Abstract: A method for regulating a core body temperature of a living subject may include removably coupling a flexible heat exchange pad to a skin surface of the living subject via a flexible adhesive composite laminate, and applying heat via the flexible heat exchange pad to the skin surface and underlying tissue of the living subject while the flexible heat exchange pad is coupled to the skin surface via the flexible adhesive composite laminate such that the applied heat regulates the core body temperature of the living subject.

Abstract: The present application relates to systems and methods for altering temperature in a mammalian body. Optionally, the systems and methods can be used to lower or raise core body temperature of a mammalian subject. Optionally, the systems and methods can be used to lower or raise the temperature of glabrous skin of a mammalian subject.

Abstract: A two-dimensional resistance temperature detector for determining average temperature over a surface may include a continuous length of insulated wire having a first end and a second end. The insulated wire may be arranged to form a mesh structure with respective sections of the insulated wire overlapping and contacting one another. A method for determining average temperature over a surface may include positioning a two-dimensional resistance temperature detector over the surface such that an insulated wire of the two-dimensional resistance temperature detector directly contacts the surface, determining a resistance of the insulated wire, and determining an average surface temperature based at least in part on the resistance of the insulated wire. The insulated wire may be arranged to form a mesh structure with respective sections of the insulated wire overlapping and contacting one another.

Abstract: Heat exchange pads for use on a patient are described herein. An example heat exchange pad can include a surface defining an internal volume and having a flexible patient contacting portion, an inlet fluidly connected to the internal volume for delivery of fluid into the internal volume, an outlet fluidly connected to the internal volume for removal of fluid from the internal volume, and at least one extended surface structure positioned within the internal volume to disrupt laminar flow of fluid from the inlet to the outlet.

Abstract: Various implementations include a Human Thermoregulation Simulator (HTRS) that simulates the natural and primary thermoregulatory functions of a patient that are relevant during therapeutic hypothermia procedures. For example, in various implementations, a HTRS includes a core container configured to be at least partially filled with water, and the core container includes a heat generator configured to heat the water inside the core container. A middle container is disposed concentrically around the core container, and the middle container includes a foam layer configured to be saturated by water. An outer container is disposed concentrically around the middle container, and the outer container includes a network of tubing disposed on at least a portion of an inner surface of the outer container. The HTRS also includes a pump configured to circulate water from the core container through the network of tubing.

Abstract: A system and/or method for proactively inducing a significant drop in blood pressure during sleep is provided herein. The system includes a blood pressure monitor and a stimulating device that provides stimulation to at least a portion of the person's body. For example, the stimulating device may stimulate a portion of the person's body corresponding to the person's peripheral thermoregulatory control tissue. The stimulation increases or maintains blood flow in the person's glabrous tissue. Additionally, the stimulating device provides stimulation in response to the person's blood pressure being above a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: The present application relates to systems and methods for altering temperature in a mammalian body. Optionally, the systems and methods can be used to lower or raise core body temperature of a mammalian subject. Optionally, the systems and methods can be used to lower or raise the temperature of glabrous skin of a mammalian subject.

Abstract: Heat exchange pads for use on a patient are described herein. An example heat exchange pad can include a surface defining an internal volume and having a flexible patient contacting portion, an inlet fluidly connected to the internal volume for delivery of fluid into the internal volume, an outlet fluidly connected to the internal volume for removal of fluid from the internal volume, and at least one extended surface structure positioned within the internal volume to disrupt laminar flow of fluid from the inlet to the outlet.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are dual temperature, dual reservoir devices for providing contrast therapy. An example device has separate liquid heating and cooling systems, each of which have their own designated liquid reservoir. In some embodiments, each system is served by its own dedicated energy source, and has its own water flow circuit that is equipped with pressure relief valves and check valves. Some exemplary systems also include electronically controlled three way valves that ensure that either heated liquid or cooled liquid is flowing to and from the therapy pad at any given time, but never simultaneously. This allows for nearly instantaneous switching between the cooling and heating functions. Certain embodiments of the contrast therapy devices disclosed herein also have programmable features that enable a user to adjust certain variables of the therapy, or allow for a personalized therapy regimen to be developed.

Abstract: Various implementations include a Human Thermoregulation Simulator (HTRS) that simulates the natural and primary thermoregulatory functions of a patient that are relevant during therapeutic hypothermia procedures. For example, in various implementations, a HTRS includes a core container configured to be at least partially filled with water, and the core container includes a heat generator configured to heat the water inside the core container. A middle container is disposed concentrically around the core container, and the middle container includes a foam layer configured to be saturated by water. An outer container is disposed concentrically around the middle container, and the outer container includes a network of tubing disposed on at least a portion of an inner surface of the outer container. The HTRS also includes a pump configured to circulate water from the core container through the network of tubing.

