Highly Comfortable Thermal Contact Pad

Disclosed herein is a medical pad for exchanging thermal energy between a targeted temperature management (TTM) fluid and a patient. The medical pad includes a fluid containing layer configured for circulation of a TTM fluid therein. The pad is configured to expand together with an expansion of the patient's skin. A fluid containing layer of the pad includes openings extending therethrough to facilitate expansion. The pad further includes tabs extending away from a perimeter edge, so that a clinician may apply a lifting force to the tab to separate a proximate portion of the pad away from the patient. The pad further includes a hydrogel layer formed of an ultraviolet light-cured composition.

BACKGROUND

The effect of temperature on the human body has been well documented and the use of targeted temperature management (TTM) systems for selectively cooling and/or heating bodily tissue is known. Elevated temperatures, or hyperthermia, may be harmful to the brain under normal conditions, and even more importantly, during periods of physical stress, such as illness or surgery. Conversely, lower body temperatures, or mild hypothermia, may offer some degree of neuroprotection. Moderate to severe hypothermia tends to be more detrimental to the body, particularly the cardiovascular system.

Targeted temperature management can be viewed in two different aspects. The first aspect of temperature management includes treating abnormal body temperatures, i.e., cooling the body under conditions of hyperthermia or warming the body under conditions of hypothermia. The second aspect of thermoregulation is an evolving treatment that employs techniques that physically control a patient's temperature to provide a physiological benefit, such as cooling a stroke patient to gain some degree of neuroprotection. By way of example, TTM systems may be utilized in early stroke therapy to reduce neurological damage incurred by stroke and head trauma patients. Additional applications include selective patient heating/cooling during surgical procedures such as cardiopulmonary bypass operations.

TTM systems circulate a fluid (e.g., water) through one or more thermal contact pads coupled to a patient to affect surface-to-surface thermal energy exchange with the patient. In general, TTM systems include a TTM fluid control module coupled to at least one contact pad via a fluid deliver line. One such system including a thermal contact pad is disclosed in U.S. Published Application No. 2020-0155341 titled “Medical Pad and System for Thermotherpy” filed Oct. 9, 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

A patient may experience swelling during a TTM therapy which may occur across an area of the skin in contact with the patient. In some instances, the swelling may cause trauma to the skin in contact with the patient, especially along a perimeter edge of the pad. Disclosed here are systems, thermal contact pads, and methods for providing a TTM therapy while minimizing skin trauma.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly summarized, disclosed herein is a medical pad for exchanging thermal energy between a targeted temperature management (TTM) fluid and a patient. According to some embodiments, the medical pad includes a fluid containing layer, having a channel structure and a film disposed across an underside of the channel structure, where the film is sealably coupled with the channel structure to form a flow path for the TTM fluid. The pad further includes a plurality of openings extending between a topside of the channel structure and an underside of the film, and a hydrogel layer disposed across the underside of the film, where the hydrogel layer defines a thermal coupling of the fluid containing layer with the patient and an adhesive for adhering the fluid containing layer to a patient's skin. The pad is configured for expansion in at least one direction, so that in use the pad expands together with an expansion of the patient's skin.

In some embodiments, the hydrogel layer comprises an ultraviolet light-cured composition that includes: (i) a cross-linking copolymer in an amount of between about 15% to 30% by weight of the composition, (ii) water in an amount of between about 15% to 40% by weight of the composition, and (iii) glycerol in an amount of between about 25% to 35% by weight of the composition.

In some embodiments, the pad may further comprise one or more tabs coupled with the fluid containing layer, where the tabs extend outwardly away from one or more perimeter edges of the pad. Each tab may be rigidly coupled with the fluid containing layer so that a lifting force applied to the tab causes a separation of a proximate portion of the pad away from the patient. In some embodiments, at least a subset of the tabs are formed of a resilient material and include a portion extending inward from the perimeter edge. In other embodiments, at least a subset of the tabs are formed of an outward extension of the channel structure.

The pad may include an inlet port in fluid communication with a first end of the flow path and an outlet port in fluid communication with a second end of the flow path.

