Patent ID: 8267983
Filing Date: 2012-09-18
Classification: A61F,F25B,H01L

Abstract:
1. A temperature control system comprising: a thermoelectric device; a controller electrically coupled to the thermoelectric device wherein the controller is configured to sense a first value of an electrical characteristic of the thermoelectric device, to generate a first electrical control signal to pump heat through the thermoelectric device in response to sensing the first value of the electrical characteristic of the thermoelectric device, to sense a second value of the electrical characteristic of the thermoelectric device wherein the first and second values of the electrical characteristic are different, and to generate a second electrical control signal to pump heat through the thermoelectric device in response to sensing the second electrical characteristic of the thermoelectric device, wherein the first and second electrical control signals are different, a heat transfer structure thermally coupled to a first side of the thermoelectric device; and a temperature controlled medium thermally coupled to a second side of the thermoelectric device so that the thermoelectric device is thermally coupled between the heat transfer structure and the temperature controlled medium, wherein the temperature controlled medium comprises a medical instrument configured to contact living tissue, wherein said controller is configured to provide thermal pulses to the temperature controlled medium.