Abstract: A process that provides protective therapy for biological tissues or fluids includes applying a pulsed energy source to a target tissue or a target fluid having a chronic progressive disease or a risk of having a chronic progressive disease to therapeutically or prophylactically treat the target tissue or target fluid. A pulsed energy source having selected energy parameters may be applied to a brain of an individual who has Alzheimer's or other neurodegenerative disease or is at risk of developing such a neurodegenerative disease so as to prevent or treat the neurodegenerative disease.

Abstract: A process for heat treating biological tissue includes repeatedly applying a pulsed energy to a target tissue over a period of time so as to controllably raise a temperature of the target tissue to create a therapeutic effect to the target tissue without destroying or permanently damaging the target tissue. After the first treatment is concluded the application of the pulsed energy to the target tissue is halted for an interval of time. Within a single treatment session a second treatment is performed on the target tissue after the interval of time by repeatedly reapplying the pulsed energy to the target tissue so as to controllably raise the temperature of the target tissue to therapeutically treat the target tissue without destroying or permanently damaging the target tissue.

Abstract: Materials and methods for producing localized hypothermia in a patient (e.g., for treatment of acute pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer).

Abstract: A treatment pad for applying heat, cooling or an antiseptic fluid to a subject's body surface incorporates a heat transfer member or a wound treatment member that is adapted to be held in place by application of a vacuum pressure. The heat transfer member may comprise an electrical resistance wire arranged in a serpentine pattern within a housing or, alternatively, may comprise interconnected heat transmissive tubing through which either a heated or a cooled fluid may be made to pass. Alternatively, the pad may contain a gel that can be cooled in a refrigerator or heated in a microwave oven and held in place on the subject's body by application of a vacuum to the assembly. The wound treatment member may comprise a gaseous antiseptic delivery pad held in place on the patient's body by use of a vacuum.

Abstract: The air flow system includes a hose member having an exterior flow tube and an interior flow tube, a distal connector, and a proximal connector. The air flow in the interior flow tube is separate from the exterior flow tube. Air flows from the exterior flow tube, through a flow chamber, around a treatment site of inflammation and back to the interior flow tube. The system for air circulation therapy also includes a body attachment device, an air pump supply, an air recovery unit, a temperature sensor, an air flow sensor, and a controller. The method includes inserting a body part with a treatment site within the flow chamber—and sealing the flow chamber to the air flow system. Temperature regulated air flow is supplied to the treatment site in the flow chamber and collected from the flow chamber.

Abstract: A forced air warming blanket for providing conditioned gas to a patient and a method of using and manufacturing the same. The forced air warming blanket comprises a first blanket portion which comprises a generally U-shaped inflatable region, at least part of the external surface of the inflatable region being air permeable, as well as an inlet port for receiving temperature conditioned gas. An inner blanket portion is provided within the generally U-shaped inflatable region of the first blanket portion. The inner blanket portion is at least partially (or wholly) detachable from the first blanket portion. The inner blanket portion may also have an inflatable region. An outer blanket portion may be provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of central nervous system pathology treatment through selective hypothermia. Brain and spinal cord cooling is achieved through a closed loop catheter system inserted directly into the cerebrospinal fluid space. The catheter comprises of a portion that dilates in a pulsatile or peristaltic fashion and facilitates circulation of the cooled cerebrospinal fluid.

Abstract: Surgical systems and methods are provided for controlling actuation and movement of various surgical devices.

Abstract: Systems for treating a subject's tissue can include a thermally conductive cup, a sealing member, and/or a liner assembly. The systems can include an applicator capable of being reconfigured for a particular treatment site. Components of the applicator can be replaced to achieve a desired configuration. The replaceable components can include contoured heads, liners, and/or sensors. The applicator can draw a vacuum to install various components and/or draw tissue into the applicator. The applicator can cool and/or heat the tissue to affect targeted tissue.

Abstract: Disclosure includes fluid-circulating heat exchange catheters, systems and related methods useable for controlling a patient's body temperature.

Abstract: A surgical system includes an electrosurgical tool configured to be releasably coupled to a surgical robotic system having a control system. The tool has a shaft having an end effector with treatment electrodes configured to apply electrosurgical power to a tissue, and aspiration and irrigation tubes having ports in the vicinity of the electrodes. The control system can control a flow rate of an irrigation fluid based on deviation of power delivered by the electrodes to the tissue from a power set point, or based on an aspiration rate that is controlled based on tissue impedance. The tool can have first and second ports and a conduit configured to selectively provide or aspirate fluids through at least one of the ports. At least one of a flow rate and an aspiration rate are controlled by the control system based on a rotational angle of the shaft relative to a ground.

