In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the invention comprises a pliable enclosure containing a Phase Change Material (PCM) that maintains a nearly constant predetermined temperature while transmitting heat during phase change. The predetermined temperature is maintained which the PCM absorbs heat from the body of the patient, thus maintain the patient's body temperature at a nearly constant predetermined temperature for as long as the PCM material is transitioning phase. The pliable enclosure, which in an embodiment forms an enclosed volume, may be comprised of a shell which contains the PCM. The shell may be fabricated from polyethylene, polyurethane, or any other pliable material and may further comprise graphene covering on at least one of its surfaces to provide a tough exterior that is resistant to puncture by, for example, hypodermic needles, suture needles, scalpels, or other sharp instruments.

A heat pack includes a housing, a first phase change material (PCM) that is contained in the housing, and a thermal storage buffer that is contained in the housing. The thermal storage buffer includes a second PCM. An initiator is in operative contact with the first PCM. Activation of the initiator causes crystallization of the first PCM, and the first PCM cooperates with the thermal storage buffer to provide heat at a predetermined temperature range upon crystallization of the first PCM.

A compression and sensing system and/or method can include a wearable compressive pressure device comprising an elastic fabric; an electrically conductive yarn knitted into the device and comprising a transmission circuit configured to transmit an electrical signal representing a compressive pressure value in an area of a body to a connection point on the transmission circuit; a sensor connectable to the transmission circuit and configured to sense compressive pressure in the area of a body to which the device is applied; and a data processor/display unit connectable to the transmission circuit and configured to display the transmitted compressive pressure value. The data processor/display unit can be utilized to read interface compressive pressure provided by an inner sleeve and the cumulative interface compressive pressure provided by the inner sleeve and an outer wrap.

Apparatus and methods are described for killing cancer cells (44) of a subject, the subject having cancer cells and healthy cells. The apparatus includes a plurality of first molecules (40) configured to be coupled to the cancer cells to a greater extent than to the healthy cells, in response to being administered to the subject. A plurality of clusters (42) of phase-change molecules are provided, each of the clusters coupled to a respective one of the first molecules. An energy transmission unit (50) kills cancer cells coupled to the first molecules by heating the cancer cells, by transmitting energy toward the clusters that selectively heats the clusters. Other embodiments are also described.

A portable moist heat delivery system comprising a water vapor generating portion comprising a water vapor source and a heat source; a water vapor-air regulating portion, said water vapor-air regulating portion comprising a water vapor-air mixing layer, and a water vapor-air distribution layer; said water vapor generating portion and said water vapor-air regulating portion being in fluid communication; and said water vapor-air regulating portion having a latent heat delivery surface disposed adjacent said water vapor-air regulating portion which delivers moist heat at a preselected temperature range wherein about 15% to about 95% of the moist heat is latent heat of condensation. Methods include delivering improved pain relief, blood flow, relaxation, and reduced cardiac workload.

A garment for providing relief from menstrual pain, the garment comprising at least one fabric layer conforming to contours of a lower and middle body portion. The fabric layer further comprises a plurality of heating pouches accommodating replaceable heating members, placed on an inner side of the fabric layer. The replaceable heating member is configured to produce heat as a result of an exothermic chemical reaction and transfer the heat to predefined parts of the body for pain relief.

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide method and apparatus for effecting (e.g., lightening) an appearance of skin by cooling or freezing small separated surface regions of the skin to produce regions of local hypopigmentation. The width of the regions can be, for example, smaller than about 1 mm or 0.5 mm, and a distance between these frozen regions can be greater than about 3 times the width of the regions. An exemplary apparatus can be provided that includes a plurality of spatially-separated thermally conductive arrangements that can be affixed or otherwise coupled to a base. For example, the conductive arrangements can be regions of conductive material provided in or proximal to a thermal insulator, or thermally conductive protrusions affixed to the base. The conductive arrangements can be cooled and then contacted with the skin surface to produce the small regions of hypopigmentation.

A heat transfer system may include a heat transfer machine adapted to thermally couple to an heat transfer pack housed within an heat transfer device and transfer heat from the heat transfer pack using a power supply. The heat transfer device may include a housing and a heat transfer pack. The heat transfer pack may be adapted to thermally couple to the heat transfer machine, transfer heat to the heat transfer machine while thermally coupled to the heat transfer machine, and transfer heat from a mammal's skin when the heat transfer device is in contact with the mammal's skin and uncoupled from the heat transfer machine.

Dry eye treatment apparatus and methods which include one or more patches or strips affixed to the skin of the upper and/or lower eyelids to deliver heat or other forms of energy, pressure, drugs, moisture, etc. (alone or in combination) to the one or more meibomian glands contained within the underlying skin. The one or more patches or strips may allow for the subject to blink naturally without restriction from the one or more patches or strips. The one or more patches or strips may be shaped to follow a location of one or more meibomiam glands contained within the underlying region of skin.

A self-retractable patch for skin stimulation is disclosed. A patch for skin stimulation includes a retractable material and a trigger material. According to one embodiment, as a patch capable of stimulating skin, a patch for skin stimulation includes a retractable material capable of retracting under a preset condition and a trigger material which applies a preset energy to the retractable material so as to achieve the condition may be provided.