A balloon catheter is used in a closed-loop heat exchange system for manipulating the temperature of a patient. The balloon catheter is positioned in the stomach of the patient, and then expanded with a heat exchange fluid delivered through a lumen formed in the shaft of the catheter. The balloon catheter comes into contact with the wall of the stomach, and the stomach substantially conforms around the expanded balloon catheter. The heat exchange fluid is allowed to flow continuously into and out of the balloon catheter. Heat is exchanged between the balloon catheter and the stomach so as to controllably alter the temperature of at least a portion of the patient. Anti-shivering mechanisms and automatic control based on temperature feedback from the patient may be used in connection with the heat exchange system.

A whole-body hyperthermia system for raising the body temperature of the entire body of an individual to a predetermined target temperature and for stabilizing the body temperature at the target temperature comprises an apparatus means for raising the body temperature at a rate of at least 1? C./hour, and at least a second thermal means for further adjusting the body temperature to the target temperature Tb. The second thermal means comprises a fluid circuit, which is at least partially within the individual, and a fluid, heated by a heat exchanger to a set temperature is circulated through the fluid circuit.

The air flow system includes a hose member having an exterior flow tube and an interior flow tube, a distal connector, and a proximal connector. The air flow in the interior flow tube is separate from the exterior flow tube. Air flows from the exterior flow tube, through a flow chamber, around a treatment site of inflammation and back to the interior flow tube. The system for air circulation therapy also includes a body attachment device, an air pump supply, an air recovery unit, a temperature sensor, an air flow sensor, and a controller. The method includes inserting a body part with a treatment site within the flow chamber-and sealing the flow chamber to the air flow system. Temperature regulated air flow is supplied to the treatment site in the flow chamber and collected from the flow chamber.

Systems and methods for affecting metabolism, such as the treatment of metabolic syndrome are disclosed. A method for treating metabolic syndrome can include one or more of the steps including identifying a region of the patient comprising glabrous tissue; positioning the region of the patient comprising glabrous tissue into an enclosed chamber; adjusting the relative humidity of the enclosed chamber sufficient to create a physiologic metabolic effect; and activating a convection fan within the chamber to promote heat transfer from the glabrous tissue. The method need not involve altering the temperature within the enclosed chamber.

A support apparatus configured to support a person is provided. The support apparatus includes a top surface including one or more predetermined areas, one or more conduits located inside the support apparatus which are located proximate to the one or more predetermined areas, and an air supply configured to provide air to the one or more conduits for delivering to the one or more predetermined areas. The air supply includes a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the air provided by the air supply, a cooling element, and a controller communicatively coupled to the temperature sensor and the cooling element. The controller determines whether the measured temperature of the air is higher than a predetermined temperature, and controls the cooling element to cool the air to the predetermined temperature if it is determined that the temperature of the air is higher than the predetermined temperature.

A cryo-system for treating a body part of an individual by cryotherapy, which includes two parts. The first part is either i) a cryo-probe suitable for internal cooling, which includes a penetrating segment in communication with a cryogen source and is at least smaller than 1/10th of the body part's biggest volume and/or at least one dimension smaller than 1 cm or ii) a cryo-probe suitable for external cooling, which includes a non-penetrating segment in communication with a cryogen source. The second part is either i) an assembly of at least two nanoparticles bound to each other or associated with each other via binding or associating material or ii) at least one nanoparticle, which includes iron and at least one other metal than iron. The assembly of at least two nanoparticles or the at least one nanoparticle may be cooled by the cryo-probe or by switching on the cryo-probe.

A temperature regulating device for a user's neck includes a housing that extends about the neck and has a base portion, and first and second side portions. The side portions each have an air duct extending from an air inlet to an air outlet in communication with air inlets of an air duct within the base portion. Two thermoelectric are devices located within each of the side portions. Each thermoelectric device is in thermal connection with a cold space member at exterior sides of the side portions for contacting the lateral sides of the neck. Two fans within the base portion are configured to pull air through the side portions past the thermoelectric devices to the base portion and out through the air outlets of the base portion. Only the side portions of the housing selectively heat and cool the neck near pulse points of the neck.

A cryotherapy system can include an erectable apparatus that can be at least partially inflatable, and configured to extend at least partially around a treatment area adapted to contain at least both vaporized cryogen and at least a portion of a user's body to be cryogenically treated; and a cooling system configurable to provide vaporized cryogen to the treatment area.

A cryo-system for treating a body part of an individual by cryotherapy, which includes two parts. The first part is either i) a cryo-probe suitable for internal cooling, which includes a penetrating segment in communication with a cryogen source and is at least smaller than 1/10th of the body part's biggest volume and/or at least one dimension smaller than 1 cm or ii) a cryo-probe suitable for external cooling, which includes a non-penetrating segment in communication with a cryogen source. The second part is either i) an assembly of at least two nanoparticles bound to each other or associated with each other via binding or associating material or ii) at least one nanoparticle, which includes iron and at least one other metal than iron. The assembly of at least two nanoparticles or the at least one nanoparticle may be cooled by the cryo-probe or by switching on the cryo-probe.

Systems and methods for improving or preventing a condition, such as the treatment of pain syndromes and migraine headaches are disclosed. A method for treating pain can include one or more of the steps including identifying a region of the patient comprising glabrous tissue; positioning the region of the patient comprising glabrous tissue into an enclosed chamber; adjusting the relative humidity of the enclosed chamber sufficient to create a physiologic effect. The method need not involve altering the temperature within the enclosed chamber.