System and method for reducing shivering when using external cooling pads

• US 20060190062A1
• Filed: 02/23/2005
• Published: 08/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Alsius Corporation (Asahi Kasei Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Alsius Corporation (Asahi Kasei Corporation)
• Inventors: Worthen, William J.
• Application Number:
  US11/064,186
• Publication Number:
  US 20060190062A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/96
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0001 Body part
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/10 Cooling bags, e.g. ice-bags

Abstract

Heat exchange pads are externally applied to a patient to induce therapeutic hypothermia. Anti-shivering agents may be administered to reduce shivering.

Claims

1. A method for treating a patient, comprising:

disposing at least one heat exchange pad against the external skin of the patient;

exchanging heat with the patient using the pad to lower the body temperature of the patient; and

administering at least one anti-shivering agent to the patient.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the administering act is undertaken by injecting at least one substance into the bloodstream of the patient.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising diagnosing the patient as having had cardiac arrest, prior to the act of exchanging heat.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising diagnosing the patient as having had a myocardial infarction, prior to the act of exchanging heat.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising diagnosing the patient as having had a stroke, prior to the act of exchanging heat.

6. A system, comprising:

at least one pad configured for external placement on the skin of a patient and operable to cool the patient to induce hypothermia in the patient; and

at least one substrate associated with the pad and bearing instructions to administer at least one anti-shivering agent to the patient.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the substrate is a label.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the substrate is established by an instruction manual.

9. The system of claim 6, further comprising a temperature control system engaged with the pad to establish a temperature.

10. The system of claim 6, further comprising a source of the anti-shivering agent.

11. A method, comprising:

providing instructions to a medical practitioner, the instructions including;

placing at least one heat exchange pad against the skin of a patient;

inducing hypothermia in the patient using the pad; and

countering shivering in the patient.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the instructions for countering shivering include administering at least one anti-shivering agent.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the instructions further include diagnosing the patient as having had a cardiac arrest.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the instructions further include diagnosing the patient as having had a myocardial infarction.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the instructions further include diagnosing the patient as having had a stroke.