In some embodiments, the expansion of the pad includes an increase of at least one dimension of one or more of the openings.

In some embodiments, the openings include fissures extending inward from a perimeter edge of the pad and across a portion of the pad. In further embodiments, the openings include a first subset of fissures extending inward from a first perimeter edge of the pad and a second subset of fissures extending inward from a second perimeter edge of the pad, where the second perimeter edge is disposed opposite the first perimeter edge. The first subset of fissures and second subset of fissures may be disposed in an alternating arrangement.

In some embodiments, an extendable material is disposed within each fissure. The extendable material is coupled across the fissure from a first side to a second side opposite the first side, and the extendable material is configured to allow a widening of the fissure in accordance with the expansion of the pad. In some embodiments, the extendable material includes a rubber, a woven elasticated material, or a neoprene.

In some embodiments, the channel structure includes a series of interconnected channel segments forming a lattice arrangement, and the openings may include apertures, where each aperture has a circumferential perimeter defined by three or more channel segments. In some embodiments, one or more apertures define one of a rhomboid, square, rectangular, hexagonal, or polygonal shape.

In some embodiments, the pad defines vest configured to extend around a torso of a patient.

Also disclosed herein is a targeted temperature management system that includes a system module configured for preparation and delivery of the TTM fluid and any of the medical pads summarized above fluidly coupled with the system module.

Also disclosed herein is a method of providing a targeted temperature management (TTM) therapy to a patient. According to some embodiments, the method includes (i) applying a thermal contact pad to a patient, where the pad is configured for expansion so that, during the TTM therapy, the pad expands together with an expansion of the patient's skin, (ii) coupling the thermal contact pad with a system module, where the system module is configured for preparation and delivery of a TTM fluid to the thermal contact pad, and (iii) circulating the TTM fluid through a fluid containing layer of the pad to define a thermal energy exchange between the TTM fluid and the patient.

In some embodiments, the method further includes orienting the pad with the patient so that an expansion direction of the pad is aligned with an anticipated expansion direction of the patient's skin.

In some embodiments of the method, the pad further includes one or more tabs coupled with the fluid containing layer, where the tabs extend outwardly away from one or more perimeter edges of the pad, and the method further includes applying a lifting force to one tab of the one or more tabs to lift a proximate portion of the pad away from the patient. The method may further include visually inspecting the area of the skin beneath the proximate portion.

In some embodiments of the method, the pad further comprises a hydrogel layer having an ultraviolet light-cured composition that includes: (i) a cross-linking copolymer in an amount of between about 15% to 30% by weight of said composition, (ii) water in an amount of between about 15% to 40% by weight of said composition, and (iii) glycerol in an amount of between about 25% to 35% by weight of the composition.

In some embodiments of the method, the pad includes a plurality of openings extending between a topside and an underside of the fluid containing layer, and expansion of the pad includes an increase of at least one dimension of one or more of the openings.

In some embodiments of the method, the openings include fissures extending inward from a perimeter edge of the pad and across a portion of the pad.

In some embodiments of the method, the pad further includes an extendable material disposed within each fissure, where the extendable material is coupled across the fissure from a first side to a second side opposite the first side, and the extendable material is configured to allow a widening of the fissure in accordance with the expansion of the pad.

In some embodiments of the method, the fluid containing layer includes a channel structure defining a series of interconnected channel segments forming a lattice arrangement, and the openings include apertures, where each aperture has a circumferential perimeter defined by three or more channel segments.

These and other features of the concepts provided herein will become more apparent to those of skill in the art in view of the accompanying drawings and the following description, which describe particular embodiments of such concepts in greater detail.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Regarding terms used herein, it should also be understood the terms are for the purpose of describing some particular embodiments, and the terms do not limit the scope of the concepts provided herein. Ordinal numbers (e.g., first, second, third, etc.) are generally used to distinguish or identify different features or steps in a group of features or steps, and do not supply a serial or numerical limitation. For example, “first,” “second,” and “third” features or steps need not necessarily appear in that order, and the particular embodiments including such features or steps need not necessarily be limited to the three features or steps. Labels such as “left,” “right,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” and the like are used for convenience and are not intended to imply, for example, any particular fixed location, orientation, or direction. Instead, such labels are used to reflect, for example, relative location, orientation, or directions. Singular forms of “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The words “including,” “has,” and “having,” as used herein, including the claims, shall have the same meaning as the word “comprising.” Furthermore, the terms “or” and “and/or” as used herein are to be interpreted as inclusive or meaning any one or any combination. As an example, “A, B or C” or “A, B and/or C” mean “any of the following: A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B and C.” An exception to this definition will occur only when a combination of elements, components, functions, steps or acts are in some way inherently mutually exclusive.

