TOPICAL ANAESTHETIC INDUCER DEVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to systems and methods for handling trypanophobia. The present invention also relates to topical anaesthetic devices for handling trypanophobia in children and adults. Further, the invention relates to non-chemical based topical anaesthetic/analgesic inducer devices. Further, the present invention specifically relates to topical anaesthetic inducer device using a cryogenic/thermoelectric module for creating and maintaining stub temperature between x-y°C/by creating vibration to create lack of sensation/feeling while pricking the needle in children and adults.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Trypanophobia is the intense fear of needles. Specifically, people with Trypanophobia fear for needles in medical practices and therefore avoid taking vaccinations, blood draws or intravenous fluids etc. Although, Trypanophobia is common in majority of children and adults, it can have severe consequences in emergency and pandemic situations due to delay in taking required medication or vaccination.

[0003] Devices and techniques for a painless skin piercing are well-known in the art. In particular, anaesthetic devices and techniques suited for the purposes of administering medications and taking blood samples is well known in medical practice. Insertion of a needle into the skin is known to be accompanied by a localized sensation of pain. Accordingly, it would be an advantage to desensitize skin into which a needle is being introduced.

[0004] In one embodiment of prior art, US8680145B1 teaches a method for treating fear of medical procedures in a human subject comprising steps of administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of proglumide, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and subjecting the subject to a medical procedure of which said subject has a fear wherein said proglumide is administered within 12 hours prior to commencement of said medical procedure of which said subject has a fear wherein said administering of said proglumide is not part of a sequence of daily administration of proglumide lasting more than four consecutive days and wherein the fear of medical procedures is a specific phobia.

[0005] Similarly, in another embodiment of prior art, W02008081444A2 teaches device and method for piercing a patient's skin with an injector whilst eliminating pain caused by the piercing. The injector comprises piercing mechanism having at least one reciprocating needle said at least one needle is characterized by diameter K said needle penetrates to depth D in said skin; said depth D is characterized by an initial temperature T; at least one container having a medicament to be delivered to said patient and a cooling mechanism, comprises at least one attachable cooling means, especially a Peltier Cooled Cold Plate (PC CP), in connection with a radiator and sufficient DC power supply.

[0006] The prior art solutions for handling Trypanophobia including the above prior art references are involved in usage of chemical solutions and are complex to use which may lead to further worsening of the Trypanophobia in the patients. Based on the foregoing, it is believed that a need exists for an improved standalone non-chemical based topical anaesthetic inducer device for handling Trypanophobia. Also, a need exists for a topical anaesthetic inducer device using a cryogenic/thermoelectric module for creating and maintaining stub temperature between x-y°C to create lack of sensation/feeling while pricking the needle in children and adults, as described in greater detail herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The following summary is provided to facilitate an understanding of some of the innovative features unique to the disclosed embodiment and is not intended to be a full description.

[0008] It is, therefore, one aspect of the disclosed embodiments to provide for an improved system and method for handling Trypanophobia in Children and Adults.

[0009] It is another aspect of the disclosed embodiments to provide for an improved standalone non-chemical based topical anaesthetic inducer device for handling Trypanophobia. [0010] It is further aspect of the disclosed embodiments to provide for an improved topical anaesthetic inducer device using a cryogenic/thermoelectric module for creating and maintaining stub temperature between x-y°C and create vibration to achieve lack of sensation/feeling while pricking the needle in children and adults.

[0011] Topical anaesthetic inducer device (100). The topical anaesthetic inducer device (100) comprises a base (FIG. 1) for receiving at least one stub (2 stubs are used as exemplary embodiment herein) (FIG. 2-4) wherein the device (100) uses a cryogenic/thermoelectric module for creating and maintaining stub temperature between x-y°C and create vibration to achieve lack of sensation/feeling while pricking the needle in children and adults. The base (100) comprises a single/multi-stage Peltier module (Thermoelectric Module) (105) covered with an insulation cover (135) and configured with a temperature sensor (125) wherein the Peltier module (105) is also configured with a radiator heat sink with fan (150) and positioned on an adjustable frame (160) using suppressors (155). The Peltier module (105) is a solid-state active heat pump which transfers heat from one side of the device (100) to other side depending on the electric current direction and thereby create a heat flux. The Peltier module (Thermoelectric Module) (105) can be used for both cooling and heating applications depending on the application.

