TETHERLESS WEARABLE THERMAL DEVICES AND METHODS OF USING THEM FOR TREATMENT OF SLEEPING AND NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS
Described herein are tetherless, forehead-mounted temperature regulation apparatuses configured to enhance sleep.
1 . An apparatus for applying thermal energy to a subject's forehead to enhance sleep, the apparatus comprising:
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.
3 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the sensor is an accelerometer integrated into the conformable body.
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.
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.
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.
7 . The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the controller is further configured to apply power to the thermoelectric temperature regulators to maintain a standby temperature of between 26-38° C. when the subject is asleep.
8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a battery.
9 . The apparatus of claim 7 , further comprising a charging circuit and a charging antenna configured to recharge the battery from power inductively received by the charging antenna.
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.
11 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a wireless communications circuit configured to wirelessly transmit and receive to and from the controller.
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.
13 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the energy is applied in pulses having a pulse duration of less than 360 seconds.
14 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a cover having a thermally transmissive surface configured to be positioned over the skin-facing surface.
15 . An apparatus for applying thermal energy to a subject's forehead to enhance sleep, the apparatus comprising:
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.
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.
18 . The apparatus of claim 15 , further comprising a battery.
19 . The apparatus of claim 18 , further comprising a charging circuit and a charging antenna configured to recharge the battery from power inductively received by the charging antenna.
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.
21 . The apparatus of claim 15 , further comprising a wireless communications circuit configured to wirelessly transmit and receive to and from the controller.
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.
23 . The apparatus of claim 23 , wherein the energy is applied in pulses having a pulse duration of less than 360 seconds.
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.