Abstract: A device for treating chest wall injuries, including rib fractures, flail chest injuries or surgical incisions is described herein. The device includes a localized airtight compartment external to the chest wall and fully covering the area of injury, and is capable of varying the pressure within the compartment, and providing dynamic real-time counter forces that act reciprocal to the intrathoracic pressure changes that occur during ventilation. In a preferred embodiment, the device has the capability of sensing the patient's chest wall motion created by ventilation, and includes a pressure control component capable of varying the pressure within the airtight compartment such that it opposes pressure changes within the chest. The apparatus would be particularly useful in preventing the paradoxical movement of flail chest injuries. The device would also lessen pain experienced by patients with thoracic injuries such as rib fractures and post operative suffering.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for utilizing heat transfer parameters or energy expenditure of devices providing controlled hypothermia, normothermia or hyperthermia to detect changes, or the absence of changes, a patient's endogenous set-point temperature; which is not available during exogenously induced targeted temperature management. A particular embodiment would allow detection of fever in patients undergoing targeted temperature managed.

Abstract: A method to increase the overall hemodynamic efficacy of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by alternating between chest compression-decompression cycles optimized to either cardiac output or venous return. The phases of cardiac output and venous return enhancement may themselves by adjusted in their duration and character. The method may enhance mechanical and manual techniques delivered to the anterior or circumferential chest, and be synchronized to adjunctive techniques such as airway, ventilatory or abdominal therapies.

Abstract: A method to increase the overall hemodynamic efficacy of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by alternating between chest compression-decompression cycles optimized to either cardiac output or venous return. The phases of cardiac output and venous return enhancement may themselves by adjusted in their duration and character. The method may enhance mechanical and manual techniques delivered to the anterior or circumferential chest, and be synchronized to adjunctive techniques such as airway, ventilatory or abdominal therapies.

Abstract: A system for improving cardiac output of a patient suffering from pulseless electrical activity or shock and yet displays myocardial wall motion including: a sensor to detect myocardial activity to determine the presence of residual left ventricular pump function having a contraction or ejection phase and a filling or relaxation phase, a device to prompt the application of or apply a compressive force repeatedly applied to the chest based on the sensed myocardial activity such that the compressive force is applied during at least some of the ejection phases and is ceased during at least some of the relaxation phases to permit residual cardiac filling, thereby enhancing cardiac output and organ perfusion.

Abstract: A method for treating chest wall injuries, including rib fractures, flail chest injuries or surgical incisions. The method comprising creating a localized airtight compartment external to the chest wall and fully covering the area of injury, varying the pressure within the compartment, and providing dynamic real-time counter forces that act reciprocal to the intrathoracic pressure changes that occur during ventilation. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus has the capability of sensing the patient's chest wall motion created by ventilation, a pressure control component capable of varying the pressure within the airtight compartment such that it opposes pressure changes within the chest. The apparatus would be particularly useful in preventing the paradoxical movement of flail chest injuries. The method would also lessen pain experienced by patients with thoracic injuries such as rib fractures and post operative suffering.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for utilizing heat transfer parameters or energy expenditure of devices providing controlled hypothermia, normothermia or hyperthermia to detect changes, or the absence of changes, a patient's endogenous set-point temperature; which is not available during exogenously induced targeted temperature management. A particular embodiment would allow detection of fever in patients undergoing targeted temperature managed.

Abstract: A method for treating chest wall injuries, including rib fractures, flail chest injuries or surgical incisions. The method comprising creating a localized airtight compartment external to the chest wall and fully covering the area of injury, varying the pressure within the compartment, and providing dynamic real-time counter forces that act reciprocal to the intrathoracic pressure changes that occur during ventilation. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus has the capability of sensing the patient's chest wall motion created by ventilation, a pressure control component capable of varying the pressure within the airtight compartment such that it opposes pressure changes within the chest. The apparatus would be particularly useful in preventing the paradoxical movement of flail chest injuries. The method would also lessen pain experienced by patients with thoracic injuries such as rib fractures and post operative suffering.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for utilizing heat transfer parameters or energy expenditure of devices providing controlled hypothermia, normothermia or hyperthermia to detect changes, or the absence of changes, a patient's endogenous set-point temperature; which is not available during exogenously induced targeted temperature management. A particular embodiment would allow detection of fever in patients undergoing targeted temperature managed.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for improving hemodynamics and clinical outcome of patients suffering cardiac arrest and other low-flow states by combination of circumferential constriction and anteroposterior compression decompression of the chest cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Anteroposterior compression decompression may be provided by a piston mechanism attached to a gantry above the patient. Circumferential constriction may be achieved by inflation of pneumatic bladders or shortening of a band. The on-off sequence and relative force of circumferential constriction and anteroposterior compression decompression may be adjusted so as to improve efficacy.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for utilizing heat transfer parameters or energy expenditure of devices providing controlled hypothermia, normothermia or hyperthermia to detect changes, or the absence of changes, a patient's endogenous set-point temperature; which is not available during exogenously induced targeted temperature management. A particular embodiment would allow detection of fever in patients undergoing targeted temperature managed.