The phrases “connected to” and “coupled to” refer to any form of interaction between two or more entities, including mechanical, fluid, and thermal interaction. Two components may be connected to or coupled with each other even though they are not in direct contact with each other. For example, two components may be coupled with each other through an intermediate component.

Any methods disclosed herein include one or more steps or actions for performing the described method. The method steps and/or actions may be interchanged with one another. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions is required for proper operation of the embodiment, the order and/or use of specific steps and/or actions may be modified. Moreover, sub-routines or only a portion of a method described herein may be a separate method within the scope of this disclosure. Stated otherwise, some methods may include only a portion of the steps described in a more detailed method.

FIG.1Aillustrates a targeted temperature management (TTM) system100connected to a patient50for administering TTM therapy to the patient50which may include a cooling and/or warming of the patient50, in accordance with some embodiments. The TTM system100includes a TTM module110for preparing and delivering TTM fluid102. The TTM system100includes a fluid deliver line (FDL)103extending from the TTM module110to a thermal contact pad (pad)120to provide for flow of TTM fluid102between the TTM module110and the pad120.

The TTM system100may include 1, 2, 3, 4 or more pads120and the TTM system100may include 1, 2, 3, 4 or more fluid delivery lines103. In use, the TTM module110prepares the TTM fluid102for delivery to the pad120by heating or cooling the TTM fluid102to a defined temperature in accordance with a prescribed TTM therapy. The TTM module110circulates the TTM fluid102within the pad120to facilitate thermal energy exchange with the patient50. During the TTM therapy, the TTM module110may continually control the temperature of the TTM fluid102toward a target TTM temperature. As shown, the pad120may be applied to different body parts of the patient50. As such, the pad120may be available in different configurations, such as sizes and shapes, for example, to accommodate the different body parts.

The pad120may generally define a rectangular shape. In other embodiments, the pad120may define shapes other than rectangular such as circular, oval, or a shape that matches or aligns with the shape of a specific body part. In the illustrated embodiment, the pad120generally defines a flat shape in a free state, i.e., absent external forces. In other embodiments, the pad120may define a curved shape in the free state to accommodate more effectively a non-flat body part, such as a leg for, example.

The pad120may be configured to accommodate protrusions and/or depressions along a surface of the patient50. For example, the pad120may be structurally flexible in one or more directions to extend over protrusions and/or fill in depressions of the patient surface so that the pad120may define a thermally intimate contact with an uneven skin surface the patient.

The pad120may also be configured to change shape along with a changing shape of the patient50during the TTM therapy. For example, in some instances, exchanging thermal energy with the patient50may cause a portion of the patient to swell. The swelling may cause an area of the skin in contact with the pad120to become larger, i.e., stretch in one or more directions. In some embodiments, the pad120may be configured to expand in one or more directions together with the stretching of the skin.

FIGS.1B-1Eillustrate a first embodiment of the pad120for employment with the targeted temperature management (TTM) system100, in accordance with some embodiments.FIG.1Bis a top view of the pad120. The pad120generally defines a topside121disposed away from the patient50during use and an underside122configured for contact with the patient50. For illustration purposes, the pad120defines a front side125, back side126, a left side127and a right side128. Connectors/ports123couple with the FDL103to provide for TTM fluid102flow into and out of the pad120. In the illustrated embodiment, the connectors123are disposed on the top side121of the pad120. In other embodiments, the connectors may be disposed on the underside122or along any of the sides125-128.

