A patient temperature control system for automated temperature control according to a programmed protocol. In one aspect, at least one programmed protocol may be established for each of a plurality of patient thermal therapy phases. In turn, the temperature of a thermal exchange medium may be controlled upon the programmed protocol during each of the phases. A plurality of programmed protocols may be established, wherein a selected protocol may be utilized for automated temperature control during patient thermal therapy. The protocol may include a target patient temperature and/or a set duration for one or more of the phase of thermal therapy. The protocol may be user-definable and modifiable during therapy. In a multiphase configuration, automatic termination and initiation of successive phases may be selectively established by a user, based on target patient temperature data and/or set duration data on a phase-specific basis.

Methods and apparatuses for manipulating the temperature of a surface are provided. Devices of the present disclosure may include a thermal adjustment apparatus, such as a controller in electrical communication with one or more thermoelectric materials, placed adjacent to the surface of skin. The device may generate a series of thermal pulses at the surface, for providing an enhanced thermal sensation for a user. The thermal pulses may be characterized by temperature reversibility, where each pulse includes an initial temperature adjustment, followed by a return temperature adjustment, over a short period of time (e.g., less than 120 seconds). The average rate of temperature change upon initiation and upon return may be between about 0.1° C./sec and about 10.0° C./sec. In some cases, the average rate of the initial temperature adjustment is greater in magnitude than the average rate of the return temperature adjustment.

A pressure injuries therapeutic support surface is illustrated. The surface comprises an integrated system designed for a concurrent physical and psychoneuroimmunological approach over a user, wherein the system comprises one or a plurality of independent fluid-filled main chambers, made of waterproof, flexible, extendable, and elastic material and at least two accessory chambers connected to each main chamber with at least with two free-flow conduits. The system is managed through a powered mechatronic array with its own hardware and software based on microcontrollers for the simultaneous operation of specific multidisciplinary devices.

A method and system in accordance with a particular embodiments of the technology includes applying a substance onto skin of a human subject. The applied substance can include a freezing point depressant and a liposome, an oil-in-water emulsion, a water-in-oil emulsion, or an oil-in-oil emulsion and can be configured to protect or target tissue. The substance and a surface of the skin can be cooled using the applicator to treat acne and other skin conditions.

A vestibular neurostimulation device, which may include first and second electrodes; first and second thermoelectric devices thermally coupled, respectively, to first and second earpieces that are configured to be insertable into respective ear canals of a patient; and a controller comprising a waveform generator. The waveform generator may be is configured to deliver a modulated electric signal to the patient through galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) using the first and second electrodes and to deliver a time varying thermal waveform to the patient through caloric vestibular stimulation (CVS) using the first and second earpieces simultaneous with the delivery of the modulated electrical signal through GVS. The CVS and/or GVS may be configured to increase a passage of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) through a blood-brain-barrier.

Disclosed are systems, pads, and methods for targeted temperature management. A pad can include a multilayered pad body, a pad inlet connector, and a pad outlet connector. The pad body can include a plurality of separable longitudinal portions, wherein each longitudinal portion of the longitudinal portions includes a conduit, a patient-interfacing layer over the conduit, and an insulation layer over the conduit opposite the patient-interfacing layer. The conduit can be configured to convey a temperature-controlled fluid as a supply fluid from a hydraulic system or convey a return fluid back to the hydraulic system. The patient-interfacing layer can include a thermally conductive medium configured for placement on a patient’s body. The insulation layer can include an insulative foam. The pad inlet connector can be configured for charging the pad with the supply fluid while the pad outlet connector can be configured for discharging the return fluid from the pad.

A system for treating clogged glands of the eye includes a heated eye mask and an electrical cord. The heated eye mask includes an outer layer of surface material, an inner layer of surface material, and a carbon fiber heating element. The carbon fiber heating element is disposed between the outer and inner layers of surface material in a therapeutic region of the heated eye mask. The therapeutic region of the heated eye mask extends along the Meibomian glands of the eye. The carbon fiber heating element is encapsulated by an electrically insulating cover. A thermally conductive material evenly distributes heat across the therapeutic region of the heated eye mask. The electrical cord provides power to the heated eye mask.

Embodiments include a cryogenic device for alleviating pain by cryogenically treating a nerve, the cryogenic device including a handpiece; a needle coupled to a distal end of the handpiece, the needle including a needle lumen, the needle being configured for insertion into a skin of a patient along an insertion axis at a site laterally displaced from a treatment zone proximate to the nerve. The needle is configured to resiliently bend after insertion away from the insertion axis, such that at least a portion of the needle is adapted to traverse a skin layer laterally toward the treatment zone. The device includes a cooling fluid supply tube extending distally into the needle lumen; and a cooling fluid source, wherein the cooling fluid source is coupled to the cooling fluid supply tube to direct cooling fluid into the needle lumen.

Devices, systems, and methods for applying pulsed energy to effectuate a physiological response in a human subject. Systems and methods disclosed herein can include, for example, a stimulus device that applies pulsed energy, such as heat, into a volume of tissue. The stimulus device can include one or more electrodes and can be affixed to the skin or implanted at a target site within the body. The systems and method can further include a monitoring device that detects at least one physiological parameter of the human subject during application of the pulsed energy, such as blood flow, oxygen delivery, muscle tension, subcutaneous or muscle temperatures, or brain activity. A control device can use the detected physiological parameter to define treatment parameters of the stimulus device such that the pulsed energy synchronizes with the measured physiological parameter to effectuate a desired response, such as reducing pain, suppressing appetite, and/or activating a hedonic response.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may include an apparel device, including an apparel body including an outer layer and an inner layer, and an interior configured to receive a body part of a user. Embodiments may also include a heat transfer panel disposed between the outer layer and the inner layer. In some embodiments, the heat transfer panel includes a first side and a second side, the first side disposed adjacent the interior of the apparel body. Embodiments may also include a compressed fluid source in fluid communication with the second side of the heat transfer panel. In some embodiments, the compressed fluid source may be configured to selectively deliver compressed fluid to the heat transfer panel. In some embodiments, the heat transfer panel may be configured to cool the interior of the apparel body upon delivery of the compressed fluid to the heat transfer panel.