PORTABLE PATIENT TEMPERATURE ADJUSTMENT APPARATUS AND METHOD
First Claim
1. A method for in situ or in transit adjustment of a core body temperature of a patient, the method comprising the steps of:
- installing a sleeve comprising an absorbent material about a limb of the patient;
wetting the sleeve with a liquid;
inserting the limb having the wetted sleeve installed thereon into a pressure chamber such that the limb is substantially sealed from external conditions, wherein the pressure chamber comprises a substantially rigid casing and a heating/cooling element within the casing, and substantially all liquid in the interior of the pressure chamber is carried by the sleeve;
activating the heating/cooling element to selectively (a) increase a temperature within the pressure chamber to a heating temperature or (b) decrease the temperature within the pressure chamber to a cooling temperature; and
alternatingly introducing a negative pressure to the pressure chamber during a negative pressure period and releasing the negative pressure from the pressure chamber to restore the pressure chamber to approximately atmospheric pressure during an atmospheric pressure period.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of the invention provide devices and methods for the in situ or in transit adjustment of the core body temperature of a patient. Devices according to some embodiments include a control unit and pressure chamber adapted to apply a pulsating negative pressure to a limb of the patient. An adjustment temperature applied during the application of the pulsating pressure can heat or cool the patient as necessary. Devices and methods disclosed herein can provide for efficient heating and/or cooling of a patient. In addition, devices and methods provide such functionality in a portable device that can be manually carried by an individual.
62 Citations
36 Claims
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1. A method for in situ or in transit adjustment of a core body temperature of a patient, the method comprising the steps of:
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installing a sleeve comprising an absorbent material about a limb of the patient; wetting the sleeve with a liquid; inserting the limb having the wetted sleeve installed thereon into a pressure chamber such that the limb is substantially sealed from external conditions, wherein the pressure chamber comprises a substantially rigid casing and a heating/cooling element within the casing, and substantially all liquid in the interior of the pressure chamber is carried by the sleeve; activating the heating/cooling element to selectively (a) increase a temperature within the pressure chamber to a heating temperature or (b) decrease the temperature within the pressure chamber to a cooling temperature; and alternatingly introducing a negative pressure to the pressure chamber during a negative pressure period and releasing the negative pressure from the pressure chamber to restore the pressure chamber to approximately atmospheric pressure during an atmospheric pressure period. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for in situ or in transit adjustment of a core body temperature of an unconscious patient, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing (i) a pressure chamber comprising a substantially rigid casing and a heating/cooling element within the casing, (ii) a thermal transfer sleeve, and (iii) a control unit in fluid connection with the pressure chamber and adapted to control a chamber pressure therewithin; installing the thermal transfer sleeve about a limb of the unconscious patient; preparing the limb for insertion into the pressure chamber, the limb having the thermal transfer sleeve installed thereon; after having prepared the limb for insertion into the pressure chamber, inserting the limb into the pressure chamber such that the limb is substantially sealed from external conditions; and activating the control unit, thereby (a) activating the heating/cooling element to selectively (i) increase a temperature within the pressure chamber to a heating temperature or (ii) decrease the temperature within the pressure chamber to a cooling temperature, and (b) alternatingly introducing a negative pressure within the pressure chamber and releasing the negative pressure from the pressure chamber. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method for in situ or in transit adjustment of a core body temperature of a patient, the method comprising the steps of:
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manually carrying a portable device in a carrying case, the portable device comprising (i) a pressure chamber comprising a substantially rigid casing and a heating/cooling element within the casing, (ii) a thermal transfer sleeve, and (iii) a control unit fluidly connectable with the pressure chamber and adapted to control a chamber pressure therewithin; removing the portable device from the carrying case; checking that the control unit is in fluid connection with the pressure chamber and if not, connecting the control unit with the pressure chamber; installing the thermal transfer sleeve about a limb of the patient; preparing the limb for insertion into the pressure chamber, the limb having the thermal transfer sleeve installed thereon; after having prepared the limb for insertion into the pressure chamber, inserting the limb into the pressure chamber such that the limb is substantially sealed from external conditions; activating the control unit, thereby (a) activating the heating/cooling element to selectively (i) increase a temperature within the pressure chamber to a heating temperature or (ii) decrease the temperature within the pressure chamber to a cooling temperature, and (b) alternatingly causing the chamber pressure to decrease to a negative pressure and causing the chamber pressure to increase to approximately atmospheric pressure. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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Specification