CN102307550A

CN102307550A - Portable patient temperature adjustment apparatus and method

Info

Publication number: CN102307550A
Application number: CN2009801564333A
Authority: CN
Inventors: E·B·瑞恩; N·H·兰德克林
Original assignee: Otivio AS
Current assignee: Otivio AS
Priority date: 2008-12-16
Filing date: 2009-12-16
Publication date: 2012-01-04
Also published as: CA2747346A1; WO2010109266A1; EP2379024A1

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide devices and methods for the in situ or in transit adjustment of the core body temperature of a patient. Devices according to some embodiments include a control unit and pressure chamber adapted to apply a pulsating negative pressure to a limb of the patient. An adjustment temperature applied during the application of the pulsating pressure can heat or cool the patient as necessary. Devices and methods disclosed herein can provide for efficient heating and/or cooling of a patient. In addition, devices and methods provide such functionality in a portable device that can be manually carried by an individual.

Description

Portable patient body temperature regulator and method

Technical field

This description relates to a kind of equipment that is used to regulate patient's central body temperature.More specifically, a kind of portable equipment and method that is used to regulate patient's central body temperature disclosed.

Background technology

The application of pressure and/or heat energy is commonly used with the treatment various diseases.

For example,, instructed the Combination application of pressure and temperature in No. 285 United States Patent (USP)s, be used for such as scratch and the injured treatment of muscle-bound motion the 5th, 074.In this system, heat or cold thermal source can be put into the pocket near wearer skin, and exert pressure to a series of air bag along the limbs setting, it is designed for to limbs and repeats the gradient of exerting pressure.

Hypothermia is the symptom that is descended and to be caused by body temperature, and according to supercooled amount and degree is different.The many methods that are used to treat hypothermia are known.Usually, these methods comprise by means of some method to be introduced heat in the body, to promote body temperature.Simple treatment can be to take in hot drink.Sometimes, through the gas blanket hot-air is blown around human body.

One first physiological reaction of hypothermia is that peripheral vessel shrinks, and this has reduced the blood flow volume around the human body tip.This possibly be difficult to through the application to the heat of body surface heat introduced in the body.As everyone knows, can be under the condition of negative pressure so that comprise blood capillary, small artery, tremulous pulse, venule and venous vasodilation.Vasodilative skin area especially on forearm, can form effective heat conduction surfaces.

In U.S. Patent No. 5,683,438 teaches a system which negative pressure is applied to the limb to reduce peripheral vasoconstriction, while heating to treat hypothermia patient peripheral circumference, and the Aquarius? Medical Company under the trademark Thermostat?

sold.In this system, patient's limbs are placed annular seal space, and cavity pressure is reduced to-20 to-80mmHg (2.7 to-negative pressure between 10.7kPa).Simultaneously, use hot blanket, thermolamp or chemical heat element surface with thermal energy transfer to limbs.In WO01/80790A1 international publication text, further developing this system described.

Recently, the application that has been found that the pulse negative pressure helps regulating patient's central body temperature.Total publication number is that 2005/0027218 U.S. Patent application has been described a kind of be used to apply pulsating pressure and the system that regulates patient's central body temperature, and this system utilizes liquid reservoir to realize heat and pressure are conducted to patient's limbs.The full content of this application is incorporated into this.

Summary of the invention

Embodiments of the invention provide and have been used for perhaps transporting the equipment and the method for regulating patient's central body temperature in position.Equipment according to some embodiment comprises control unit and the pressure chamber that is suitable for applying to patient's limbs the pulse negative pressure.The attemperation that during the application of pulsating pressure, applies can heat or cool off the patient as required.

In first aspect, the present invention is characterised in that and is used for perhaps transporting the portable equipment of regulating patient's central body temperature in position.This equipment comprises conduction of heat sleeve, pressure chamber and control unit.The conduction of heat sleeve can be suitable for holding patient's limbs.Pressure chamber can comprise and is used to hold limbs and the telescopic inflexible basically shell of conduction of heat, and the heat-conduction component that is used for applying at shell attemperation.Control unit can be connected to pressure chamber, and when being connected to pressure chamber, is suitable in pressure chamber, alternately introducing and discharging negative pressure.The parts that comprise the equipment of conduction of heat sleeve, pressure chamber and control unit can be configured to put into and carry in the case, thereby can carried portable equipment and carried case by personal hands.

According on the other hand, in some equipment, the conduction of heat sleeve can be suitable for holding patient's limbs and moistening, make the conduction of heat sleeve contact with the limbs surface, and the air between conduction of heat sleeve and the limbs drops to minimum.In this case, when inserting limbs and conduction of heat sleeve in the pressure chamber, all liq basically in the pressure chamber can be carried by the conduction of heat sleeve.

According to a further aspect of the invention, be used for perhaps comprising portable pressure chamber, heat conducting device, temperature-adjusting device and force applications device in position at the portable equipment that transports adjusting patient central body temperature.Heat conducting device can be suitable for holding patient's limbs, help limbs are inserted in the portable pressure chamber, and when inserting in the portable pressure chamber with limbs, it carries all liq basically in the portable pressure chamber.Temperature-adjusting device can be suitable for attemperation is put on heat conducting device, thereby when heat conducting device and limbs insert in the portable pressure chamber, puts on limbs.And the force applications device can be suitable for alternately negative pressure being introduced in the portable pressure chamber and from portable pressure chamber discharging negative pressure.

