Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for controlling a patient's body temperature by endovascular heat exchange.

Abstract: A face engaging device such as a nozzle, facemask, etc., may include a housing including a fluid channel extending through the housing to an opening configured to be placed in fluid communication with the mouth of a user. The housing may include a first surface configured to be placed in contact with the skin of the user and a second surface exposed to the fluid channel. The face engaging device may also include a thermal actuator supported by the housing and including a first heat transfer surface position on the first surface, where the first heat transfer surface is configured to apply a thermal profile to the skin of the user when the opening is placed in fluid communication with the mouth of the user.

Abstract: In accordance with principles of the invention, one or more embodiments are provided of an implant that in use is embedded in a body and generates heat treatment that treats cells in a surrounding area. The device may be wireless and be configured to operate using energy harvesting of RF waves from an external coil and system. The device can be part of such systems and can involve multiple devices for providing simultaneous treatment. The device can be configured to operate to transition between two operating modes when receiving the RF waves that switch the power level of the operating circuit to autonomously move from a low power level that powers a microcontroller and a high power level that powers the microcontroller and generates heat that applies desired treatment to target tissue.

Abstract: A wearable temperature control assembly includes a temperature control module comprising a contact and a thermal element configured to heat or cool the contact. The assembly also includes a primary strap configured to receive the temperature control module and secure the contact against a subject. The assembly also includes a secondary strap configured to be connected to the primary strap. The secondary strap is configured to provide adjustment of a pressure between the contact and the subject when the primary strap secures the contact to the subject.

Abstract: A medical device, such as a patient support apparatus or a thermal control unit, includes a plurality of mechanical components and a plurality of nodes adapted to communicate with each other over a local network onboard the medical device, and a gateway in communication with an off-board network. The gateway translates messages between the onboard and off-board networks, manages subscriptions to content of the local network, controls bidirectional communication, and otherwise oversees communications between the local and remote networks. The gateway utilizes a configuration file for managing the communications between the off-board and onboard networks, and the gateway is configured to switch to using new or modified configuration files without requiring a reboot or power cycle of the gateway. Updates to the communications between the onboard and off-board networks can therefore be implemented without any downtime and/or without requiring updates to software executables.

Abstract: A temperature control device for face pads. The temperature control device comprises a Peltier element, at least one receptacle for supporting an eye pad, wherein each of the at least one receptacle is thermally coupled to a warm side or a cold side of the Peltier element, and a fixing device which is thermally decoupled from the Peltier element and which fastens the at least one receptacle to the warm side or the cold side in a form-fitting and/or force-locking manner.

Abstract: Various illustrative systems, devices, and methods for face masks are provided. In general, a face mask is configured to provide cooling therapy to a user wearing the face mask. In an exemplary implementation, the face mask includes a thermoelectric cooling device, such as a Peltier device, a thermoelectric cooler (TEC), or other thermoelectric cooling device. The face mask includes a fan configured to blow air configured to dissipate the heat created by the thermoelectric cooling device. The face mask includes a noise attenuation system configured to attenuate the generated noise that is radiated into the environment, and thus, heard by the user due to use of the fan.

Abstract: A conformable garment or device, for example, for performing heat exchange with a patient, includes one or more tubes. At least one of the one or more tubes has a lumen configured to receive fluid for flowing through the lumen of that tube to heat or cool the tube. The one or more tubes may be coupled to form a conformable fabric or material, such that the conformable fabric or material conforms to a non-planar shape. The conformable garment or device may conform to cover a particular portion of the patient's body to heat or cool the patient's body.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are cold slurry formulations, devices, and methods for alleviating symptoms of ocular surface discomfort. Cold slurry formulations comprising ice, a freezing temperature depressant, and, optionally, a lipid are disclosed. Devices and methods for protecting a target ocular surface from contacting a cold slurry formulation that is used to maintain the target ocular surface at a temperature desired for alleviating symptoms of ocular surface discomfort are disclosed. Self-contained devices configured to receive a cold slurry formulation for maintaining the target ocular surface at a temperature desired for alleviating symptoms of ocular surface discomfort are disclosed. Devices and methods are disclosed for protecting a cornea and/or eyelid of a subject from the freezing cold slurry formulation that is directly or indirectly applied or injected into the target ocular surface.

Abstract: A system is provided for use with a subject suffering from cancer that includes one or more primary or metastatic solid tumors. The system includes nanoparticles including a magnetic metallic core and a phase-change material (PCM) that surrounds the magnetic metallic core and is configured to absorb latent heat of fusion by undergoing a phase change that occurs at a phase-change temperature of 42-80 degrees C. A radiofrequency (RF) transmitter is configured to transmit energy, in a pulse train alternating between high power and low power at a pulse frequency of 1 Hz-5 Hz, to at least a portion of the subject's body, such so that the nanoparticles are heated to the phase-change temperature of the PCM, and store energy from the pulse train in the PCM as latent heat of fusion. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A system for laparoscopic thermal treatment of visceral fat includes an elongate cooling probe configured for placement through a trocar, the probe including an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end and having a maximum transverse dimension, and an expandable endpiece having a proximal end and a distal end, and including a collapsed state configured for placement through a channel of the trocar and an expanded state, the expanded state having a maximum outer diameter, the maximum outer diameter at least about twice the maximum transverse dimension of the shaft, wherein the proximal end of the endpiece is sealingly coupled to the distal end of the shaft, and a heat exchanger coupled to the cooling probe and configured to remove heat from the endpiece such that adipose tissue placed in contact with the endpiece can be cooled to a temperature of between about 2° C. and about +1° C.

