Systems and methods to regulate body temperature

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for regulating body temperature. The system includes a housing that comprises compartments for a phase change material and a heat transfer material. The compartments are configured to transfer heat from the heat transfer material to the phase change material. A temperature sensor is used to determine when the phase change material has reached a pre-determined temperature. When the pre-determined temperature is reached, a release mechanism or lever is coupled to the temperature sensor to separate the phase change material compartment from the heat transfer material compartment or to remove the heat transfer material away from the phase change material compartment. The heated phase change material compartment can be used to regulate body temperature.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for regulating body temperature, the method comprising:
 coupling a first compartment to a second compartment in a housing, the second compartment comprising a phase change material and the first compartment comprising a heat transfer material and adapted to transfer heat to the second compartment;   determining by a temperature sensor in the housing that the phase change material in the second compartment has reached a pre-determined temperature; and   responsive to the determination, decoupling the first compartment from the second compartment, such that the transfer of heat is ceased.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 removing the second compartment from the housing; and   placing the second compartment adjacent to or directly under an infant to regulate the body temperature of the infant.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein decoupling the first compartment from the second compartment comprises removing the heat transfer material from the first compartment. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein decoupling the first compartment from the second compartment comprises moving the first compartment away from the second compartment. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein decoupling the first compartment from the second compartment comprises activating a lever in the housing to lift the second compartment away from the first compartment. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein decoupling the first compartment from the second compartment comprises triggering a release mechanism to separate the contact between the first and second compartments.