On the other hand, a kind of method of perhaps in transporting, regulating patient's central body temperature in position is provided.This method can be included in to install on patient's limbs and absorb sleeve.Can use liquid to carry out moistening to this sleeve.Can insert in the pressure chamber moistening telescopic limbs are installed on it, thereby limbs seal from external environment condition basically, and by all basically liquid of sleeve bearing pressure intracavity.Heating/cooling element in the pressure chamber can be activated optionally to heat or the cooling limbs.And, negative pressure alternately can be introduced in the pressure chamber and with it and from pressure chamber, discharged.

The method of some aspects can be implemented perhaps in transporting, to realize the adjusting to the central body temperature of unconscious patients in position according to the present invention.In this case, this method can be included in the additional step of the conduction of heat sleeve being installed and being prepared limbs are inserted pressure chamber around the limbs of unconscious patients.

In addition, the method for some aspects can comprise with hands and will carry the step that portable equipment in the case is transported to the patient according to the present invention.This method can also comprise and from carry case, shift out portable equipment, and whether the inspection control unit be connected with the pressure chamber fluid, and if do not have, then control unit is connected with pressure chamber.

In some cases, disclosed equipment of this paper and method can be used for heating effectively and/or cooling off the patient.These equipment and method can also be used for applying pulsating pressure to patient's limbs.Some embodiment can provide this function in the portable equipment that can be carried by personal hands.In certain embodiments, temperature control equipment and method can be used for original position or transport.These equipment and method can be used under environmental condition.For example, some equipment can be used for the closed system operation.These equipment and method be can use, and liquid reservoir or liquid delivery system need not.

Be same as in the 12/335852nd and No. 12/335918 total U.S. Patent application that is entitled as " portable patient temperature adjusting device and method " that December in 2008 submitted on the 16th and disclose correlation technique, the full content of these two patents is incorporated into this by reference.

Description of drawings

Following accompanying drawing is the diagram of specific embodiment of the present invention, but not delimit the scope of the invention.Accompanying drawing is proportionally drawn (only if indicating), and be intended to following detailed description in description taken in conjunction use.Hereinafter will combine annexed drawings to describe embodiments of the invention, wherein identical Reference numeral indication components identical.

Fig. 1 is the axonometric chart according to the equipment of an embodiment.

Fig. 2 is the vertical view that carries the equipment of case according to comprising of some embodiment.

Fig. 3 is mounted in the cross sectional view of an embodiment around patient's limbs.

Fig. 4 is the side view according to the pressure chamber of some embodiment.

Fig. 5 A is the vertical view according to the shell of some embodiment.

Fig. 5 B is the side view of the shell of Fig. 5 A.

Fig. 5 C is the side view according to the expansible shell of some embodiment, and its mesochite is expanded.

Fig. 6 is the vertical view according to the heat-conduction component of some embodiment.

Fig. 7 is according to the telescopic axonometric chart of the conduction of heat of some embodiment.

Fig. 8 is the sketch map according to the control appliance of some embodiment.

Fig. 9 is the axonometric chart according to the control unit of some embodiment.

Figure 10 A is the axonometric chart according to the parts compartment of the control unit of some embodiment.

Figure 10 B is that a lateral section of the parts compartment of Figure 10 A is represented.

Figure 11 is the axonometric chart according to the power supply compartment of the control unit of some embodiment.

Figure 12 A-12D shows the operation of equipment signal according to some embodiment.

Figure 13 shows and has represented according to the drawing to the time of institute's applied pressure of the operation of the equipment of some embodiment and method.

The specific embodiment

It is exemplary that following detailed is actually, and be not intended to limit by any way scope of the present invention, practicality or structure.On the contrary, below description provides the actual description that is used for the embodiment of the present invention exemplary embodiment.The example that provides structure, material, size and manufacturing to handle for selected element, and that every other element is the technical staff in field of the present invention is known.Those skilled in the art will recognize that the many instances that provided have utilizable suitable replacement scheme.

Fig. 1 shows the portable equipment 100 that is used to regulate patient's central body temperature according to some embodiment.According to the equipment of the embodiment of the invention through the application of attemperation and apply the central body temperature that pulsating pressure is regulated the patient to patient's limbs simultaneously.Portable equipment 100 comprises the control unit 105 that is connected to pressure chamber 110 via adapter 115.Equipment 100 also comprises the conduction of heat sleeve 120 that is suitable for being installed in around patient's limbs.Pressure chamber 110 is suitable for holding patient's limbs that conduction of heat sleeve 120 is installed on it.Can apply attemperation by the temperature-adjusting device in the pressure chamber 110, so that spread out of heat to limbs conduction heat or from limbs through conduction of heat sleeve 120.Simultaneously, control unit 105 can apply pulsating pressure via adapter 115 in pressure chamber 110, to increase the blood flow in the limbs.The blood flow that on the point of application of attemperation, increases can be regulated patient's central body temperature effectively.

The potential use of equipment as herein described and method has utilized the heating and cooling ability by the improvement that blood flow provided that increases.For example, equipment and the method according to some embodiment can combine following listed any important clinical problem to use:

● through preventing hypothermia to human body transmission heat (gain of heat)

● through treating hypothermia to human body transmission heat (gain of heat)

● prevent hyperpyrexia through spread out of heat (heat loss) from human body

● through spread out of heat (heat loss) treatment hyperpyrexia from human body

● cause that hypothermia with treatment paralytic, heart disease and other ischemic diseases, is used for neurosurgery etc.

● cause that hyperpyrexia is all and partly to treat the cancer patient

● because local blood flow that changes and possible diffusion, system and change the pharmacological profile of medicine partly

● the partial contrast fluid that increases human body distributes

● increase venous circulation

● increase lymph circulation

● the blood flow through increasing promotes organized renewing

● increase Ag-Ab through blood flow, Lymph flow and the diffusion that increases and contact

● blood vessel that increases through the diffusion that increases and the flow of matter between the cell

● reduce the patient's with nerve damage temperature

● preheating skin and increase blood circulation are to be easy in pin (remaining needle) the insertion venae subcutaneae

● increase the blood circulation in the ischemia limbs

● antibiotic is sent to the ischemia limbs

● reduce the edema in the ischemia limbs

In addition, maybe be particularly useful according to the equipment of some embodiment owing to its portability.More specifically, need not at first need thermoregulator patient to move in the controllable environment, portable temperature regulating system as herein described and method allow at place, patient place (original position) or are transporting (in transporting) adjusting patient's in the patient procedure central body temperature.In many cases, time control is crucial, and patient's central body temperature can regulate fast more, for the patient, more possibly obtain positive result.For example, use equipment of the present invention and method, the patient of unconscious hypothermia can be heated in found place, and need not postpone treatment after the patient is transported.Thereby the embodiment of equipment possibly be particularly useful when combining with search and rescue for example, military or emergency medicine action.

The various characteristics of embodiments of the invention have represented and disclosed hereinly have been used for especially effectively in position and carry out thermoregulator equipment transporting.At first, the size of equipment has portability.As shown in Figure 2, equipment according to the present invention is configured to put into and carries in the case 200, make portable equipment with carry case and can be configured to carry by personal hands.For example, carrying case and equipment can portablely carry or take on and carry.Carry case 200 and can generally comprise bag or the inflexible box of formation with the parts of housing apparatus 100.In the figure, carrying case 200 has opened to represent each compartment of box.This specific embodiment comprises four compartments: first compartment 205 that is configured to hold control unit 105; Be configured to hold second compartment 210 of pressure chamber 110 and adapter 115; Be configured to hold the 3rd compartment 215 of power supply/adapter 225; And be used for for example preserving the 4th compartment 220 of the overage of pre-wetted conduction of heat sleeve, liquid container or medical supplies.In addition, carry case and can comprise supplementary features, to help portability, such as for example, power output.Comprise carrying case and can working as equipment and also be arranged in when carrying case it is charged or preheating of external power adapter.For example, box can comprise the AC adapter that can insert in the standard socket, perhaps is applicable to the charger such as the DC power supply of 12V DC power sources of motor vehicle socket.It will be appreciated, of course, that many other boxes can be used carrying according to equipment of the present invention, and the particular example shown in this paper should not be construed as in order to restriction the present invention.Further, in certain embodiments, can adjust the size of various parts, make them can be configured in the miscellaneous part of the equipment of can putting into.For example, the size that can adjust control unit is to put in the pressure chamber.In addition, carry case 200 and can comprise that one or more belt, handle or other characteristics carry with hands helping.

With reference to figure 1, can around at first conduction of heat sleeve 120 and pressure chamber 110 being installed in patient's limbs, be used according to the equipment of some embodiment.For this reason, patient's limbs are inserted in the conduction of heat sleeve 120.Subsequently, the telescopic limbs of conduction of heat being installed on it inserts in the pressure chamber 110 again.Hereinafter will discuss the installation of some embodiment that comprise additional step and characteristic in more detail.

Fig. 3 shows the cross section of patient's limbs 300 of the part of the equipment 100 that is equipped with on it according to some embodiments of the invention.Outside from the surface of limbs 300, equipment 100 comprises conduction of heat sleeve 120 and pressure chamber 110.Pressure chamber 110 generally includes the inflexible basically shell 125 that heat-conduction component 130 is installed in it.In addition, some embodiment comprise around the skin 135 of the outer surface of shell 125.Pressure chamber 110 is formed so that patient's limbs 300 are contained in the inner chamber 305 in chamber.Shell 125 provides the shape of pressure chamber, and defines inner chamber 305 basically.In addition, the size of shell 125 should be made and heat-conduction component 130 can be contained in the inner chamber 305.When installing, pressure chamber 110 provides basically fixed volume around the limbs 300 of conduction of heat sleeve 120 are installed thereon, so that preferably in sleeve-slit, chamber 305, produce negative pressure, and can implement the adjusting of temperature at intracavity.In certain embodiments, limbs-sleeve slit 310 is less, so that the air between conduction of heat sleeve 120 and the limbs 300 drops to minimum.Preferably, conduction of heat sleeve 120 closely contacts with limbs 300 skins.In certain embodiments, in limbs-sleeve slit, apply constant or intermittent negative pressure, with the possible air of discharge from this slit, and maximization skin-sleeve contact.In the case, sleeve can comprise the air-tightness outer surface.By contrast, sleeve-slit, chamber 305 is usually greater than limbs-sleeve slit 310.This is because in certain embodiments, and negative pressure is applied in sleeve-slit, chamber 305, needs bigger slit to help from the slit, removing air.

Limbs 300 can be any parts of human or animal body, and it can easily be placed in the equipment.For example, limbs can comprise arm or lower limb, the part of arm or lower limb (for example forearm, hands, shank or foot), perhaps more than one this type of position of human body.In some cases, can preferably use more than one equipment to increase amount of thermal conduction.In order heat to be conducted to the patient or to spread out of from the patient, the skin surface that the conduction of heat sleeve 120 of pressure chamber 110 contacts with heat-conduction component 130 is long-pending to be the bigger the better.In addition, some zone of skin is spreading out of heat energy or is importing blood samples of patients into, and then more effective to aspect, patient body center.Some embodiment are preferably mounted on patient's forearm, because forearm is a conduction of heat big and effective surface area are provided.And, to compare with lower limb, forearm generally has less reflexive and shrinks, thereby improves thermal energy conduction.When the needs maximum heat was conducted, equipment should be enough greatly to hold entire arms, perhaps at least as far as possible up to upper arm, for example in the middle part of the upper arm.Engage patient's arm of ancon top, it is long-pending to maximize the skin surface that contacts with the conduction of heat sleeve, and near can the conduction of heat sleeve, expand the vein blood vessel more secular blood flow is provided.Therefore by this way, receiving heat conducting blood flow volume from the heat-conduction component of pressure chamber can maximize.And the engagement position limbs on as close as possible limbs top can reduce the area of the limbs that are exposed to external environment condition, thereby reduce the environmental effect that possibly resist the patient temperature adjusting.Especially, can cover the venous limbs area that comprises near skin.

Through engaging another problem that most of limbs solve is the backwash effect that is present in many mammals.Backwash effect is a kind of mechanism, and wherein the tremulous pulse to patient's limbs transmission blood flow moves towards along the vein of sending out blood from limbs.Conduction of heat between tremulous pulse and the vein makes the blood flow hygral equilibrium in the relevant blood vessel.Therefore, through artery blood flow heating or cooling, its temperature is in perhaps near patient's central body temperature venous blood flow before returning the patient body center.For example, when venous blood flow carries out thermoregulation by equipment as herein described, understand the Expected Results that compensation temperature is regulated through venous blood flow being moved to the level approaching (non-expectation) with central body temperature from the heat of artery blood flow conduction.Embodiments of the invention can apply attemperation and solve this backwash effect through the limbs zone to the backwash effect nidus, thereby reduce the venous blood flow heat loss that causes owing to the tremulous pulse conduction of heat or heat gain.

Yet,, can adjust the telescopic size of pressure chamber and conduction of heat to hold the smaller portions of limbs in order to keep portability of equipment.For example, small device, engages hand below ancon or the biceps of the near-end of pressure chamber wherein around patient's forearm and triceps muscle place or the summary can more easily be installed in around the patient, especially in position or in transporting.

Fig. 4 shows the axonometric chart according to the pressure chamber 110 of some embodiment.Pressure chamber 110 can comprise the Any shape that can hold limbs, but its tubulose or have circular or oval-shaped cross section preferably.Cylindrical cavity provides the circular surface that is suitable for bearing negative pressure, and it conforms to limbs basically.At this, pressure chamber 110 comprises the slender cylinder with crooked sidewall 405 and end wall 410.In certain embodiments, pressure chamber comprises additional anatomical features, to conform to limbs basically.Anatomical features can reduce cavity volume, and then minimizes the gas volume that must remove from intracavity, so that negative pressure to be provided.Thereby less pump can use with this type of embodiment.In addition, this category feature the size that can reduce pressure chamber is provided, thereby the equipment that makes is easier to transport.The embodiment of Fig. 4 comprises anatomical features, to conform to arm basically.In addition, pressure chamber 110 comprises the connector 415 that is used for pressure chamber 110 is connected to control unit that is positioned at end wall 410.Though connector 415 generally can be positioned on the equipment Anywhere, with connector 415 be arranged on can be easy in the end wall 410 approaching, no matter and which kind of occasion portable equipment is used under.

The pressure chamber 110 of Fig. 4 also comprises the skin 420 that is provided in the shell external surface peripheral.In certain embodiments, outer 420 can comprise elastic basically material, such as chloroprene rubber.Elastic outer layer can make the shell that can expand closed, and the expansion that allows shell of also can stretching is with the entering that helps limbs or shift out.And skin can be used as the insulating barrier around pressure chamber, so that intracavity portion and external environment condition insulation.Consider the portability of some embodiment, this insulating barrier maybe be particularly important.Because portable equipment can be used in position or in transporting, carry out thermoregulation, the user need usually around environment will the situation of counteracting equipment operation under use equipment, for example in cold environment, heat the patient.Insulating barrier can suppress negative environment heat effect, and therefore improves the performance of humidity control system.

Fig. 5 A shows the shell 125 according to some embodiment.Shell provides the structure of pressure chamber and has defined inner chamber.Shell 125 comprises elongated rigid pipe, and it has distal end wall 505 and open proximal 510.Patient's limbs can insert through the opening in the near-end 510.In the embodiment of Fig. 5 A, shell 125 according to the anatomy molding to conform to arm haply.Shell 125 comprises in the forearm 520 of broad and the wrist part 515 between the hand 525.Under the ideal situation, the anatomical features of equipment should be made the size of patient's limbs fully, yet considers the difference of patient's size, and this type of way is unpractiaca.Thereby, in certain embodiments, anatomical features is provided based on common people all living creatures's thing statistics.In certain embodiments, military system can comprise the shell that forms according to military biostatistics, to be suitable for 95% Americans in uniform.Fig. 5 A and 5B comprise the exemplary dimensions that forms according to this statistical data.

In addition, in certain embodiments, shell 125 is distensible.Distensible shell can help the installation of the shell around patient's limbs.Installation has some anatomical features, the wrist part 515 of Fig. 5 A for example, pressure chamber possibly be difficult because the patient must move his or her limbs or its part, with through this characteristic.In addition, pressure chamber correctly is installed in also possibly being hindered of unconscious or wounded patient on every side, because the patient can not move his or her limbs to pass through anatomical features.Use expansible shell, can overcome the many problems in these problems.In certain embodiments, expansible shell comprises the shell with hinged edge 530 and relative openable edge 535.Fig. 5 B shows the side view of the shell 125 of Fig. 5 A along openable edge 535.Can expand shell through the first half 540 of shell is pivoted with respect to the hinge 550 of Lower Half 545 on the opposite edges of shell of shell, make shell open in 555 minutes along the crack.Along with separating of shell 125, the cross sectional dimensions expansion of shell helps limbs to insert.The side view of expanding shell 125 ' has been shown in Fig. 5 C.In this view, the first half of shell and Lower Half 540,545 were opened along the crack through pivoting around hinge 550 in 555 minutes.Aligning parts 560 in the first half and Lower Half 540, extend between 545, to keep the aligning of two parts 540,545.Aligning parts 560 can be to extend and get into the rigid projection the receiving-member of relative second half from the first half of shell or Lower Half 540,545.When shell 125 ' expansion, such as in Fig. 5 C or during the installation of limbs or shifting out, aligning parts 560 prevents the misalignment of shell.Certainly, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that to have many additive methods and aim to keep correctly, all these methods should be considered within the scope of the invention.

In certain embodiments, in order further to help portability of equipment, shell also can be opened, and for example, it can resolve into two halves along the crack around whole shell.Each isolating part or half can be easy to be loaded in and carry in the case, occupy minimum space simultaneously.In use, each separated portions of this shell can be taken out from carrying case, and is installed together to form shell.The miscellaneous part of pressure chamber, for example heat-conduction component and shell can be installed in the shell of assembling or on every side subsequently.

Return with reference to figure 3, also comprise according to the pressure chamber 110 of some embodiment being suitable for promoting the heat conducting heat-conduction component 130 in the pressure chamber 110, to apply attemperation to limbs 300 via conduction of heat sleeve 120.The embodiment of equipment can be used to heat, cool off the perhaps patient's of heating and cooling simultaneously central body temperature.When use equipment heating patient, heat-conduction component helps to carry out conduction of heat to limbs, and attemperation can be called as heating-up temperature.When using the apparatus cools patient, heat-conduction component helps to carry out conduction of heat from limbs, and attemperation can be called as chilling temperature.In either case, the conduction of heat of being realized by heat-conduction component takes place via the conduction of heat sleeve.The partial circulation of the heat effects that the part applies.The cooling attemperation can the local contraction blood vessel, and the heat regulation temperature trends towards blood vessel dilating.This sometimes can carry out according to patient's obstacle.

Equipment according to some embodiment can be suitable for providing heating, cooling or the attemperation of heating and cooling simultaneously.In certain embodiments, the user of equipment can be adjusted to attemperation any required grade in the opereating specification.On the contrary, in certain embodiments, attemperation is limited to one of preset value or several selected predetermined values.The heat regulation temperature should be chosen for the current central body temperature that reaches or be higher than the patient.Generally speaking, selected heating-up temperature is in or is higher than patient's normal physiological body temperature.Certainly, in some applications, the heating-up temperature that is applied will be lower than patient's normal physiological body temperature.In cooling was used, chilling temperature was chosen as the normal physiological body temperature that is in or is lower than the patient usually, yet in some applications, the chilling temperature that is applied will be higher than patient's normal physiological body temperature.In the embodiment that heating-up temperature can be provided, equipment should be configured to apply at least about 37.0 degrees centigrade (℃) temperature.Preferably, will be in 37.0 ℃ to 43.0 ℃ scope (for example, 42.5 ℃) in the heating-up temperature of patient skin.In the embodiment that chilling temperature can be provided, equipment should dispose to make it possible to apply and be lower than about 24.0 ℃ temperature at least, and is preferably lower than about 10.0 ℃.Preferably, when chilling temperature being put on patient's limbs of not local anesthesia, will be in 22.0 ℃ to 23.0 ℃ scope (for example, 22.5 ℃) at the chilling temperature of patient skin.When chilling temperature being put on patient's limbs of local anesthesia, will be in 4.0 ℃ to 10.0 ℃ scope (preferably about 10.0 ℃) at the chilling temperature of patient skin.

Fig. 6 shows the embodiment according to the heat-conduction component 130 of some embodiment.Heat-conduction component 130 comprises tubulose glove 605, and it has open proximal 610 and closed distal end 615 in certain embodiments.Glove 605 can be installed in the shell of pressure chamber, as the lining of the inner chamber in chamber.Shown exemplary hot transport element 130 is formed as and the shell facies symbol, and said shell comprises the anatomical features shown in Fig. 5 A that is used for arm.In this view, heat-conduction component 130 has shifted out from pressure chamber.Term as used herein " glove " should not be limited to heat-conduction component wherein that limbs are embodiment of arm or hands, and term " glove " should be interpreted as widely and refers to a kind of lining, and it conforms to shell that this lining is installed substantially.Glove 605 can be inflexible or flexible and can comprise any suitable material.Because glove contact with patient's limbs usually, and can be as the lining of inflexible shell basically, glove comprise such as the softness of chloroprene rubber or the material of bradyseism in certain embodiments.