Fissures130A-130C extend partially across the pad120. The fissures130A-130C also extend from the top side121to the underside122of the pad120and a connector material131extends across the fissures130A-130C. The fissures130A-130C define channels129A-129D for the flow of TTM fluid102therethrough. Flow of TTM fluid102within the channels129A-129D may be unidirectional or bidirectional.

In the illustrated embodiment, the pad120includes three fissures130A-130C. In other embodiments, the pad120may include more or fewer than three fissures. The fissures extend inward and partially across the pad120, i.e., the fissures130A,130C extend inward away from the front side125toward the back side126, and the fissure130B extends inward away from the back side126toward the front side125. In the illustrated embodiment, the three fissures130A-130C extend inward away from opposites sides of the pad120in an alternating arrangement. In other embodiments, the pad120may include two or more adjacent fissures extending inward from the same side. Although not shown, in some embodiments, the pad120may also include fissures extending inward from the left side127and/or the right side128.

In the illustrated embodiment, the pad120includes channel connection portions extending between adjacent channels. For example, a channel connection portion129E extends between the adjacent channels129A,129B to provide for the flow of TTM fluid102between the adjacent channels129A,129B. Although not shown, in some embodiments, adjacent channels may be fluidly coupled via one or more fluid lines (e.g., tubes) in lieu of a channel connection portion. In such embodiments, a corresponding fissure may extend entirely across the pad120.

FIG.1Cis a cross-sectional side view of a portion the pad120, in accordance with some embodiments. The pad120includes multiple layers disposed between the topside105and the underside106. The pad120generally includes a fluid containing layer150having TTM fluid102circulating therein, which defines a heat sink or a heat source for the patient50in accordance with a temperature of the TTM fluid102. The fluid containing layer150is formed of a channel structure151sealably coupled with a film152to define channels129A-129D, i.e., the flow path for the TTM fluid102extending between the connectors123.

The channel structure151may be composed of any suitable material such as silicone, a thermoplastic material, for example and may be manufactured via any suitable process, such as thermo-forming, injection molding, or casting, for example. The channel structure151may be deflectable so as to form a curve in one or more directions. The deflectability of the channel structure151may allow the pad120to conform to uneven skin surfaces of the patient50. The deflectability may allow the pad120to extend around or partially around a portion of the patient such as a torso or a leg of the patient, for example.

Although not required, the channel structure151may include internal protrusions153extending into any or all of the channels129A-129D toward the film152to define sub-channels within the channels129A-129D. The protrusions153may direct the flow of TTM fluid102along the channels129A-129D to inhibit stagnant areas or areas of low flow of the TTM fluid102. In general, the protrusions153may promote an enhanced heat convection between the TTM fluid102and the film152. In some embodiments, the protrusions153may extend to and/or be coupled with the film152. The protrusions153may also inhibit collapsing of the channels129A-129D when a pressure within the channels129A-129D is negative, i.e., below atmospheric pressure.

The connector material131extends across the fissures130A-130C and couples adjacent channels with each other. For example, the connector material131disposed within the fissure130A extends between the adjacent channels129A,129B and couples the channel129A to the channel129B. The connector material131is a stretchable material. The connector material131may be composed of a woven or netting structure to enable the stretchability or the connector material131may be stretchable by virtue of its raw material. In some embodiments, the connector material131may include a rubber, a woven elasticated material, or a neoprene. In some embodiments, the connector material131may be breathable, i.e., provide for the passage of air through the fissure from the top side121to the underside122of the pad120. In some embodiments, the connector material131may be omitted along all or a portion of a fissure.

With further reference toFIG.1C, the pad120includes a hydrogel layer160disposed along the underside122of the pad120. In use the hydrogel layer160is in direct contact with the skin of the patient50to define a thermally intimate contact between the fluid containing layer150and the patient50. The hydrogel layer160may also define an adhesive between the film152and the patient's skin. The hydrogel layer160may be formed of an ultraviolet light-cured composition160A that includes (i) a cross-linking copolymer in an amount of between about 15% to 30% by weight of said composition, (ii) water in an amount of between about 15% to 40% by weight of said composition, and (iii) glycerol in an amount of between about 25% to 35% by weight of the composition. In the illustrated embodiment, the hydrogel layer160does not extend across the fissures130A-130C. In other embodiments, the hydrogel layer160may extend across the fissures130A-130C.

