A thermal pad is adapted to be placed in physical contact with a patient and to receive temperature controlled fluid from a thermal control unit. The temperature controlled fluid circulates through the thermal pad and controls the patient's temperature. The thermal pad includes first and second sheets that are sealed together about their periphery to define a fluid chamber there between. A fluid inlet and fluid outlet are fluidly coupled to the fluid chamber. In some embodiments, a filter sheet is sandwiched between the first and second sheets and arranged such that fluid entering the fluid inlet must pass through the filter sheet before exiting out of the fluid outlet. A plurality of bonds may be included that seal the first and second sheets together at a plurality of locations. In some embodiments, a non-sheet filter is positioned within the fluid chamber and filters the circulating fluid.

The present invention provides methods and devices for controlling a cold slurry that is delivered to a target tissue and for limiting heat transferring from surrounding tissue to the target tissue. In particular, a balloon structure is deployed at or near a point of delivery to act as a physical and/or thermal barrier. In some instances, the balloon structure can act as a pressure device obstructing the flow of warm blood into a treatment area, which can melt the cold slurry.

A flexible catheter is inserted into the esophagus to cool or warm the esophagus, particularly during certain procedures which can tend to change the temperature in the area of the esophagus. The catheter is inserted through the mouth and throat to a position, for example, proximate the heart, but within the esophagus. One or more balloons are inflated to block areas of the esophagus, while a gel is injected into the esophagus where it is immobilized by the one or more balloons. A coolant is pumped through a coolant tube affixed to the catheter, where it exchanges heat with the conductive gel.

The present invention provides a method and device for non-invasive anatomical and systemic cooling, fluid removal and/or energy removal. The method and device provide for removal of fluid and cooling of various bodily fluid-containing spaces or surfaces, such as mucus-containing spaces or surfaces via delivery of a dry fluid not including a coolant into or upon the mucus-containing space or surface. Exposure of such mucus to the dry fluid results in evaporation of body fluid, removal of energy, cooling of the anatomical feature, and systemic cooling. In this fashion, therapeutic hypothermia may be achieved to provide for neuroprotection of various organs after ischemic insult, such the brain after cardiac arrest. Similarly, excess fluid removal may be achieved for treatment of cardiogenic shock or other conditions that cause significant fluid build-up, especially in cases of compromised renal function. Additionally, the invention may be used to reduce fever, and other conditions where removal of heat, energy and/or water are beneficial.

A method and apparatus used to prevent brain death by use of rapid and safe cooling of the brain is disclosed. The cisterna magna is accessed through a patient's neck and cooled artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF) is circulated about spaces within the brain and in a subarachnoid space surrounding the brain by entering the cisterna magna with an entry through the neck of the patient with a specially designed needle/cannula which allows the flow of cooled aCSF about the brain. aCSF exits from an opening in the skull where a temperature/pressure sensor is placed. Data is sent to a computer-controlled motorized system that pumps cooled aCSF to the needle/cannula placed in the cisterna magna. The pumping of aCSF is controlled to maintain a predetermined temperature and/or pressure of the exiting aCSF.

A medical device for monitoring biological parameters through an Abreu Brain Thermal Tunnel (ABTT) is provided. By monitoring and analyzing the temperature of the ABTT, it is possible to diagnosis changes in a patient or subject under a variety of conditions, including predicting the course of medical conditions. Furthermore, since the ABTT is predictive, analysis of the ABTT may be used to control mechanisms for safety when an impending medical condition makes such operation hazardous.

The apparatus includes a moxibustion container assembly for localized application of therapeutic herbal smoke originated from gas-producing combustible material, an air pump connectable to the moxibustion container assembly via an inlet tube to supply air to the moxibustion container assembly, a vacuum pump connectable to the moxibustion container assembly via an outlet tube to create a partial vacuum to draw air from the moxibustion container assembly and exhaust air thereafter, and an air purifier connected to the vacuum pump to remove the contaminants in the air exhausted from the vacuum pump.

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.

A medical device for monitoring biological parameters through an Abreu Brain Thermal Tunnel (ABTT) is provided. By monitoring and analyzing the temperature of the ABTT, it is possible to diagnosis changes in a patient or subject under a variety of conditions, including predicting the course of medical conditions. Furthermore, since the ABTT is predictive, analysis of the ABTT may be used to control mechanisms for safety when an impending medical condition makes such operation hazardous.

Disclosed are: a system comprising a gas circulation device capable of circulating hyperthermic gas in the peritoneal cavity and a temperature control device; and a system comprising a drug spray device for effectively spraying a drug in the peritoneal cavity together with gas. The systems of the present invention are used as systems for hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy and can maximize the anticancer therapy effect by more effectively delivering a small amount of an anticancer drug to cancer cells while maintaining the temperature of gas in the peritoneal cavity at a predetermined temperature.