Abstract: The present invention is directed to a thermoregulatory device. The device has a first layer, a second layer, an enclosure, an inlet and a liquid absorbing material. The first layer has a first interior surface, and a first exterior surface. The second layer has a second interior surface and a second exterior surface. The enclosure is formed by sealing and/or attaching the first interior surface to the second interior surface. The inlet directs a liquid into the enclosure. The liquid absorbing material is positioned (a) at and/or near an aperture that allows a liquid to contact the liquid absorbing material; or (b) on the first exterior surface that is of a material that allows the liquid to contact the liquid absorbing material. In addition, the application is directed a method of using the thermoregulatory device to transfer the liquid's thermal energy from the enclosure to a patient's skin.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a blanket. The blanket has a first sheet and a second sheet attached together at least at the periphery of each sheet. The first sheet comprises a non-metallic, polymeric containing shape conforming material. The shape conforming material conforms to the shape of a patient that it is applied to. The shape conforming material becomes shape conformant when it is exposed to a predetermined temperature or a predetermined condition.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to at least one tie strap positioned on an inflatable blanket. These tie straps, when being used with the blanket, are positioned not on the non-inflatable periphery sections of the inflatable blanket, but on non-periphery sections, like an inflatable section, of the inflatable blanket. This is being done to provide the desired control of the blanket's movement and, if desired, the inflation of the blanket in certain areas of the inflatable blanket. Controlling the inflation of the blanket is obtained by the present straps ability to alter the size of at least a portion of an inflatable chamber within the inflatable blanket. The present ties also provide greater movement control because the tie straps provide desired pressure to at least one section of the inflatable blanket. The tie straps of the present invention are also an integral part of the blanket which means supplemental materials, like tape or ropes, are not needed to control the blanket with the present invention.

Abstract: A thermal treatment apparatus for underlying and/or covering and bathing a patient in a thermally-controlled inflating fluid is disclosed. The apparatus has an inflatable chamber, fluid inlet, and a plurality of interspaced exhaust ports. The inflatable chamber is designed to receive or overlie at least a portion of a patient and is defined by at least one upper surface material and a lower surface material. The fluid inlet is disposed in the inflatable chamber for receiving a thermally-controlled inflating fluid into the inflatable chamber. Where the inflating fluid is a gas, including and not limited to air, the plurality of interspaced exhaust ports are formed on the inflatable chamber for exhausting the inflating fluid from the inflatable chamber toward the portion of the patient position contacting the inflatable chamber. The exhaust ports can be positioned along the seal of the upper and lower materials and within an interior aperture positioned in the inflatable chamber.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a blanket having at least one snap stick inserted into or onto the blanket to maximize the surface area of the blanket that contacts the user.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a vortex tube assembly. The vortex tube assembly has a compressed fluid gas inlet. When the compressed fluid circulates in the vortex tube, the compressed fluid forms a cold end on the vortex tube that expels cold thermal energy and a warm end on the vortex tube that expels warm thermal energy. The present invention also has an applicator attached to a vortex tube to distribute thermal energy from the vortex tube to a patient to increase or decrease at least a portion of the patient's temperature without damaging the patient's skin.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to at least one tie strap positioned on an inflatable blanket. These tie straps, when being used with the blanket, are positioned not on the non-inflatable periphery sections of the inflatable blanket, but on non-periphery sections, like an inflatable section, of the inflatable blanket. This is being done to provide the desired control of the blanket's movement and, if desired, the inflation of the blanket in certain areas of the inflatable blanket. Controlling the inflation of the blanket is obtained by the present straps ability to alter the size of at least a portion of an inflatable chamber within the inflatable blanket. The present ties also provide greater movement control because the tie straps provide desired pressure to at least one section of the inflatable blanket. The tie straps of the present invention are also an integral part of the blanket which means supplemental materials, like tape or ropes, are not needed to control the blanket with the present invention.