Compressive patient warming device

A method for warming and applying compressive force on an appendage of a patient, the method comprising:

• inserting an appendage of the patient into an elastic inner layer of a compressive patient warming device, the inner layer conforming snugly to an irregular shape of the appendage so that the inner layer wraps around and substantially contacts most of a surface area of the appendage;
• applying a predetermined compressive load on a rigid outer layer to encourage blood flow in the appendage, wherein the rigid outer layer adjoins the inner layer forming a space therebetween to hold a heat transfer medium and the predetermined compressive load applies pressure to the appendage through the heat transfer medium and the inner layer;
• and
• applying a source of heat to the compressive patient warming device.

A method for warming and applying a compressive force on an appendage of a patient, the method comprising:

• inserting an appendage of the patient into an elastic inner layer of a compressive patient warming device, the inner layer conforming snugly to an irregular shape of the appendage so that the inner layer wraps around and substantially contacts most of a surface area of the appendage;
• fastening a wrap around the elastic inner layer so that the elastic inner layer is concentric with the wrap, the wrap comprising:
• a first compliant layer and a second compliant layer that are sealed together around an outer border to contain a liquid therebetween and to surround and conform to the appendage;
• a generally longitudinal portion sized to fit a length of the appendage;
• and
• a plurality of flaps extending from opposite sides of the central portion, wherein one or more flaps from the opposite sides fasten to each other to surround the body portion, and the flaps are openable during functional use to provide access to an underlying patient body surface;
• and
• directing a warm liquid, via the fluid inlet, into a continuous fluid flow path extending between the first compliant layer and the second compliant layer, so as simultaneously to deliver heat and inflate the wrap to apply a predetermined compressive force on the surrounded appendage.