Patent ID: 8021314
Filing Date: 2011-09-20
Classification: A61F,A61H

Abstract:
1. A method for in situ or in transit adjustment of a core body temperature of a patient, the method comprising the steps of: installing a sleeve comprising an absorbent material about a limb of the patient; wetting the sleeve with a liquid; inserting the limb having the wetted sleeve installed thereon into a pressure chamber such that the limb is substantially sealed from external conditions, wherein the pressure chamber comprises a substantially rigid casing and a heating/cooling element within the casing, and substantially all liquid in the interior of the pressure chamber is carried by the sleeve; activating the heating/cooling element to selectively (a) increase a temperature within the pressure chamber to a heating temperature or (b) decrease the temperature within the pressure chamber to a cooling temperature; and alternatingly introducing a negative pressure to the pressure chamber during a negative pressure period and releasing the negative pressure from the pressure chamber to restore the pressure chamber to approximately atmospheric pressure during an atmospheric pressure period.