FIG.1Dis a top view of the pad120in an expanded state/shape. As discussed above the pad120is configured to change shape in accordance with changes in shape or size of the patient during the TTM therapy.FIG.1Billustrates the pad120in a non-expanded shape which may, in some embodiments, correlate with a free state of the pad120, i.e., the shape of the pad120absent an external force applied to the pad120.FIG.1Dillustrates the pad120in an exemplary expanded shape.

As shown, a width of the fissure130B is greater adjacent the back side126than proximate the front side125so that the length of the pad120along the back side126is greater in the expanded state than in the non-expanded state. Similarly, the widths of the fissures130A,130C are greater adjacent the front side125than proximate the back side126so that the length of the pad120along the front side125is greater in the expanded state than in the non-expanded state.

In use, the channels129A-129D may be adhesively coupled with the skin of the patient via the hydrogel layer160, such that sliding of the channels129A-129D with respect to the skin is resisted. The connector material131may be sufficiently stretchable to allow widening of the fissure or portion thereof in an instance of patient swelling during the TTM therapy. In other words, the connector material131may be sufficiently stretchable to allow the channels129A-129D move along with the patient's skin during swelling.

With further reference toFIGS.1B,1C, the pad120includes one or more tabs140disposed along any or all of the sides125-128. The tab140includes an internal portion141extending inward away from a perimeter edge of the pad120and an external portion142extend outward away from the perimeter edge. The tab140is configured for separating a portion of the pad120from the skin along the corresponding perimeter edge proximate the tab140when a lifting force is applied to the tab140. In use, the clinician may utilize the tab140to separate the portion of the pad120adjacent the tab140from the skin to visually inspect the skin adjacent the portion of the pad120.

The tab(s)140may be generally more rigid that the pad120so that the clinician may apply a lifting force to the tab140to separate a portion of the pad120from the patient50. The resiliency/rigidity of the tab140may defined be a material of the tab140. In the illustrated embodiment, the tab140generally defines a thin shape and is composed of rigid material. The tab140is coupled with the fluid containing layer150at a bottom side of the fluid containing layer150. In other embodiments, the tab140may be coupled with the fluid containing layer150along a top side of the fluid containing layer150or the top side121of the pad120at any location between the top side121and the underside122of the pad120.

In other embodiments, the tab140may be integrally formed with the channeling structure151. As such, the rigidity of the tab140may be defined by a structural shape of the tab140, e.g., a thickness of the tab140. In such embodiments, the structure of the channeling structure151proximate the tab140may define a rigidity of the internal portion141of the tab140. In other words, the tab140may be integral to the channeling structure151, i.e., the tab140may be formed of the channeling structure material during the manufacturing process of the channeling structure151. As such, the tab140may be an extension of the channeling structure151.

FIG.1Eillustrates the pad120in use with a patient50. In some instances, the skin surface adjacent a perimeter edge170of the pad120may became traumatized as may be caused by frictional contact of the pad120with the skin150, for example. As such, the clinician may desire to inspect the skin51for any indications of trauma. Shown is the pad120applied to a patient50. Shown also are the hydrogel layer160disposed on an underside of the pad120and a tab140extending away from the perimeter edge170. In use, the clinician may apply a lifting force141to the tab140to lift/separate a portion of the pad120away from the patient50to inspect a portion of the skin51proximate the tab140of the pad120. In lifting the pad120/220, the clinician may use a finger or thumb105to apply the lifting force141to the tab140. By using the tab140, the clinician is able to avoid touching and disturbing the hydrogel layer160.