Abstract: A catheter has at least two irrigated ablation electrodes and a coaxial irrigation tubing to transport fluid to the electrodes by separate and dedicated flow paths. A valve is used to control flow of fluid into the coaxial irrigation tubing by means of a plunger assembly that allows fluid to flow through one lumen of the coaxial irrigation tubing while regulating the flow into the other lumen of the coaxial irrigation tubing in response to the fluid flow rate and pressure applied to the plunger assembly.

Abstract: Systems and methods directed to a renal sheath, one or more electrode pairs in the renal sheath, and a wiring system configured to connect the one or more electrode pairs to an electric current. The renal sheath can include a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, and a medial portion between the distal and proximal end portions. The medial portion can include the one or more electrode pairs. The one or more electrode pairs can be configured to produce heat sufficient to induce hemostasis in bleeding tissue surrounding the renal sheath. The wiring system can be configured to connect the one or more electrode pairs to the electric current to produce the heat sufficient to effect the hemostasis. In some embodiments, an electrosurgical generator can be configured to provide an alternating current to the one or more electrode pairs to produce the heat sufficient to effect the hemostasis.

Abstract: A portable hand warmer charging case includes a case body. A placement chamber configured to place a hand warmer unit for charging is provided on the case body. The case body is provided with a first circuit board, a first charging unit, and a first battery. The first battery and the first charging unit are electrically connected to the first circuit board. When the hand warmer unit is placed in the placement chamber, the first circuit board is configured to output electrical energy, which is output by the first battery, from the first charging unit; and the first charging unit is configured to be adapted to a second charging unit on the hand warmer unit for use and transmit the electrical energy output by the first circuit board to the second charging unit on the hand warmer unit.

Abstract: A radiation-free heating pad and a processing technology thereof is provided. The radiation-free heating pad includes heating wires, a fiber layer, a flexible shielding layer, and a reinforcement layer. The heating wires are uniformly arranged on the fiber layer in a serpentine pattern, a layer of aluminum foil is arranged on each of an upper side and a lower side of the fiber layer, and the aluminum foil tightly wraps the heating wire. The flexible shielding layer is arranged outside the aluminum foil, and the reinforcement layer is arranged outside the flexible shielding layer. The radiation-free heating pad is based on the Faraday cage effect, and an electromagnetic field generated when an electric current passes through the heating wire can be effectively counteracted by a double shielding structure composed of the aluminum foil and the flexible shielding layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pulsed radio frequency therapy system adapted to project the beam onto the skin surface of a living body overlying a problem region, the beam serving to relieve pain and to obtain other health related beneficial effects. The system includes an energy-generating unit in which a radio-frequency carrier is over-modulated by a sonic signal to produce periodic bursts of radio-frequency energy whose repetition rate corresponds to the frequency of the signal. The output of the unit is fed to a tank circuit tuned to the carrier frequency and housed within the barrel of a portable applicator gun. Supported within the barrel and coupled to the tank circuit is a discharge electrode whose tip is adjacent to the mouth of the barrel whereby a pulsed radio frequency is projected from the tip. The portable applicator gun includes automated applicator coil tuning, automated coil protection, and a phase-up conditioning system.

Abstract: A therapeutic apparatus is disclosed, comprising a signal generator configured for generating a therapeutic signal, a treatment head, multiple sets of electrodes arranged on the treatment head, a switch circuit connected between the signal generator and multiple sets of electrodes, and a control unit connected with the switch circuit, and by the control unit controlling on-off of the switch circuit, the signal generator is controlled to be connected with at least one set of electrodes to output the therapeutic signal. Through the therapeutic apparatus, energy can be controlled to be output only to the local area, so as it can be attached to the surface of the skin in the narrow space and treat the skin in the narrow space. When only part of the electrodes are connected with the signal generator, the output power of the signal generator can be concentrated on outputting the therapeutic signal.

Abstract: Muscles held under tension undergo a chemical reaction that generates heat within the muscle, and subsequently that heat contributes to muscle fatigue. Research in the field of physiology and sports medicine has demonstrated that actively cooling an athlete's core body temperature can rapidly rejuvenate a fatigued muscle thereby allowing the athlete to extend the muscle's potential. Mammalians have several areas of glabrous tissue wherein a dense network of veins near the surface of the skin act as heat exchangers for cooling and regulating their core temperature. The process for effective cooling via glabrous tissue is optimized within a narrow range of temperatures. Presented herein is a handheld cooling device which is optimized for the efficient transfer of heat away from the fatigued muscles via direct contact with glabrous tissue.

Abstract: An in vivo temperature control system includes a catheter insertable into a biological lumen; two or more temperature sensors placed such that they can measure a temperature distribution in a longitudinal direction of the biological lumen; a liquid storage section that stores a liquid; and a control section that estimates a spatial change in the biological lumen based on a temperature change before and after the liquid in the liquid storage section is released outwardly through the catheter, wherein the temperature change is measured by each of two or more temperature sensors.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems employ cryolysis of oropharyngeal adipose tissues to selectively remove fat cells from the tissues causing obstructive sleep apnea. In various embodiments, a chilled liquid—e.g., a liquid or air—is applied to the target tissue at a temperature and for a duration sufficient to cause cryolysis.