A method and apparatus are disclosed for preventing injury to an esophagus caused by heat or cold being delivered to the left atrium, the method including altering a heat exchange device from an insertable configuration to a heat exchanging configuration which has an inflated generally flattened cross section (e.g. capsule-shaped, elliptical) corresponding with the cross section of the inside of the esophagus such that the esophagus is maintained in its natural shape and location. In some embodiments the heat exchange device has a heat exchanger which is inflated to be in the heat exchanging configuration.

The present application describes a pollinator species detection and monitoring device and system that utilizes specifically positioned and spaced receptacles for determining and conveying the numbers, health and movements of pollinator species ranging from real-time to intermittent transmittance of detected information for an area, region, areas or regions, singularly and in the aggregate. The detected information is collected and recorded via a pair of closely related sensors, residing at 180 degrees from one another, wherein pollinator species' entrance, exit, number, gender and activity are sensed, analyzed algorithmically and stored locally for eventual transmittance from a transmitting device to an external computer or mobile device for data observance, collection, storage and analysis. Detected information may be species specific or across a plurality of species.

Methods and apparatuses for temperature modification of a patient, or selected regions thereof, including an induced state of hypothermia. The temperature modification is accomplished using an in-dwelling heat exchange catheter within which a fluid heat exchange medium circulates. A heat exchange cassette is attached to the circulatory conduits of the catheter, the heat exchange cassette being sized to engage a cavity within a control unit. The control unit includes a heater/cooler device for providing heated or cooled fluid to a heat exchanger in thermal communication with the fluid heat exchange medium circulating to the heat exchange catheter, a user input device, and a processor connected to receive input from various sensors around the body and the system. A temperature control scheme for ramping the body temperature up or down without overshoot is provided.

A thermal control unit supplies temperature controlled fluid to a patient to control the patient's temperature. The thermal control unit includes a fluid outlet, fluid inlet, heat exchanger, pump, patient temperature probe port, user interface, and controller. The controller receives patient temperature readings from the patient temperature probe port and controls a temperature of the circulating fluid in a first manner when no event data is received regarding treatment of the patient. The controller controls a temperature of the circulating fluid in a second and different manner when event data is received. The event data may relate to medication and/or fluid administered to the patient. The different manners include determining a target fluid temperature in using different inputs and/or alarming in different manners. In some cases, the controller pauses the use of the patient temperature readings while continuing to deliver temperature controlled fluid to the patient.

An improved pain management and post-operative hip orthosis includes a waist strap having first and second ends, a lower strap having first and second ends, and a pocket extending between the waist strap and lower strap. The pocket has inner and outer panels fastened to each other to define an upper opening and a lower opening. A cooling pack including a reservoir and inlet and outlet tubes extending from a bottom of the reservoir is applied to the pocket such that the inlet and outlet tubes pass through the lower opening of the pocket.

An enclosure or plenum that supports a looped pump tube is hingedly connected to a framed thin-walled heat exchange bag through which working fluid from an intravascular heat exchange catheter flows. The frame with bag can be inserted between cold plates to exchange heat with the working fluid flowing through the bag. With the framed bag between the plates, the looped pump tube from the enclosure or plenum is receivable in the raceway of a peristaltic pump, which pumps working fluid through the system.

A system and method for hyperthermic ablation of cancerous tissue of a human patient is disclosed. A system and method include a vessel that is sized and adapted for receiving the human patient, and a circulation device outside of the vessel for circulating a thermally conductive liquid to and from the vessel, such that the portion of the human patient enclosed in the containment suit is at least partially submerged in the thermally conductive liquid when the human patient is in the vessel. The system and method further include a set of electromagnetic transmission coils at least partially around the vessel for inducing an alternating electromagnetic field around the human patient, the alternating electromagnetic field being directed, via the thermally conductive liquid, to the cancerous tissue that has been provided a conductive nanoparticle, to provide hyperthermic ablation of the cancerous tissue.

A thermal control unit for delivering temperature-controlled fluid to one or more patient therapy devices (e.g. pads, blankets, etc.) that are in contact with a patient is disclosed. The thermal control unit includes a fluid circuit with an inlet and outlet, a reservoir, a heat exchanger, a pump, and a controller. The thermal control also includes any one or more of the following: (1) an air eliminator with an air filter for filtering air vented from the fluid circuit to the ambient surroundings; (2) a plug that moves in response to changing fluid levels and that fluidly isolates the air filter from the fluid; (3) a second air filter coupled to the reservoir; (4) a check valve to prevent fluid from back flowing into the reservoir; and/or (5) a liquid filter coupleable to the reservoir to filter liquid entering or exiting the reservoir.

Described herein is a system for heating and/or cooling a fluid that includes a temperature forcing device having a bottom plate and a top plate hingedly coupled to the bottom plate. At least one of the bottom plate and the top plate has a recess or other area for receiving at least one flexible fluid holder (e.g., a polymer bag). The bottom plate and/or top plate also has at least one protrusion and/or recession in its interior wall(s) such that a fluid passageway in the flexible fluid holder is defined when the fluid holder is placed between the top and bottom plates, and the plates are closed together. The fluid holder then has a fluid inlet for receiving the fluid to be heated and/or cooled and a fluid outlet for delivering the fluid. The fluid, upon being heated and/or cooled by the temperature forcing device, may then be delivered to a patient or may be delivered to another system component, e.g., for additional heating/cooling.

Devices, systems and methods for controlling a patient's body temperature by endovascular heat exchange.