An article configured to warm and monitor a patient during a dialysis treatment, the article includes one or more heating elements. The article also includes one or more sensors configured to monitor a condition of the patient during the dialysis treatment. The article also includes a fabric portion configured to receive the one or more heating elements and the one or more sensors and position the one or more heating elements and the one or more sensors on the patient during treatment. The article also includes a transmitter configured to transmit information from the one or more sensors to a dialysis machine and an electrical connector configured to provide power to at least one of the one or more heating elements and the one or more sensors.

A self-contained heated wax treatment apparatus includes an outer shell and a rack disposed inside the outer shell. The rack includes a receptacle holder and at least one heater holder. At least a first receptacle is mounted to the receptacle holder of the rack. The first receptacle contains a heat activated substance. A heater is mounted to the heater holder of the rack in thermal conductive contact with the first receptacle. Activation of the heater causes heat to flow to the first receptacle and activate the heat activated substance inside the receptacle.

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.

The present invention is directed to a self regulating heater including a first layer made of a thin and flexible electrically insulating material. A second electrically conductive layer includes first and second buses spaced from each other. A third resistive layer electrically connects the first and second buses. The third layer has a higher electrical resistance than the second layer. The third layer experiences a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) effect when heated. A fourth interface layer directly connected to at least one of the second electrically conductive layer and the third resistive layer directly engages skin of a patient when the heater is attached to the patient. A combined thickness of the first layer, the second conductive layer, the third resistive layer and the fourth layer may be between 5 mil and 20 mil.

Described herein are cold therapy devices and methods for making same and, more particularly, to a garment comprising cold therapy components that may be placed adjacent a wearer's body at various locations while remaining fixed in place during activities, such as walking or movement, without requiring the wearer to hold the cold components in place or remain sedentary.

An exercise assistance system includes a deep body thermometer attached to a user and including a temperature sensor, temperature adjustment equipment attached to at least one of a hand and a foot of the user, and a controller configured to communicate with the deep body thermometer and the temperature adjustment equipment. The deep body thermometer detects information related to deep body temperature of the user with the temperature sensor. The controller executes a process for determining whether the deep body temperature of the user is less than or equal to a predetermined temperature based on the detected information related to deep body temperature. When determined that the deep body temperature is not less than or equal to the predetermined temperature, the controller executes a process for outputting control information to the temperature adjustment equipment indicating a magnetic stimulating pattern that dilates blood vessels in a palm or foot bottom of the user.

An article configured to warm and monitor a patient during a dialysis treatment, the article includes one or more heating elements. The article also includes one or more sensors configured to monitor a condition of the patient during the dialysis treatment. The article also includes a fabric portion configured to receive the one or more heating elements and the one or more sensors and position the one or more heating elements and the one or more sensors on the patient during treatment. The article also includes a transmitter configured to transmit information from the one or more sensors to a dialysis machine and an electrical connector configured to provide power to at least one of the one or more heating elements and the one or more sensors.

The invention disclosed herein generally relates to a methods and devices for personal care. The invention includes methods and devices for ameliorating microbial infections and for capture and disposal of menstrual fluid.

An exercise device for seated exercising and heat therapy includes a chair, to which a plurality of biasers is operationally engaged. A pair of footrests and a pair of handrests are operationally engaged to the chair. Each footrest and each handrest is engageable to an associated foot and an associated hand of the user, respectively. The footrest is operationally engaged to a respective biaser so that the respective biaser is positioned to resist movement of the footrest relative to the chair. The handrest is operationally engaged to a respective biaser so that the respective biaser is positioned to resist movement of the handrest relative to the chair. The footrests and the handrests thus are useful in exercising feet and hands of the user, respectively. A plurality of heating elements, which is engaged to the chair, the footrests, and the handrests, can warm an abdomen and joints of the user.

The invention relates to a device for use in the thermal therapy treatment of a selected region of the body of a human or of an animal, in particular for use in the treatment of tissue damage after surgical interventions, of injuries, of inflammations and of chronic diseases of the rheumatic type, and in particular for assisting chemotherapeutic treatments, comprising a temperature control device which is provided in order to control a temperature of a temperature control fluid, and a heat transfer device which is arranged to transfer heat to the selected region of the body, wherein the temperature control device is connected, in a fluid conducting manner, to the heat transfer device, and is further arranged to temper the heat transfer device with a heat transferring temperature control fluid flowing through the heat transfer device, and with a control device which is connected to the temperature control device and to the heat transfer device, wherein the control device is arranged to control the temperature control device, in order to cause the heat transfer device to be at least partially at an approximately uniform temperature in the region of a contact surface between the heat transfer device and the selected region of the body to be temperature controlled. The invention further relates to a method of operating the device.