Abstract: Methods for changing the body temperature of a patient by having them breathe a mist created by nebulizer. The temperature of the mist is adjusted using a heat exchanger. The methods may be used to either cool or warm patients for a variety of clinical reasons. In addition, the invention includes a device (Thermomist) that can be used for generating a mist that can be administered to patients.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and device for generating a mist. Mist is created by a sudden drop in the pressure of a gas/liquid mixture. This results in the rapid expansion of the volume of the gas component and the consequent breaking of the liquid into tiny droplets. The method and device allow for the precise control of both the size of the liquid droplets and the density of the mist produced. The mists may be used in a wide variety of applications, including medical procedures in which the body temperature of a patient is rapidly changed and any industrial procedure where a mist is needed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for changing the body temperature of a patient by having them breathe a mist created by nebulizer. The temperature of the mist is adjusted using a heat exchanger. The methods may be used to either cool or warm patients for a variety of clinical reasons. In addition, the invention includes a device (Thermomist) that can be used for generating a mist that can be administered to patients.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for changing the body temperature of a patient by having them hyperventilate a gas mixture containing sulfur hexafluoride and oxygen. The method may be applied to cool patients in any clinical situation where induced hypothermia is desirable or to rapidly rewarm hypothermic patients. The invention also includes the gas mixtures used in the method.