FIGS.2A-2Bis a top view of a second embodiment of a thermal contact pad220that can, in certain respects, resemble components of the pad120described in connection withFIGS.1A-1E. It will be appreciated that all the illustrated embodiments may have analogous features. Accordingly, like features are designated with like reference numerals, with the leading digits incremented to “2.” For instance, the fluid containing layer is designated as “150” inFIGS.1A-1E, and an analogous fluid containing layer is designated “250” inFIGS.2A-2B. Relevant disclosure set forth above regarding similarly identified features thus may not be repeated hereafter. Moreover, specific features of the thermal contact pad120and related components shown inFIGS.1A-1Emay not be shown or identified by a reference numeral in the drawings or specifically discussed in the written description that follows. However, such features may clearly be the same, or substantially the same, as features depicted in other embodiments and/or described with respect to such embodiments. Accordingly, the relevant descriptions of such features apply equally to the features of the thermal contact pad220ofFIGS.2A-2B. Any suitable combination of the features, and variations of the same, described with respect to the thermal contact pad120and components illustrated inFIGS.1A-1Ecan be employed with the thermal contact pad220and components ofFIGS.2A-2B, and vice versa. This pattern of disclosure applies equally to further embodiments depicted in subsequent figures and described hereafter.

FIGS.2A-2Billustrate the thermal contact pad220configured for employment with the targeted temperature management (TTM) system100(seeFIG.1A), in accordance with some embodiments.FIG.2Ais a perspective exploded view of the thermal contact pad220(as viewed from the back left corner) andFIG.2Bis a side cross-sectional view of a portion of the pad220in an assembled state cut along sectioning lines2B-2B. With reference toFIGS.2A-2B, the pad220generally defines a topside221disposed away from the patient50(seeFIG.1A) during use and an underside222configured for contact with the patient50. For illustration purposes, the pad220defines a front side225, back side226, a left side227and a right side228.

The fluid containing layer250is composed of a channel structure251sealably coupled with a film252along an underside of the channel structure251. The channel structure251is composed of a series of interconnected channel segments253forming, in combination with the film252, one or more flow paths for TTM fluid102extending between an inlet connector223A and an outlet connector223B. The interconnected channel segments253form a lattice arrangement defining openings254that extend through the fluid containing layer250, i.e., between a top side of the channel structure251and a bottom side of the film252. A shape of the openings254may include a diamond, a parallelogram, a rhomboid, a square, a rectangle, a hexagon or any other polygonal shape. Each of the openings254may include circumferential perimeter defined by three or more channel segments253.

The channel structure251may be composed of any suitable material such silicone, or a thermoplastic material, for example. The channel structure251may be deflectable so as to form a curve in one or more directions. The deflectability of the channel structure251may allow the pad220to conform to uneven skin surfaces of the patient50. The deflectability may allow the pad220to extend around or partially around a portion of the patient such as a torso or leg of the patient, for example.

The pad220may generally define a rectangular shape defining a length229A extending between the front side225and the back side226and a width229B extending between the left side227and the right side228. In a free state, the length229A may be longer than the width229B for vice versa.

The channel structure251is configured to change shape in response to an external force. For example, a tension force between the left and right sides227,228may cause an increase in the width229B. Similarly, a tension force between the front and back sides225,226may cause an increase in the length229A. In some embodiments, an increase in length may result in a decrease in width and vice versa. In some embodiments, the pad120may more easily increase in width than in length, i.e., require a lower tension force to cause an expansion.

The pad220includes a hydrogel layer260disposed along the underside of the pad220. In use the hydrogel layer260is in direct contact with the skin of the patient50to define a thermally intimate contact between the fluid containing layer250and the patient50. The hydrogel layer260may be composed of a material similar to the ultraviolet light-cured composition160A ofFIG.1C. In the illustrated embodiment, the hydrogel layer260may extend across the openings253. In some embodiments, one or more openings253may extend through the hydrogel layer260.

The pad220may include one or more tabs240disposed along any or all of the sides225-228. The tab240extend away from the perimeter edge of the pad220. The tab(s)140may be integrally formed with the channeling structure251. As such, the channeling structure251may help define a rigidity of the tab240. The tab(s)240may be generally more rigid that the pad220so that the clinician may apply a lifting force to the tab240to separate a portion of the pad220from the patient50. In some embodiments, the tab240may be a separate component coupled with the fluid containing layer250. The rigidity of the tab240may be defined by a raw material of the tab240.

