Patient thermal regulation systems
OwnerEugene Lloyd Hiebertinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed herein are devices and systems that conduct temperature-controlled air through one or more enclosed chambers that are placed adjacent to a patient to help control the patient's temperature without blowing air directly on the patient. In some embodiments, the enclosed chamber has an air inlet and an air outlet and a defined air flow pathway therebetween. Air exiting the device can be directed away from the patient. The devices can include a crush-resistant but flexible air-flow layer of material inside the enclosure that allows air flow even when a patient is laying on the device. A cushioning layer can also be included overlaying the air-flow layer. The flowing air can be any desired temperature to help warm or cool a patient. The patient can be a human or animal, for example.
Claims20
A patient thermal regulation system, comprising:
- an air-impermeable enclosure comprising flexible enclosure walls, an air inlet, and air outlet, and an airflow pathway defined by the flexible enclosure walls and extending from the air inlet to the air outlet;
- an air-flow layer positioned within the enclosure, the air-flow layer comprising a plurality of air-flow channels;
- and
- a resiliently deformable cushion layer positioned within the enclosure, wherein the resiliently deformable cushion layer is positioned between the air-flow layer and a first of the enclosure walls defined for positioning adjacent a patient,
- wherein the patient thermal regulation system is configured to have air flow in through the air inlet, along the airflow pathway through the air-flow channels of the air-flow layer, and out through the air outlet, such that heat is transferred through the resiliently deformable cushion layer and the first enclosure wall adjacent the patient between the flowing air and a patient positioned on an exterior surface of the air-impermeable enclosure.
A patient thermal regulation system, comprising:
- an air-impermeable enclosure comprising a lower enclosure wall and an upper enclosure wall comprising an exterior surface for contacting a patient, an air inlet, an air outlet, and an airflow pathway defined at least by the lower and upper enclosure walls and extending from the air inlet to the air outlet;
- and
- a first material layer and a second material layer positioned within the enclosure, wherein the first material layer is resistant to crushing, wherein the second material layer is resiliently deformable, wherein the second material layer is positioned between the first material layer and the upper enclosure wall,
- wherein the patient thermal regulation system is configured to have air flow in through the air inlet, along the airflow pathway, and out through the air outlet, such that heat is transferred through the second material layer and the upper enclosure wall between flowing air and a patient positioned on the exterior surface of the upper enclosure wall.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.