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.

A thermostatic massage pad includes: a thermostatic pad, wherein a thermostatic water pipe is arranged inside the thermostatic pad; a cooling pad, wherein a cooling water pipe is arranged inside the cooling pad; a casing, wherein a thermostatic water pump and a cooling water pump are respectively arranged inside the casing, a thermostatic water tank is arranged at a top of the thermostatic water pump, a cooling water tank is arranged at a top of the cooling water pump, a water inlet end of the thermostatic water pump is connected to a water outlet of the thermostatic water tank, and a water inlet end of the cooling water pump is connected to a water outlet of the cooling water tank; a thermoelectric cooler, wherein an end surface of the thermoelectric cooler is fixedly connected to a wall surface of the thermostatic water tank.

A temperature controllable wrap assembly that includes a wrap portion configured to be worn around a user's body part, and at least a first temperature control module positioned on the wrap portion. The first temperature control module includes a housing, a controllable temperature element, a spreader member and at least a first finger spreader pivotably attached to the spreader member. The lower surface of the spreader member is positioned to contact the user's body part. The controllable temperature element is configured to transfer thermal energy to an upper surface of the spreader member, and the spreader member is configured to conduct thermal energy to the first finger spreader.

A heat exchange system includes a thermoelectric device operably coupled with a support apparatus. The thermoelectric device is configured to reduce a temperature at a first location and increase a temperature at a second location different than the first location. A fan is disposed adjacent to the thermoelectric device. The fan is configured to direct heat generated by the thermoelectric device toward the second location. A controller is communicatively coupled with the thermoelectric device and the fan. The controller is configured to activate the thermoelectric device and the fan to reduce the temperature at the first location and concurrently increase the temperature at the second location. The first location is configured to align with a first area on a patient and the second location is configured to align with a second area on the patient.

The invention pertains to a method for operating a cryocabin arrangement 100 with an open-top cabin 10, a cooling unit 20 and a number of fluid circulation units 30. The method comprises receiving user-specific data comprising at least temperature indications measureable, by a number of sensor devices, at skin surface of the user upon delivery of cooling fluid 201 into the cabin via the cooling unit followed by intake and recirculation of said cooling fluid by fluid circulation units, which further return recirculated cooling fluid 301 inside said cabin, and based on said user-specific data, selectively adjusting distribution of said cooling fluid 201, 301 inside the cabin, in terms of at least speed and/or direction of a fluidic flow, to a predetermined level during an operation cycle.

The present invention provides a weighted article for assisting sleep, wherein the weighted article includes heating and cooling means. The weighted article is perforated by a series of channels, which contribute to the weight of the weighted article and allow the passage of a fluid that is continuously pumped throughout the weighted article while the weighted article is in use. The weighted article is connected to a control unit including means to thermoelectrical heat or cool the fluid such that a user of the weighted article is able to increase or decrease their body temperature.

A cold and/or hot compress system, comprising a water bag (101), an air bag (102), a water circulation assembly (2) in fluid communication with the water bag (101) and a pneumatic assembly (3) in fluid communication with the air bag (102). In the cold and/or hot compress system, the water circulation assembly (2) is independent from the pneumatic assembly (3). Therefore, during the delivery of a cooling or heating therapy, the independent pneumatic assembly (3) can be driven by an air pressure waveform defined by parameters pre-stored in a control panel (402) to cause the water bag (102) to apply cold/hot compress to a region of interest of a patient's body. Independent water and air circulation paths in the system avoid interference between water and air flows therein, allowing the system to applied more stable compress with minimized pressure errors. Moreover, a more constant water flow rate and a more uniform temperature distribution across the surface of the water bag are achievable.

A temperature controllable wrap assembly that includes a wrap portion configured to be worn around a user’s body part, and at least a first temperature control module positioned on the wrap portion. The first temperature control module includes a housing, a controllable temperature element, a spreader member and at least a first finger spreader pivotably attached to the spreader member. The lower surface of the spreader member is positioned to contact the user’s body part. The controllable temperature element is configured to transfer thermal energy to an upper surface of the spreader member, and the spreader member is configured to conduct thermal energy to the first finger spreader.

A balloon catheter is used in a closed-loop heat exchange system for manipulating the temperature of a patient. The balloon catheter is positioned in the stomach of the patient, and then expanded with a heat exchange fluid delivered through a lumen formed in the shaft of the catheter. The balloon catheter comes into contact with the wall of the stomach, and the stomach substantially conforms around the expanded balloon catheter. The heat exchange fluid is allowed to flow continuously into and out of the balloon catheter. Heat is exchanged between the balloon catheter and the stomach so as to controllably alter the temperature of at least a portion of the patient. Anti-shivering mechanisms and automatic control based on temperature feedback from the patient may be used in connection with the heat exchange system.

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.