PORTABLE PATIENT TEMPERATURE ADJUSTMENT APPARATUS AND METHOD
First Claim
1. A portable device for in situ or in transit adjustment of a core body temperature of a patient, the device comprising:
- a thermal transfer sleeve adapted to receive a limb of the patient such that the thermal transfer sleeve is in contact with the limb;
a pressure chamber comprising (a) a substantially rigid casing adapted to receive the limb and thermal transfer sleeve, and (b) a heat transfer element adapted to apply an adjustment temperature within the casing; and
a control unit connectable to the pressure chamber and adapted, when connected to the pressure chamber, to alternatingly introduce a negative pressure to the pressure chamber during a negative pressure period and release the negative pressure from the pressure chamber to restore the pressure chamber to approximately atmospheric pressure during an atmospheric pressure period,wherein the thermal transfer sleeve, pressure chamber, and control unit are configured to fit within a carrying case such that the portable device and the carrying case can be manually carried by an individual.
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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.
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Citations
44 Claims
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1. A portable device for in situ or in transit adjustment of a core body temperature of a patient, the device comprising:
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a thermal transfer sleeve adapted to receive a limb of the patient such that the thermal transfer sleeve is in contact with the limb; a pressure chamber comprising (a) a substantially rigid casing adapted to receive the limb and thermal transfer sleeve, and (b) a heat transfer element adapted to apply an adjustment temperature within the casing; and a control unit connectable to the pressure chamber and adapted, when connected to the pressure chamber, to alternatingly introduce a negative pressure to the pressure chamber during a negative pressure period and release the negative pressure from the pressure chamber to restore the pressure chamber to approximately atmospheric pressure during an atmospheric pressure period, wherein the thermal transfer sleeve, pressure chamber, and control unit are configured to fit within a carrying case such that the portable device and the carrying case can be manually carried by an individual. - 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, 24, 42)
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25. A portable device for the adjustment of a core temperature of a patient, the portable device comprising:
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a thermal transfer sleeve, adapted to receive a limb of the patient and to be wetted such that the thermal transfer sleeve is in contact with a surface of the limb and air between the thermal transfer sleeve and the surface is minimized; a pressure chamber, adapted to receive the limb and the thermal transfer sleeve and to apply an adjustment temperature to the limb via the thermal transfer sleeve; and a control unit connectable to the pressure chamber and adapted, when connected to the pressure chamber, to alternatingly introduce a negative pressure to the pressure chamber during a negative pressure period and release the negative pressure from the pressure chamber to restore the pressure chamber to approximately atmospheric pressure during an atmospheric pressure period, wherein, when the limb and the thermal transfer sleeve are inserted into the pressure chamber substantially all of any liquid within the pressure chamber is carried by the thermal transfer sleeve. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A portable device for in situ or in transit adjustment of a core body temperature of a patient, the portable device comprising:
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a portable pressure chamber adapted to receive a limb of the patient; a thermal transfer means for receiving the limb of the patient, facilitating insertion of the limb into the portable pressure chamber, and, when inserted into the portable pressure chamber with the limb, carrying substantially all of any liquid within the portable pressure chamber; a temperature adjustment means for applying an adjustment temperature to the thermal transfer means and thereby to the limb when the thermal transfer means and the limb are inserted into the portable pressure chamber; and a pressure application means for alternatingly introducing a negative pressure about the limb and thermal transfer means during a negative pressure period and releasing the negative pressure to restore atmospheric pressure about the limb during an atmospheric pressure period when the thermal transfer means and the limb are inserted into the portable pressure chamber. - View Dependent Claims (33)
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35. 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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providing a portable temperature management system configured to fit within a carrying case such that the carrying case and portable temperature management system can be manually carried by an individual, the portable temperature management system comprising (i) a thermal transfer sleeve, (ii) a pressure chamber comprising a substantially rigid casing and a heat transfer element within the casing, and (iii) a control unit connectable to the pressure chamber; installing the thermal transfer sleeve about a limb of the patient; inserting the limb having the thermal transfer sleeve installed thereon into the casing such that the limb is substantially sealed from external conditions; activating the control unit, thereby (i) activating the heat transfer element to apply an adjustment temperature within the casing and (ii) alternatingly introducing a negative pressure within the pressure chamber and releasing the negative pressure from the pressure chamber. - View Dependent Claims (34, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 43, 44)
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Specification