METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR ENHANCING VASCULAR ACCESS IN AN APPENDAGE TO ENHANCE THERAPEUTIC AND INTERVENTIONAL PROCEDURES
First Claim
1. An apparatus for exchanging heat with an extremity of a mammal, comprising:
- a body element having one or more walls that enclose an internal region;
an opening formed in the body element that is adapted to receive an extremity of a mammal and allow a portion of the extremity to be positioned within the internal region;
one or more thermal exchanging units that are in thermal contact with the internal region; and
an aperture defining an opening in the body element, wherein the aperture provides access to the portion of the extremity positioned within the internal region.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of the invention disclosed herein generally include methods and/or devices for increasing blood flow, controlling the vasodilatation of a patient'"'"'s vascular structure, regulating the temperature of a portion of a mammal, and for improving various interventional procedures and/or therapeutic techniques. The device may also include one or more access ports, or apertures, that allow access to portions of the mammal'"'"'s extremity to allow interventional type medical devices, therapeutic devices, surgical support equipment or patient monitoring devices to have access to the extremity on which a body element is disposed. The device may also be configured to allow other supporting components, which may include IV or other catheters, a means of accessing to a portion of the extremity positioned inside the temperature regulating device. In one configuration the device comprises flexible materials that are adapted to conform to the surface of the extremity disposed in the device when a vacuum pressure is applied to an internal region of the device.
151 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for exchanging heat with an extremity of a mammal, comprising:
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a body element having one or more walls that enclose an internal region; an opening formed in the body element that is adapted to receive an extremity of a mammal and allow a portion of the extremity to be positioned within the internal region; one or more thermal exchanging units that are in thermal contact with the internal region; and an aperture defining an opening in the body element, wherein the aperture provides access to the portion of the extremity positioned within the internal region. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An apparatus for exchanging heat with an extremity of a mammal, comprising:
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a first sheet of compliant material; and a second sheet of compliant material, wherein the first sheet of compliant material and the second sheet of compliant material are coupled together to form; at least a portion of an internal region; an opening that is adapted to receive an extremity of a mammal and allow a portion of the extremity to be positioned within the internal region; and a fluid plenum that is isolated from the internal region; an aperture defining an opening in the first sheet of compliant material, wherein the aperture provides access to the portion of the extremity positioned within the internal region; and a bonding material disposed on a surface of the first sheet of compliant material and around the opening, wherein the surface defines at least a portion of the internal region. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of exchanging heat with an extremity of a mammal to aid in the placement or advancement of a device into a vascular structure of the mammal, comprising:
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positioning a portion of an extremity of a mammal in an internal region of a body element, wherein the extremity is disposed in the internal region through an opening in the body element; transferring heat between the portion of the extremity disposed in the body element and a thermal exchange unit; bonding a portion of the body element to a surface of the extremity, wherein the portion of the body element comprises an aperture that surrounds a first region of the surface; and inserting a catheter into the first region through the aperture and into an artery or a vein found in the extremity. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification