GB1352142A - Apparatus for inducing hyperthermia - Google Patents

Abstract

1352142 Hot air and vapour baths ATESMO Ltd 19 April 1971 [25 Feb 1970 25 Feb 1971] 9144/70 and 5475/71 Heading A4N [Also in Divisions A5 B1 and F4] Apparatus for inducing hyperthermia comprises an enclosure adapted for enclosing at least a major part of a patient and for maintaining the atmosphere in the enclosure at 80 to 110‹ F, and preferably 98 to 105‹ F, humidifying means adapted to supply air at a humidity of at least 97% R.H. and suspend water droplets therein, and means for diverting such air and droplets to a part of the apparatus whereat the patient will breathe them. The apparatus may comprise a cabinet, Fig.1, having laminated heat insulating walls, which may include heaters, for completely enclosing one or more patients sitting on chairs and provided with a cold shower 23, 24, a perforated duct 31 fed by a humidifier such as a steam generator, a closeable inlet 27 for heated air, a closeable outlet 28, and a gulley 21 depression 25 and drain 22 for collecting water. The patients may be individually supplied with air for breathing at approximately body temperature and 97-100% R.H. by masks or air curtains. In alternative apparatus, Fig.3 (not shown), a plurality of patients are seated, with heads protruding, in a common cabinet 35 having conduits 41, 42 for maintaining the specified environment, each patient having an individually controlled breathing air supply. In a further embodiment, Fig. 5 (not shown), air at the specified conditions is supplied for breathing to a head enclosure and the environment around the body is maintained at the specified conditions by an insulating wrap which retains naturally generated heat. In order to keep the patients' brain temperature at an acceptable level a controlled head and neck cooler may be provided, Fig.7 (not shown). Oxygen may be added to the enclosure atmosphere. The Humidity Generator may comprise a steam generator, Fig.6 (not shown), suppling steam mixed with water droplets from a boiler including a water level controller and a heater controlled in response to the sensing of a physiological variable of a patient. An alternative humidifier, Fig.4, comprises a duct 45 from the enclosure, a vent 62 with flap valve 63, a duct 47 from the external atmosphere, throttles 48, 49, a fan 46, a throttle 51 and controller 52 therefor responsive to a temperature detector 53 in an outlet duct 54, a heater 55 and controller 56 therefor responsive to a physiological variable of the patient, such as pulse rate, temperature, or blood pressure, sensed by detector 57, 58, fibrous material 59 wetted by a spray 60, and excess water outlets 61. This humidifier may be used to supply hot air only, the controller 56 then being responsive to the enclosure wall or atmosphere temperature. A Programme Controller, Fig. 8 (not shown), may be coupled to the apparatus to respond to temperature, humidity and physiological variable detectors so that, for example, the enclosure may be first warmed up by heated air after which the humidifier is actuated and subsequently the patient is subjected to the specified environment for a pre-set period and then to an environment of lower temperature and/or humidity prior to leaving the apparatus or to another period in the specified environment, heated air being supplied to dry out the enclosure on completion of the treatment.