[0012] A control unit (140) comprising of a microcontroller circuit wherein the control unit (140) is used to maintain the Peltier module (Thermoelectric Module) (105) at a temperature range of -4°C to -8°C wherein the control unit (140) also regulates the heat sink and fan unit (150) to help in managing the temperature range of -4°C to -8°C in the Peltier module (105). A tube (110) comprising alcohol -based formulation for receiving and holding the stub (FIG. 2-4) wherein the alcohol-based formulation facilitates the thermal conductivity between the Peltier module (Thermoelectric Module) (105) and the stub (FIG. 2-4) and sterilises the stub.

[0013] It is to be noted that the stub (FIG. 2-4) has to be placed at the point of the prick for a few seconds prior to the prick of the needle, the stub (FIG. 2-4) with the help of the lower temperature and the vibration creates an anaesthetic/analgesic effect which drastically reduces the pain sensation from the prick of the needle. The stub (FIG. 2-4) is initially placed into the tube (110) comprising alcohol formulation (120) wherein the stub (FIG. 2-4) contact with a metal plate (195). The control system manages the Peltier to achieve the temperature range based on the parameter set. The Peltier in turn cools the metal plate (195) on top of it and which in turn cools the stub base (220). The thermal sensor (125) attached to the stub base (220) generates a green signal once the required temperature range is achieved. Once the signal is green the Stub (FIG. 2-4) needs to be removed from the device (100) and placed at the point of the prick prior to the prick for a few seconds and the switch (310) to be pressed to give a vibration. Once the stub (FIG. 2-4) is placed for a few seconds at the point of prick prior to the prick, it creates an anaesthetic/analgesic effect for a few seconds, during this time the needle needs to be pricked at the point of prick so as to drastically reduce the pain from the prick of the needle.

[0014] The stub (FIG. 2-4) comprises a stub base (220) and a freezing liquid chamber (210) wherein the heat flux created between at the junction of the base unit (100) and the stub (FIG. 2-4) helps in creating lack of sensation or feeling in the patient (Children and Adults) which thereby reduces the pain (temporary topical anaesthetic effect) when the needle is pricked. The control unit (140) is configured with an loT based machine learning server application for optimization, monitoring and tracking the performance of the device (100). The loT based machine learning server application is used for predictive maintenance of the device (100).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] The values and configurations discussed in these non-limiting examples can be varied and are cited merely to illustrate at least one embodiment and are not intended to limit the scope thereof.

[0016] The embodiments now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which illustrative embodiments of the invention are shown. The embodiments disclosed herein can be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0017] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

[0018] Invention: Topical anaesthetic inducer device (100). The topical anaesthetic inducer device (100) comprises a base (FIG. 1) for receiving at least one stub (FIG. 2-4) wherein the device (100) uses a cryogenic/thermoelectric module for creating and maintaining stub temperature between x-y°C and create vibration to achieve lack of sensation/feeling while pricking the needle in children and adults. The base (100) comprises a single/multi -stage Peltier module (Thermoelectric Module) (105) covered with an insulation cover (135) and configured with a temperature sensor (125) wherein the Peltier module (105) is also configured with a radiator heat sink with fan (150) and positioned on an adjustable frame (160) using suppressors (155). The Peltier module (105) is a solid-state active heat pump which transfers heat from one side of the device (100) to other side depending on the electric current direction and thereby create a heat flux. The Peltier module (Thermoelectric Module) (105) can be used for both cooling and heating applications depending on the application.

[0019] The present invention works based on the “Gate Control Theory” where cooling the skin prior to piercing desensitizes the skin and by that relieves the pain caused to the patient due to the piercing. The Pain Gate Control Theory is based on the fact that small diameter nerve fibers carry pain stimuli through a 'gate mechanism' but larger diameter nerve fibers going through the same gate can inhibit the transmission of the smaller nerves carrying the pain signal. Chemicals released as a response to the pain stimuli also influence whether the gate is open or closed for the brain to receive the pain signal.

[0020] This leads to the theory that the pain signals can be interfered with by stimulating the periphery of the pain site, the appropriate signal- carrying nerves at the spinal cord, or particular corresponding areas in the brain stem or cerebral cortex. The present invention is used to effectively modify the pain signal. It is recognized that the 'Pain gate' can be shut by stimulating nerves responsible for carrying the touch signal (mechanoreceptors) which enables the relief of pain through the application of cooling the area.

