A method for treating skin, including: delivering one or more pulses of non-converging ultrasonic energy through a surface area size in a range of 3 mm.sup.2-7 mm.sup.2, wherein each pulse having an intensity in a range of 5 W/cm.sup.2-60 W/cm.sup.2 and a time duration in which the ultrasonic energy is actively transmitted in a range of 1-10 seconds per pulse, wherein the non-converging ultrasonic energy is delivered from a fixed position to one or more skin regions having a maximal surface area size in a range of 5 cm.sup.2-100 cm.sup.2.

A device to change the temperature of a localized volume of material. A workable device includes at least one heat transfer mechanism having an external surface for direct contact with an exposed surface of the material. A working fluid is directed by input and output conduits to contact an internal surface of the heat transfer mechanism. The heat transfer mechanism exchanges heat between the working fluid and the material. Temperature of the working fluid may be regulated by a thermal system disposed at a remote location. An optional temperature sensing element may monitor a local temperature of the heat transfer mechanism or otherwise infer a temperature of a portion of the material. Sometimes, a device includes a cooperating anchoring arrangement to facilitate holding the heat transfer mechanism in a desired spot. Certain devices may be plastically deformed to a desired device shape.

A noninvasive, brain cooling method and device for cerebral cooling via a patient's nasopharyngeal cavity, is described. Thermal conductive nasal prongs are inserted into a nasal cavity and are cooled by thermoelectric cooling elements. An outward air driving fan inside the device drives a cold air current through the nasal and oral cavities. Heat transfer between the cold air and the surface of the nasal cavity cools the nasal cavity, which in turn, cools a patient's brain. Real-time temperature sensing data provides feedback for closed-loop cooling control.

A cooling device for removing heat from subcutaneous lipid-rich cells of a subject having skin is provided. The cooling device includes a plurality of cooling elements movable relative to each other to conform to the contour's of the subject's skin. The cooling elements have a plurality of controllable thermoelectric coolers. The cooling elements can be controlled to provide a time-varying cooling profile in a predetermined sequence, can be controlled to provide a spatial cooling profile in a selected pattern, or can be adjusted to maintain constant process parameters, or can be controlled to provide a combination thereof.

A system and method for adding or removing heat from a heat exchange fluid circulating between an external heat exchanger and an intravascular heat exchange catheter is described. The system includes a two stage cooling system providing for a high rate of cooling in one stage and a lower rate of cooling in a second stage. Both stages may be used to provide maximal cooling while the second stage is used to provide improved control of the cooling rate as a target temperature is approached. The second stage may also be used to provide heat to the heat exchange fluid.

A cervical collar that facilitates therapeutic hypothermia is provided and includes a cooling device having a front portion and a back portion fixedly coupled to the front portion on one side and removably coupled to the front portion on an opposite side. A fastening device removably couples the back portion to the front portion on the opposite side. The cooling device induces hypothermia in at least a portion of a patient. A sensor is provided that measures a physical characteristic of the patient.

A medical fluid probe includes a heat spreader structure that defines therein a fluid chamber that is in fluid communication with an external environment around the probe, and a thermal energy source in thermal communication with the heat spreader structure. The heat spreader structure functions as both temperature-control elements and structural elements. A variety of separate structure elements, such as the heat pipes, may combine to form the heat spreader structure. The thermal energy source may be used to maintain the temperature of the heat spreader structure, such as by heating and/or cooling the heater spreader structure.

Cooling systems are described herein that may be used in connection with one or more attached devices to cool patient tissue. The disclosed cooling systems include a refrigeration unit containing a thermoelectric element in thermal communication with a heat exchanger, a fluid pump in fluid communication with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, tubing connecting the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet, a fluid cooling element in thermal contact with the thermoelectric element, and a temperature sensor positioned to detect a temperature of fluid within the tubing. The temperature of fluid within the tubing can be controlled by a control unit having a user interface and a power controller to adjust cooling power to the thermoelectric element. Various types of devices can be configured to receive and circulate cooled fluid from the cooling systems, such as retractor blades, retractor shims, cooling pads, and scope sheaths.

In accordance with one embodiment, a uniform total body cryotherapy method and apparatus operative to allow an individual in a cryotherapy chamber to be subjected to the same cold temperatures on their entire body at the same time. In use, the apparatus allows active dissemination of cold air in a confined space without the undesired consequence of wind shear commonly caused by forced movement of cold air.

An intravascular temperature management catheter includes a shaft through which working fluid can circulate to and from a proximal location on the shaft. The catheter extends from a connector hub. At least one heat exchange member is supported by a distal part of the shaft or other part of the catheter to receive circulating working fluid from the proximal location. A temperature sensor is supported on the catheter for generating a temperature signal representative of blood temperature to a control system. The temperature sensor includes first and second conductive leads having respective first and second distal segments on or in the catheter shaft. The first and second distal segments are arranged to be in thermal contact with blood flowing past the catheter when the catheter is disposed in a blood vessel of a patient. Also, the temperature sensor includes a joining body connected to proximal segments of the first and second leads. The joining body may be supported in the hub or in another location proximal to the first and second conductive leads.