Apparatus for altering the body temperature of a patient

Abstract

A method of performing CPR on the patient while altering the body temperature of a patient comprises covering at least a thoracic region of the patient with a cover. A heat transfer liquid is directed to flow through liquid passages in the cover for contact with the thoracic region of the patient. Oxygen is supplied to the lungs of the patient, and the thoracic region of the patient is compressed directly through the cover while heat transfer liquid is being directed through the liquid passages in the cover. Apparatus for adjusting the body temperature of a patient generally comprising an enclosure sized and shaped for receiving at least a torso of the patient's body. A heat transfer liquid has a temperature between about 0° C. and about 5° C. A pump drives the heat transfer liquid into the enclosure for connect with the patient's body at a rate greater than about 6 liters per minute.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.