Patent ID: 8780558

Claim:
A device comprising a first element having at least one surface in need of heating or cooling and at least one heat transfer element in thermal communication with each surface in need of heating or cooling, wherein each heat transfer element comprises at least one heat exchange region, each having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein each heat exchange region independently comprises (i) a porous polymeric foam disposed between a contact surface of the heat transfer region and a second surface of the heat transfer region; (ii) one or more inlets at or near the proximal end of the heat exchange region, wherein each inlet is in fluid communication with the porous polymeric foam; and (iii) one or more outlets at or near the distal end of the heat exchange region, wherein each outlet is in fluid communication with the porous polymeric foam, wherein the contact surface of each heat transfer region and the second surface of each heat transfer region each independently comprise an essentially liquid impermeable material; and at least a portion of the contact surface of each heat transfer region is operatively attached to at least one surface in need of heating or cooling.