Abstract: A thermal pad is adapted to be placed in physical contact with a patient and to receive temperature controlled fluid from a thermal control unit. The temperature controlled fluid circulates through the thermal pad and controls the patient's temperature. The thermal pad includes first and second sheets that are sealed together about their periphery to define a fluid chamber there between. A fluid inlet and fluid outlet are fluidly coupled to the fluid chamber. In some embodiments, a filter sheet is sandwiched between the first and second sheets and arranged such that fluid entering the fluid inlet must pass through the filter sheet before exiting out of the fluid outlet. A plurality of bonds may be included that seal the first and second sheets together at a plurality of locations. In some embodiments, a non-sheet filter is positioned within the fluid chamber and filters the circulating fluid.

Abstract: A patient handling device includes a frame for supporting a patient, a controller, and two alert lights which are activated when a controller detects an alert situation, such as, but not limited to, a patient exiting from the patient handling device. The controller is in communication with the alert lights and operable to monitor an integrated bed exit system. The alert lights are positioned adjacent the foot end corners of the frame and are viewable by a user positioned anywhere within a 270 degree section of a circle defined at the center of the patient handling device. The alert lights include one or more Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs).

Abstract: A thermal control unit supplies temperature controlled fluid to a patient to control the patient's temperature. The thermal control unit includes a fluid outlet, fluid inlet, heat exchanger, pump, patient core temperature probe port, auxiliary sensor port, and controller. The controller receives patient core temperature readings from the patient temperature probe port and auxiliary sensor readings from the auxiliary sensor port. The controller may control a temperature of the circulating fluid in both a feedback manner using patient core temperature readings and a feedforward manner using readings from the auxiliary sensor. The auxiliary sensor may measure a characteristic of the patient's tissue indicative of thermal resistance, and/or the auxiliary sensor may measure a temperature of the patient's tissue at an intermediate depth. The controller may use the intermediate temperature to predict arrival at a target patient temperature.

Abstract: A thermal control unit includes a supply circuit, a return circuit, a fluid channel, a drain coupled to the fluid channel, and at least one hose circuit connecting the supply circuit and the return circuit. A supply valve may be coupled to the supply circuit and a return valve may be coupled to the return circuit. When the drain is opened, the return valve can open to allow ambient air to enter the return column and to create a siphon to drain the fluid in the thermal control unit. The supply valve can open after the return valve and allow ambient air to enter the supply circuit. The supply valve may allow less air to enter the thermal control unit than the return valve to preserve the siphon through the draining process.

Abstract: A thermal control system for controlling a patient's temperature includes a thermal control unit and an off-board computing device, such as a server. The thermal control unit includes a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a pump, a heat exchanger, a controller, and a transceiver for communicating with the server. The server is adapted to communicate with a device and cause the device to perform one or more of the following: display real-time temperature data on a graph with adjacent horizontal bars whose length correspond to an amount of time an alarm existed; display segments of a graph corresponding to the time around which an alarm occurred: display different sets of data according to the role of a user of the device: display thermal therapy data for only selected thermal therapy sessions that are associated with the particular user of the device; and display thermal therapy data simultaneously with bed data.

Abstract: A thermal control unit for controlling a patient's temperature during a thermal therapy session is provided. The thermal control unit may include a disinfection control and/or a disinfection status indicator. When the disinfection control is activated, the thermal control unit may activate a disinfection wizard adapted display instructions for guiding a technician through a disinfection cycle. The disinfection wizard may au-tomate portions of the disinfection cycle. The thermal control unit may also send disinfection status to a server, which is adapted to forward that disinfection status to one or more electronic devices. The server may also forward reminder messages to technicians indicating when a next disinfection cycle is due. The thermal control unit itself may also indicate when a next disinfection cycle is due.

Abstract: A thermal control unit for controlling a patient's temperature includes a fluid outlet for delivering temperature-controlled fluid to a patient, a pump, a heat exchanger, and a controller that automatically pauses thermal treatment of the patient prior the patient reaching a target temperature. During the pause, the controller assesses a reaction of the patient and changes a temperature of the fluid only inside the thermal control unit if the patient is likely to reach the target temperature without further thermal treatment. However, if the patient is unlikely to reach the target temperature without further thermal treatment, the controller restarts the thermal treatment. The controller may pause thermal treatment again prior to reaching the target temperature and assess the patient's reaction. In some embodiments, the controller may selectively include and exclude a fluid reservoir in a circulation channel within the thermal control unit.

