shows a heat transfer element of the heating device according to the invention, in section, along the lines II-II in FIG. 1; FIG.

3 shows a further embodiment of the heat transfer element, in section;

4 shows a block diagram of the control and / or switching device of the heating device according to the invention.

By way of introduction, it should be noted that in the differently described embodiments, the same parts are provided with the same reference numerals or the same component designations, it being possible for the disclosures contained in the entire description to be transferred accordingly to the same parts with the same reference numerals or the same component designations. Furthermore, individual features from the different exemplary embodiments shown can also represent independent solutions according to the invention.

1 shows a heating device 1 for heat therapy. Such a heating device 1 is suitable in its application wherever a pain-relieving, tension-relieving or similarly pleasant effect on the human body or on body parts is desired through heat. Examples of this are rheumatic complaints, muscle tension, back pain, colds of the jaw and frontal sinuses, bladder, kidneys, menstrual cramps, nerve pain, whiplash syndrome and to support the absorption of remedies that are applied to parts of the body in the form of rubs. The heating device 1 is also conceivable for keeping or heating exposed body parts, such as, for example of hands, feet, etc., and it is possible for such applications to arrange the heating device 1 in gloves, shoes or other items of clothing in a suitable manner.

The heating device 1 has a flat, for example circular or elliptical, heat transfer element 2, which is constructed in several layers and essentially comprises at least one heating element 3, which is connected to a portable supply device 5 via a line 4

AT 407 480 B is connected. The supply device 5 consists of a housing 6 in which an energy source 8 formed, for example, by rechargeable batteries 7, is arranged in an exchangeable manner. Furthermore, a control and / or switching device 9 is arranged in the housing 6, via which the energy supply of the heating element 3 from the accumulators 7 takes place in a regulated manner. For the operation of the heating device 1, the supply device 5 has an on and off switch 10, control lights 11 and, if necessary, connection sockets 12 for recharging the batteries 7 via an external charger. It is also possible to equip the supply device 5 with a fastening device 13, for example a so-called belt clip 14. The connection of the line 4 to the supply device 5 can, as shown in the exemplary embodiment, take place via a detachable plug 15.

In FIG. 2, the heat transfer element 2 is shown in a possible embodiment in its layer structure. A circular or elliptical, film-like base layer 16, for example made of an elastic and heat-insulating, breathable material is coated on one side with a hypoallergenic, dermatologically tested adhesive 17. Concentric to an outer circumference 18 and a circumferential adhesive layer 19 is exposed on one of the application area, for example a body zone 20, facing the heating element 3 and connected to the base layer 16 by gluing with the adhesive 17. In order to avoid direct skin contact in the direction of the body zone 20, the heating element 3 is covered with an elastic, self-adhesive cover layer 21, which is microporous and thus ensures breathability.

The heating element 3 arranged between the base layer 16 and the cover layer 21 in the embodiment shown consists of a combination of a surface heating element 22 facing the body zone 20 and a switching element 24, e.g. a transistor. The surface heating element 22 consists of a glass fiber reinforced epoxy resin film 25 on which a heating conductor layer 26 is applied, for example by means of a rolled copper layer, which is connected to outputs 27 of the switching element 24 in an electrically conductive manner. To protect against corrosion, the heating conductor layer 26 can be sealed with a protective lacquer layer 28. The line 4 for energy transmission is terminated at inputs 29 of the switching element 24.

Before using the heat transfer element 2 and attaching it to a body zone 20, a peelable hygienic layer, e.g. made of a transparent plastic film 31, should preferably be provided on the heat transfer element 2 on a surface 30 facing the application area, which layer must be removed before the heat transfer element 2 is used. After this plastic film 31 has been removed from a circumferential adhesive surface 32, the approximately annular adhesive layer 19 surrounding the heating element 3 is exposed, with which the heat transfer element 2 is attached to the body zone 20 intended for treatment.

If the heat transfer element 2 is now connected to the supply device 5 via the line 4, the start-up is carried out by actuating the on and off switch 10, and the function can be monitored via the control lights 11. These control lights 11 are formed, for example, by LEDs which indicate the current flow to the heating element 3 and, if necessary, the charge status of the rechargeable batteries 7.

