Abstract: A system and method are provided that employ a monitoring device to monitor at least one patient physiological response to a change in temperature of the patient (e.g. pursuant to induced hypothermia therapy), wherein a monitoring signal is provided by the monitoring device. In turn, an output (e.g. a visual and/or auditory output) may be provided to a user indicative of at least one measure of patient response to the change in temperature. Alternatively or additionally, a processor may be provided to process the monitoring signal and provide an output employable by medical personnel to control a patient shivering response to the patient temperature change. Such information may comprise information regarding one or more anti-shivering medicament(s), e.g. corresponding dosage and/or frequency information for use by medical personnel in the administration of the anti-shivering medicament.

Abstract: A system and method are provided that employ a monitoring device to monitor at least one patient physiological response to a change in temperature of the patient (e.g. pursuant to induced hypothermia therapy), wherein a monitoring signal is provided by the monitoring device. In turn, an output (e.g. a visual and/or auditory output) may be provided to a user indicative of at least one measure of patient response to the change in temperature. Alternatively or additionally, a processor may be provided to process the monitoring signal and provide an output employable by medical personnel to control a patient shivering response to the patient temperature change. Such information may comprise information regarding one or more anti-shivering medicament(s), e.g. corresponding dosage and/or frequency information for use by medical personnel in the administration of the anti-shivering medicament.

Abstract: A system and method are provided that employ a monitoring device to monitor at least one patient physiological response to a change in temperature of the patient (e.g. pursuant to induced hypothermia therapy), wherein a monitoring signal is provided by the monitoring device. In turn, an output (e.g. a visual and/or auditory output) may be provided to a user indicative of at least one measure of patient response to the change in temperature. Alternatively or additionally, a processor may be provided to process the monitoring signal and provide an output employable by medical personnel to control a patient shivering response to the patient temperature change. Such information may comprise information regarding one or more anti-shivering medicament(s), e.g. corresponding dosage and/or frequency information for use by medical personnel in the administration of the anti-shivering medicament.

Abstract: A system and method are provided that employ a monitoring device to monitor at least one patient physiological response to a change in temperature of the patient (e.g. pursuant to induced hypothermia therapy), wherein a monitoring signal is provided by the monitoring device. In turn, an output (e.g. a visual and/or auditory output) may be provided to a user indicative of at least one measure of patient response to the change in temperature. Alternatively or additionally, a processor may be provided to process the monitoring signal and provide an output employable by medical personnel to control a patient shivering response to the patient temperature change. Such information may comprise information regarding one or more anti-shivering medicament(s), e.g. corresponding dosage and/or frequency information for use by medical personnel in the administration of the anti-shivering medicament.

Abstract: A system and method are provided that employ a monitoring device to monitor at least one patient physiological response to a change in temperature of the patient (e.g. pursuant to induced hypothermia therapy), wherein a monitoring signal is provided by the monitoring device. In turn, an output (e.g. a visual and/or auditory output) may be provided to a user indicative of at least one measure of patient response to the change in temperature. Alternatively or additionally, a processor may be provided to process the monitoring signal and provide an output employable by medical personnel to control a patient shivering response to the patient temperature change. Such information may comprise information regarding one or more anti-shivering medicament(s), e.g. corresponding dosage and/or frequency information for use by medical personnel in the administration of the anti-shivering medicament.

Abstract: A portable apparatus and method for providing a cooled liquid for vascular administration are disclosed. The portable apparatus includes a source of liquid for vascular administration, a cooling reservoir for receiving liquid from the source, and a sorption-based heat exchanger for cooling liquid in the cooling reservoir by a sorption-based process. The heat exchanger may include an evaporative area for receiving and vaporizing a refrigerant, a sorptive material for sorping vaporized refrigerant, and a heat exchange member for conducting thermal energy from liquid in the cooling reservoir into the evaporative area. Additional componentry may be provided for fluidly interconnecting and controlling the flow of liquid from the source to the cooling reservoir and from the cooling reservoir to a vascular interface device. Such componentry may be conveniently packaged in a sterilized manner together with at least the cooling reservoir.

Abstract: Active cooling of a person, such as to induce mild/moderate hypothermia, is accomplished by transferring heat from the persons body. Heat transfer and patient comfort are aided by administration of an anti-shivering drug and an anti-emetic drug.

Abstract: A method and system is provided to induce mild hypothermia in a patient through controlled heating of the preoptic anterior hypothalamus (POAH) in conjunction with cooling of patient's body. The system employs an ultrasound transducer that may be positioned extracorporeally to a patient skull for emitting ultrasound energy to the POAH. The ultrasound energy heats the POAH to inhibit thermoregulatory responses of the body such that a cooling means may more effectively cool bodily tissue in order to reduce a patient's core body temperature. Feedback sensors may be positioned at various locations on the patient in order to monitor the patient's core body temperature. A control apparatus included with the system controls the amount of heat the POAH receives and the amount of cooling the body receives based on the feedback signals from the sensors.

