Methods and apparatus for enhancing vascular access in an appendage to enhance therapeutic and interventional procedures

An apparatus for exchanging heat with an extremity of a mammal, comprising:

• a first sheet of compliant material;
• and
• a second sheet of compliant material, wherein the first sheet of compliant material and the second sheet of compliant material are coupled together to form:
• at least a portion of an internal region;
• an opening that is adapted to receive an extremity of a mammal and allow a portion of the extremity to be positioned within the internal region;
• and
• a fluid plenum that is isolated from the internal region;
• an aperture in the first sheet of compliant material, wherein the aperture provides access to the portion of the extremity positioned within the internal region;
• a bonding material disposed on a surface of the first sheet of compliant material and around the aperture, wherein the surface defines at least a portion of the internal region;
• and
• IV tubing disposed in proximity to at least one of the one or more thermal exchanging units, such that the IV tubing is in thermal contact with the one or more thermal exchanging units.

A method of exchanging heat with an extremity of a mammal to aid in the placement or advancement of a device into a vascular structure of the mammal, comprising:

• positioning a portion of an extremity of a mammal in an internal region of a body element, wherein the extremity is disposed in the internal region through an opening in the body element;
• transferring heat between the portion of the extremity disposed in the body element and a thermal exchange unit;
• bonding a first portion of the body element to a contact region which surrounds a first region of the surface of the extremity, wherein the first portion of the body element comprises an aperture that exposes the first region of the surface;
• and
• inserting a catheter into the first region through the aperture and into an artery or a vein found in the extremity.