Portable patient temperature adjustment apparatus and method

Abstract

Devices and methods may be used for the in situ or in transit adjustment of the core body temperature of a patient. Devices according to some embodiments include a control unit and pressure chamber adapted to apply a pulsating negative pressure to a limb of the patient. An adjustment temperature applied during the application of the pulsating pressure can heat or cool the patient as necessary. Devices and methods disclosed herein can provide for efficient heating and/or cooling of a patient. In addition, devices and methods provide such functionality in a portable device that can be manually carried by an individual.

1 . A portable device for in situ or in transit adjustment of a core body temperature of a patient, the device comprising:
 a thermal transfer sleeve adapted to receive a limb of the patient such that the thermal transfer sleeve is in contact with the limb;   a pressure chamber comprising (a) a substantially rigid casing adapted to receive the limb and thermal transfer sleeve, and (b) a heat transfer element adapted to apply an adjustment temperature within the casing; and   a control unit connectable to the pressure chamber and adapted, when connected to the pressure chamber, to alternatingly introduce a negative pressure to the pressure chamber during a negative pressure period and release the negative pressure from the pressure chamber to restore the pressure chamber to approximately atmospheric pressure during an atmospheric pressure period,   wherein the thermal transfer sleeve, pressure chamber, and control unit are configured to fit within a carrying case such that the portable device and the carrying case can be manually carried by an individual.   
     
     
         2 . The portable device of  claim 1 , wherein the limb is an arm. 
     
     
         3 . The portable device of  claim 1 , wherein when the thermal transfer sleeve has received the limb, the thermal transfer sleeve is in skin-tight contact with the limb. 
     
     
         4 . The portable device of  claim 1 , wherein the thermal transfer sleeve comprises a wettable material formed to receive the limb, the wettable material adapted to be wetted with a liquid. 
     
     
         5 . The portable device of  claim 4 , wherein when the limb and thermal transfer sleeve are installed within the pressure chamber, substantially all of the liquid within the pressure chamber is contained within the thermal transfer sleeve. 
     
     
         6 . The portable device of  claim 4 , wherein the wettable material is a high-absorbency material. 
     
     
         7 . The portable device of  claim 4 , wherein the liquid is water. 
     
     
         8 . The portable device of  claim 1 , wherein the control unit and pressure chamber when connected, comprise a substantially closed system in that (a) introducing the negative pressure to the pressure chamber comprises transferring an amount of air from the pressure chamber to the control unit and (b) releasing the negative pressure from the pressure chamber comprises transferring substantially the same amount of air from the control unit to the pressure chamber. 
     
     
         9 . The portable device of  claim 1 , wherein during operation substantially all air flow caused by the introduction and release of the negative pressure is contained within the control unit and the pressure chamber. 
     
     
         10 . The portable device of  claim 1 , wherein the control unit comprises:
 a portable housing having first and second chambers and a connector input for providing fluid connection to the pressure chamber, the second chamber being substantially air impermeable;   a pump coupled to the portable housing and being (a) in fluid communication with the second chamber and (b) adapted to displace air from the second chamber;   a valve coupled to the housing and adapted to alternatingly connect the connector input with the first chamber and the second chamber;   a controller adapted to control (a) the pump and valve, thereby controlling the introduction and the release of the negative pressure to and from the pressure chamber and (b) the adjustment temperature applied within the pressure chamber; and   a power supply coupled to the portable housing and adapted to supply power to the pump, the valve, the controller, and the heating/cooling element.   
     
     
         11 . The portable device of  claim 1 , wherein the casing is anatomically formed to substantially conform to the limb. 
     
     
         12 . The portable device of  claim 1 , wherein the limb is an arm and the casing is formed to substantially conform to the arm, the casing comprising a narrower wrist portion disposed between wider hand and forearm portions. 
     
     
         13 . The portable device of  claim 11 , wherein the casing is expandable to facilitate insertion of the limb. 
     
     
         14 . The portable device of  claim 13 , wherein the casing is hinged along one side edge and expandable in that it is openable along an opposed side edge. 
     
     
         15 . The portable device of  claim 14 , wherein the opposed side edge includes one or more alignment members proximate the opposed side edge adapted to prevent misalignment during opening and closing of the casing. 
     
     
         16 . The portable device of  claim 13 , the pressure chamber further comprising:
 a substantially elastic outer shell positioned about an exterior surface of the casing, the outer shell adapted to bias the casing closed, yet to allow for expansion of the casing to facilitate insertion of the limb.   
     
     
         17 . The portable device of  claim 16 , wherein the outer shell comprises Neoprene. 
     
     
         18 . The portable device of  claim 1 , the pressure chamber further comprising an extension feature providing for extension of the pressure chamber thereby allowing a larger portion of the limb to be received. 
     
     
         19 . The portable device of  claim 1 , wherein the heat transfer element comprises:
 a mitten positioned inside the casing adapted to contact the thermal transfer sleeve when the limb and thermal transfer sleeve are received in the casing; and   one or more thermoelectric devices installed within the mitten and adapted to thermally communicate with the limb when the limb and thermal transfer sleeve are received in the casing.   
     
     
         20 . The portable device of  claim 19 , wherein the mitten comprises Neoprene.