Patent attributes
Methods and apparatuses for manipulating the temperature of a surface are provided. Devices of the present disclosure may include a thermal adjustment apparatus, such as a controller in electrical communication with one or more thermoelectric materials, placed adjacent to the surface of skin. The device may generate a series of thermal pulses at the surface, for providing an enhanced thermal sensation for a user. The thermal pulses may be characterized by temperature reversibility, where each pulse includes an initial temperature adjustment, followed by a return temperature adjustment, over a short period of time (e.g., less than 120 seconds). The average rate of temperature change upon initiation and upon return may be between about 0.1° C./sec and about 10.0° C./sec. In some cases, the average rate of the initial temperature adjustment is greater in magnitude than the average rate of the return temperature adjustment.
