A system and/or method for proactively inducing a significant drop in blood pressure during sleep is provided herein. The system includes a blood pressure monitor and a stimulating device that provides stimulation to at least a portion of the person's body. For example, the stimulating device may stimulate a portion of the person's body corresponding to the person's peripheral thermoregulatory control tissue. The stimulation increases or maintains blood flow in the person's glabrous tissue. Additionally, the stimulating device provides stimulation in response to the person's blood pressure being above a predetermined threshold.

Devices and methods are provided for the treatment of pathological conditions including arrhythmias and trauma using temperature modulation via implantable or worn devices. For example, in one example embodiment this document relates to devices and methods for treating atrial or ventricular fibrillation by cooling the epicardium. The devices and methods can also be used to treat other disorders by applying heating and/or cooling to a patient in a number of different manners.

Headphones include a pair of cups, each housing a speaker to be positioned over an ear of a user, a processor, a cooling mechanism disposed within each of the cups to regulate environmental conditions inside of the cups to match environmental thresholds provided by a virtual reality device displaying a virtual reality environment to the user, a temperature sensor and at least one additional environmental sensor disposed within each of the cups to monitor the environmental conditions inside the cups, the processor to subsequently analyze data associated with the sensors and compare the data to the environmental thresholds and the processor to selectively activate the cooling mechanism based on the comparison.

A cervical collar that facilitates therapeutic hypothermia is provided and includes a cooling device having a front portion and a back portion fixedly coupled to the front portion on one side and removably coupled to the front portion on an opposite side. A fastening device removably couples the back portion to the front portion on the opposite side. The cooling device induces hypothermia in at least a portion of a patient. A sensor is provided that measures a physical characteristic of the patient.

Applicator (3) for cold treatment, comprising an applicator housing (5) with an inlet opening (18) and a leak tight tip (23). The applicator housing (5) encloses a channel body (20) extending between the inlet opening (18) and the leak tight tip (23). The applicator (3) is mounted or mountable in a releasable manner onto a pressurized dispenser (2) comprising a nozzle (7), such that the inlet opening (18) is in fluid communication with the nozzle (7). The applicator housing (5) is moveable between a rest position and a pressed position to activate the nozzle (7). The applicator housing (5) has release openings (26) which are closed in the pressed position.

A device to change the temperature of a localized volume of material. A workable device includes at least one heat transfer mechanism having an external surface for direct contact with an exposed surface of the material. A working fluid is directed by input and output conduits to contact an internal surface of the heat transfer mechanism. The heat transfer mechanism exchanges heat between the working fluid and the material. Temperature of the working fluid may be regulated by a thermal system disposed at a remote location. An optional temperature sensing element may monitor a local temperature of the heat transfer mechanism or otherwise infer a temperature of a portion of the material. Sometimes, a device includes a cooperating anchoring arrangement to facilitate holding the heat transfer mechanism in a desired spot. Certain devices may be plastically deformed to a desired device shape.

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.

A cervical collar that facilitates therapeutic hypothermia is provided and includes a cooling device having a front portion and a back portion fixedly coupled to the front portion on one side and removably coupled to the front portion on an opposite side. A fastening device removably couples the back portion to the front portion on the opposite side. The cooling device induces hypothermia in at least a portion of a patient. A sensor is provided that measures a physical characteristic of the patient.

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.

An intravascular temperature management catheter includes a shaft through which working fluid can circulate to and from a proximal location on the shaft. The catheter extends from a connector hub. At least one heat exchange member is supported by a distal part of the shaft or other part of the catheter to receive circulating working fluid from the proximal location. A temperature sensor is supported on the catheter for generating a temperature signal representative of blood temperature to a control system. The temperature sensor includes first and second conductive leads having respective first and second distal segments on or in the catheter shaft. The first and second distal segments are arranged to be in thermal contact with blood flowing past the catheter when the catheter is disposed in a blood vessel of a patient. Also, the temperature sensor includes a joining body connected to proximal segments of the first and second leads. The joining body may be supported in the hub or in another location proximal to the first and second conductive leads.