Abstract: An improved patient temperature exchange system and method is disclosed for use with one or more interconnectable patient contact pads. In one embodiment, the system includes a circulating pump for drawing fluid through the interconnected pad(s) under negative pressure, and for pumping the fluid through one of more heat exchange devices into a circulating reservoir. A make-up reservoir may be provided for gravity fluid flow into the circulating reservoir during the filling of the interconnectable pad(s) and for receiving fluid upon emptying of the interconnectable pad(s). During normal heating/cooling operations, the circulated fluid does not pass through the make-up reservoir, thereby yielding a highly responsive system. The make-up and circulatory reservoirs may be directly interconnected, with the make-up reservoir maintained at atmospheric pressure (e.g. via a non-spill vent).

Abstract: An improved patient temperature exchange system and method is disclosed for use with one or more interconnectable patient contact pads. In one embodiment, the system includes a circulating pump for drawing fluid through the interconnected pad(s) under negative pressure, and for pumping the fluid through one of more heat exchange devices into a circulating reservoir. A make-up reservoir may be provided for gravity fluid flow into the circulating reservoir during the filling of the interconnectable pad(s) and for receiving fluid upon emptying of the interconnectable pad(s). During normal heating/cooling operations, the circulated fluid does not pass through the make-up reservoir, thereby yielding a highly responsive system. The make-up and circulatory reservoirs may be directly interconnected, with the make-up reservoir maintained at atmospheric pressure (e.g. via a non-spill vent).

Abstract: The present invention provides for rapid heat transfer with a tissue region of interest (24) by the direct contact of a circulated thermal exchange fluid with the tissue region of interest (24). The tissue region of interest is covered with an appropriately configured flexible membrane (28). A spacing structure maintains a spaced relation between an interior side (30) of the flexible membrane (28) and the tissue region of interest (24) to define a fluid circulation space (34) for fluid flow therebetween. Thermal exchange fluid is drawn into the fluid circulation space (34) though an inlet (60) in the flexible membrane and out of the fluid circulation space (34) through an outlet (64) in the flexible membrane (28) under negative or nearly negative gauge pressure. The fluid directly contacts the tissue region of interest (24), resulting in cooling/heating of the tissue region of interest (24).

Abstract: The present invention provides for rapid heat transfer with a tissue region of interest (24) by the direct contact of a circulated thermal exchange fluid with the tissue region of interest (24). The tissue region of interest is covered with an appropriately configured flexible membrane (28). A spacing structure maintains a spaced relation between an interior side (30) of the flexible membrane (28) and the tissue region of interest (24) to define a fluid circulation space (34) for fluid flow therebetween. Thermal exchange fluid is drawn into the fluid circulation space (34) though an inlet (60) in the flexible membrane and out of the fluid circulation space (34) through an outlet (64) in the flexible membrane (28) under negative or nearly negative gauge pressure. The fluid directly contacts the tissue region of interest (24), resulting in cooling/heating of the tissue region of interest (24).

Abstract: The surface free energy of a polymer blend where a base polymer contains an additive having a different surface free energy than that of the base polymer can be controlled over a wide range of additive surface concentrations by appropriate choice of the mold surface free energy during fabrication. A high surface concentration of additive relative to a low bulk concentration can be achieved, leading to improved biocompatibility without loss of optical clarity.

Abstract: The biocompatibility of polymeric and metallic articles used in contact with blood can be substantially improved by coating the articles as described. The coating materials are triblock copolymers of the polylactone-polysiloxane-polylactone type. Optimum biocompatibility is provided by a coating of optimum surface concentration. Porous membranes can be coated as described, providing improved biocompatibility of blood oxygenators, hemodialyzers and the like.

Abstract: The biocompatibility of polymeric and metallic articles used in contact with blood can be substantially improved by coating the articles as described. The coating materials are triblock copolymers of the polylactone-polysiloxane-polylactone type. Optimum biocompatibility is provided by a coating of optimum surface concentration. Porous membranes can be coated as described, providing improved biocompatibility of blood oxygenators, hemodialyzers and the like.

Abstract: Biocompatible anion exchange materials are provided comprising a support having a quaternary amine moiety and a polyethylene oxide (PEO) moiety having between about 10 and about 200 repeating units covalently bonded thereto, such that said quaternary amine and polyethylene oxide moieties are substantially homogeneously distributed on said support. These anion exchange materials are useful for removing negatively charged species such as heparin from blood and other body fluids without significant removal of platelets. Methods of making and using these materials are also provided.

Abstract: The biocompatibility of polymeric and metallic articles used in contact with blood can be substantially improved by coating the articles as described. The coating materials are triblock copolymers of the polylactone-polysiloxane-polylactone type. Optimum biocompatibility is provided by a coating of optimum surface concentration. Porous membranes can be coated as described, providing improved biocompatibility of blood oxygenators, hemodialyzers and the like.

Abstract: A novel biocompatible anion exchange membrane is prepared by reacting the hydroxyl groups of a chromatographic support material with a polyester-cellulose solution containing glycidyl trimethyl ammonium chloride and bis glycidyl polyethylene oxide.