Abstract: A headliner is provided for controlling a temperature of a head of a patient. A cap is provided which fits securely over the head of the patient. A fluid pathway is routed through the cap with a fluid space adapted to receive heat transfer fluid therein and route the heat transfer fluid between an inlet and an outlet on the cap. The inlet and outlet are each coupled to a cooler for the heat transfer fluid and the heat transfer fluid is circulated through the cap and the cooler such that heat is drawn from the head of the patient. An air bladder is optionally provided outboard of the fluid space which is filled with pressurized gas to increase contact between the fluid space and the head of the patient. A neck brace is integrated with the cap portion of the headliner, particularly for treatment of head trauma.

Abstract: A cooling system for cooling a portion of an individual's body via a body-conformed apparatus. The cooling system includes a unit remote from the body and tethered to the body conformed apparatus. A replaceable ice cartridge is disposed in the unit and relative to a coolant pathway that circulates coolant to and from the individual. A control valve within the coolant pathway is operable to control the amount of coolant passing the ice cartridge and thus control the temperature of the coolant leaving the unit.

Abstract: A garment is provided which is worn by a wearer and which actively cools the wearer. A heat transfer fluid pathway is provided which feeds the heat transfer fluid through a vest and cap or other heat transfer garment, where the heat transfer fluid draws heat away from the body of the wearer. The pathway is established between an inner layer proximate to the body of the wearer and an outer layer. Dots are provided which connect the inner layer and the outer layer together within the pathway. Fences are provided and borders to channel the heat transfer fluid along the pathway within the garment. A supply of elevated pressure air is optionally provided to maintain optimal contact for efficient heat transfer between the heat exchange fluid within the garment and the body of the wearer.

Abstract: A heat transfer fluid pathway is provided driven by a pump which feeds the heat transfer fluid through a vest and cap or other heat transfer garment, where the heat transfer fluid draws heat away from the body of the wearer. A drinkable heat sink material is located within a removable cartridge located within a heat exchange pouch. The heat transfer fluid passes from the heat transfer garment to the heat exchange pouch where heat drawn from the wearer is transferred to the heat sink material within the cartridge. A temperature control valve is provided along with a bypass line so that an adjustable amount of the heat transfer fluid is routed to the heat exchange pouch for temperature control. A supply of elevated pressure air is optionally provided to maintain optimal contact for efficient heat transfer within the heat exchange garment and the heat exchange pouch.

Abstract: A heat exchange panel for use in an active heat exchange system. The heat exchange panel includes first and second layers having seals between the layers at a common border, at fences, and at dots of a dot matrix. The dot matrix is organized into first parallel lines and second parallel lines where the first and second parallel line cross at a 90° angle. The seals at the border and the fences are rippled with smooth ripples.

Abstract: A garment is provided which is worn by a wearer and which actively cools the wearer. A heat transfer fluid pathway is provided which feeds the heat transfer fluid through a vest and cap or other heat transfer garment, where the heat transfer fluid draws heat away from the body of the wearer. The pathway is established between an inner layer proximate to the body of the wearer and an outer layer. Dots are provided which connect the inner layer and the outer layer together within the pathway. Fences are provided and borders to channel the heat transfer fluid along the pathway within the garment. A supply of elevated pressure air is optionally provided to maintain optimal contact for efficient heat transfer between the heat exchange fluid within the garment and the body of the wearer.

Abstract: A heat transfer fluid pathway is provided driven by a pump which feeds the heat transfer fluid through a vest and cap or other heat transfer garment, where the heat transfer fluid draws heat away from the body of the wearer. A drinkable heat sink material is located within a removable cartridge located within a heat exchange pouch. The heat transfer fluid passes from the heat transfer garment to the heat exchange pouch where heat drawn from the wearer is transferred to the heat sink material within the cartridge. A temperature control valve is provided along with a bypass line so that an adjustable amount of the heat transfer fluid is routed to the heat exchange pouch for temperature control. A supply of elevated pressure air is optionally provided to maintain optimal contact for efficient heat transfer within the heat exchange garment and the heat exchange pouch.

Abstract: Equipment for thermal therapy of patients is disclosed. The equipment includes a flexible heat exchange structure having fluid conducting channels formed between two layers of flexible material, with improved liquid manifolds at the ends of the channels for resisting pinching, crimping or buckling in the manifolds on pressurization and when the heat exchange structure is subjected to flexure as when worn on the human body. The manifolds are configured so that pressurization shrinkage at the manifold is balanced with pressurization shrinkage laterally among the fluid conducting channels. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid conducting channels themselves are configured in a zig-zag pattern which is effective to resist buckling or pinching of the channels when the heat exchange structure is subjected to bending. In a further embodiment the flexible heat exchange structure includes a third layer of material to form a pressurized air envelope, for heat/cold and pressure theraby.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a therapy component of an animate body heat exchanger that includes: (a) a bladder that contains a heat exchange medium, which bladder is compliant and is shaped to conform to a body part to be subjected to heat exchange; (b) a gas pressure bladder that overlays at least a portion of the bladder to direct gas pressure against the body part and against the portion to press the portion towards the body part, which gas pressure bladder is defined at least partially by a first pair of generally parallel walls; and (c) a plurality of first connections that connect the walls together interiorly of the gas pressure bladder to inhibit separation of the walls.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a therapy component of an animate body heat exchanger that includes: (a) a bladder that contains a heat exchange medium, which bladder is compliant and is shaped to conform to a body part to be subjected to heat exchange; (b) a gas pressure bladder that overlays at least a portion of the bladder to direct gas pressure against the body part and against the portion to press the portion towards the body part, which gas pressure bladder is defined at least partially by a first pair of generally parallel walls; and (c) a plurality of first connections that connect the walls together interiorly of the gas pressure bladder to inhibit separation of the walls.