Heat-conduction component 130 also comprises and being installed in the glove or along the thermal power unit 620 of the mounted on surface of glove.Thermal power unit 620 is suitable for when limbs and conduction of heat sleeve are contained in the pressure chamber, via conduction of heat sleeve and limbs heat exchange.Thermal power unit 620 can be included in can realize heat conducting any this kind equipment under the curtage that is applied.Thermal power unit can be firing equipment, cooling device, can heat simultaneously or the combination of refrigerative equipment or heating and cooling equipment.For example, thermal power unit can comprise Palt equipment, stratie or cooling fan.In certain embodiments, heat-conduction component 130 can be processed by the material that self is resistance heating material, for example the net of resistive conductor formation.Electric wire 625 is connected to thermal power unit 620 thermal control circuit of the operation that is suitable for controlling thermal power unit 620.In certain embodiments, thermal control circuit comprises the controller that is positioned at control unit and is connected to electric wire 625 via adapter 115.Thermal power unit can be positioned at glove or any position on every side.In the embodiment of Fig. 6, thermal power unit is dispersed in around the whole surface of glove regularly.Yet in certain embodiments, thermal power unit can be provided with or locate brokenly, in glove, to create independently heating/cooled region.

The embodiment of Fig. 6 also comprises temperature sensor 630.Temperature sensor 630 can provide feedback to thermal control circuit or temperature control unit, so that can keep the required attemperation in the pressure chamber.Some embodiment can comprise a plurality of temperature sensors, and each is all corresponding to the independence heating/cooled region of pressure chamber, so that each zone can be controlled individually.In addition, some embodiment can comprise the additional temp pick off or have the ability that is connected with the additional temp pick off.For example, some embodiment can comprise outside or environment temperature sensor, are used for sense ambient temperature and regulate institute based on this reading applying or obtainable attemperation.In addition, some embodiment can comprise thermometer, perhaps arrive the connection of thermometer, and it can be connected to the patient individually or be used for the patient, is the feedback of form to provide with the current central body temperature of patient.

In certain embodiments, pressure chamber also comprises potted component, is suitable for when limbs are contained in the pressure chamber, pressure chamber being sealed in around the limbs.Potted component should provide the airtight sealing basically around limbs, so that negative pressure can be introduced in the pressure chamber and can be used in whole negative pressure period.Potted component according to the embodiment of portable equipment need not fully to seal up the chamber, the characteristic that requires emphasis should be to be easy to be installed in the patient around.In certain embodiments, potted component comprises the cuff of being processed by ductile elastomeric material.Alternatively, potted component can comprise inflatable cuff, to engage limbs through inflation.Figure 4 illustrates exemplary cuff 425.Here, cuff 425 is attached to pressure chamber 110 around the open proximal end 430 of equipment.Cuff 425 narrows to form opening 435, and patient's limbs can insert through this opening.When limbs inserted, the extensible material of cuff 425 holding limbs, and maintained the sealing of the external surface peripheral of limbs in opening 435 places expansions.As seen in fig. 4, cuff 425 can be connected to skin 420, and can comprise and outer identical materials or material different.Alternatively, as shown in Figure 6, cuff 425 can be connected to heat-conduction component 130.Likewise, cuff can connect maybe and can be attached to the conduction of heat sleeve.Certainly, can use many other seal designs and be connected, and should be understood to all be in the scope of the present invention.For example, the cuff that extends from heat-conduction component is connected with the cuff that extends from skin, connects two-layer single cuff simultaneously to form.

In certain embodiments, pressure chamber 110 also has the extension characteristic.Extending characteristic can provide extendible, semirigid part for pressure chamber, so that the chamber can be extended to cover the major part of limbs, this possibly be desirable in more aforesaid embodiment.Extend characteristic and can comprise for example collapsible characteristic, its rigid support parts with a plurality of rigid support parts or a coiling are enclosed in the elastic bonding material or are coupled to elastic bonding material.Support component is kept the sleeve-slit, chamber of equipment, and elastic bonding material is kept the sealing in chamber.Pressure chamber 110 in certain embodiments, extends characteristic and is included between the potted component 425 of open proximal end 430 and pressure chamber 110, so that can extend beyond and/or along with for example elbow or knee joint bending.Extend characteristic and can for good and all be connected to pressure chamber, perhaps connect in a movable manner, make this characteristic only use when needed.

Return with reference to figure 1, also comprise conduction of heat sleeve 120 according to equipment of the present invention.Conduction of heat sleeve 120 can be installed around patient's limbs, and helps to spread out of to limbs conduction heat energy or from it.The conduction of heat sleeve can also further be realized according to portability of equipment of the present invention.In the formerly known equipment, need large-scale usually and the liquid management system that is difficult to transport to provide and to regulate liquid reservoir, equipment uses the transmitting medium of this liquid reservoir as heat and pressure.In addition, liquid reservoir self is very big and heavy.Thereby the equipment of prior art is not easy to transported by the individual.By contrast, embodiments of the invention and do not require and utilize in the pressure chamber the free-pouring liquid of certain volume just can realize hot and pressure conducts to limbs.On the contrary, embodiment has utilized conduction of heat sleeve and liquid (perhaps having no liquid) a small amount of, fixed volume, to carry out these functions.Correspondingly, through avoiding use, strengthened portability as the liquid reservoir of heat and pressure conduction device.

Fig. 7 shows the axonometric chart according to the conduction of heat sleeve 120 of some embodiment.Conduction of heat sleeve 120 generally includes the material of formation with the cloth specimen that holds patient's limbs.In this embodiment, form conduction of heat sleeve 120 to hold arm.When installing, the conduction of heat sleeve should conform to limbs basically.For example, the conduction of heat sleeve can comprise the ductile material that can extend with the joint limbs.In addition, the conduction of heat sleeve can comprise coating or layer, and so that telescopic adeditive attribute to be provided, for example, the conduction of heat sleeve can comprise air-tightness, watertightness or the coating or the surface that have air-tightness and watertightness simultaneously.In certain embodiments, conduction of heat sleeve 120 comprises the wettable material that can absorb and store the heat-conduction liquid of certain volume.In this type embodiment, when limbs and conduction of heat sleeve insertion pressure chamber, all liq basically in the pressure chamber can be carried by the conduction of heat sleeve.Alternative heat conducting material, for example foil or cloth with conduction of heat coating also can be considered and should be understood within the scope of the invention.Preferably, the conduction of heat sleeve comprises high-absorbable, wettable material, for example synthetic tSuede.Preferred wettable material, because when around the limbs installation and when moistening, this type of material can adhere to limbs and closely contact with skin.Therefore, be maximized by the surface area of the limbs of conduction of heat sleeve contact, the more uniform thermal conducting of increase is provided through wetted material.In each embodiment, being used to soak into the telescopic liquid of conduction of heat is water, yet can use other heat-conduction liquid.

