A respiration-based body temperature modifying apparatus including an air temperature modifying element producing temperature-altered air and a respiration zone that, in use, communicates with the respiratory system of the user and receives the temperature-altered air so that the user can draw the temperature-altered air from the respiration zone into the lungs to alter body temperature.

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling a patient's body temperature and in particular for inducing therapeutic hypothermia. Various embodiments of the system are described. The system includes: a source of breathing gas, which may be in the form of a compressed breathing gas mixture; a heat exchanger or other heating and/or cooling device; and a breathing interface, such as a breathing mask or tracheal tube. Optionally, the system may include additional features, such as a mechanical respirator, a nebulizer for introducing medication into the breathing gas, a body temperature probe and a feedback controller. The system can use air or a specialized breathing gas mixture, such as He/O.sub.2 or SF/O.sub.2 to increase the heat transfer rate. In addition, the system may include an ice particle generator for introducing fine ice particles into the flow of breathing gas to further increase the heat transfer rate.

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling a patient's body temperature and in particular for inducing therapeutic hypothermia. Various embodiments of the system are described. The system includes: a source of breathing gas, which may be in the form of a compressed breathing gas mixture; a heat exchanger or other heating and/or cooling device; and a breathing interface, such as a breathing mask or tracheal tube. Optionally, the system may include additional features, such as a mechanical respirator, a nebulizer for introducing medication into the breathing gas, a body temperature probe and a feedback controller. The system can use air or a specialized breathing gas mixture, such as He/O.sub.2 or SF/O.sub.2 to increase the heat transfer rate. In addition, the system may include an ice particle generator for introducing fine ice particles into the flow of breathing gas to further increase the heat transfer rate.

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling a patient's body temperature and in particular for inducing therapeutic hypothermia. Various embodiments of the system are described. The system includes: a source of breathing gas, which may be in the form of a compressed breathing gas mixture; a heat exchanger or other heating and/or cooling device; and a breathing interface, such as a breathing mask or tracheal tube. Optionally, the system may include additional features, such as a mechanical respirator, a nebulizer for introducing medication into the breathing gas, a body temperature probe and a feedback controller. The system can use air or a specialized breathing gas mixture, such as He/O.sub.2 or SF/O.sub.2 to increase the heat transfer rate. In addition, the system may include an ice particle generator for introducing fine ice particles into the flow of breathing gas to further increase the heat transfer rate.

The present invention relates to a self-contained body warming device, comprising: a mask, the mask dimensioned to cover a user's mouth and nose, and comprising one or more attachments to secure the mask over the user's mouth and nose; and a flexible hose having a first end and a second end, the hose coupled at the first end to the mask, and the hose dimensioned such that the second end extends to the user's torso when the mask is secured; wherein as the user exhales during breathing, exhaled air travels along the flexible hose from the first end to the second end, thereby warming the user's body at the location of the second end.

A hypothermia-prevention device is provided. The hypothermia-prevention device provides a three-port valve system having an inhalation port, a respiration port and an exhalation port, respectively wherein an in-take valve fluidly connects the inhale port to the respiration port and wherein an out-take valve fluidly connects the exhale port to the respiration port. The out-take and in-take valves are adapted to respond to the negative and positive pressure urged by way respiration of a user through the respiration port so that the exhale air is directed through the exhale port while colder inhale air is excluded through the exhalation port. The exhale port provides an out-tube for selectively directing the warmer exhale air to necessary body parts of the user.

A mammalian respiration heater is provided including a container, a tube, and an aperture. The container has at least one wall configured to form a reservoir for containing liquid having a thermal capacity capable of rendering sensible heat to a user through respiration. The tube is carried for passage through the container in sealed relation at a first end and is configured to couple with a user's input respiration and a second end configured to draw in ambient air, and having a thermally conductive portion exposed in thermally conductive relation with the reservoir within the container. The aperture is provided in the container configured to enable admittance of liquid having an elevated temperature within the container. A method is also provided.

A number of user interface device embodiments are disclosed that provide for increased cooling of the skin covered by the mask and/or increased flushing of gasses, including CO.sub.2, from the mask.

A device and method for reducing heat loss in at least one region of a subject's body is described. The device includes a mask component, a heat releasing reservoir, and a conduit connecting the mask component to the heat releasing reservoir and creating an airflow path therethrough, wherein the heat releasing reservoir includes at least one air permeable region that is impermeable to condensed water. Heat loss is reduced by the subject positioning the mask over the mouth and/or nose, positioning the heat releasing reservoir over the region of the subject's body, and passing warmed air exhaled by the subject into the mask through the conduit and into the heat releasing reservoir, such that the warmed air passes through the heat releasing reservoir while retaining condensed water within the heat releasing reservoir, thereby increasing the temperature of the air surrounding the at least one region of the subject's body.

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling a patient's body temperature and in particular for inducing therapeutic hypothermia. Various embodiments of the system are described. The system includes: a source of breathing gas, which may be in the form of a compressed breathing gas mixture; a heat exchanger or other heating and/or cooling device; and a breathing interface, such as a breathing mask or tracheal tube. Optionally, the system may include additional features, such as a mechanical respirator, a nebulizer for introducing medication into the breathing gas, a body temperature probe and a feedback controller. The system can use air or a specialized breathing gas mixture, such as He/O.sub.2 or SF/O.sub.2 to increase the heat transfer rate. In addition, the system may include an ice particle generator for introducing fine ice particles into the flow of breathing gas to further increase the heat transfer rate.