Body thermoregulation using skin temperature feedback

US7837723B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army · US

Inventors

• Scott Montain · Holliston, US
• Tammy J. Doherty · Bulverde, US
• Samuel N. Cheuvront · Norwood, US
• Margaret A. Kolka · Uxbridge, US
• Lou Ann Stephenson · Uxbridge, US
• Bruce S. Cadarette · Burlington, US
• Robert D. Carter · Apple Valley, US
• Michael N. Sawka · Franklin, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 19, 2005
• Grant date: Nov 23, 2010
• Expiry date: Sep 26, 2027

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61F2007/0233
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method and apparatus for cooling a human being utilizes skin temperature feedback to control the amount of cooling. When the measured skin temperature reaches a preset high temperature, the human being is cooled until the measured skin temperature reaches a preset low temperature, and then cooling of the human being stops. In one embodiment, the preset high temperature is about 35 degrees Centigrade and the preset low temperature is about 33 degrees Centigrade. Cooling of the human being resumes whenever the preset high temperature is reached and pauses whenever the preset low temperature is reached to thereby provide intermittent cooling to the human being. The invention is also applicable to heating a human being.