Abstract: Equipment for thermal therapy of patients is disclosed. The equipment includes a flexible heat exchange structure having fluid conducting channels formed between two layers of flexible material, with improved liquid manifolds at the ends of the channels for resisting pinching, crimping or buckling in the manifolds on pressurization and when the heat exchange structure is subjected to flexure as when worn on the human body. The manifolds are configured so that pressurization shrinkage at the manifold is balanced with pressurization shrinkage laterally among the fluid conducting channels. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid conducting channels themselves are configured in a zig-zag pattern which is effective to resist buckling or pinching of the channels when the heat exchange structure is subjected to bending. In a further embodiment the flexible heat exchange structure includes a third layer of material to form a pressurized air envelope, for heat/cold and pressure therapy.

Abstract: Equipment for thermal therapy of patients is disclosed. The equipment includes a flexible heat exchange structure having fluid conducting channels formed between two layers of flexible material, with improved liquid manifolds at the ends of the channels for resisting pinching, crimping or buckling in the manifolds on pressurization and when the heat exchange structure is subjected to flexure as when worn on the human body. The manifolds are configured so that pressurization shrinkage at the manifold is balanced with pressurization shrinkage laterally among the fluid conducting channels. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid conducting channels themselves are configured in a zig-zag pattern which is effective to resist buckling or pinching of the channels when the heat exchange structure is subjected to bending. In a further embodiment the flexible heat exchange structure includes a third layer of material to form a pressurized air envelope, for heat/cold and pressure therapy.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a therapy component of an animate body heat exchanger that includes: (a) a bladder that contains a heat exchange medium, which bladder is compliant and is shaped to conform to a body part to be subjected to heat exchange; (b) a gas pressure bladder that overlays at least a portion of the bladder to direct gas pressure against the body part and against the portion to press the portion towards the body part, which gas pressure bladder is defined at least partially by a first pair of generally parallel walls; and (c) a plurality of first connections that connect the walls together interiorly of the gas pressure bladder to inhibit separation of the walls,

Abstract: A conformal therapy component of an animate body heat exchanger is described. The therapy component is designed for the foot and ankle of a wearer and includes both calf and vamp parts. A packet containing a thermally conductive gel is positioned at a gap between the vamp and calf parts to transfer the thermal energy state and the air pressure at the remainder of the component to the portion the wearer's foot under the gap. A pressure reactor sole also is provided to inhibit the pressure applied to the foot from tending to “flatten out” the foot.

Abstract: A heat exchange system using pressurized air and a flowing liquid having a controlled temperature for cooling or heating a portion of a human body. The system includes a compliant heat exchange splint and a dual function control unit. The splint includes a liquid bladder containing flowing liquid and an air bladder containing pressurized air for compressing the liquid bladder into close conformal contact with a body part of a person for cooling or heating the body part. The liquid and air bladders are defined by a common peripheral seal. The flowing liquid and the pressurized air enter and exit the splint directly into the liquid and air bladders through planar ports. The control unit includes a liquid circuit for providing the flowing fluid at a controlled temperature and an air circuit for providing the pressurized air.

Abstract: A wrist/hand therapy component of an animate body heat exchanger is described. Such component is designed to be wrapped snugly about the hand and associated wrist of a human, and has a penetration shaped to receive the thumb of a wearer.

Abstract: A conformable therapy component of an animate body heat exchanger is described, which component is particularly designed for the back of a human. The component includes two registering compliant bladders for (1) confining a flowing liquid heat exchange medium, and (2) providing air pressure. It also includes a flexible tongue and a metal loop which interacts with such tongue to hold the operational aspects of the component in place conforming closely to the back of a therapy patient.

Abstract: A shoulder component is described for an animate body heat exchanger, which shoulder component has both a compliant bladder for confining a heat exchange medium and a gas pressure bladder which overlies such heat exchange bladder. The shoulder component includes a harness arrangement which connects to a standard waist belt to facilitate maintaining such shoulder component in position on the shoulder of a wearer. It also includes a alteration adjustment in the form of a flap and relief to enable minor configuration adjustments as necessary to assure good thermal contact.

Abstract: Cap and vest components of an animate body heat exchanger designed to apply a controlled temperature to parts of a human body are described. The cap and vest components are often used in combination, and the interior side edges of the cap are curvilinear and intermesh lengthwise to assure that the portion of the head underlying the junction between such edges is subjected to the controlled temperature. The vest includes not only a zipper for application and removal, but also separate lacing for close fitting adjustment.