Abstract: Apparatus for connecting a sterile drape to an actuator of a surgical slush machine. The apparatus is an agitator that includes a support member and a latch. The sterile drape is attached to one surface of the support member and the latch extends from the opposite surface of the support member. The support member is configured to flex and bend when the agitator is operated by the actuator and the drape contains a solution to be made into slush. In one embodiment the support member has paddles extending from a central position. In another embodiment the support member is a disk that has an area of weakness that allows the support member to flex and bend. In one such embodiment the area of weakness is an annular section of reduced thickness.

Abstract: Thermal therapy pads for providing a temperature controlled therapy to a portion of a patient's body. The pad includes an inner surface and an outer surface that define a tortuous path for the fluid flow throughout the pad. The pad receives a temperature controlled fluid from a pumping unit via an inlet, and the fluid circulates throughout the pad before being returned to the cooling unit via an outlet. The pads are configured to conform to the shape of the portion of the body receiving the therapy. One such pad is a convertible vest that has one configuration that covers the upper torso and another configuration that covers the back and arms. Another such pad wraps around the wrist after being secured at the thumb. Another pad conforms to the face of the patient.

Abstract: Apparatus for convective air therapy blankets for companion animals. Convective air blankets include two sheets joined together to form an inflatable chamber. One of the two sheets is air permeable to exhaust conditioned air toward the animal. The blankets includes fenestrations, slits, straps, and inlet ports positioned to accommodate the anatomy and surgical needs of companion animals. Blankets with fenestrations have an I-shaped opening to allow passage of a limb. The opposite end of the blanket has a slit to drape the blanket around the neck and head of the animal. Blankets with a central access port provide surgical access of the animal's underbody. Blankets also have integral straps for securing the blanket to the animal. Inlet ports are provided to allow connection to an air supply from either side of the blanket or to an edge where the two sheets come together.

Abstract: Apparatus for connecting a sterile drape to an actuator of a surgical slush machine. The apparatus is an agitator that includes a support member and a latch. The sterile drape is attached to one surface of the support member and the latch extends from the opposite surface of the support member. The support member is configured to flex and bend when the agitator is operated by the actuator and the drape contains a solution to be made into slush. In one embodiment the support member has paddles extending from a central position. In another embodiment the support member is a disk that has an area of weakness that allows the support member to flex and bend. In one such embodiment the area of weakness is an annular section of reduced thickness.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for using a packaging system for a sterilizable item. The packaging system includes a first sleeve that is elongated and a second sleeve that encloses one end of the first sleeve. The first sleeve is an elongated open ended tube or pouch. The second sleeve is an open ended tube or pocket. The sides of the first sleeve and the sides of the second sleeve are proximate each other with the closed end of the first sleeve proximate a closed end of the second sleeve. The open end of the first sleeve is folded into a cuff that covers the open end of the second sleeve. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a sterilization indicator affixed to the outside of the packaging system.

Abstract: Thermal therapy pads for providing a temperature controlled therapy to a portion of a patient's body. The pad includes an inner surface and an outer surface that define a tortuous path for the fluid flow throughout the pad. The pad receives a temperature controlled fluid from a pumping unit via an inlet, and the fluid circulates throughout the pad before being returned to the cooling unit via an outlet. The pads are configured to conform to the shape of the portion of the body receiving the therapy. One such pad is a convertible vest that has one configuration that covers the upper torso and another configuration that covers the back and arms. Another such pad wraps around the wrist after being secured at the thumb. Another pad conforms to the face of the patient.

Abstract: A method of fusing a sterile drape and an agitator together for containing a slush solution in a medical device. A die, at a specified temperature, is forced against a drape and an agitator with a specified force for a specified time to form a fused area that has a shear strength that is not substantially reduced from the tensile strength of the drape itself. Additionally, the drape adjacent the fused area is not substantially weakened by the fusing of the drape to the agitator. In one embodiment, the drape is a polyurethane material and the agitator is a polycarbonate material.

