Cost-effective systems and methods for enhanced normothermia

A cost-effective medical or veterinary patient support system configured to facilitate normothermia, comprising:

• a heat diffusion layer;
• a first heating element at the heat diffusion layer;
• one or more thermal control sensors configured to obtain a first temperature measurement at the heat diffusion layer (within or near the heat diffusion layer, e.g.);
• one or more thermal safety sensors configured to obtain a second temperature measurement at the heat diffusion layer;
• override circuitry operably coupled to the first heating element at the heat diffusion layer;
• interface circuitry configured to indicate a selected one (selected by default, e.g.) from a plurality of modes that includes at least a first operator-selectable mode (a “standby” mode of operation, e.g.) in which at least one thermal safety sensor of the one or more thermal safety sensors at the heat diffusion layer is powered but in which the first heating element at the heat diffusion layer is unpowered and that includes a second operator-selectable mode (an “active” mode of operation, e.g.) in which the one thermal safety sensor at the heat diffusion layer is powered and in which the first heating element at the heat diffusion layer is actively controlled;
• and
• primary control circuitry configured to control the first heating element at the heat diffusion layer as an automatic and conditional response to the one thermal control sensor at the heat diffusion layer indicating a first temperature measurement differing from a target value if the second operator-selectable mode in which the one thermal safety sensor at the heat diffusion layer is powered and in which the first heating element at the heat diffusion layer is actively controlled is the selected one of the plurality unless the override circuitry deactivates the first heating element at the heat diffusion layer as an automatic and conditional response to the one thermal safety sensor at the heat diffusion layer indicating the second temperature measurement exceeding a thermal safety threshold greater than a Curie point temperature of the one thermal safety sensor at the heat diffusion layer, the Curie point temperature of the one thermal safety sensor being about 38° C., the thermal safety threshold being less than 42° C., whether or not the primary control circuitry controls the first heating element at the heat diffusion layer as the automatic and conditional response to the first temperature sensor at the heat diffusion layer indicating the first temperature measurement differing from the target value being at least partly based on whether or not the first operator-selectable mode in which the one thermal safety sensor at the heat diffusion layer is powered but in which the first heating element at the heat diffusion layer is unpowered is the selected one of the plurality.