Abstract: A system for improving cardiac output of a patient suffering from pulseless electrical activity or shock and yet displays myocardial wall motion including: a sensor to detect myocardial activity to determine the presence of residual left ventricular pump function having a contraction or ejection phase and a filling or relaxation phase, a device to prompt the application of or apply a compressive force repeatedly applied to the chest based on the sensed myocardial activity such that the compressive force is applied during at least some of the ejection phases and is ceased during at least some of the relaxation phases to permit residual cardiac filling, thereby enhancing cardiac output and organ perfusion.

Abstract: A method for utilizing heat transfer parameters or energy expenditure of devices providing controlled hypothermia, normothermia or hyperthermia to detect changes, or the absence of changes, a patient's endogenous set-point temperature; which is not available during exogenously induced targeted temperature management. A particular embodiment would allow detection of fever in patients undergoing targeted temperature managed.

Abstract: A system for improving cardiac output of a patient suffering from pulseless electrical activity or shock and yet displays myocardial wall motion including: a sensor to detect myocardial activity to determine the presence of residual left ventricular pump function having a contraction or ejection phase and a filling or relaxation phase, a device to prompt the application of or apply a compressive force repeatedly applied to the chest based on the sensed myocardial activity such that the compressive force is applied during at least some of the ejection phases and is ceased during at least some of the relaxation phases to permit residual cardiac filling, thereby enhancing cardiac output and organ perfusion.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for utilizing heat transfer parameters or energy expenditure of devices providing controlled hypothermia, normothermia or hyperthermia to detect changes, or the absence of changes, a patient's endogenous set-point temperature; which is not available during exogenously induced targeted temperature management. A particular embodiment would allow detection of fever in patients undergoing targeted temperature managed.

Abstract: Devices for improving vascular cannulation by increasing the probability of, and decreasing the time until, successful puncture of vascular and other structures. In its simplest form, a device composed of multiple connected needles in a linear or curvilinear array that is inserted perpendicular to the vessel such that one or more needles are likely to puncture the vessel. Alternatively, a gantry system incorporating a linear or curvilinear array of needle guides that allows sequential insertion of one or more needles in a linear pattern. The devices herein described may be used to successfully puncture any anatomic structure of interest.

Abstract: A system for improving cardiac output of a patient suffering from pulseless electrical activity or shock and yet displays myocardial wall motion including: a sensor to detect myocardial activity to determine the presence of residual left ventricular pump function having a contraction or ejection phase and a filling or relaxation phase, a device to prompt the application of or apply a compressive force repeatedly applied to the chest based on the sensed myocardial activity such that the compressive force is applied during at least some of the ejection phases and is ceased during at least some of the relaxation phases to permit residual cardiac filling, thereby enhancing cardiac output and organ perfusion.

Abstract: A method to increase the overall hemodynamic efficacy of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by alternating between chest compression-decompression cycles optimized to either cardiac output or venous return. The phases of cardiac output and venous return enhancement may themselves by adjusted in their duration and character. The method may enhance mechanical and manual techniques delivered to the anterior or circumferential chest, and be synchronized to adjunctive techniques such as airway, ventilatory or abdominal therapies.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for utilizing heat transfer parameters or energy expenditure of devices providing controlled hypothermia, normothermia or hyperthermia to detect changes, or the absence of changes, a patient's endogenous set-point temperature; which is not available during exogenously induced targeted temperature management. A particular embodiment would allow detection of fever in patients undergoing targeted temperature managed.

Abstract: A system for improving cardiac output of a patient suffering from pulseless electrical activity or shock and yet displays myocardial wall motion including: a sensor to detect myocardial activity to determine the presence of residual left ventricular pump function having a contraction or ejection phase and a filling or relaxation phase, a device to prompt the application of or apply a compressive force repeatedly applied to the chest based on the sensed myocardial activity such that the compressive force is applied during at least some of the ejection phases and is ceased during at least some of the relaxation phases to permit residual cardiac filling, thereby enhancing cardiac output and organ perfusion.