Methods and apparatus for adjusting body core temperature

• US 8,066,752 B2
• Filed: 12/04/2006
• Issued: 11/29/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AVAcore Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Dynatherm Medical, Inc.
• Inventors: Fisher, H. Lawson, Titsworth, Loren D., Hickerson, Barry, Kane, John Roy, Hamilton, Nathan
• Primary Examiner(s): Gibson; Roy
• Application Number:
  US11/566,575
• Publication Number:
  US 20070112400A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,821 Days
• Field of Search: 607/96, 607/104, 607/111, 215/9, 216/17, 625/30
• US Class Current: 607/111
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0036 Hand
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0045 Foot
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/02 Compresses or poultices for effecting heating or cooling
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 10/023 Rooms for the treatment of patients at over- or under-pressure or at a variable pressure

Abstract

A method and apparatus for adjusting body core temperature are provided. The apparatus comprises an appendage chamber that is adapted to be disassembled from a heat exchange element. In one aspect, the appendage chamber is disposable. The appendage chamber provides a negative pressure environment for a patient'"'"'s appendage placed therein. An appendage is heated and exposed to a negative pressure environment within the apparatus to efficiently raise or maintain the body core temperature of the patient.

Claims

1. An apparatus for regulating a body core temperature, comprising:

a collapsible appendage chamber comprising an appendage seal attached to the collapsible appendage chamber, wherein the appendage chamber comprises a top portion and a rigid bottom portion; and

a heat exchange element that protrudes through an opening in the appendage chamber.

2. An apparatus for regulating a body core temperature, comprising:

a collapsible appendage chamber having an appendage seal; and

a heat exchange element disposed at least partially through an opening in the appendage chamber, wherein the heat exchange element comprises a heat exchange surface that is molded into the shape of a hand.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a heat source that is configured to deliver heat to the heat exchanging surface.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the heat exchange element is configured to heat or cool the heat exchanging surface.

5. An apparatus for regulating a body core temperature, comprising:

an appendage chamber having an opening that has an appendage seal attached thereon;

a heat exchange element comprising a heat exchange surface that is shaped to receive at least a portion of a palm of a hand, wherein the heat exchange surface is disposed in an internal region of the appendage chamber, and is configured to heat or cool the heat exchanging surface; and

a vacuum source coupled to the internal region of the appendage chamber.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the heat exchange surface is molded into the shape of a hand.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the heat exchange surface has a dome shape.

8. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the appendage chamber comprises poly(vinyl chloride) and the appendage seal comprises a polyester.

9. An apparatus for regulating a body core temperature, comprising:

an appendage chamber having an opening that has an appendage seal attached thereon;

a vacuum source coupled to the internal region of the appendage chamber; and

a heat exchange element comprising a heat exchange surface that is shaped to receive at least a portion of a palm of a hand which is disposed in the internal region of the appendage chamber when regulating the body core temperature.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the heat exchange surface is molded into the shape of a hand.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the heat exchange element is configured to heat or cool the heat exchanging surface.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the appendage chamber comprises a poly(vinyl chloride) or polyesters.

13. An apparatus for regulating a body core temperature, comprising:

an appendage chamber having an internal region and an opening that has an appendage seal attached thereon;

a vacuum source coupled to the internal region of the appendage chamber; and

a heat exchange element comprising a heat exchange surface that is shaped to receive at least a portion of a foot, wherein the heat exchange surface is disposed in the internal region of the appendage chamber, and is configured to heat or cool the heat exchanging surface.