Abstract: An improved medical pad for contact thermal exchange with a patient includes a fluid circulation layer for containing a thermal exchange fluid circulatable therethrough, a first port and a second port for circulating the thermal exchange fluid in to and out of the fluid circulation layer, and a hydrogel layer interconnected to and extending across one side of the fluid circulation layer to define an adhesive surface for adherence to a patient's skin. The hydrogel layer can include an ultraviolet light-cured composition with a cross-linking copolymer, water, and glycerol. The hydrogel layer is provided to have a thermal conductivity of at least about 1.9 ca//hr-cm-° C.

Abstract: Improved systems and methods for extracorporeal blood temperature control and patient temperature control, e.g., for induced hypothermia and optional normothermia, may include or otherwise employ a heat exchanger for cooling/warming of a fluid, a thermal exchange module having fluidly-isolated first and second volumes, and a fluid pump for circulating the fluid through the heat exchanger and the first volume of the thermal exchange module. A blood pump may be provided for the flow of blood through the second volume of the thermal exchange module, and a first controller may be provided for providing output signals for use in operation of the heat exchanger to selectively control thermal exchange between the fluid circulated through the first volume of the thermal exchange module and the blood flowed through the second volume of the thermal exchange module, thereby providing for selective cooling/warming of the blood.

Abstract: A patient temperature control system for automated temperature control according to a programmed protocol. In one aspect, at least one programmed protocol may be established for each of a plurality of patient thermal therapy phases. In turn, the temperature of a thermal exchange medium may be controlled upon the programmed protocol during each of the phases. A plurality of programmed protocols may be established, wherein a selected protocol may be utilized for automated temperature control during patient thermal therapy. The protocol may include a target patient temperature and/or a set duration for one or more of the phase of thermal therapy. The protocol may be user-definable and modifiable during therapy. In a multiphase configuration, automatic termination and initiation of successive phases may be selectively established by a user, based on target patient temperature data and/or set duration data on a phase-specific basis.

Abstract: Improved urine output collection apparatus and monitoring device features are provided. The disposable urine collection apparatus includes a collection reservoir and a diverter for controlling the flow of urine to a first passageway of the diverter in a first position and to a second passageway of the diverter in a second position, wherein the first passageway is fluidly interconnected to the collection reservoir. The disposable urine collection apparatus may include a cartridge having an internal chamber and inlet and outlet members interconnected to the cartridge, wherein the inlet member is selectively, fluidly interconnectable to the second passageway of the diverter, and wherein the outlet member is selectively, fluidly interconnectable to the collection reservoir. The monitoring device is interconnectable with the cartridge and operable to monitor a volume and/or level of urine collected within the cartridge.

Abstract: A system and method are provided, the system including a monitoring device to monitor sensory data of a patient and to provide a sensory data response thereto, and a control unit configurable to cool or warm circulated fluid through at least one contact pad for thermal exchange with the patient. The monitoring device can be configured to monitor a 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. A processor can be provided to process the monitoring signal and provide an output employable by medical personnel. The processor can be programmed to control automatically a temperature of the circulated fluid to cool or warm the patient in different treatment phases in accordance with a predetermined protocol, and process the sensory data signal to provide an output signal indicative of a sensory measurement.

Abstract: An improved medical pad for contact thermal exchange with a patient includes a fluid circulation layer for containing a thermal exchange fluid circulatable therethrough, a first port and a second port for circulating the thermal exchange fluid in to and out of the fluid circulation layer, and a hydrogel layer interconnected to and extending across one side of the fluid circulation layer to define an adhesive surface for adherence to a patient's skin. The hydrogel layer comprises an ultra violet light-cured composition that includes a cross-linking copolymer in an amount of between about 15% to 30% by weight of the composition, water in an amount of between about 15% to 40% by weight of the composition, and glycerol in an amount of between about 25% to 35% by weight of the composition. The hydrogel layer is provided to have a thermal conductivity of at least about 1.9 cal/hr-cm-° C.

Abstract: A patient temperature control system and method are provided for automated temperature control according to a programmed protocol. In one aspect, at least one programmed protocol may be established for each of a plurality of patient thermal therapy phases. In turn, the temperature of a thermal exchange medium may be controlled, based at least in part, upon the programmed protocol, during each of the phases. In another aspect, a plurality of programmed protocols may be established, wherein a selected one of the protocols (e.g. selected by a user at a user interface) may be utilized for automated temperature control during patient thermal therapy. The protocol(s) may include a target patient temperature and/or a set duration for one or more of the phase of thermal therapy. Further, the protocol(s) may be user-definable and modifiable during therapy.

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: Improved systems and methods for extracorporeal blood temperature control and patient temperature control, e.g., for induced hypothermia and optional normothermia, may include or otherwise employ a heat exchanger for cooling/warming of a fluid, a thermal exchange module having fluidly isolated first and second volumes, and a fluid pump for circulating the fluid through the heat exchanger and the first volume of the thermal exchange module. A blood pump may be provided for the flow of blood through the second volume of the thermal exchange module, and a first controller may be provided for providing output signals for use in operation of the heat exchanger to selectively control thermal exchange between the fluid circulated through the first volume of the thermal exchange module and the blood flowed through the second volume of the thermal exchange module, thereby providing for selective cooling/warming of the blood.

