System and method for altering and maintaining the body temperature of a patient

A system comprising:

• a temperature reducing apparatus comprising a first enclosure defining an interior space for receiving at least a portion of a patient's body therein, and a liquid delivery system in fluid communication with the first enclosure for controlling the temperature of a heat transfer liquid and delivering the heat transfer liquid into the first enclosure in direct contact with the patient's body portion when received in the first enclosure;
• and
• a temperature maintenance and re-warming apparatus comprising a second enclosure defining an interior space for receiving at least a portion of a patient's body therein, and a gas delivery system in fluid communication with the second enclosure for controlling the temperature of a heat transfer gas and delivering the heat transfer gas into the second enclosure in direct contact with the patient's body portion when received in the second enclosure, the delivery system having a heat exchanger capable of warming the heat transfer gas and cooling the heat transfer gas.

A gas body temperature cooling/heating apparatus comprises:

• an enclosure defining an interior space for receiving at least a portion of a patient's body, the enclosure being adapted to allow heat transfer gas to flow into the interior space for direct contact with the patient's body to promote heat transfer between the patient and the heat transfer gas;
• a gas delivery system having a gas heat exchanger for controlling the temperature of the heat transfer gas, and an exhaust pump for drawing heat transfer gas from the interior space of the enclosure and creating a vacuum within the interior space of the enclosure.