Although not shown, the thermal contact pad120ofFIGS.1A-1Eand the thermal contact pad220ofFIGS.2A-2Bmay include a combination of the channel structure151and the channel structure251.

FIG.3illustrates a third embodiment of the pad320in the form of a vest configured to extend around a torso of the patient50(seeFIG.1A). The pad320defines a topside/outerside321and an underside322. Disposed along the underside322is the hydrogel layer360. Connectors323couple the FDL303to the pad320to provide for the flow of TTM fluid102to the pad320. The pad320includes a plurality of fissures330to provide for expandable portions of the pad320. As illustrated, one expandable portion may be disposed along a right side (e.g., adjacent the right arm of the patient) of the pad320. Although hidden inFIG.3, the pad320may include another expandable portion disposed along the left side opposite the right side. In some embodiments, the pad320may include additional expandable portions. For example, in some embodiments, the pad320may include expandable portions disposed along a front side and/or a back side of the pad320.

The pad320includes a fluid containing layer350disposed along the outerside321. The channels329disposed between the fissures330provide for the flow of the TTM fluid across the expandable portions. The fluid containing layer350includes a channel structure351extending along the expandable portions and along non-expandable portions. Although not required, the channel structure351may include internal protrusions353. The protrusions353may define sub-channels within the fluid containing layer350direct the flow of TTM fluid102so as to inhibit stagnant areas or areas of low flow of the TTM fluid102. In general, the protrusions353may promote an enhanced thermal energy exchange between the TTM fluid102and the patient50. The protrusions353may also inhibit collapsing fluid containing layer350when a pressure within the fluid containing layer350is negative, i.e., below atmospheric pressure.

The pad320may include fastening devices371to provide for the attachment of adjacent portions of the pad320. For example, a pair of fastening devices371may extend between the front side and the back side of the pad320so as to extend over a shoulder of the patient50. Other fastening devices371may extend between right and left front portions of the pad320. The fastening devices371may provide for selective attachment and detachment of the adjacent portions of the pad320.

The pad320includes one or more tabs340disposed on perimeter edges of the pad320to provide for skin inspections as shown and described above (seeFIG.1E).

Although not shown, in some embodiments, the pad320(or more specifically the fluid containing layer350) may include lattice channel structure (seeFIGS.2A-2B) in leu of or in addition to the fissures330. For example, one or more portions of the front side and/or back side may include a lattice channeling structure.

A method of providing a targeted temperature management (TTM) therapy to a patient may include all or a subset of the following steps or processes. A clinician may apply the thermal contact pad to a patient over a defined area of the patient to facilitate thermal energy exchange with the patient. The clinician may couple the pad with a system module, and initiate a circulation the TTM fluid through the fluid containing layer of the pad to commence the thermal energy exchange between the TTM fluid and the patient.

As the pad may be configured to expand in a single direction (or expand more readily in a single direction), the clinician may orient the pad to align with an anticipated direction of expansion of the patient's skin. For example, in some instances, a thigh of the patient may expand/swell more significantly along a circumference of the thigh rather than along the length of the thigh. As such, the clinician may orient the pad to align the direction of pad expansion with the circumference of the thigh.

In performing the method, the clinician may apply a lifting force to a tab of the pad to lift/separate a portion of the pad proximate the tab away from the patient so as to expose the skin the proximate portion of the pad. The clinician may then visually inspect the skin beneath the proximate portion to check for potential skin trauma. The clinician may engage the tab to avoid touching the hydrogel layer.

Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the art can use the preceding description to utilize the invention to its fullest extent. The claims and embodiments disclosed herein are to be construed as merely illustrative and exemplary, and not a limitation of the scope of the present disclosure in any way. It will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art, with the aid of the present disclosure, that changes may be made to the details of the above-described embodiments without departing from the underlying principles of the disclosure herein. In other words, various modifications and improvements of the embodiments specifically disclosed in the description above are within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, the order of the steps or actions of the methods disclosed herein may be changed by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions is required for proper operation of the embodiment, the order or use of specific steps or actions may be modified. The scope of the invention is therefore defined by the following claims.