Devices, methods and uses for removing heat, energy and fluids from a mammal

Abstract

The present invention provides improved devices for removing energy and fluid from body fluid containing spaces and surfaces of a mammal, and new uses for such devices, including fluid removal, energy removal, increasing metabolic rate; promoting weight loss; preventing esophageal burn-through, reducing beta-amylase accumulation in the brain, delaying or inhibiting the onset of Alzheimer's and other senile dementia.

1 . A method for inducing controlled evaporation of a body fluid from the nasal turbinates of a mammal, comprising delivering a dry gas not including a coolant into or upon the nasal turbinates to provide evaporation of the bodily fluid upon contact with the dry gas, wherein the gas is delivered to the nasal turbinates in pulses. 
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the dry gas is delivered to a first nostril in pulses, and the gas is allowed to exit the body through a second nostril. 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the dry gas is delivered in pulses, alternating between nostrils. 
     
     
         4 .- 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A method for removing excess body fluid from a patient suffering from refractory heart failure comprising delivering a dry gas not including a coolant into or upon a bodily fluid-containing space or surface to provide evaporation of the bodily fluid upon contact with the dry gas. 
     
     
         19 . A portable device for inducing evaporation of a fluid from a bodily fluid-containing space in a mammal, the device comprising, in an integrated unit:
 an air inlet,   an inlet sensor configured to measure air temperature or pressure or both;   a desiccant chamber configured to receive a removable and replaceable desiccant element;   an air outlet configured to connect to an air delivery tube;   a blower configured to draw ambient air into the device via the air inlet and force said ambient air across said dessicant chamber and out said air outlet;   an outlet sensor configured to measure air temperature or pressure or both;   
       said air inlet, blower, desiccant chamber, and air outlet arranged in series along an air flow path. 
     
     
         20 . A portable device according to  claim 19 , further comprising a heat exchanger configured to remove heat that is added to the air in the desiccant chamber. 
     
     
         21 . A portable device according to  claim 19 , further comprising a second heat exchanger to cool the air to below ambient temperature. 
     
     
         22 .- 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A portable device according to  claim 19 , further including user control configured to allow a user to deliver dry air that is at ambient temperature, warmer than ambient temperature, or cooler than ambient temperature. 
     
     
         26 . A portable device according to  claim 19 , further comprising a negative pressure source and an attachment site for attaching a tube configured to draw warmed and humidified gas from a bodily fluid containing space of a mammal. 
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 1 , resulting in systemic cooling of the mammal. 
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 1 , resulting in water removal from the mammal. 
     
     
         29 . The method according  claim 1 , resulting in change of the metabolic rate of the mammal. 
     
     
         30 . A method for promoting weight loss in a mammal, comprising the steps of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the gas is warmed to >30° C. 
     
     
         33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . A method according to  claim 1 , comprising administering to the mammal drugs that enhance mucus production. 
     
     
         36 . A method according to  claim 1 , comprising administering water to the mammal to reduce the net water loss due to evaporation of the body fluid. 
     
     
         37 . (canceled) 
     
     
         38 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the gas flow is monitored. 
     
     
         39 . (canceled) 
     
     
         40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         41 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the gas flow is between 10L/min and 500 L/min. 
     
     
         42 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising monitoring inlet air humidity and air temperature. 
     
     
         43 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising adjusting air flow to achieve target energy or fluid removal. 
     
     
         44 .- 49 . (canceled)