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting two devices with a quick disconnect feature. A male plug is insertable into a female receiver and latched into position with a latch. The male plug is disconnected from the receiver by pulling the male plug out of the receiver with a force greater than an operating force. The male plug has a groove that engages a latch in the female receiver. The interface of the groove and the latch includes a bevel engaging a corner joining a surface perpendicular to a longitudinal axis and a surface parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for using a packaging system for a sterilizable item. The packaging system includes a first sleeve that is elongated and a second sleeve that encloses one end of the first sleeve. The first sleeve is an elongated open ended tube or pouch. The second sleeve is an open ended tube or pocket. The sides of the first sleeve and the sides of the second sleeve are proximate each other with the closed end of the first sleeve proximate a closed end of the second sleeve. The open end of the first sleeve is folded into a cuff that covers the open end of the second sleeve. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a sterilization indicator affixed to the outside of the packaging system.

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting two devices with a quick disconnect feature. A male plug is insertable into a female receiver and latched into position with a latch. The male plug is disconnected from the receiver by pulling the male plug out of the receiver with a force greater than an operating force. The male plug has a groove that engages a latch in the female receiver. The interface of the groove and the latch includes a bevel engaging a corner joining a surface perpendicular to a longitudinal axis and a surface parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A safety release adapter for making a sealed fluid connection with a male connector that is disconnected when a pulling force is applied between the adapter and the connector. The safety release adapter includes a base and a socket. The base receives and secures a first male connector. The socket includes a cavity with a lip at the distal end of the socket. The socket releasably secures a second male connector with the lip inside the socket opening engaging a neck of the second male connector. The first male connector extends into the socket in a sealed interface with the socket such that when the second male connector is secured in the socket with a sealed interface with the socket, the valve buttons of each connector are mutually depressed so the two connectors are in sealed fluid communication.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of making an upper body heating and cooling garment including heat transfer tubing and quick-release connectors. Operation of the garment is unaffected by the wearer carrying a load on a portion of the wearer's body. The garment includes a heat transfer area and a load bearing area. The heat transfer area includes heat transfer tubing positioned on the surface of the garment. In one embodiment, the tubing is sewn onto the fabric of the garment. The tubing is attached to a thermal unit by connector assemblies that firmly lock together and release upon application of a specified axial tension force. Each connector assembly includes a male and female adapters. The female adapter includes a latching member with an opening that has a bottom. The bottom is configured to allow for easily inserting, retaining, and releasing the male adapter.

Abstract: An apparatus for selectively heating and cooling a body via a garment and attached heat transfer tubing. Operation of the garment is unaffected by external loads applied to the garment, such as backpack straps or harnesses. The garment includes restriction-resistant heat transfer tubing. The tubing is made of flexible, resilient material and has a lumen through which temperature-controlled fluid flows. In one embodiment, the lumen includes three internal protrusions or ribs extending radially from the inner wall and rounded at the tip. When an external load is applied to the tubing the internal ribs prevent complete closure of the lumen because the ribs provide support that separates the opposite sides of the tubing. The ribs, therefore, resist restriction of the flow of the heat transfer fluid. In various embodiments, the tubing and ribs take on different shapes while maintaining an open lumen through which temperature-controlled fluid may flow.

Abstract: A bonnet-shaped pad configured to fit a skull is formed from a rectangular thermal pad. A rectangular pad has creases that allow the pad to conform to the shape of a human skull. The pad defines a cavity. The pad proximate the cavity includes a serpentine conduit configured to allow conditioned fluid to flow from an inlet to an outlet. The pad is configured such that fluid flow is not unduly restricted proximate the creases in the pad, thereby allowing the fluid to flow through the portion of the pad configured to be proximate the skull. The pad is connected to a cool water supply that pumps wool water through the pad at preselected intervals. In one configuration a remote, tethered switching unit controls the duty cycle of the pump, enabling cool water to flow through the pad after a selected time.