The embodiment of Fig. 7 comprises the supplementary features that can help at limbs installation on every side and regulating sleeve 120.Slit 705 extends and permission local detachment sleeve along the part of sleeve 120, to help the installation of the conduction of heat sleeve 120 around limbs.This characteristic maybe be particularly useful when sleeve just is being installed in around the limbs of unconscious patients.Closure feature 710 is provided, and 705 places are fixed together sleeve at slit.Closure feature 710 can comprise any suitable connecting device, such as for example, and suspension hook and ring, hasp, binding agent or other connectors.Except helping the installation of conduction of heat sleeve 120, regulating sleeve when closure feature 710 can be used for around being installed in patient's limbs with slit 705.For example, in case be installed in around the limbs, can brace the opposite side of slit 705 and connect closure feature 710 again, so that sleeve 120 closely contacts with limbs and reduces limbs-sleeve slit.

In certain embodiments, equipment can comprise the pre-wetted sleeve.By the pre-wetted sleeve being provided by the bush material of liquid immersion.Through providing conduction of heat telescopic pre-wetted, can save one or more installation steps.And this telescopic providing avoided the user must seek fluid supply when mounted.The pre-wetted sleeve can comprise any conduction of heat sleeve of above-mentioned discussion, and perhaps it can be formed in addition.The pre-wetted sleeve is arranged in the packing of anti-liquid infiltration usually, and is moistening so that sleeve is kept before use.After using, the pre-wetted sleeve can be dropped or keep with moistening again and use in the future.In addition, in comprising the embodiment that carries case, can be provided for loading the separate compartments of the telescopic one or more packings of pre-wetted.

Return with reference to figure 1, also comprise control unit 105 according to the equipment of the embodiment of the invention.Control unit 105 for example can be connected to pressure chamber 110 via adapter 115, and is suitable for pulsating pressure is sent to pressure chamber 110.In addition, in certain embodiments, control unit 105 is regulated and is applied to the attemperation in the pressure chamber 110.

In order to transmit pulsating pressure, control unit 105 can will perhaps remove from pressure chamber in air delivery to the pressure chamber.This paper use never is intended to the present invention is limited to the equipment that only uses air as the term " air " of pressure adjusting medium.Though for example other gases of noble gas have increased the cost of operation and portable devices property greatly, also will be suitable.In addition, except as otherwise noted, any quoting of the pressure in the present disclosure should be understood to when equipment uses with respect to the atmospheric pressure in locality.For example, term " normal pressure " refers to greater than atmospheric pressure.In another example, based on the atmospheric pressure of 760mmHg (101.3kPa), intracavity-80mmHg (10.7kPa) pressure definitely intrinsic pressure corresponding to 680mm Hg (90.7kPa).In addition, the negative pressure of any " higher " of mentioning or " bigger " should be understood to than the more minus reference pressure of other pressure, promptly-and 80mmHg is the negative pressure of ratio-60mmHg " higher " or " bigger ".

Apparatus and method according to the invention is operated applying under the prerequisite of pulsating pressure." pulsating pressure " as used herein refers between the successive time period and repeats, two or more different pressure of alternative introducing.In an example, pulsating pressure can comprise alternately to be introduced institute's applied pressure and discharges institute's applied pressure, to recover near atmospheric pressure.Institute's applied pressure can be malleation or negative pressure.In using the embodiment of negative pressure, introduce and exist negative pressure during be called the negative pressure phase.Likewise, in using the system of malleation, introduce and exist malleation during be called positive phase.In each case, discharging institute's applied pressure and recovery and existing the stage of atmospheric pressure to be called the atmospheric pressure phase.Here the embodiment that is discussed relates generally to apply negative pressure.Under most of situation, the operation that negative pressure system can be through reversing pump and valve or other are easily replaced by positive pressure system the conspicuous adjusting of those of ordinary skills.Therefore, should be appreciated that any discussion of this paper, except as otherwise noted, be equally applicable to positive pressure system about negative pressure system.In this case, term as used herein " negative pressure " should be exchanged with term " malleation ", and force value also should be replaced.Therefore, the present invention should not be construed as to get rid of and uses malleation but not the equipment and the method for negative pressure.

In certain embodiments, a plurality of, continuous, alternative negative pressure phases and atmospheric pressure phase are applied on the limbs in the pressure chamber and need not limbs are shifted out from intracavity.Negative pressure phase and atmospheric pressure phase can have the identical or different persistent period.In certain embodiments, can select negative pressure phase and atmospheric pressure phase according to known method, such as being those methods described in 2005/0027218 the U.S. Patent application at total publication number, this United States Patent (USP) is incorporated into this by reference.For example, in certain embodiments, the persistent period of negative pressure phase is between 1 second to 20 seconds, and the persistent period of atmospheric pressure phase is between 2 seconds to 15 seconds.In addition, in certain embodiments, the persistent period of negative pressure phase is between 5 seconds to 15 seconds, and the persistent period of atmospheric pressure phase is between 5 seconds to 10 seconds.And in some preferred embodiments, the persistent period of negative pressure phase is about 10 seconds, and the persistent period of atmospheric pressure phase is about 7 seconds.