Abstract: A thermal control unit for controlling a patient's temperature includes a fluid outlet for delivering temperature-controlled fluid to a patient, a pump, a heat exchanger, a controller, and a user interface that displays a graph of patient temperature readings over time. The user interface also displays one or more event icons on the graph at locations corresponding to the time at which events associated with the event icons occurred. In some embodiments, the graph is displayed on a touch screen adapted to allow a user set maximum and minimum permissible temperatures for the fluid by touching areas of the graphs and/or by drawing on certain areas of the graph. An image of a human body having different zones may also be displayed on the user interface along with information pertaining to the thermal therapy being applied to the corresponding zones of the patient's body.

Abstract: A thermal control system for controlling a temperature of a fluid delivered to a patient is provided. The system includes a thermal control unit having a fluid inlet and outlet, a circulation channel, a pump, a heat exchanger, a fluid temperature sensor and a controller that controls the heat exchanger in order to automatically bring a patient's temperature to a target temperature. In some embodiments, the control unit includes a user interface adapted to receive a non-temperature patient parameter (e.g. BMI) that the controller uses, along with patient core temperature readings, to control the heat exchanger. The controller may also or alternatively control the heat exchanger based on both core and peripheral patient temperature readings. An auxiliary thermal therapy device for controlling a temperature of the patient's blood, air breathed by the patient, and/or other fluid, may also be controlled by the thermal control unit.

Abstract: A thermal control unit for controlling a patient's temperature includes a fluid outlet for delivering temperature-controlled fluid to a patient, a pump, a heat exchanger, a controller, and a user interface that displays a graph of patient temperature readings over time. The user interface also displays one or more event icons on the graph at locations corresponding to the time at which events associated with the event icons occurred. In some embodiments, the graph is displayed on a touch screen adapted to allow a user set maximum and minimum permissible temperatures for the fluid by touching areas of the graphs and/or by drawing on certain areas of the graph. An image of a human body having different zones may also be displayed on the user interface along with information pertaining to the thermal therapy being applied to the corresponding zones of the patient's body.

Abstract: Patient support apparatuses, such as beds, cots, stretchers, recliners, operating tables, and the like include wireless mesh network transceivers that enable them to communicate with each other, and other devices, via mesh networks and/or ad hoc networks. One or more additional wireless transceivers are included, such as WiFi transceivers that enable direct communication with a healthcare facility network, such as an Ethernet. The mesh network communication between patient support apparatuses and other devices is used for any one or more of: extending the communication range of the existing IT infrastructure, efficiently routing data to the healthcare facility network, determining location of the patient support apparatuses and devices, transporting patient data from one patient support to the next as the patient moves, and for other aspects.

Abstract: A thermal pad is adapted to be placed in physical contact with a patient and to receive temperature controlled fluid from a thermal control unit. The temperature controlled fluid circulates through the thermal pad and controls the patient's temperature. The thermal pad includes first and second sheets that are sealed together about their periphery to define a fluid chamber there between. A fluid inlet and fluid outlet are fluidly coupled to the fluid chamber. In some embodiments, a filter sheet is sandwiched between the first and second sheets and arranged such that fluid entering the fluid inlet must pass through the filter sheet before exiting out of the fluid outlet. A plurality of bonds may be included that seal the first and second sheets together at a plurality of locations. In some embodiments, a non-sheet filter is positioned within the fluid chamber and filters the circulating fluid.

Abstract: A thermal control unit for delivering temperature-controlled fluid to one or more patient therapy devices (e.g. pads, blankets, etc.) that are in contact with a patient is disclosed. The thermal control unit allows multiple patient therapy devices to be fluidly coupled thereto and to individually monitor the temperatures, flow rates, and/or connections/disconnections of the patient therapy devices. A user interface enables a user to designate outlet ports to the therapy devices as active or inactive, and the control unit provides notifications to the user if any of the active ports experience an undesired condition, or if a patient therapy device is connected to an inactive port. The user interface further allows the user to designate one of multiple patient temperature probes as a primary probe. The primary probe is used to control the temperature of the fluid circulating through the control unit.

