Claims
- 1. A device operable to assess temperature response of small neural fibers, the device comprising:
a heat source; a skin contacting probe tip comprising at least one skin contacting region operatively connected to the heat source and operable to apply a heat to regions of skin having varying surface areas; a temperature sensor arranged in the vicinity of the probe tip and operable to detect a temperature of the probe tip; and a controller operatively connected to the heat source and the temperature sensor to maintain a target temperature of the probe tip.
- 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the probe tip includes a skin contacting surface having a varying skin contacting area.
- 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the probe tip includes a skin contacting surface having a varying shape.
- 4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the skin contacting probe tip is interchangeable.
- 5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the interchangeable skin contacting probe tips have skin contacting surfaces including skin contacting areas having different areas.
- 6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the interchangeable skin contacting probes have different shapes of skin contacting surfaces.
- 7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the heat source is operable to generate a temperature of about 32° C. to about 53° C. in the probe tip.
- 8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the probe tip has a circular cross-section having a diameter of about 2 mm to about 12 mm.
- 9. The device according to claim 1, further comprising:
a retractable probe sleeve operable to shield at least a portion of the probe tip when the probe tip is not in use.
- 10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the probe tip is urged into contact with the skin against a extending force on the retractable shield.
- 11. The device according to claim 9, further comprising:
a spring operable to urge the retractable shield in an extended position.
- 12. The device according to claim 1, further comprising:
a power source operatively connectable to the heat source.
- 13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the heat source is a thin film heater.
- 14. The device according to claim 1, further comprising:
a memory operatively connected to the device and operable to record temperature response test data including at least one of test location on body, temperature threshold, contact area, and date.
- 15. The device according to claim 1, wherein the controller is arranged in a microcomputer operatively connected to the device.
- 16. The device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a surface mount thermistor.
- 17. The device according to claim 1, wherein the heat source comprises a source of optical energy.
- 18. The device according to claim 1, wherein the temperature sensor comprises at least one fluorescence producing element operative to fluoresce relative to the temperature of the probe tip.
- 19. The device according to claim 1, wherein response data is automatically collected.
- 20. A device operable to assess temperature response of small neural fibers, the device comprising:
a gripable housing; a heat source arranged in the housing; an interchangeable skin contacting probe tip extending from an end of the housing, the probe tip being operatively connected to the heat source and operable to apply non-injurious heat to regions of skin having varying surface areas; a temperature sensor arranged in the vicinity of the probe tip and operable to detect temperature of the probe tip; a controller operatively connected to the heat source and the temperature sensor to maintain a target temperature of the probe tip; and a retractable probe tip shield extending around at least a portion of beyond the probe tip when the probe tip is not in use.
- 21. The device according to claim 20, wherein the controller is remote from the device.
- 22. The device according to claim 20, further comprising:
a memory operatively connected to the device and operable to record temperature response test data including at least one of test location on body, temperature threshold, contact area, and date.
- 23. The device according to claim 20, further comprising:
a power source arranged within the housing and operatively connected at least to the heat source.
- 24. The device according to claim 20, wherein the interchangeable probe tips include skin contract surfaces having different areas and/or different shapes.
- 25. The device according to claim 20, further comprising:
a visual indicator that the probe tip has reached the target temperature.
- 27. The device according to claim 20, wherein the heat source comprises a source of optical energy.
- 28. The device according to claim 20, wherein the temperature sensor comprises at least one fluorescence producing element operative to fluoresce relative to the temperature of the probe tip.
- 29. The device according to claim 20, wherein response data is automatically collected.
- 30. A method for testing patient response to excitation of neural fibers, the method comprising:
contacting a region of a patient's skin with a probe tip operatively connected to a heat source and operable to apply heat to the region of the patient's skin; applying heat to the probe tip with the heat source; sensing a temperature of the probe tip with a temperature sensor; controlling the temperature of the probe tip to maintain a target temperature; detecting patient response to the contact with the probe tip; and varying at least one of the temperature of the probe tip, a size of the region of the patient's skin that the probe tip contacts, and a shape of the region of the patient's skin that the probe tip contacts.
- 31. The method according to claim 30, further comprising:
changing the probe tip to a probe tip having skin contacting region with a different size or shape.
- 32. The method according to claim 30, further comprising:
recording temperature response test data including at least one of test location on body, temperature threshold, contact area, and date.
- 33. The method according to claim 30, wherein the target temperature is about 32° C. to about 53° C.
- 34. The method according to claim 30, wherein the region of the patient's is round and has a diameter of about 2 mm to about 12 mm.
- 35. The method according to claim 30, further comprising:
applying force to a retractable probe tip shield to permit the probe tip to contact the region of the patient's skin.
- 36. The method according to claim 30, further comprising:
operatively connecting the probe tip to a controller.
- 37. The method according to claim 30, further comprising:
operatively connecting the heat source to a power supply.
- 38. The method according to claim 30, further comprising:
determining at least one of the patient's threshold response to temperature, nerve fiber density, texture in nerve fiber alignment, loss of neural response as a function of time and differences in patient-to-patient response.
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of prior filed co-pending U.S. provisional application No. 60/332,785, filed on Nov. 6, 2001.
PCT Information
Filing Document |
Filing Date |
Country |
Kind |
PCT/US02/35525 |
11/5/2002 |
WO |
|
Provisional Applications (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60332785 |
Nov 2001 |
US |