Portable patient temperature adjustment apparatus and method

• US 8,657,864 B2
• Filed: 12/16/2008
• Issued: 02/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Otivio AS
• Original Assignee: Otivio AS
• Inventors: Rein, Erling Bekkestad, Landeklint, Nils Henrik
• Primary Examiner(s): Stigell, Theodore
• Assistant Examiner(s): MATNEY, BROOKE MARIE
• Application Number:
  US12/335,852
• Publication Number:
  US 20100152821A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,897 Days
• Field of Search: 607/108, 607/111, 607/96, 607/98, 607/99, 607/104, 601/9, 601/10, 601/11, 601/6, 601/15, 601/16
• US Class Current: 607/111
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0071 using a resistor, e.g. near the spot to be heated
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0075 using a Peltier element, e.g. near the spot to be heated or cooled
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0096 with a thermometer
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/007 characterised by electric heating
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/02 Compresses or poultices for effecting heating or cooling
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 1/008 Apparatus for applying pressure or blows almost perpendicular to the body or limb axis, e.g. chiropractic devices for repositioning vertebrae, correcting deformation
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0242 by a fluid circulating in the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/5082 Temperature sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/04 with hydraulic or pneumatic drive hydraulic or Pneumatic massages, A61H9/00; underwater massages, A61H33/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 9/005 Pneumatic massage

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.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a pressure chamber that includes a seal element and a casing, the casing defining a pressure controlled environment and being configured to expand open to facilitate installation of a limb of a patient in the casing, the pressure chamber comprising an elastic shell fitted about an exterior surface of the casing that is configured to bias the casing closed during operation of the pressure chamber yet stretch to allow for expansion of the casing to facilitate insertion or removal of the limb from the casing, the seal element configured to seal the pressure chamber about the limb; 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.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured to fit within a carrying cases such that the device and carrying case are configured to be manually carried by an individual.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the limb comprises at least one of an arm or a leg.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the limb is an arm.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the control unit and pressure chamber when connected, comprise a substantially closed system in that (a) introducing the negative pressure to the pressure chamber comprises transferring an amount of air from the pressure chamber to the control unit and (b) releasing the negative pressure from the pressure chamber comprises transferring substantially the same amount of air from the control unit to the pressure chamber.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the pressure chamber is tubular shaped and defines a circular or oval cross-section.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the pressure chamber comprises an anatomical feature configured to conform to the limb.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the anatomical feature is configured to conform to an arm.

9. The device of claim 7, wherein the casing includes a narrower wrist portion between a comparatively wider forearm portion and a hand portion.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the elastic shell comprises Neoprene.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the casing comprises a hinged edge and an opposed openable edge.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the casing is configured to expand by pivoting a top half of the casing relative to a bottom half of the casing.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the negative pressure period is between 5 seconds and 15 seconds and the atmospheric pressure period is different than the negative pressure period.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the negative pressure is between −

20 mmHg and −

80 mmHg (−

2.7 kPa and −

10.7 kPa).

15. The method of claim 14, wherein inserting the limb comprises inserting the arm.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein the casing is a substantially rigid casing.

17. A method comprising:

providing a pressure chamber that includes a seal element and a casing, the casing defining a pressure control led environment and being configured to expand open to facilitate installation of a limb of a patient in the casing, the pressure chamber comprising an elastic shell fitted about an exterior surface of the casing that is configured to bias the casing closed during operation of the pressure chamber yet stretch to allow for expansion of the casing to facilitate insertion or removal of the limb from the casing, the seal element configured to seal the pressure chamber about the limb;

inserting the limb of the patient in the pressure chamber by at least expanding the casing open, installing the limb in the casing, and biasing the casing closed so as to seal the limb from external conditions; and

increasing blood flow to an area of skin of the limb within the pressure chamber by at least (i) generating a negative pressure within the pressure chamber for a first time interval and (ii) releasing the negative pressure within the pressure chamber for a second time interval that is different than the first time interval.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein generating the negative pressure within the pressure chamber comprises generating the negative pressure for approximately 10 seconds.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein releasing the negative pressure comprises releasing the negative pressure for approximately 7 seconds.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein generating the negative pressure in the pressure chamber comprises generating the negative pressure for between 5 seconds and 15 seconds and releasing the negative pressure comprises releasing the negative pressure for between 2 seconds and 15 seconds.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the negative pressure is between −

20 mmHg and −

80 mmHg (−

2.7 kPa and −

10.7 kPa).

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the negative pressure is −

40 mmHg (−

5.3 kPa).

23. The method of claim 17, wherein the casing is a substantially rigid casing.

24. The method of claim 17, wherein inserting the limb comprises inserting at least one of an arm or a leg.

25. The method of claim 17, wherein the pressure chamber is tubular shaped and defines a circular or oval cross-section.

26. The method of claim 17, wherein the pressure chamber comprises an anatomical feature configured to conform to the limb.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the anatomical feature is configured to conform to an arm.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein the casing includes a narrower wrist portion between a comparatively wider forearm portion and a hand portion.

29. The method of claim 17, wherein the elastic shell comprises Neoprene.

30. The method of claim 17, wherein the casing comprises a hinged edge and opposed openable edge.

31. The method of claim 17, wherein inserting the limb comprises pivoting a top half of the casing relative to a bottom half of the casing.