Abstract: An electric blanket including a flexible sheet-like heating element, a shell comprising two flexible sheets covering the heating element, one or more welds coupling the sheet of the shell about the edges to hermetically seal the heating element there between; and a flexible insulating layer extending over the heating element and covered by the shell providing at least one of thermal insulation and electrical insulation, wherein the heating element is held in position between the two sheets of the shell without using connectors that pierce the two sheets.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods related to an underbody support for supporting a body of a being, such as during surgery to prevent contact pressure injuries. In certain embodiments, the underbody support may include one or more inflatable chambers enclosing a volume. At least one of the inflatable chambers may include one or more compression sensitive switches for monitoring the volume of the inflatable chamber, and the one or more compression sensitive switches may be located within the inflatable chamber. In some embodiments the one or more compression sensitive switches are sized to close when the said inflatable chamber is deflated to a desired residual volume.

Abstract: Embodiments include an inflatable blast-induced brain injury prevention device for living beings such as soldiers. The device may include one or more inflatable chambers that cooperate to form a substantially toroidal cervical collar configured to surround the soldier's neck. An inflator unit, activated by an initiator may be coupled to the one or more inflatable chambers to inflate the one or more inflatable chambers. An electronic control unit (ECU) in electrical communication with the initiator and in electrical communication with at least one sensor may be configured to measure atmospheric air pressure. The ECU may be programmed to activate the initiator when the air pressure measured by the sensor exceeds a threshold air pressure.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods related to an underbody support for supporting a body of a being, such as during surgery to prevent contact pressure injuries. In certain embodiments, the underbody support may include one or more inflatable chambers enclosing a volume. At least one of the inflatable chambers may include one or more compression sensitive switches for monitoring the volume of the inflatable chamber, and the one or more compression sensitive switches may be located within the inflatable chamber. In some embodiments the one or more compression sensitive switches are sized to close when the said inflatable chamber is deflated to a desired residual volume.

Abstract: A neck-worn personal air filtration device for filtering aero-allergens and providing a zone of filtered air around or near a user's breathing zone is described. The device may include an air source adapted to deliver a pressurized airflow, a hose, and a neck-worn plenum including a filter. The airflow being caused to accumulate within the plenum and exit the plenum through the air permeable surface. The air is filtered by a filter for breathing by the user.

Abstract: Embodiments include a flexible fabric heater. The fabric heater has a conductive base fabric having elastic properties. The base fabric may be coupled to electrical terminals. A elastomeric layer may be applied on the base fabric. The elastomeric layer may have elastic properties and includes a liquid-resistant material. A first thermal layer may be applied proximate edges along the electrical coupling between the fabric heater and the electrical terminals. The first thermal layer can have heat-resistant properties.

Abstract: Embodiments include a flexible fabric heater. The fabric heater has a conductive base fabric having elastic properties. The base fabric may be coupled to electrical terminals. A elastomeric layer may be applied on the base fabric. The elastomeric layer may have elastic properties and includes a liquid-resistant material. A first thermal layer may be applied proximate edges along the electrical coupling between the fabric heater and the electrical terminals. The first thermal layer can have heat-resistant properties.

Abstract: Embodiments include a catheter anchoring device for securing a percutaneous medical catheter inserted at a skin puncture site to a skin of a body. The catheter anchoring device may include a catheter capture portion coupled to a skin attachment portion. The catheter capture portion may be configured to engage with a portion of the catheter protruding from the skin when the catheter is subcutaneously placed in a body. The skin attachment portion may be configured to adhesively attach the anchoring device to the skin, wherein the skin attachment portion is primarily attached to the skin overlaying and lateral to the subcutaneously located catheter.

Abstract: A core temperature sensor and a method of using such a sensor to non-invasively measure a temperature of a core thermal compartment of a human body or other mammals. A heater of the core temperature sensor heats a peripheral area to a temperature greater than the core temperature. A skin temperature sensor of the core temperature sensor monitors a cooling of the peripheral area to determine the core temperature.

Abstract: A personal air filtration device and methods of using the same for providing a zone of filtered air proximate a breathing zone of a user are described. A blower provides an air flow to a head support which delivers the air flow to a zone proximate the users head. The air flow passes through a filter. The filter can be a point of delivery filter disposed about an air permeable surface of the head support. The delivered air flow can provide a laminar air flow defining a zone of filtered air about the user's breathing zone.

Abstract: Embodiments include an inflatable blast-induced brain injury prevention device for living beings such as soldiers. The device may include one or more inflatable chambers that cooperate to form a substantially toroidal cervical collar configured to surround the soldier's neck. An inflator unit, activated by an initiator may be coupled to the one or more inflatable chambers to inflate the one or more inflatable chambers. An electronic control unit (ECU) in electrical communication with the initiator and in electrical communication with at least one sensor may be configured to measure atmospheric air pressure. The ECU may be programmed to activate the initiator when the air pressure measured by the sensor exceeds a threshold air pressure.

