Patent ID: 6178562
Filing Date: 2001-01-30
Classification: A41D,A42C,A61F

Abstract:
A component of an animate body heat exchanger, which component is designed for contact with a part of an animate body for heat exchange therewith, comprising: a pair of overlapping fluid bladders, a first one of which is designed to direct flow of a heat exchange fluid as desired and includes at least one layer of a compliant material enabling such layer to conform to individual variations in the shape of the body part, and a second of which is shaped and positioned to direct gas pressure against said layer to press the same into intimate contact with said body part; said layer having at least a pair of side edges which are contiguous lengthwise with one another when said layer is in a configuration which generally is complementary to the shape of said body part; an adjustment mechanism for setting the distance between said side edges; and a separate opening and closing mechanism for use in applying said component to said body part.