Patient comfort apparatus and system

#1. Field of the Invention

#The invention is directed to a patient comfort system that includes pneumatic convective devices receivable on a human or animal body which receive a stream of pressurized, thermally conditioned air, distribute the pressurized air within a pneumatic structure, and emit the air through one or more surfaces for convective transfer of heat between the thermally conditioned air and the body. In particular, the invention is directed to the warming of human or animal bodies in a clinical setting by providing thermal treatment to wearers of the system while permitting movement of the user and enhancing clinical convenience.

#2. Description of the Related Art

#FIGS. 1A-1C illustrate a pneumatic convective device according to an embodiment of the invention as an inflatable bib. FIGS. 1D-1I illustrate various elements for engaging the device of FIGS. 1A and 1B about the neck of a user. FIG. 1J is a perspective view drawing showing engagement of the combination in a warming system. FIG. 1K shows the pneumatic convective device provided on a roll for dispensing.

#FIGS. 2A-2D illustrate an air hose coupling adapted for use with the pneumatic convective device of FIGS. 1A-1K.

#The invention is embodied as a pneumatic convective device receivable on a human or animal body in a clinical setting which receives a stream of pressurized, thermally conditioned air, distributes the pressurized air within a pneumatic structure, and emits the air through one or more surfaces for convective transfer of heat between the thermally conditioned air and the body. Various specific embodiments of the invention are illustrated and discussed according to an example in which a human body is warmed by focusing or concentrating convective warming on the body core in order to permit patient movement and to enhance clinical convenience, although this is not intended to suggest that the invention may not be used for cooling, which, indeed, it may. The pneumatic convective device may be deployed for use with humans, animals, patients, clinicians, practitioners, observers, and so on.

#Further, use of the term “convective” to denote the transfer of heat to a body refers to the principal mode of heat transfer, it being understood that heat may at the same time be transferred between a device according to this invention and a body by conduction and radiation, although not to the degree of convection.

#The pneumatic convective device has a pneumatic portion for receiving and distributing at least one stream of pressurized, thermally conditioned air in a structure for being disposed on, adjacent, or next to the core, thorax, or chest of a body.