Abstract: A system and/or method for proactively inducing a significant drop in blood pressure during sleep is provided herein. The system includes a blood pressure monitor and a stimulating device that provides stimulation to at least a portion of the person's body. For example, the stimulating device may stimulate a portion of the person's body corresponding to the person's peripheral thermoregulatory control tissue. The stimulation increases or maintains blood flow in the person's glabrous tissue. Additionally, the stimulating device provides stimulation in response to the person's blood pressure being above a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Example heat exchange pads are described herein. A heat exchange pad can include an input compartment, an output compartment arranged in fluid connection with the input compartment, and an internal member disposed between the input and output compartments. The internal member can include an array of holes formed therein. Additionally, the internal member can be configured to produce impinging flow convection heat transfer in proximity to a heat exchange surface of the output compartment.

Abstract: The present application relates to systems and methods for altering the core body temperature in a mammalian body. For example, a method may include maintaining the patient in a general anesthetic state by administration of at least an anesthetic agent to the patient, wherein the anesthetic agent prevents vasoconstriction of AVAs in the patient's glabrous tissue. The method may also include applying a warming stimulus selectively to glabrous tissue of the hands, feet or face of the patient during the general anesthetic maintenance. In another exemplary method, the vasodilation of AVAs in the patient is triggered via a physical stimulus; the glabrous tissue of the patient is warmed; general anesthesia is administered to the patient; and said vasodilation and said warming are maintained during at least a portion of the administration of general.

Abstract: The present application relates to systems and methods for altering temperature in a mammalian body. Optionally, the systems and methods can be used to lower or raise core body temperature of a mammalian subject. Optionally, the systems and methods can be used to lower or raise the temperature of glabrous skin of a mammalian subject.

Abstract: A climate-controlled bed capable of adapting to the needs of a sleeper via a closed loop feedback control system is provided. The bed includes a thermoelectric energy source, a sensor configured to monitor a physiological temperature of a sleeper, and a control system that regulates a temperature of the bed via the thermoelectric energy source. The control system can utilize data from the sensor to determine optimal thermal needs of the sleeper. The control system can also vary the temperature of the bed during a sleep cycle based on at least one predetermined sleep factor, such as the natural circadian temperature cycle.

Abstract: Devices and methods are presented whereby cryotherapy may be conducted with both an enhanced healing process and a reduced risk of collateral ischemic injury when compared with existing options. A cold effect is applied to an injured tissue for a sufficient time to lower the temperature sufficiently to suppress local pain and inflammation. In an alternating manner a warm effect is applied to the tissue at the same treatment site with sufficient intensity to raise the temperature at the treatment site to equal or exceed the baseline value for a sufficient time to cause an increase in local blood flow equal to or exceeding the baseline value, after which the cycle is repeated until therapy is no longer needed.

Abstract: The present application relates to systems and methods for maintaining reduced core body temperature in a subject having a reduced core body temperature. Heat is applied to peripheral thermoregulatory control tissue of the subject to increase or maintain perfusion of blood in glabrous tissue of the subject. A cooling stimulus is applied to the glabrous tissue thereby maintaining a reduced core body temperature in the subject.

Abstract: The present application relates to systems and methods for altering temperature in a mammalian body. Optionally, the systems and methods can be used to lower or raise core body temperature of a mammalian subject. Optionally, the systems and methods can be used to lower or raise the temperature of glabrous skin of a mammalian subject.

Abstract: The present application relates to methods for maintaining core body temperature in a subject. Heat is applied to peripheral thermoregulatory control tissue of the subject to increase or maintain perfusion of blood in glabrous tissue of the subject, and a warming stimulus is applied to the glabrous tissue. The application of heat to the peripheral thermoregulatory control tissue occurs discretely and simultaneously with application of the warming stimulus to the glabrous tissue, without application of a heating device or a warming device to tissue other than the tissue subjected to the applied heat or to the applied warming stimulus, thereby maintaining the core body temperature of the subject.

Abstract: A climate-controlled bed capable of adapting to the needs of a sleeper via a closed loop feedback control system is provided. The bed includes a thermoelectric energy source, a sensor configured to monitor a physiological temperature of a sleeper, and a control system that regulates a temperature of the bed via the thermoelectric energy source. The control system can utilize data from the sensor to determine optimal thermal needs of the sleeper. The control system can also vary the temperature of the bed during a sleep cycle based on at least one predetermined sleep factor, such as the natural circadian temperature cycle.