The invention presents methods and devices for controlling and modifying the core body temperature of a human or other mammal. The apparatus contains an element to be placed in contact with an individual's skin, such as the palm of a hand or sole of a foot; the element emits radiation, preferably within the red to infrared range of 550 nm to 950 nm, inducing vasodilation and increased blood flow in the region beneath the contacting area. A heat exchange element is concurrently in contact with the skin, capable of transferring heat into or removing heat from the circulatory vasculature, through the skin surface. The circulatory system carries the increase or decrease in thermal energy to the body's core organs. As such the method and devices are capable of increasing or decreasing the core body temperature, or maintaining current core body temperature in the presence of external thermal elements.

The invention presents methods and devices for controlling and modifying the core body temperature of a human or other mammal. The apparatus contains an element to be placed in contact with an individual's skin, such as the palm of a hand or sole of a foot; the element emits radiation, preferably within the red to infrared range of 550 nm to 950 nm, inducing vasodilation and increased blood flow in the region beneath the contacting area. A heat exchange element is concurrently in contact with the skin, capable of transferring heat into or removing heat from the circulatory vasculature, through the skin surface. The circulatory system carries the increase or decrease in thermal energy to the body's core organs. As such the method and devices are capable of increasing or decreasing the core body temperature, or maintaining current core body temperature in the presence of external thermal elements.

The Pocketed Compression sheath is polyester compressive material formed into an open-ended sheath. Squares of the same type of polyester material are sewn onto the sides of the open-ended sheath to form pockets. The sheath is intended to be slid onto an extremity such as foot. Figure B illustrates a larger version intended to be utilized for the mid to upper leg. The pockets are intended to be place holders for heating packs or ice packs to help minimize swelling and pain in muscles and joints.

The Pocketed Compression sheath is polyester compressive material formed into an open-ended sheath. Squares of the same type of polyester material are sewn onto the sides of the open-ended sheath to form pockets. The sheath is intended to be slid onto an extremity such as foot. Figure B illustrates a larger version intended to be utilized for the mid to upper leg. The pockets are intended to be place holders for heating packs or ice packs to help minimize swelling and pain in muscles and joints.

An ice pack comprises a plastic sac with an external surface, the plastic sac forming an interior chamber, a substance within the interior chamber capable of absorbing thermal energy, and a coating, which contains one or more antimicrobial agents, on the external surface. The substance can comprise water, including polymer beads mixed with the water. The one or more antimicrobial agents can include a quaternary ammonium ion or salt thereof, such as a silane quaternary ammonium ion or salt thereof. The silane quaternary ammonium ion or salt thereof can be 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium ion, 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride, 3-(trihydroxysilyl)propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium ion, or 3-(trihydroxysilyl)propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride. Instead of an ice pack, the apparatus comprising the coating containing one or more antimicrobial agents can be an object that is used around injured people and/or perishable items such as heating pads, coolers, and ice pack carriers.

A reinforcing clinical wrap is provided with integral thermal management. The clinical wrap includes a fluid circuit for a heat transfer medium to circulate between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. A shape conforming medium is disposed within a portion of the clinical wrap providing selective reinforcement support of the portion of the clinical wrap to conform to a surface of a patient. Non-limiting examples of the shape conforming medium may include a magnetorheological elastomer, a magnetorheological elastomer, a magnetorheological foam, a UV curable resin, and a phase change material.

A reinforcing clinical wrap is provided with integral thermal management. The clinical wrap includes a fluid circuit for a heat transfer medium to circulate between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. A shape conforming medium is disposed within a portion of the clinical wrap providing selective reinforcement support of the portion of the clinical wrap to conform to a surface of a patient. Non-limiting examples of the shape conforming medium may include a magnetorheological elastomer, a magnetorheological elastomer, a magnetorheological foam, a UV curable resin, and a phase change material.

A neck fan includes an arc-shaped shell configured to hang around user's neck and at least four fan assemblies arranged in the shell. The shell includes a first part and a second part. Each of the first part and the second part defines an accommodating space, air inlets and air outlets communicated with the accommodating space, at least one partition is arranged in the accommodating space and configured to divide the accommodating space into at least two accommodating parts arranged along an extension direction of the shell. Each of the fan assemblies is arranged in one of the at least two accommodating parts and is configured to direct air into the one of the at least two accommodating parts through corresponding air inlets and to direct air out of the one of the at least two accommodating parts through corresponding air outlets.

Systems and methods for providing vibration and temperature therapy via a therapy device is disclosed. According to one embodiment, a therapy device includes a pad comprising an adhesive layer configured to adhere to a skin surface of a user. The therapy device includes a control unit coupled to the pad. The control unit is configured to provide temperature therapy to the skin surface of the user and provide vibration therapy to the skin surface of the user. The pad includes a coupling connector configured to removably couple the control unit. The pad can include a heat generation module comprising a resistive wire and a heat spreader. The pad can include one or more electrical stimulation modules, wherein each electrical stimulation module comprises a conductor and a pad. The pad includes a temperature sensor coupled to the heat generation module. The adhesive layer can be coupled to the heat spreader.

Systems and methods for providing vibration and temperature therapy via a therapy device is disclosed. According to one embodiment, a therapy device includes a pad comprising an adhesive layer configured to adhere to a skin surface of a user. The therapy device includes a control unit coupled to the pad. The control unit is configured to provide temperature therapy to the skin surface of the user and provide vibration therapy to the skin surface of the user. The pad includes a coupling connector configured to removably couple the control unit. The pad can include a heat generation module comprising a resistive wire and a heat spreader. The pad can include one or more electrical stimulation modules, wherein each electrical stimulation module comprises a conductor and a pad. The pad includes a temperature sensor coupled to the heat generation module. The adhesive layer can be coupled to the heat spreader.