MODIFYING HUMIDITY AND CONVECTION TO GLABROUS TISSUE TO CONTROL METABOLISM

摘要

Systems and methods for affecting metabolism, such as the treatment of metabolic syndrome are disclosed. A method for treating metabolic syndrome can include one or more of the steps including identifying a region of the patient comprising glabrous tissue; positioning the region of the patient comprising glabrous tissue into an enclosed chamber; adjusting the relative humidity of the enclosed chamber sufficient to create a physiologic metabolic effect; and activating a convection fan within the chamber to promote heat transfer from the glabrous tissue. The method need not involve altering the temperature within the enclosed chamber.

主权项

1. A system for stimulating glabrous tissue of a patient, comprising:
a rigid or semi-rigid housing surrounding a chamber; a gas compressor configured to supply de-humidified air to the chamber sufficient to transfer heat away from the glabrous tissue, the de-humidifed air having a relative humidity of less than about 25%; an inlet fluidly connecting the gas compressor to the chamber; a patient port operably connected to the chamber and configured to house an extremity of a patient comprising the glabrous tissue, the patient port having a seal such that upon insertion of the extremity of the patient into the chamber a substantially air-tight seal in an interior of the chamber; a power source; a gas outlet fluidly connected to the chamber; and a convection fan configured to flow air to the glabrous tissue sufficient to increase the basal metabolic rate of the patient; and a controller configured to adjust the relative humidity of the de-humidified air into the chamber.