A prosthetic socket system includes a socket having an inner surface defining a socket cavity. A liner is adapted to receive a residual limb and be removably positioned within the socket cavity. A substantially sealed volume is defined between at least a portion of an outer surface of the liner and a corresponding portion of the inner surface of the socket. A wicking material is positionable in the substantially sealed volume and at least one cooling fluid can be carried by the wicking material. The at least one cooling fluid is adapted to selectively boil within the substantially sealed volume such that heat from the residual limb is converted into latent heat of vaporization by the at least one cooling fluid for a cooling effect.

The present application relates to systems and methods for altering the core body temperature in a mammalian body. For example, a method may include maintaining the patient in a general anesthetic state by administration of at least an anesthetic agent to the patient, wherein the anesthetic agent prevents vasoconstriction of AVAs in the patient's glabrous tissue. The method may also include applying a warming stimulus selectively to glabrous tissue of the hands, feet or face of the patient during the general anesthetic maintenance. In another exemplary method, the vasodilation of AVAs in the patient is triggered via a physical stimulus; the glabrous tissue of the patient is warmed; general anesthesia is administered to the patient; and said vasodilation and said warming are maintained during at least a portion of the administration of general.

A method for maintaining and/or increasing body temperature of a patient may involve delivering heat to a first location on a limb of the patient, delivering heat to a second location on the limb, apart from the first location, and applying intermittent compression to a third location on the limb, located between the first location and the second location. A device for maintaining and/or increasing body temperature of a patient may include a sleeve for positioning over at least part of one of the patient's limbs, first and second heat delivery members coupled with the sleeve, and an intermittent compression member coupled with the sleeve between the first and second heat delivery members.

An unweighting system for unweighting a user while using an exercise machine is provided that includes a treadmill exercise device having a treadmill frame and a rotatable belt, an unweighting assembly for applying unweighting force to the user, a system frame, and a substantially airtight chamber. The system frame includes the treadmill frame, frame elements structurally attached to the treadmill frame, and a top surface region adapted for user engagement during exercise having a surface width and a surface length. The top surface region includes a movable running surface defined by the rotatable belt that extends a run length, and a stationary deck extending about at least a portion of the movable running surface. The stationary deck defines a sealing surface having a maximum seal width greater than the belt width and less than the surface width, to which the substantially airtight chamber is attached.

A thermal pad for controlling a patient's temperature includes first and second chambers defined between interior and exterior layers. The first chamber circulates a temperature controlled fluid from a first inlet to a first outlet. The second chamber is in fluid communication with a port and a plurality of holes defined in the interior layer. Pressurized gas supplied to the second chamber is vented onto the patient to control the microclimate between the patient's skin and the thermal pad. An additional third chamber is provided in some embodiments that urges the thermal pad into contact with the patient when subjected to negative gauge pressure. In other embodiments, a negative gauge pressure chamber is allowed to partially inflate in order to urge the thermal pad into contact with the patient.

A thermal system includes a thermal control unit adapted to supply temperature controlled fluid to one or more thermal pads. The thermal pads may include an interior chamber for fluid circulation, an inlet and an outlet, and first and second temperature sensors positioned adjacent the inlet and outlet, respectively. Some pads include a valve adapted to control an amount of fluid flowing through one or more channels within the pad. The thermal control unit may include a controller that controls the fluid temperature based upon temperature readings from first and second temperature sensors positioned remotely from the thermal control unit. The thermal control unit may also include a valve that selectively controls the amount of fluid exiting the thermal control from one or more outlets based upon one or more temperature readings. The system may include one or more thermocouples with conductors placed on or in the thermal pads.

Described herein are various embodiments of differential air pressure systems and components for differential air pressure systems. The air pressure systems include a chamber for receiving at least a portion of a user's body. Pressure in the chamber can be changed to adjust force on the user's body. Described herein are various methods and related structures for sealing a user into a pressurizable chamber. Also described herein are various methods and related structures for changing the shape and/or height of the chamber. Described herein are various types and configurations of chambers and support structures for chambers. Also described herein are various methods and related systems for treating various conditions using the differential air pressure systems, including but not limited to obesity, cardiac disease, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, or Down Syndrome.

Apparatus and methods are provided for treating a human condition by providing an appendage chamber having a thermal exchange member. Negative pressure may be applied to a human appendage when placed within the appendage chamber. Blood flowing through the arteriovenous anastomosis (AVA) of the appendage may be heated or cooled at the thermal exchange member for therapeutic application of thermal energy to adjust blood viscosity in the human to alleviate symptoms associated with a number of autoimmune, circulatory, neurological, lymphatic, and endocrinal maladies. A load sensor may be coupled to the thermal exchange member and configured to measure a force of the appendage applied to the thermal exchange member. In addition, a negative pressure sensor may measure pressure within the appendage chamber.

The present invention relates to methods for use in the selective disruption of lipid-rich cells by controlled cooling. The present invention further relates to a device for use in carrying out the methods for selective disruption of lipid-rich cells by controlled cooling.

The present application relates to systems and methods for altering temperature in a mammalian body. Optionally, the systems and methods can be used to lower or raise core body temperature of a mammalian subject. Optionally, the systems and methods can be used to lower or raise the temperature of glabrous skin of a mammalian subject.