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.

The present invention provides systems and methods inducing sleep through core body temperature cooling. The system comprises a primary heat sink in thermal contact with the wearer's palms and/or soles of feet causing cooling of the Arteriovenous Anastomoses (AVA's). The resulting controlled lowering of the core body temperature induces sleep.

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.

Devices for therapeutic interaction with an Abreu brain thermal tunnel (ABTT) terminus. Such devices provide heat to or remove heat from the ABTT terminus, and may also provide heat to or remove heat from veins connected to the ABTT. Therapeutic devices for engaging with the ABTT terminus benefit from diagnostics obtained at the ABTT terminus, or from other locations on the body.

The present disclosure is directed to an apparatus, system, and method for the cooling and transferring of a fluid to a patient. The apparatus can be contained in an enclosure having at least two sections, that house an energy storage device, a power connection that may be coupled to an energy storage device; and a heat transfer assembly that cools the fluid. The enclosure may have a fluid receiving point, and a fluid transfer point with a sensor for monitoring the temperature of a fluid before transfer to a cooling wrap through a fluid transfer hose. A fluid transfer hose may couple the fluid transfer point at one end to a cooling wrap or cap at a second end. The fluid can be returned or received from the cooling wrap at the fluid transfer point, and the temperature of the fluid monitored when received at the fluid transfer point.

A method in accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention includes increasing a concentration of a modified or unmodified saccharide within a subject's skin, applying an applicator to the subject's skin, and cooling the subject's skin via a heat-transfer surface of the applicator. The saccharide within the subject's skin can enhance a resistance of at least some cells within the subject's skin to damage associated with the cooling. A corresponding system includes the applicator, the saccharide, and an energy-delivery device. The energy-delivery device can be configured to apply ultrasound, optical, thermal, or another type of energy to the subject's skin to drive the saccharide into the subject's skin. The system can also include a penetration enhancer configured to enhance penetration of the saccharide into the subject's skin. The penetration enhancer can be applied with the saccharide or separately.

A thermal accessory controller comprising an input conduit providing a liquid path for a thermal liquid from the thermal accessory controller to a thermal accessory, an output conduit providing a liquid path for the thermal liquid from the thermal accessory to the thermal accessory controller, a first liquid pump in liquid communication with the input conduit and the output conduit, and a thermal liquid reservoir in liquid communication with the first liquid pump. The thermal accessory controller includes a first liquid block in liquid communication with the first liquid pump, the first liquid block including an internal channel for transferring the thermal liquid, and a second liquid block including an internal channel for transferring a coolant liquid. The thermal accessory controller includes a heating component in liquid communication with the first liquid pump, a cooling component in liquid communication with the second liquid block, and a heat transfer component configured to transfer heat from the first liquid block to the second liquid block.

A thermal accessory controller for controlling the temperature of a thermal accessory. The thermal accessory controller comprises a liquid reservoir for storing a thermal liquid that circulates through the thermal accessory, a temperature control system (TCS) in liquid communication with the liquid reservoir that adjusts the temperature of the thermal liquid according to a TCS target temperature value, and a control unit that controls the temperature control system using the TCS target temperature value. The control unit receives a TCS target temperature, receives a temperature measurement from a temperature sensor, and determines a magnitude of a difference between the TCS target temperature and the temperature measurement. The control unit executes a proportional-integral-differential (PID) algorithm to cause the temperature control system to adjust the temperature of the thermal liquid based on the difference between the TCS target temperature and the temperature measurement.

According to some embodiments, a method of treating a skin surface of a subject comprises heating a skin surface, abrading native skin tissue of a subject using a microdermabrasion device, wherein using the microdermabrasion device comprises moving the microdermabrasion device relative to the skin surface while simultaneously delivering at least one treatment fluid to the skin surface being treated and cooling the abraded skin surface.

A heat exchanger module (HEM) and system uses a flexible substrate with one or more open channels, to which a substrate cover is bonded, thereby forming closed channels in the flexible substrate. Thermoelectric coolers (TECs) are attached to optional thermally diffusing copper squares atop the substrate cover. An interface cover is attached to the TEC tops, with a compliant thermally conductive material opposite the TECs and ultimately in contact with a patient. A liquid is passed through the closed channels, which act as thermal references for the TECs. Current is supplied by a controller to the TECs to induce TEC cooling or heating relative to the liquid. One or more temperature sensors detect the temperature of the interface cover, which are used as inputs to the control of the TEC supply current. The HEM may be used for heating, cooling, or cycling between heating and cooling for various medical uses.