Localized bodily cooling/heating apparatus and method
US6461379B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 30, 2001 |
| Grant date | Oct 8, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 17, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2007/0069
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention provides for rapid heat transfer with a tissue region of interest (24) by the direct contact of a circulated thermal exchange fluid with the tissue region of interest (24). The tissue region of interest is covered with an appropriately configured flexible membrane (28). A spacing structure maintains a spaced relation between an interior side (30) of the flexible membrane (28) and the tissue region of interest (24) to define a fluid circulation space (34) for fluid flow therebetween. Thermal exchange fluid is drawn into the fluid circulation space (34) though an inlet (60) in the flexible membrane and out of the fluid circulation space (34) through an outlet (64) in the flexible membrane (28) under negative or nearly negative gauge pressure. The fluid directly contacts the tissue region of interest (24), resulting in cooling/heating of the tissue region of interest (24).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.