Patent ID: 6719780
Filing Date: 2004-04-13
Classification: A61B,A61F,A61N

Abstract:
An apparatus for raising or maintaining the core temperature of a mammal comprising:radiant heating means which in use are located in an unobtrusive position proximate to said mammal, said radiant heating means comprises a cylindrical heating element which radiates heat energy with a wavelength of 3 microns when heated to 680Â° C.; means adapted to direct radiant energy produced by said radiant heating means at said mammal substantially at a region of high concentration of Arteriovenous Anastomoses, said energy being radiated using a wavelength of approximately 3 microns in the infrared band, said means adapted to direct radiant energy comprising two radiant energy reflectors, a first reflector being mounted directly or indirectly to said heating element, said heating element thereby being on the forward side of said first reflector, and said insulating means comprising a second reflector being mounted directly or indirectly to said first reflector a small distance from and on the behind side thereof, each said radiant energy reflector being shaped to direct said radiant energy from said radiant heating means in a substantially narrow beam, said beam being of a width substantially approximating said region, and insulating means for minimizing radiant and convection energy loss from said radiant means; and control means adapted to energise said radiant heating means such that in use the skin temperature of said mammal substantially adjacent said region remains within a predetermined range.