Abstract: A portable cooling system providing a controlled rate of cooling. The system includes a cool water device, a remote switching unit, and a thermal pad. The cool water device includes a coolant storage chamber separated from a pumping chamber by a baffle. The pumping chamber includes a pump and a discharge line with a flow restrictor for the fluid being returned from the thermal pad. In one embodiment, the remote switching unit actuates the portable cooling system and includes a timer feature for shutting down the system after a predetermined time. In another embodiment, the switching unit actuates a controller that sends a pulse stream to the pump to control the cooling water flow rate. The thermal pad includes fluid conduits that distribute the cooling water over the surface of the pad. In various embodiments, the thermal pad is a flat pad, a bonnet-shaped pad, and a cap-shaped pad.

Abstract: Apparatus for cooling a person in extreme environments. The apparatus includes a garment having a vest with attached tubing. The vest includes an evaporative cooling device and the tubing is configured to circulate chilled water. The vest includes a material that is able to receive and absorb an amount of liquid water with a mass greater than the material. When liquid water is applied to the vest, the vest absorbs the water for later evaporation. The tubing enables the garment to have a lower differential temperature between the inside surface and the outside surface, thereby reducing the rate of evaporation, which enables the passive cooling to be operable for an extended period of time. When the heat load does not permit the differential temperature to be reduced, the tubing removes additional heat, thereby providing additional heat removing capacity beyond the passive cooling.

Abstract: A safety release adapter for making a sealed fluid connection with a male connector that is disconnected when a pulling force is applied between the adapter and the connector. The safety release adapter includes a base and a socket. The base receives and secures a first male connector. The socket includes a cavity with a lip at the distal end of the socket. The socket releasably secures a second male connector with the lip inside the socket opening engaging a neck of the second male connector. The first male connector extends into the socket in a sealed interface with the socket such that when the second male connector is secured in the socket with a sealed interface with the socket, the valve buttons of each connector are mutually depressed so the two connectors are in sealed fluid communication.

Abstract: An apparatus for selectively heating and cooling a body via a garment and attached heat transfer tubing. Operation of the garment is unaffected by external loads applied to the garment, such as backpack straps or harnesses. The garment includes restriction-resistant heat transfer tubing. The tubing is made of flexible, resilient material and has a lumen through which temperature-controlled fluid flows. In one embodiment, the lumen includes three internal protrusions or ribs extending radially from the inner wall and rounded at the tip. When an external load is applied to the tubing the internal ribs prevent complete closure of the lumen because the ribs provide support that separates the opposite sides of the tubing. The ribs, therefore, resist restriction of the flow of the heat transfer fluid. In various embodiments, the tubing and ribs take on different shapes while maintaining an open lumen through which temperature-controlled fluid may flow.

Abstract: A tufted air mattress including a first printed sheet and a second sheet. The first printed sheet is printed over a selected area with an ink containing a fluoropolymer. The portion of the printed sheet with the ink defines a coated area. The first printed sheet attached to the second sheet where the printed sheet is not coated with the ink. The coated area of the printed sheet inhibits heat welding of the first sheet to the second sheet. The coated area also lubricates the first and second sheets to aid in inflating the air mattress without flaking and contaminating the air inflating the air mattress. In one embodiment of such a mattress, three sheets define two air volumes that are alternatingly inflated and deflated through an alternating air supply valve.

Abstract: A sheath is disclosed for covering a manually manipulated controller having at least one user accessible control thereon. The sheath is elongated and includes a nose portion and linear side portions forming a sheath perimeter removably secured to a carrier for dispensing the sheath therefrom. The sheath includes at least one shoulder segment having a scalloped first shoulder transition and a curved second shoulder segment. The scalloped first shoulder segment provides expansibility in excess of the expansibility of the curved second shoulder segment, thereby providing flexible material that is readily manipulated without tearing when the sheath covers the controller and the user manipulates the control covered by the sheath.