Support device for supporting at least one body part of a user at least in portions, optionally completely, comprising a support body, which comprises at least one support region for supporting at least one body part of a user at least in portions, optionally completely.

Systems and methods for affecting metabolism, such as the treatment of metabolic syndrome are disclosed. A method for treating metabolic syndrome can include one or more of the steps including identifying a region of the patient comprising glabrous tissue; positioning the region of the patient comprising glabrous tissue into an enclosed chamber; adjusting the relative humidity of the enclosed chamber sufficient to create a physiologic metabolic effect; and activating a convection fan within the chamber to promote heat transfer from the glabrous tissue. The method need not involve altering the temperature within the enclosed chamber.

Treatment systems, methods, and apparatuses for improving the appearance of skin or other target regions are described. Aspects of the technology are directed to improving the appearance of skin by tightening the skin, improving skin tone or texture, eliminating or reducing wrinkles, increasing skin smoothness, or improving the appearance sites with cellulite. Treatments can include cooling a surface of a patient's skin and detecting freezing in the cooled skin. The tissue can be cooled after the freeze event is detected so to maintain the frozen state of the tissue to improve the appearance of the treatment site.

A warming device may include a batting layer having a phase change material. The batting layer may have a patient side and an upper side. A hot melt fabric adhesive may be applied to the patient side and upper side of the batting. A first fabric layer may be adhered to the hot melt fabric on the patient side of the batting. The first fabric layer may have a phase change material integrated coating. An insulation layer may be adhered to the hot melt fabric on the upper side of the batting. A second fabric layer may be coupled to the insulation layer.

The present invention relates to a device for manipulating core body temperature of a human subject by convection and conduction, the device comprising: an open topped liquid carrier vessel adapted to receive a liquid, the liquid carrier vessel having an inlet and an outlet in the base thereof; a removable splash guard for covering the majority of the liquid carrier vessel opening and for resting thereon of a human extremity having an exposed glabrous skin surface; chiller means for cooling liquid received in the vessel and for maintaining the liquid at a predetermined temperature; a jet in the vessel inlet for discharging liquid, or a combination of liquid and air into the liquid carrier vessel; an air valve for controlling the amount of air flowing through the jet; a pump configured to suck liquid from the liquid carrier vessel via the vessel outlet into a suction side of the pump and propel liquid out of a pressure side of the pump into the liquid carrier vessel through the vessel inlet via the chiller means to create a jet stream within the liquid carrier vessel at the predetermined temperature; first conduit means interconnecting the vessel outlet with the suction side of the pump; second conduit means interconnecting the chiller means with the pressure side of the pump; third conduit means interconnecting the chiller means with the jet; and fourth conduit means interconnecting the jet with the air valve; wherein the splash guard is provided with an aperture to allow the jet stream to contact the exposed glabrous skin surface of the subject during operation of the device; and wherein when the splash guard is in place, the aperture is located directly above the jet.

A single-use infection control system for a forced air warming machine having hosing connected to the machine including: a closable container having a chamber to receive the machine, the container constructed from air permeable material that prevents infectious airborne particles from entering the chamber; a sleeve having a first end and a second end, the first end engaged to an aperture on the container and the sleeve surrounding the hosing; and a filter cap constructed from the air permeable material, disposed at the second end and covering an opening of the hosing.

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.

Optimized fluid channels, flexible thermoelectric electric coolers (“TECs”), and fixed frame therapeutic stations along with methods of making the same are disclosed herein. Consequently, the optimized fluid channels provide an improved HEM whereby the fluid seal is more secure, and the manufacturing is more easily completed. Moreover, the flexible TECs provide a more conformed design to the end user and allow for more focused and efficient heat transfer. Finally, the fixed frame therapeutic station(s) provide for a fixed frame which allows differential heating and cooling on the glabrous skin areas of a human to provide additive benefits during heating and cooling therapeutic regimes.

An apparatus for treating athlete's foot. The apparatus includes: a main body having at least one body accommodating space part to accommodate a body portion of at least one of a hand and foot; a laser output unit mounted onto the main body, and provided to emit laser light from an upper side to a lower side of the body accommodating space part; and a laser swing unit driven so that the laser output unit swings on the main body, in which the laser output unit includes a first laser diode emitting laser light of a 405 nm wavelength and a second laser diode emitting laser light of a 635 nm wavelength. The apparatus is capable of treating athlete's foot generated on the hand, foot, nails, or toenails by using the light from a laser and/or an LED having a wavelength band useful for treating athlete's foot.

A device comprising a heat-generating component that comprises an alkali metal is provided. The alkali metal in the presence of water at a point of contact of the device undergoes an exothermic reaction to generate heat in situ. The amount of heat generated is proportional to and/or limited by the amount (or moles) of water at the point of contact, and the heat generated is sufficient to achieve an increase in temperature at the point of contact to achieve a therapeutic or beneficial result. In one embodiment, the device is used for reducing sweat production in a subject suffering from excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis. In other embodiments, the device is used to substantially sterilize a surface or render a surface substantially aseptic.