Patient comfort apparatus and system

Abstract

Apparatus and a system for thermally comforting a patient include pneumatic, convective device providing thermal treatment for persons or animals. The pneumatic convective device is adapted to fit around a person's neck and provides convective warming focused or directed primarily on the thorax or body core. The pneumatic convective device includes an inlet, a region in distribution with the inlet for distributing a stream of pressurized, thermally treated air, and a permeable member for emitting pressurized, thermally treated air from the distribution region.

1 - 32 . (canceled)  
     
     
         33 . A method of dispensing a pneumatic convective device for individual use comprising: 
 providing a plurality of contiguous pneumatic convective devices in a dispensing means; and    separating one pneumatic convective device from the plurality of contiguous pneumatic convective devices along perforated lines between the plurality of contiguous pneumatic convective devices.    
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the dispensing means is a roll of contiguous pneumatic convective devices.  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the dispensing means is a sheet of contiguous pneumatic convective devices.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein each contiguous pneumatic convective device includes: 
 a distribution region for distributing a stream of pressurized air;    an inlet in communication with the distribution region for receiving a stream of pressurized air;    a permeable member for emitting pressurized air from the distribution region;    a region in which air is not distributed;    an indentation in the region for receiving the neck of a person; and    a mechanism acting with the indentation for releasably retaining the pneumatic convective device against the neck of the person.    
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the distribution region includes a first sheet and a second sheet sealed together continuously about a periphery.  
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the permeable member is a portion of the first sheet.  
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the inlet is located in the second sheet.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the distribution region further includes attachment between the first and second sheets at multiple locations within the peripheries.  
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the mechanism consists of integral straps in the region on each side of the indentation.  
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the mechanism consists of a line with two end clips attachable to the region at either side of the indentation.