Thermal pad with enhanced heat transfer characteristics

A method of providing a targeted temperature management (TTM) therapy to a patient, comprising:

• applying a thermal contact pad to the patient,
• altering a patient contact area of the thermal contact pad to accommodate a size of the patient,
• establishing a flow of TTM fluid through the thermal contact pad by directing TTM fluid flow along a fluid channel to enhance a heat transfer convection coefficient of the thermal contact pad, wherein the fluid channel defines a spiral shape converging radially inward from a fluid inlet positioned at a perimeter edge of the thermal contact pad toward a fluid outlet centrally positioned on the thermal contact pad;
• and
• exchanging thermal energy with the patient through a bottom wall of the thermal contact pad, wherein:
• the bottom wall is disposed between the TTM fluid and the patient during use of the thermal contact pad,
• the bottom wall has an inner surface in contact with the TTM fluid and an outer surface in contact with the patient, and
• the bottom wall comprises embedded elements configured to enhance a thermal conductivity of the bottom wall.

A medical pad for exchanging thermal energy between a targeted temperature management (TTM) fluid and a patient, the medical pad comprising:

• a fluid channel extending between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, wherein:
• the fluid channel defines a double spiral shape comprising:
• a first channel portion converging radially inward from the fluid inlet disposed at a perimeter edge of the medical pad toward a central location;
• a second channel portion expanding radially outward from the central location toward an outlet disposed at the perimeter edge of the medical pad;
• and
• a fluid connection at the central location between the first channel portion and the second channel portion, and
• the second channel portion is disposed between adjacent wraps of the first channel portion;
• and
• a bottom channel wall disposed between the TTM fluid and the patient during use of the medical pad, the bottom channel wall having an inner surface in contact with the TTM fluid and an outer surface in contact with the patient, the inner surface and the outer surface defining a thickness of the bottom channel wall, wherein:
• the bottom channel wall (i) is formed of a material having a first thermal conductivity and (ii) includes elements embedded within the bottom channel wall, the elements formed of a material having a second thermal conductivity to define a composite thermal conductivity of the bottom channel wall that is greater than the first thermal conductivity, and
• thermal energy exchange between the TTM fluid and the patient is defined in accordance with the composite thermal conductivity.