Abstract: A moxibustion apparatus includes: a case; a heat storage unit arranged inside the case and including a heat storage material, a heat insulating member covering an outer surface of the heat storage material, an exposed portion exposed to the outside of the heat insulating member, a heating coil embedded in the heat storage material and electrically heated, and a charging terminal that has one side exposed to the outside of the case and is connected to an external power source to provide power to the heating coil; and a moxibustion unit configured to receive heat accumulated in the heat storage material through the exposed portion to locally heat acupuncture points of a user's abdomen, and including a protrusion portion that protrudes to have an end portion thereof formed into a spherical shape or a gently curved shape and is exposed to the outside of the case.

Abstract: A temperature-regulating sports wrap is provided, including a first web of fabric having elongate side edges and first and second end edges, a second web of fabric is secured to the first web of fabric. At least one pocket is defined between opposing surfaces of the first and second webs and opens along one of the elongate side edges. At least one first strip extends outwardly from the first side edges along an axis parallel to the elongate side edges, has one of a hook-and-loop fastener material. At least one second strip extends inwardly from the second side edges, is secured to a surface of one of the first and second webs. The at least one second strip has the opposite one of a hook-and-loop fastener material from the at least one first strip, the at least one second strip extends inwardly at a non-parallel angle from the second edge.

Abstract: A process for heat treating biological tissue includes generating treatment radiation having a predetermined wavelength and average power. The treatment radiation is applied to biological tissue, such as retinal tissue, such that at least one treatment spot is formed on the biological tissue and the biological tissue is heat stimulated sufficiently to create a therapeutic effect without destroying the tissue.

Abstract: Disclosure includes fluid-circulating heat exchange catheters, systems and related methods useable for controlling a patient's body temperature.

Abstract: A method of reducing the likelihood of shivering comprises monitoring at least one physiological characteristic in a human or animal subject to detect preshivering and acting to reduce the likelihood of shivering when preshivering is detected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention includes applying adhesive onto skin of a human subject. An applicator is then brought into contact with the adhesive such the adhesive is disposed between the applicator and the subject's skin. The applicator is activated to cool a tissue region via the subject's skin, via the heat-transfer surface of the applicator, and via the adhesive. While the tissue region cools, the adhesive also cools, thereby reversibly strengthening adhesion between the subject's skin and the heat-transfer surface and forming a strong bond therebetween. The strengthened adhesion inhibits any movement of the applicator relative to the skin. After cooling the tissue region, the adhesive is warmed, thereby weakening the adhesion which allows the heat-transfer surface of the applicator to be easily separated from the skin.

Abstract: Polymers, hydrogels, and thermochromic agents, including products embodying them, methods of using them, and processes for making them. In certain embodiments, temperature therapy packs which utilize thermochromic agents integrated into solid, semi-solid, or liquid hydrogels. In preferred (but optional) embodiments, the thermochromic agents are integrated into the composition used as the temperature exchange material of the therapy pack. In certain other embodiments, methods of using the thermochromic integrated temperature exchange materials, or processes for manufacturing such thermochromic integrated temperature exchange materials and/or methods or processes for manufacturing or using thermal packs embodying such materials. In certain particularly preferred embodiments, novel polymer compositions and/or processes for making polymers, which improve product durability or longevity and/or which improve use cycles or usage times.

Abstract: A thermal therapy device can be operated for both cold and hot water circulation by using a self-priming pump and four solenoid valves with the open/closed states selectively controlled by an MCU to pump chilled water or cold water from two different water containers to sequentially circulate through two different water paths to a water bladder for cold therapy treatment or hot therapy treatment. During the hot therapy treatment, a water heater is used to heat the cold water until a configured temperature is reached. A pneumatic pump is also employed to carry out an air pressure control mode to pump air into an air bladder securely attached on the water bladder to put pressure on the water bladder for a pressurized treatment. Water retained in the water bladder can also be evacuated and returned to the two different water containers to avoid moss generation and stinky odor.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for reducing ischemia-reperfusion injury and/or microvascular obstructions by administering to the subject effective amounts of carbon dioxide and oxygen before, during and/or after re-establishing perfusion. In some embodiments, the methods further include using therapeutic hypothermia.