[0021] The device (100) comprises a display with one or more LED indicators (130) for displaying the technical parameters including temperature, humidity and pressure parameters. Alternatively, the device (100) may have a display unit in the front which may have static picture or video or audio-visual, this is primarily to distract the person who is taking the injection (or prick of the needle).

[0022] The device (100) comprises at least one knob (115) for adjusting the age, skin type and depth of the prick or the temperature of the stub wherein the control unit (140) receives the input based on the position of the knobs (115) and thereby control the operations of the base (100) and the stub (FIG. 2-4). The device (100) comprises a switch (180) with a fuse (185) for operating the device (100), an exhaust fan (170) and an air circulation fan (175) for exhausting the heat generated at the Peltier module (105). The device (100) may include a power box (145) comprising battery and PCB box and other electrical control units. (Are the positions of 140,145,170,175 important - if so then - 140 and 145 becomes 170, one portion of 170 becomes 145 and the other becomes 145)

[0023] The stub (FIG. 2-4) comprises a wire (230) to be connected with the wire (165) of the base (100). The stub (FIG. 2-4) also comprises a button (310), battery (320), a vibrator (420) and a fan (410). The stub (FIG. 2-4) comprises a stub base (220) which is a metal plate wherein the stub base (220) is placed at the point of the prick, the freezing chamber has anti freezing liquid and the vibrator is triggered using the button 310 for storing anti -freezing liquid a temperature sensor and a LED unit is attached to it to monitor the liquid. The stub can be with a detachable wire (230) [refer FIG. 2], with detachable wire (230) and a battery unit (320) [refer FIG. 3], and with a battery unit (320) without wires [refer FIG. 4], The Control box (330) of the stub [refer FIG. 3] maintains the Temperature of the Stub as per logic and connects with the Base (100) with or without wire.

[0024] Working of the Invention: The control unit (140) comprising of a microcontroller circuit wherein the control unit (140) is used to maintain the Peltier module (Thermoelectric Module) (105) at a temperature range of -4°C to -8°C wherein the control unit (140) also regulates the heat sink and fan unit (150) to help in managing the temperature range of -4°C to -8°C in the Peltier module (105). A tube (110) comprising alcohol -based formulation for receiving and holding the stub (FIG. 2-4) wherein the alcohol -based formulation facilitates the thermal conductivity between the Peltier module (Thermoelectric Module) (105) and the stub (FIG. 2-4). The alcohol-based formulation also is used to sterilize the stub (FIG. 2-4) which is used on the patients. The portion (120) is the alcohol formulation wherein the indicator (190) will tell if the stub is ready for use.

[0025] Method of Use: The stub (FIG. 2-4) comprises a stub base (220) and a freezing liquid chamber (210) wherein the heat flux created between at the junction of the base unit (100) and the stub (FIG. 2-4) helps in creating lack of sensation or feeling in the patient (Children and Adults) which thereby reduces the pain (temporary topical anaesthetic effect) when the needle is pricked. The control unit (140) is configured with an loT based machine learning server application for optimization, monitoring and tracking the performance of the device (100). The loT based machine learning server application is used for predictive maintenance of the device (100).

[0026] It is to be noted that the stub (FIG. 2-4) has to be placed at the point of the prick for a few seconds prior to the prick of the needle, the stub (FIG. 2-4) with the help of the lower temperature and the vibration creates an anaesthetic/analgesic effect which drastically reduces the pain sensation from the prick of the needle. The stub (FIG. 2-4) is initially placed into the tube (110) comprising alcohol formulation (120) wherein the stub (FIG. 2-4) contact with a metal plate (195). The control system manages the Peltier to achieve the temperature range based on the parameter set. The Peltier in turn cools the metal plate (195) on top of it and which in turn cools the stub base (220). The thermal sensor (125) attached to the stub base (220) generates a green signal once the required temperature range is achieved. Once the signal is green the Stub (FIG. 2-4) needs to be removed from the device (100) and placed at the point of the prick prior to the prick for a few seconds and the switch (310) to be pressed to give a vibration. Once the stub (FIG. 2-4) is placed for a few seconds at the point of prick prior to the prick, it creates an anaesthetic/analgesic effect for a few seconds, during this time the needle needs to be pricked at the point of prick so as to drastically reduce the pain from the prick of the needle.

It will be appreciated that variations of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Also that various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.