Abstract: A sorption-based, adhesive contact apparatus and method for contact cooling a patient via conductive thermal exchange are described. The apparatus includes a pad, having a fluid containing layer and adhesive contact surface, and a sorption-based device, fluidly interconnectable to the fluid containing layer, for vaporizing fluid contained in the fluid containing layer and for sorping the vaporized fluid. The fluid vaporization and the vapor sorption cools the adhesive contact surface of the pad. A port control member may selectively establish fluid interconnection between the fluid containing layer and sorption-based device. An internal pressure of the sorption-based device may be established lower than an internal pressure of the fluid-containing layer prior to fluid interconnection therebetween. A fluid retention member and path defining members may be included to facilitate vaporization, vapor diffusion and vapor sorption, thereby enhancing uniform cooling.

Abstract: A patient temperature control system and method are provided for automated temperature control according to a programmed protocol. In one aspect, at least one programmed protocol may be established for each of a plurality of patient thermal therapy phases. In turn, the temperature of a thermal exchange medium may be controlled, based at least in part, upon the programmed protocol, during each of the phases. In another aspect, a plurality of programmed protocols may be established, wherein a selected one of the protocols (e.g. selected by a user at a user interface) may be utilized for automated temperature control during patient thermal therapy. The protocol(s) may include a target patient temperature and/or a set duration for one or more of the phase of thermal therapy. Further, the protocol(s) may be user-definable and modifiable during therapy.

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 medical pad has multiple layers. A first layer is for containing a first thermal-exchange fluid circulatable therethrough, with the medical pad being operable for thermal exchange between the first thermal-exchange fluid and a patient through a first side of the first layer. A second layer of the medical pad is interconnected to a second side of the first layer, opposite to the first side of the first layer. The second layer encloses a second thermal-exchange fluid that may have a freezing point of 0° C. or less. The medical pad is operable for thermal exchange between the second thermal-exchange fluid and the patient.

Abstract: A medical pad has multiple layers. A first layer is for containing a first thermal-exchange fluid circulatable therethrough, with the medical pad being operable for thermal exchange between the first thermal-exchange fluid and a patient through a first side of the first layer. A second layer of the medical pad is interconnected to a second side of the first layer, opposite to the first side of the first layer. The second layer encloses a second thermal-exchange fluid that may have a freezing point of 0° C. or less. The medical pad is operable for thermal exchange between the second thermal-exchange fluid and the patient.

Abstract: A patient temperature control system and method are provided for automated temperature control according to a programmed protocol. In one aspect, at least one programmed protocol may be established for each of a plurality of patient thermal therapy phases. In turn, the temperature of a thermal exchange medium may be controlled, based at least in part, upon the programmed protocol, during each of the phases. In another aspect, a plurality of programmed protocols may be established, wherein a selected one of the protocols (e.g. selected by a user at a user interface) may be utilized for automated temperature control during patient thermal therapy. The protocol(s) may include a target patient temperature and/or a set duration for one or more of the phase of thermal therapy. Further, the protocol(s) may be user-definable and modifiable during therapy.

Abstract: A sorption-based, adhesive contact apparatus and method for contact cooling a patient via conductive thermal exchange are described. The apparatus includes a pad, having a fluid containing layer and adhesive contact surface, and a sorption-based device, fluidly interconnectable to the fluid containing layer, for vaporizing fluid contained in the fluid containing layer and for sorping the vaporized fluid. The fluid vaporization and the vapor sorption cools the adhesive contact surface of the pad. A port control member may selectively establish fluid interconnection between the fluid containing layer and sorption-based device. An internal pressure of the sorption-based device may be established lower than an internal pressure of the fluid-containing layer prior to fluid interconnection therebetween. A fluid retention member and path defining members may be included to facilitate vaporization, vapor diffusion and vapor sorption, thereby enhancing uniform cooling.

Abstract: A medical pad having a dual layer portion including a fluid circulation and containment layers and a single layer portion including the fluid circulation layer. The fluid circulation layer is for containing a first thermal-exchange fluid circulatable therethrough, with the medical pad being operable for thermal exchange between the first thermal-exchange fluid and a patient through a first side of the fluid circulation layer. A fluid containment layer of the medical pad is interconnected to a portion of second side of the fluid circulation layer, opposite to the first side of the fluid circulation layer. The fluid containment layer encloses a second thermal-exchange fluid that may have a freezing point of 0° C. or less. Portions of the fluid circulation layer that extend beyond the fluid containment layer define flaps that provide additional area for fluid circulation.

Abstract: A portable patient cooling apparatus is provided that includes a self-contained refrigerator and on-board power storage supply for stand alone operation. The apparatus is interconnectable to one or more heat exchange devices (e.g. patient contact pads or intravascular catheters) through which a cooled fluid may be circulated for patient cooling. Such fluid may be liquid contained within a reservoir comprising the apparatus during periods of non-use. The apparatus preferably defines a total volume of less than about 0.04 m3, while having a total weight of less than about 15 kg to yield a total circulated fluid cooling capacity of at least 200 watts.

Abstract: A medical pad has multiple layers. A first layer is for containing a first thermal-exchange fluid circulatable therethrough, with the medical pad being operable for thermal exchange between the first thermal-exchange fluid and a patient through a first side of the first layer. A second layer of the medical pad is interconnected to a second side of the first layer, opposite to the first side of the first layer. The second layer encloses a second thermal-exchange fluid that may have a freezing point of 0° C. or less. The medical pad is operable for thermal exchange between the second thermal-exchange fluid and the patient.