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.

Disclosed are systems, pads, and methods for targeted temperature management. A pad can include a multilayered pad body, a pad inlet connector, and a pad outlet connector. The pad body can include a plurality of separable longitudinal portions, wherein each longitudinal portion of the longitudinal portions includes a conduit, a patient-interfacing layer over the conduit, and an insulation layer over the conduit opposite the patient-interfacing layer. The conduit can be configured to convey a temperature-controlled fluid as a supply fluid from a hydraulic system or convey a return fluid back to the hydraulic system. The patient-interfacing layer can include a thermally conductive medium configured for placement on a patient’s body. The insulation layer can include an insulative foam. The pad inlet connector can be configured for charging the pad with the supply fluid while the pad outlet connector can be configured for discharging the return fluid from the pad.

A heat exchanger, and method of manufacture of a heat exchanger configured to be placed into contact with an object to regulate the temperature of the object. The heat exchanger comprises a layer of material defining a passage through which a heat transfer fluid may flow. The material layer has a first side for contact with the object; and a second side which, in use, will face away from the object. The first side has a relatively high coefficient of thermal conduction. The second side has a relatively low coefficient of thermal conduction compared to the first side.

Disclosed herein is a medical pad for exchanging thermal energy between a targeted temperature management (TTM) fluid and a patient. The pad includes a top side and a bottom side, as well as a fluid containing layer disposed between the top side and the bottom side, an insulation layer disposed on the top side, and a thermal conduction layer disposed on the bottom side. The pad can be configured to inhibit irritation of the skin of the patient when the pad is applied to the skin. The pad can also include translucent portions to facilitate visual observance of the skin beneath the pad.

The invention is one or more articles, such as a headband or wristband, that include a material capable of imparting lightweight and thermally insulative characteristics to the article. Particularly, the article comprises one or more layers of aerogel material that impart an insulative characteristic so that it can comfortably be worn in summer months and winter months. In addition, the material is ultra lightweight, so that the article is not bulky and can be comfortably worn for long periods of time to reduce user fatigue. Thus, the article can be worn continuously, even during periods of rest and sleep.

A flexible cold pack includes a cell layer and a flexible layer. The cell layer includes a plurality of cells that are coupled to one another. Each cell of the plurality of cells includes a first liquid associated with a first freezing temperature. The flexible layer is disposed adjacent to the cell layer such that the flexible layer spans the plurality of cells of the cell layer. The flexible layer includes a second liquid or flexible semi-solid disposed therein. The second liquid or flexible semi-solid is associated with a second freezing temperature that is lower than the first freezing temperature.

A heating pad includes a heat pad with an anterior and posterior side. The heat pad includes a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer. The second layer is located in between the first layer and the third layer. The first layer is located on the posterior side, while the third layer is located on the anterior side. The second layer has a wire selectively heated to increase the temperature of the heat pad. The third layer is a reflective material positioned to reflect heat from the second layer towards the first layer, decreasing heat emitted on the anterior side of the heat pad. The heating pad also includes a battery storage section for securing a battery. The battery is in electronical communication with the wire of the heat pad. The heating pad further includes an engagement mechanism to secure the heating pad to a user.

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 system for treating dry eye is presented. According to some aspects, the system includes an underlid device having an anterior surface and a posterior surface, wherein the anterior surface is configured to contact a portion of an eyelid, and wherein the posterior surface is configured to contact a portion of an eyeball. The underlid device further includes a Peltier heat pump. The Peltier heat pump includes a first surface configured to heat the eyelid when the device is positioned between the eyelid and the eyeball, and a second surface configured to cool a portion of a surface of the eyeball when the device is positioned between the eyelid and the eyeball. The underlid device further includes an energy storage element coupled to the Peltier heat pump and configured to supply power to the Peltier heat pump.

A human body is cooled at an appropriate temperature, and a sufficient usage time is ensured. A cooling tool according to one aspect of the present invention is a cooling tool for cooling a human body, including a freezing material 30a that undergoes a phase change at a particular temperature and a first container containing the freezing material 30a. The first container transfers heat between the human body and the freezing material at a contact surface in contact with the skin of the human body. At least the contact surface has a thermal effusivity within the possible range of thermal effusivity of the skin of the human body. The contact surface may have a thermal effusivity (J/(m2˜S1/2.Math.K)) of 1,000 to 2,000.