Abstract: Embodiments include a heated underbody support with electrosurgical grounding, such as a heated mattress, heated mattress overlay, or heated pad for supporting a person. The heated underbody support may include a flexible heating element formed of a sheet of conductive or semi-conductive material, a first bus bar along a first edge of the heating element adapted to receive a supply of electrical power, a second bus bar extending along the second edge of the heating element, and a temperature sensor. The heated underbody support may include a layer of compressible material adapted to conform to the person under pressure from the person resting upon the support located beneath the heating element. A water resistant shell may encase the heating element, the first and second bus bars, and the temperature sensor. A return electrode wire may be electrically connected to the flexible heating element to connect to an electrosurgical generator.

Abstract: A core temperature sensor and a method of using such a sensor to non-invasively measure a temperature of a core thermal compartment of a human body or other mammals. A heater of the core temperature sensor heats a peripheral area to a temperature greater than the core temperature. A skin temperature sensor of the core temperature sensor monitors a cooling of the peripheral area to determine the core temperature.

Abstract: An electric heating pad for warming a patient. The electric heating pad may be a heated underbody support, heated mattress or heated mattress overlay. An embodiment of the heating pad includes a flexible sheet-like heating element including an upper edge, a lower edge, and at least two side edges. The heating pad may also include a shell covering the heating element and comprising at least two sheets of flexible material (e.g., two sheets may be one sheet folded over to form at least two sheets). The two sheets of flexible material may be coupled together about the edges of the heating element by a weld. The material of the two sheets may include urethane. In some embodiments, a catalyst to accelerate hydrogen peroxide decomposition is coated on or impregnated into an element within the shell, or on the interior surface of the shell.

Abstract: An electric heating pad with electrosurgical grounding comprising a heated underbody support, heated mattress or heated mattress overlay. In an illustrative embodiment the heating pad with electrosurgical grounding may include a flexible sheet-like heating element including an upper edge, a lower edge, and at least two side edges and a flexible sheet-like grounding electrode including an upper edge, a lower edge, and at least two side edges. A shell covering the heating element and grounding electrode and comprising at least two sheets (e.g., may be one sheet of material folded over to form two sheets) of flexible material, and a weld coupling the two sheets of flexible material together about the edges of the heating element and grounding electrode, wherein the weld is one of a RF weld, ultrasonic weld, or a heat bond, wherein the two sheets comprise PVC or urethane.

Abstract: A personal air filtration device and methods of using the same for providing a zone of filtered air proximate a breathing zone of a user are described. A blower provides an air flow to a head support which delivers the air flow to a zone proximate the users head. The air flow passes through a filter. The filter can be a point of delivery filter disposed about an air permeable surface of the head support. The delivered air flow can provide a laminar air flow defining a zone of filtered air about the user's breathing zone.

Abstract: An electric blanket or pad for warming a living body including a flexible sheet-like heating element including an upper edge, a lower edge, and at least two side edges. A shell formed of layers of flexible sheets covering the heating element and sealed with a weld. The weld coupling the sheets of the shell about the edges to hermetically seal the heating element therebetween. The weld may be an RF weld, ultrasonic weld, or a heat bond, wherein the sheets comprise PVC.

Abstract: A core temperature sensor and a method of using such a sensor to non-invasively measure a temperature of a core thermal compartment of a human body or other mammals. A heater of the core temperature sensor heats a peripheral area to a temperature greater than the core temperature. A skin temperature sensor of the core temperature sensor monitors a cooling of the peripheral area to determine the core temperature.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a heater assembly is provided including a water-resistant encapsulating shell. A heating element and/or other electronic components may be sealed in the encapsulating shell, and a catalyst to accelerate hydrogen peroxide decomposition may be coated on or impregnated into an element within the shell. In some embodiments the catalyst to accelerate hydrogen peroxide decomposition may be on the interior surface of the shell. In certain embodiments, the catalyst to accelerate hydrogen peroxide decomposition includes manganese dioxide. The catalyst to accelerate hydrogen peroxide decomposition may also include a binding material such as methyl cellulose.

Abstract: A neck-worn personal air filtration device for filtering aero-allergens and providing a zone of filtered air around or near a user's breathing zone is described. The device may include an air source adapted to deliver a pressurized airflow, a hose, and a neck-worn plenum including a filter. The airflow being caused to accumulate within the plenum and exit the plenum through the air permeable surface. The air is filtered by a filter for breathing by the user.