Abstract: A patient handling device includes a frame for supporting a patient, a controller, and two alert lights which are activated when a controller detects an alert situation, such as, but not limited to, a patient exiting from the patient handling device. The controller is in communication with the alert lights and operable to monitor an integrated bed exit system. The alert lights are positioned adjacent the foot end corners of the frame and are viewable by a user positioned anywhere within a 270 degree section of a circle defined at the center of the patient handling device. The alert lights include one or more Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs).

Abstract: A thermal control unit supplies temperature controlled fluid to one or more thermal pads used to control the temperature of a patient. The thermal control unit includes a fluid outlet, fluid inlet, heat exchanger, pump, and a controller. The controller receives first and second data from at least two different sources to determine if the patient is shivering or not. The two different sources may include a temperature sensor adapted to detect a temperature of the fluid, a temperature sensor adapted to detect a temperature of the patient, a tissue oxygenation sensor, a vibration/motion sensor, a thermal image sensor, an electromyograph, and/or other sensors. In some embodiments, the thermal control unit takes one or more automatic actions in response to detection of patient shivering.

Abstract: A patient handling device includes a frame for supporting a patient, a controller, and two alert lights which are activated when a controller detects an alert situation, such as, but not limited to, a patient exiting from the patient handling device. The controller is in communication with the alert lights and operable to monitor an integrated bed exit system. The alert lights are positioned adjacent the foot end corners of the frame and are viewable by a user positioned anywhere within a 270 degree section of a circle defined at the center of the patient handling device. The alert lights include one or more Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs).

Abstract: A thermal control unit supplies temperature controlled fluid to a patient to control the patient's temperature. The thermal control unit includes a fluid outlet, fluid inlet, heat exchanger, pump, patient core temperature probe port, auxiliary sensor port, and controller. The controller receives patient core temperature readings from the patient temperature probe port and auxiliary sensor readings from the auxiliary sensor port. The controller may control a temperature of the circulating fluid in both a feedback manner using patient core temperature readings and a feedforward manner using readings from the auxiliary sensor. The auxiliary sensor may measure a characteristic of the patient's tissue indicative of thermal resistance, and/or the auxiliary sensor may measure a temperature of the patient's tissue at an intermediate depth. The controller may use the intermediate temperature to predict arrival at a target patient temperature.

Abstract: A thermal control unit for controlling a patient's temperature includes a fluid outlet for delivering temperature-controlled fluid to a patient, a pump, a heat exchanger, and a controller that automatically pauses thermal treatment of the patient prior the patient reaching a target temperature. During the pause, the controller assesses a reaction of the patient and changes a temperature of the fluid only inside the thermal control unit if the patient is likely to reach the target temperature without further thermal treatment. However, if the patient is unlikely to reach the target temperature without further thermal treatment, the controller restarts the thermal treatment. The controller may pause thermal treatment again prior to reaching the target temperature and assess the patient's reaction. In some embodiments, the controller may selectively include and exclude a fluid reservoir in a circulation channel within the thermal control unit.

Abstract: A thermal control unit for controlling a patient's temperature includes a fluid outlet for delivering temperature-controlled fluid to a patient, a pump, a heat exchanger, and a controller that automatically pauses thermal treatment of the patient prior the patient reaching a target temperature. During the pause, the controller assesses a reaction of the patient and changes a temperature of the fluid only inside the thermal control unit if the patient is likely to reach the target temperature without further thermal treatment. However, if the patient is unlikely to reach the target temperature without further thermal treatment, the controller restarts the thermal treatment. The controller may pause thermal treatment again prior to reaching the target temperature and assess the patient's reaction. In some embodiments, the controller may selectively include and exclude a fluid reservoir in a circulation channel within the thermal control unit.

Abstract: A thermal pad is adapted to be placed in physical contact with a patient and to receive temperature controlled fluid from a thermal control unit. The temperature controlled fluid circulates through the thermal pad and controls the patient's temperature. The thermal pad includes first and second sheets that are sealed together about their periphery to define a fluid chamber there between. A fluid inlet and fluid outlet are fluidly coupled to the fluid chamber. In some embodiments, a filter sheet is sandwiched between the first and second sheets and arranged such that fluid entering the fluid inlet must pass through the filter sheet before exiting out of the fluid outlet. A plurality of bonds may be included that seal the first and second sheets together at a plurality of locations. In some embodiments, a non-sheet filter is positioned within the fluid chamber and filters the circulating fluid.