Methods, systems and devices for reducing anxiety, including increasing relaxation and/or calm. In some variations these methods may include reducing anxiety, increase relaxation and/or calm by non-invasive temperature regulation of the frontal cortex prior to and/or during sleep. The subject may have an anxiety disorder, or may not have a diagnosed anxiety disorder.

A protective dressing includes an outer dressing and an adhesive layer. The outer dressing includes an opening and a cavity sized to receive a phase-change material (PCM) insert inserted through the opening. The adhesive layer is configured to adhere to a patient's skin surrounding an anatomic site. When adhered to the patient's skin, the PCM insert modifies the patient's skin at the anatomic site. The PCM insert may be removed and replaced with another PCM insert. For example, a warm PCM insert may be replaced with a refrigerated PCM insert. The opening of the outer dressing may be self-sealing. The opening of the outer dressing may be sealed with an upper layer dressing coupled to the PCM cooling insert.

A warming device may include a batting layer having a phase change material. The batting layer may have a patient side and an upper side. A hot melt fabric adhesive may be applied to the patient side and upper side of the batting. A first fabric layer may be adhered to the hot melt fabric on the patient side of the batting. The first fabric layer may have a phase change material integrated coating. An insulation layer may be adhered to the hot melt fabric on the upper side of the batting. A second fabric layer may be coupled to the insulation layer.

An ice pack comprises a plastic sac with an external surface, the plastic sac forming an interior chamber, a substance within the interior chamber capable of absorbing thermal energy, and a coating, which contains one or more antimicrobial agents, on the external surface. The substance can comprise water, including polymer beads mixed with the water. The one or more antimicrobial agents can include a quaternary ammonium ion or salt thereof, such as a silane quaternary ammonium ion or salt thereof. The silane quaternary ammonium ion or salt thereof can be 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium ion, 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride, 3-(trihydroxysilyl)propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium ion, or 3-(trihydroxysilyl)propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride. Instead of an ice pack, the apparatus comprising the coating containing one or more antimicrobial agents can be an object that is used around injured people and/or perishable items such as heating pads, coolers, and ice pack carriers.

Temperature variant compression stockings are three-in-one stockings that address needs both in the sports world and the medical field. The temperature variant stockings may help cool the skin while exerting a desired compressive force; another version of the temperature variant stockings may actually retain heat while also exerting a desired compressive force. The stockings are available where the temperature variant components are in contact with the user's skin while the compression yarns are knitted onto the outside of the stocking. A style is also available with alternating strips, with either the cooling yarns or the heat retaining yarns running vertically and parallel to strips of compression yarns. Antimicrobial particles are infused into the cooling or heating yarns to guard again infections.

The present invention provides a composition comprising a) a phase change material; b) 1 to 10 wt % of a silica gelling additive; and c) a styrene co-polymer gelling additive; wherein the composition is in the form of a gel and wherein the weight ratio of b) silica gelling additive to c) styrene co-polymer gelling additive in the composition is in the range from 0.6 to 5:1. The invention also provides a method of making the composition and an article and a product comprising the composition. Finally, the invention provides the use of a combination of a silica gelling additive and a styrene co-polymer gelling additive to make a gel composition comprising a phase change material with one or more improved properties.

A process and related assemblies for delivering slush through a tube towards a patient. Obtaining an elongated container partially filled with slush with a port end that has a first port and a second port. Placing the first port in fluid communication with tubing for delivery of slush towards the patient. Placing the second port in fluid communication with a source of gas which may be air. Subjecting the elongated container to automated repetitive movements so that the slush in the partially filled elongated container moves against interior surfaces within the elongated container. Ideally, two different forms of repetitive motion are used to impose complex movement upon the slush within the elongated container. Applying a pressure gradient to cause slush to flow out of the first port towards the patient. The elongated container may be made from a slush bottle with a reversibly engaged cap with the two ports.

The present invention comprises a heat transfer vest. The vest is configured to mount a plurality of heat transfer packs on its interior surface. In the preferred embodiments the appropriate portions of the interior surface are covered in a hook-compatible material. In these versions, the thermal transfer packs include one or more hook panels that are used to attach the packs to the interior surface.

Home-use applicators for non-invasively removing heat from subcutaneous, lipid-rich cells via phase change coolants, and associated devices, systems and methods. A device in accordance with a particular embodiment includes an applicator releasably positionable in thermal communication with human skin, and a coolant vessel having a coolant. The device further includes a heat transfer conduit operatively coupled to the applicator and housing a heat transfer fluid that is isolated from fluid contact with the coolant. A heat exchanger is operatively coupled between the coolant vessel and the heat transfer conduit to transfer heat between the heat transfer fluid and the coolant, and a fluid driver is operatively coupled to the heat transfer conduit to direct the heat transfer fluid between the applicator and the heat exchanger.

A device and method for a wearable heat pack is presented. The heat pack provides a therapeutic application of heat or cold to a user using phase-change material to provide a desired temperature and is made of a soft and flexible material that is comfortable and pleasant to use, but is strong enough to be reused multiple times. The heat pack device includes a sealed silicone envelope. An infill is contained in the envelope and includes a phase-change material for providing a temperature range over a period of time. The method includes heating the heat pack device, placing the heat pack device in a pocket of a garment, and placing the garment on a user to position the heat pack device in contact with the user, wherein the heat pack device includes a phase change material and further wherein the heating creates a phase-change of the phase-change material.