Abstract: A thermal therapy headgear for a patient includes a plurality of thermal reaction compartments, a liquid chamber, a gas chamber, and a gas container. The thermal reaction compartments contain a first of at least two thermal reaction components, and the liquid chamber contains the second thermal reaction component. The gas container has therein a pressurized gas and a gas valve for selectively releasing the pressurized gas into the gas chamber. The gas in the gas chamber will apply pressure to the liquid chamber and force the second thermal reaction component through the valve and into the thermal reaction compartments to react and transfer heat with the patient, and the presence of the gas within the gas chamber will cushion the patient. A method for conducting hypothermic therapy is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to improved medical devices, systems, and methods, with exemplary embodiments providing improved cooling treatment probes and cooling treatment methods and systems. In some embodiments, freezing of the skin may be desirable to effect the hypopigmentation of the skin of the patient. Generally, embodiments may limit supercooling of the skin of the patient during a cooling treatment. Additionally, embodiments may limit adverse side effects such as hyperpigmentation. It has been found that the freezing behavior (frequency and time to freeze) can be modified by adjusting the thermal parameters of the cooling applicator. Accordingly, in some aspects of the invention, a method of treating the skin may be provided where the thermal parameters of the cooling applicator are adjusted during treatment.

Abstract: Devices and methods for cooling all or part of the body of a human or animal subject by inserting a heat exchange catheter into the subject's body and infusing into or through the catheter a heat exchange medium that contains liquid phase matter and frozen solid phase matter, wherein at least some of the solid phase matter melts while in the catheter.

Abstract: A method of using an ice therapy machine involves replacing water with windshield washer fluid containing ethanol or ethylene glycol, and placing the main unit of the ice therapy machine, including the ice chest and pump, in a freezer to prevent the ice in the ice chest from melting. The freezer has been modified to include openings for passage of the fluid-circulating tubes of the ice therapy machine, and an opening for the power cord of the ice therapy machine, which supplies power to the pump. Alternatively, the door of the freezer may be replaced by an insulated panel having openings for the coolant circulating tubes and power cord. An on/off switch may be installed in the power cord so that the pump can be turned on and off without having to open the freezer door.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a sectional warming blanket for patient warming having a structure comprising a first layer of material forming a bottom layer with openings to allow a profusion of air through the bottom layer, a second layer of material forming an upper layer wherein the upper layer is coupled to the bottom layer via a plurality of seals to form a plurality of interconnected air passageways, and an inlet located on the upper or bottom layers. In an embodiment, the sectional warming blanket further comprises an opening configured to receive a coupling device for coupling the sectional warming blanket to an additional sectional warming blanket. In another embodiment, the sectional warming blanket further comprises at least one outline formed from a portion of the structure, such that a section can be removed from the blanket and the blanket is re-sealed by a bonding mechanism along its periphery.

Abstract: A device for skin treatment includes a non-circular symmetrical outer electrode and at least two inner electrodes surrounded by the outer electrode. An RF generator is arranged to supply an RF voltage between the inner electrodes and the outer electrode. If the outer electrode has two or more axes of symmetry, then each of the inner electrodes is at an equal minimum distance from the outer electrode and an equal distance from a common point of intersection of all axes of symmetry and is positioned, with respect to each of the respective axes of symmetry, either on the respective axis of symmetry or at a distance from the respective axis of symmetry and symmetrically relative to one of the other inner electrodes.

Abstract: A system and method for adding or removing heat from a heat exchange fluid circulating between an external heat exchanger and an intravascular heat exchange catheter is described. The system includes a two stage cooling system providing for a high rate of cooling in one stage and a lower rate of cooling in a second stage. Both stages may be used to provide maximal cooling while the second stage is used to provide improved control of the cooling rate as a target temperature is approached. The second stage may also be used to provide heat to the heat exchange fluid.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating an arteriovenous (AV) fistula comprise an elongate member, a distal member connected to the elongate member and movable relative to the elongate member, and a heating member disposed on at least one of the movable distal member and the elongate member. The distal member comprises structure for capturing tissue to be cut to create the fistula, and the heating member is adapted to cut through the tissue to create the fistula. The elongate member comprises an elongate outer tube. A shaft connects the distal member to the elongate member, and is extendable and retractable to extend and retract the distal member relative to the elongate member.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a flexible frame, a coupling portion, and an insulating portion. The flexible frame is configured to support a thermal therapeutic member and is transitioned between a first configuration and a second configuration to place the therapeutic member in substantially continuous contact with a target portion of the body. The coupling portion is coupled to the flexible frame and is transitioned from a first configuration to a second configuration to retain the flexible frame in its second configuration. The insulating portion is transitioned from a first configuration to a second configuration to be coupled to the flexible frame. The insulating portion at least partially controls a transfer of thermal energy between the thermal therapeutic member and the target portion of the body.

Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members. One (or both) of the jaw members is moveable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. One (or both) of the jaw members includes an opposed jaw surface having an electrically-conductive tissue sealing plate disposed thereon. The electrically-conductive tissue sealing plate includes a first portion configured to conduct energy through tissue grasped between the jaw members to create a main tissue seal and a second portion including a plurality of spaced-apart fingers extending from the first portion. The second portion is configured to conduct energy through tissue grasped between the jaw members to create an auxiliary tissue seal extending from the main tissue seal for reducing stress concentrations adjacent the main tissue seal.

Abstract: An end effector assembly of a forceps includes a first jaw member with a first sealing surface and a second sealing surface; a second jaw member with a first sealing surface and a second sealing surface, the first jaw member and the second jaw member being moveable relative to each other between an open position and a closed position, the first jaw member and the second jaw member including a blade slot defined therein and extending substantially along the first jaw member and the second jaw member, the first sealing surfaces being positioned on an opposite side of the blade slot than the second sealing surfaces; and a cutting blade that reciprocates in the blade slot. When the first jaw member and the second jaw member are in the closed position, the first sealing surfaces are separated by a first gap and the second sealing surfaces are separated by a second gap, the second gap being larger than the first gap.

Abstract: A device comprising a heat-generating component that comprises an alkali metal is provided. The alkali metal in the presence of water at a point of contact of the device undergoes an exothermic reaction to generate heat in situ. The amount of heat generated is proportional to and/or limited by the amount (or moles) of water at the point of contact, and the heat generated is sufficient to achieve an increase in temperature at the point of contact to achieve a therapeutic or beneficial result. In one embodiment, the device is used for reducing sweat production in a subject suffering from excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis. In other embodiments, the device is used to substantially sterilize a surface or render a surface substantially aseptic.

Abstract: A method and apparatus includes an infant holding area, a display area, a heating system for warming the infant holding area, an environmental sensor, a physiological sensor, and a processor. The processor is configured to receive an environmental sensor input from the environmental sensor and a physiological sensor input from the physiological sensor. The processor is configured to determine a recommended skin temperature based on the environmental sensor input and the physiological sensor input. The processor is configured to display the recommended skin temperature on the display area.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hyperthermia system for treating a patient, comprising an RF power unit, one or more RF antenna's connected to the RF power unit for generating a focused three-dimensional RF field, a controller for adjusting the RF power source and/or the one or more RF antenna's for steering the focused three-dimensional RF field; a sensor for sensing a parameter representative of the focused three-dimensional RF field; a communication environment for inputting data from the said sensor and/or additional information provided by the patient, said communication environment being capable of generating trigger signals to the controller for in use steering the focused three-dimensional RF filed in real time. The invention further relates to a method for generation a focused three-dimensional RF field.

Abstract: A medical cooling device and a method for operating the same are provided.

Abstract: A medical catheter for hypothermic treatment with a catheter tube has at least one through-channel and at least two temperature control channels, at least one heat exchange element, in particular an expandable balloon, which is arranged in a distal catheter portion of the catheter tube and is fluidically connected to the temperature control channels in such a way that a temperature control circuit is formed. The catheter tube has a smaller external diameter in the distal catheter portion than in a proximal catheter portion.

Abstract: A system for treating a subject can include an adjustable vacuum applicator configured to receive the subject's tissue by applying a vacuum. The vacuum applicator can have an cavity adjustment mechanism with different modes for widening and narrowing a tissue-receiving cavity to adjust the thermal contact between the vacuum applicator and the subject's tissue within the applicator. Sidewalls of the vacuum applicator can be moved to positive draft angle positions to help draw tissue deeper into the tissue-receiving cavity.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device may include a catheter shaft. An expandable balloon may be coupled to the catheter shaft. The balloon may be capable of shifting between a folded configuration and an expanded configuration. A plurality of elongate electrode assemblies may be disposed on the balloon. A cover layer may be deposited on the electrode assemblies. Portions of the electrode assemblies may be free of the cover layer.

Abstract: At least some aspects of the present disclosure feature a convective system including an inflatable convective device and a manifold. The inflatable convective device has a pneumatic structure and two openings into the pneumatic structure. The hose manifold includes a hose connector configured to connect to a hose, two outlet connectors configured to connect to the two openings respectively, where the hose connector and the two output connectors are in fluid connection.

Abstract: A device and method to treat an overgrowth of yeast in a body cavity and inflammatory and/or hemorrhagic conditions of a body cavity. The device comprising a shell, removal means, and a freezable filler contained in a chamber within the shell. When the filler is frozen and the device inserted into the body cavity, the shell cools the body cavity to a temperature that inhibits the replication of yeast and provides relief to symptoms. An external cooling component extending from the shell provides cooling at the body cavity opening. An expandable bladder in the shell provides tamponade treatment for body cavity hemorrhaging.