Patent ID: 7066949

Claim:
A heat therapy blanket for communicating heated air toward a patient to prevent or treat hypothermia, said heat therapy blanket comprising: a first sheet defining first and second sides and proximal and distal ends; a second sheet secured to said first sheet at a plurality of securement regions, said plurality of securement regions being configured to define a supply manifold at said proximal end extending between said first and second sides, at least one first supply duct extending between said proximal and distal ends along said first side, at least one second supply duct extending between said proximal and distal ends along said second side, a return manifold at said distal end extending between said first and second sides, and at least one return duct extending from said return manifold and terminating proximate said supply manifold and disposed between said first and second supply ducts, said second sheet extending away from each of said first and second sides and said proximal and distal end of said first sheet to define a skirt for draping over the patient to define a discrete volume of air under said heat therapy blanket and surrounding the patient whereby a substantial portion of the heated air communicated toward the patient is contained in said discrete volume of air; a supply inlet carried by said first sheet and adapted to releasably connect a supply hose to said supply manifold; a return outlet carried by said first sheet and adapted to releasably connect a return hose to said return duct, whereby heated air is introduced into said supply manifold via the supply hose, through said at least one supply duct, through said return manifold, through said at least one return duct, and through said outlet hose; and a heat source for collecting, heating and directing ambient air toward the patient through said second sheet.