A thermal control unit controls the temperature of a fluid delivered to one or more thermal transfer devices (e.g. thermal pads) in contact with a patient. The thermal control unit generates thermal data while being used to treat the patient and is adapted to receive thermal history data previously generated by a different thermal control unit in the treatment of that patient. Both the current and previous thermal data are displayable on the thermal control unit currently being used, thereby giving the caregiver a complete picture of the thermal history of the patient. The thermal control unit may also be adapted to transmit its thermal data, as well as the thermal history data previously received from the other thermal control unit, to still another thermal control unit. The thermal history data transfer may take place via a cable, wirelessly, by a portable flash drive, or by other means.

A thermal control unit controls the temperature of a fluid delivered to one or more thermal transfer devices (e.g. thermal pads) in contact with a patient. The thermal control unit generates thermal data while being used to treat the patient and is adapted to receive thermal history data previously generated by a different thermal control unit in the treatment of that patient. Both the current and previous thermal data are displayable on the thermal control unit currently being used, thereby giving the caregiver a complete picture of the thermal history of the patient. The thermal control unit may also be adapted to transmit its thermal data, as well as the thermal history data previously received from the other thermal control unit, to still another thermal control unit. The thermal history data transfer may take place via a cable, wirelessly, by a portable flash drive, or by other means.

Apparatus and methods related to an underbody support for supporting a body of a being, such as during surgery to prevent contact pressure injuries. In certain embodiments, the underbody support may include one or more inflatable chambers enclosing a volume. At least one of the inflatable chambers may include one or more compression sensitive switches for monitoring the volume of the inflatable chamber, and the one or more compression sensitive switches may be located within the inflatable chamber. In some embodiments the one or more compression sensitive switches are sized to close when the said inflatable chamber is deflated to a desired residual volume.

Apparatus and methods related to an underbody support for supporting a body of a being, such as during surgery to prevent contact pressure injuries. In certain embodiments, the underbody support may include one or more inflatable chambers enclosing a volume. At least one of the inflatable chambers may include one or more compression sensitive switches for monitoring the volume of the inflatable chamber, and the one or more compression sensitive switches may be located within the inflatable chamber. In some embodiments the one or more compression sensitive switches are sized to close when the said inflatable chamber is deflated to a desired residual volume.

A heating device has a receiving space for holding water and a flexible wall. An inorganic phase change material for at least temporarily controlling a temperature of the water is disposed in the receiving space. The phase change material has a property of absorbing energy during an endothermic phase transition when warmed by the water and releasing energy in the form of heat during an exothermic phase transition. The phase change material may partially or completely undergo the endothermic phase transition when hot water is poured into the receiving space. The phase change material is disposed in a housing formed as a flexible film composed of a polymer material. An actuating means for triggering the exothermic phase transition is in fluid communication with the phase change material.

A heating device has a receiving space for holding water and a flexible wall. An inorganic phase change material for at least temporarily controlling a temperature of the water is disposed in the receiving space. The phase change material has a property of absorbing energy during an endothermic phase transition when warmed by the water and releasing energy in the form of heat during an exothermic phase transition. The phase change material may partially or completely undergo the endothermic phase transition when hot water is poured into the receiving space. The phase change material is disposed in a housing formed as a flexible film composed of a polymer material. An actuating means for triggering the exothermic phase transition is in fluid communication with the phase change material.

Disclosed is a system which employs a cooling or heating pad which is preferably rechargeable with hot or cold temperatures at an intended area of the body. The pad includes a highly temperature-conductive or temperature-retentive material which can be cooled or heated using a portable source of heat or cold material delivered to the pad by a removable delivery conduit. Valves can be included to regulate flow of the cooling or heating material from the source to the pad. The system can also include a dual-chambered canister for containing two different media for heating, cooling or for alternating heating and cooling the pad.

An occupant support includes a seat and a seat cover. The seat is adapted to support an occupant resting thereon. The seat cover is coupled to the seat and arranged to lie between the occupant and the seat.

An occupant support includes a seat and a seat cover. The seat is adapted to support an occupant resting thereon. The seat cover is coupled to the seat and arranged to lie between the occupant and the seat.

A heating element includes an electrically insulating layer; resistive layer formed of a positive temperature coefficient material; and an electrically conductive layer disposed between the electrically insulating layer and the resistive layer and including a first bus and a second bus that is spaced apart from the first bus, the resistive layer electrically connecting the first bus and the second bus. The electrically insulating layer, the electrically conductive layer, and the resistive layer are stacked to form a lamination and the lamination having a thickness and a width and length extending orthogonal to the thickness. The lamination may have slits extending through the thickness thereof and along a portion of the length thereof. Terminals may be connected to the buses and arranged to provide a counter current flow pattern across the lamination. The lamination may be used in a warming device and in connection with a patient warming system.