Maintenance of reduced core mammalian body temperature

Abstract

The present application relates to systems and methods for maintaining reduced core body temperature in a subject having a reduced core body temperature. Heat is applied to peripheral thermoregulatory control tissue of the subject to increase or maintain perfusion of blood in glabrous tissue of the subject. A cooling stimulus is applied to the glabrous tissue thereby maintaining a reduced core body temperature in the subject.

1 - 38 . (canceled) 
     
     
         39 . A system for adjusting or maintaining core body temperature of a subject, comprising:
 an elevated platform comprising a surface for supporting the subject while recumbent;   a warming device comprising a warming surface for localized contact with palmar or plantar tissue of the subject to provide localized warming of glabrous tissue proximate the palmar or plantar tissue contacted by the warming surface of the warming device; and   a processor system in communication with the warming device, wherein the processor system controls the temperature of the warming surface.   
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 39 , further comprising a sensor for determining core body temperature of the subject. 
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 40 , wherein the processor system is in communication with the sensor for determining core body temperature and wherein the processor system controls temperature of the warming surface based on input from the sensor for determining core body temperature. 
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 39 , further comprising a sensor for determining the temperature of the warming surface. 
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 42 , wherein the processor system is in communication with the sensor for determining the temperature of the warming surface and wherein the processor system controls temperature of the warming surface based on input from the sensor for determining the temperature of the warming surface. 
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 39 , further comprising a sensor for determining the temperature of plantar or palmar tissue of the subject. 
     
     
         45 . The system of  claim 44 , wherein the processor system is in communication with the sensor for determining the temperature of the plantar or palmar tissue of the subject and wherein the processor system controls temperature of the warming surface based on input from the sensor for temperature of the plantar or palmar tissue of the subject. 
     
     
         46 . The system of  claim 39 , further comprising a user input module in communication with the processor system, wherein the processor system's control of the temperature of the warming surface can be set by user input regarding desired core body temperature of the subject. 
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 39 , further comprising a heating device for localized heating of the cervical spinal region, lumbar spinal region, or both, of the subject.