As can be seen better in Fig. 1, the control and / or switching device 9 comprises a microprocessor 33 for generating pulse signals to act on the switching element 24 and to regulate the flow of energy, whereby on the one hand an energy-saving operation and on the other hand a heating temperature with the lowest temperature tolerances is achieved. In many cases, a step circuit 34 is also provided to achieve different temperature levels and, if necessary, a timer 35 for preselecting a desired treatment time and possibly also a temperature sensor 36 arranged in the area of ​​the heating element 3 and wired to the control and / or switching device 9 for monitoring the treatment temperature.

As can now also be seen from FIG. 2, for the application or treatment of a treatment zone, the heat transfer element 2 is applied to the body zone 20 by the action of the adhesive layer 19 and the line 4 is connected to the supply device 5. After the energy supply of the heating element 3 has been put into operation, a punctual one takes place

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The treatment zone is heated by the switching element 24 until a temperature of around 40 ° C. is reached at certain points. In the course of the temperature rise, however, the switching element 24 is continuously switched through, as a result of which energy is supplied to the heating conductor layer 26, which is applied to the epoxy resin film 25, and thus expands the heating area to the area of ​​the epoxy resin film 25 equipped with the heating conductor layer 26. The switching element 24 effects a self-regulation through the temperature-dependent energy passage, whereby the smallest temperature tolerances are achieved and thermal irritation of the skin is effectively avoided.

In addition to the preferred design described, in which the heat transfer element 2 is designed to be self-adhesive due to the adhesive layer 19 provided, there is of course also the option of designing it without the adhesive layer 19 in order to avoid a possible negative effect due to chemical damage to particularly sensitive areas. The heat transfer element 2 can be used, for example by means of a pressure bandage, medical adhesive tape, etc. are attached to the body areas 20 to be treated.

Furthermore, an embodiment is also conceivable in which the heat transfer element 2 only has the surface heating element 22 and the switching element 24 required for controlling the heating conductor layer 26, e.g. transistor, FET, etc. is arranged integrated in the control and / or switching device 9. In this way, a point-like effect of heat can be avoided even in particularly delicate cases.

3 shows a further embodiment of the heating device 1 according to the invention, in particular the heat transfer element 2, in a view of the surface 30 facing a treatment zone. In the base layer 16, the heating element 3 is embedded, as already described in the previous figures, forming the surface 30, the cover layer 21 is applied to the base layer 16, which runs concentrically to the periphery 18 of the base layer 16 with an outer contour 37 and the circumferential adhesive surface 32 leaves free. A nonwoven 39 storing therapeutic agents is arranged in a recess 38 of the cover layer 21. An outer outline 40 corresponds approximately to an outline 41 of the heating element 3.

This makes it possible to additionally support the heat therapy with active ingredients, e.g. obtained from plants but also from chemical processes, and thus to carry out a so-called wet treatment method instead of a dry heat treatment, which causes rapid healing success through the proper absorption of the active ingredient through the skin of the treatment zone . Active ingredients for this moist treatment are widely known and available. The described structure of the heating device 1 according to the invention with the heat transfer element 2 ensures a secure fit on the treatment site, even when the body zone 20 moves, thereby avoiding heat irritation or a changing heat sensation. In addition to the treatment of disorders in certain body zones 20, the use of the heating device 1 is also advantageously provided in the area of ​​openings in body zones 20 made for medical interventions in order to maintain the required temperature in these areas.

In FIG. 4, the function for charging the heating element 3 with energy from the energy source 8, for example a nickel-cadmium battery, is explained with the aid of a block diagram. According to the invention, the supply takes place via a pulse control module 42, which essentially includes an oscillator circuit 43 for generating a pulse signal of constant frequency and a pulse modulation circuit 44 which, depending on a predetermined setpoint for the temperature of the heating element 3, sends a pulse-width-modulated signal by means of a temperature selector 45, e.g. step switch a power output stage 46 outputs. In the power output stage 46, the energy is fed to the heating element 3 via the line 4 in accordance with the pulse signals. The heating element 3 is preferably equipped with the temperature sensor 36 for monitoring the temperature of the heating element 3. This can, as shown in dashed lines, be connected to the temperature selection controller 45, so that a corresponding signal for the pulse modulation circuit 44 is generated in the temperature selection controller 45. Such a supply system of the heating element 3 with the required energy achieves a high level of control accuracy on the one hand, by which unpleasant temperature fluctuations are excluded and, on the other hand, an economical use of energy is achieved. This also enables the use of very small, handy batteries, which means that the heating device 1 is also mobile

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Use can be used without any problems.

It should also be pointed out that for the purpose of an understandable representation in the figures, the individual elements of the heating device 1 have not been shown to scale.