Device for performing diagnostic tests on the sensitivity to thermal stimuli

Abstract: Device for performing diagnostic tests on the sensitivity of patients to thermal stimuli, comprising four elements (2, 3, 4, 5), arranged in a box (1) provided with a handle (6), each element having an external cylindrical metal surface to be contacted with the patient's epidermis, three of said elements being kept at three different standard temperature values, and the fourth at a selected temperature between 25 and 35°C.

Description: It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for performing diagnostic tests on the sensitivity of patients to thermal stimuli, which device is portable, handy, and suitable for testing in a very rapid succession at four different temperatures of pre-established level. It allows therefore to perform a complete series of significant evaluations apt to supply a reliable information on the patient's sensitivity in a short time, of the order of minutes. The device comprises an hermetically sealed box generally having a shape of a parallelepiped, of small size (of the order of a few centimeters) provided with a handle for holding it and with four sensing elements, of cylindrical shape, protruding from said box and each terminating in a metal cap which is put in contact with the patient's epidermis, to supply the thermal stimulus which is employed for evaluating the sensitivity. The cap's surface is of the order of 5 cm². The external structure of the sealed box and the sides of the cylindrical elements are made out of a thermally and electrically insulating material. Each sensing element has in its interior an independent device for electrical heating and for controlling the temperature. The sealed box has a pilot light which indicates its functioning and steady state. Three elements are pre-set for operating at three fixed standard temperatures. It was found particularly useful to set those temperatures at 25°, 42° and 50°C respectively. The fourth element may operate at a temperature selected within a 10°C range, in particular between 25° and 35°C, the temperature values corresponding to integers. The device further comprises a box for the electrical controls for the supply of low voltage current to the above said sensing elements and for regulating the temperature (between 25° and 35°C) of the 4th element, as well as the electric connecting cable. The temperature variations induced in the sensing elements by the contact with the patient's epidermis are rapidly nullified by the heating and control device, reinstating the standard temperature in a very short time, of the order of a few seconds (maximum 10″ for the sensing element at 50°C). This allows to make the evaluations at a certain temperature within short intervals. As with this device there is always at disposal four sensing elements constantly in a steady state at four different temperatures, tests may be carried out at different temperatures within short times (of the order of minutes). The attached figures show a purely illustrative graphic representation of the device according to the invention. Fig. 1 shows the hermetically sealed box 1, with handle 6, four sensing elements 2, 3, 4 and 5 and the connecting cable 7. Fig. 2 shows the box for the electric controls, with cable 12 connecting to the 220 V main line, pilot light 10 and knob 9 for selecting the temperature between 25 and 35°C for the fourth sensing element.

Claims: Portable device for performing diagnostic tests on the sensitivity of patients to thermal stimuli, comprising a hermetically sealed box (1) having a shape of a parallelepiped, provided with a handle for holding it and with four cylindrical sensing elements (2, 3, 4, 5) protruding from said box and each terminating with a metal cap which is to be put in contact with the patient's epidermis, the external structure of said box and the sides of the cylindrical sensing elements being made out of a thermally and electrically insulating material, said sensing elements being each independently provided with electrically heating means and temperature control means; three of the sensing elements are set to operate at three different fixed standard temperatures, while the fourth has a preestablished operating temperature selected within a 10°C range. Device according to claim 1, wherein the three sensing elements set at standard fixed temperatures are kept at 25°, 42° and 50°C respectively, while the fourth is kept at a temperature selected in the 25° to 35°C range.

Inventors: ASSAL JEAN-PHILIPPE, LINIGER CAROL, ASSAL, JEAN-PHILIPPE, LINIGER, CAROL
Applicants: FIDIA SPA, FIDIA S.P.A.
Application year: 1990
Main classification: A61B5
IPC codes: A61B5