The pressure that is applied in the pressure chamber can be fixed or select in use.The embodiment of apparatus and method according to the invention provides-and 80mmHg is (10.7kPa) or the application of littler negative pressure.Therefore, corresponding pressure chamber is configured to bear at least-80mmHg (negative pressure 10.7kPa), and preferably bigger.In certain embodiments, negative pressure can be-60mmHg (8.0kPa) or littler.Some embodiment utilize pact-40mmHg (negative pressure 5.3kPa).Select preferred negative pressure, so that reduce the complication that the more application of high negative pressure possibly cause.In certain embodiments, select negative pressure,, minimize the risk of possible complication simultaneously with the local vascular diastole in the excitation limbs surface.As stated, have been found that the pulse negative pressure can encourage blood flow, and for this reason, (0 to-5.3kPa) pulse negative pressure preferably to produce 0 to-40mmHg at intracavity.

Fig. 8 is the indicative icon that comprises according to the equipment that comprises control unit 105 100 of some embodiment.Control unit 105 comprises portable shell 805, and portable shell has pump 810, valve 815, controller 820 and the power supply 825 that is connected to shell.The adapter input 840 that portable shell 805 also comprises first and second chambeies 830,835 and is used for providing to pressure chamber 110 via adapter 115 the fluid connection.First and second chambeies 830,835 can be that gas is impermeable basically, to prevent the air leaks entering and to ooze out each intracavity.Pump 810 comprises pump intake 811 that is connected with second chamber, 835 fluids and the pump discharge 812 that is connected with first chamber, 830 fluids.Correspondingly, pump 810 is suitable for from second chamber 835 transfer air and the air that is shifted is sent in first chamber 830.Valve 815 is suitable for adapter input 840 (and then with pressure chamber 110) alternately is connected to first chamber 830 and second chamber 835.Controller 820 is connected with valve 815 with pump 810, with control negative pressure is introduced pressure chamber 110 perhaps from wherein discharging.Controller 820 can make the adapter input 840 and second chamber 835 (low pressure source) pass to realization pulse negative pressure in pressure chamber 110 mutually through valve 815 is set.Be inhaled in second chamber 835 through this adapter from the air in (relatively high pressure) pressure chamber.For pressure chamber 110 is returned to atmospheric pressure, controller 820 can transfer valve 815, so that first chamber 830 is connected with pressure chamber, makes pressure balance at approximate atmospheric pressure.Through repeating transfer valve 815, underbalance pulse can be applied in pressure chamber 110.

In addition, controller 820 can comprise the thermal control circuit that is used for the attemperation in the controlled pressure chamber 110.In this case, perhaps to controller be provided being connected to pressure chamber 110 through adapter input 840 with adapter 115 to the additional connecting device of pressure chamber 110.Power supply 825 is connected with portable shell 805, and is suitable for to pump 810, valve 815, controller 820 and in certain embodiments to the heat-conduction component power supply that is positioned at pressure chamber 110.Power supply has strengthened the portability of equipment 100, allows to use limited remote place to use equipment at power supply.In addition, some embodiment comprise power supply adaptor, but are used for using equipment in the power supply time spent, perhaps are used for portable power supplies 825 chargings.

Adapter 115 provides from the connection of control unit 105 to pressure chamber 110.Adapter 115 can comprise section of a pipe, is used for aerial conduction to pressure chamber or from wherein spreading out of, in pressure chamber, to apply pulsating pressure.In addition, in certain embodiments, adapter 115 can provide the electrical connection from the control unit to the pressure chamber.Electrical connection can be transmitted power supply and/or controlled signal to the electronic unit in the pressure chamber, perhaps from wherein spreading out of.For this connection is provided, conductor wire can be molded in the pipe or be attached to pipe, perhaps can be provided as with pipe and separates.In certain embodiments, adapter comprises one section silica gel tube, and this silica gel tube has and is wrapped in spirally around the pipe and molded or adhere to electric lead thereon.This adapter can provide persistent firm connection between pressure chamber and control unit.

Fig. 9 shows control unit 105 according to some embodiments of the invention.Control unit 105 comprises the portable shell 905 that is used to protect and hold the parts of control unit.Portable shell 905 can comprise any suitable shape and material, preferably such as the light and firm material of the deal of plastics, perhaps synthetic material.In certain embodiments, can adjust the shape and size of control unit 105, it can be contained in the pressure chamber so that take in.For example, in certain embodiments, portable shell is columniform substantially, and approximate length is 50cm (for example 51.1cm), and it has the external diameter of approximate 8.0cm.In addition, in certain embodiments, portable shell 905 comprises grip features 910, and for example, the concave-convex surface in the appointed area is can provide good grasping when the gripping device.In addition, some embodiment can comprise and be used for control unit is installed near the patient, for example on the stretcher, support or other erecting devices.

In certain embodiments, portable shell 905 comprises parts compartment 915 and power supply compartment 920.Figure 10 A and 10B show parts compartment 915 according to some embodiments of the invention.The parts compartment comprises the shell 1005 that defines outer shell cavity 1010, and pump 1015, inner chamber 1020, valve 1025, printed circuit board (PCB) 1030 and on/off switch 1035 have been installed in outer shell cavity 1010.Pump 1015, valve 1025 and printed circuit board (PCB) 1030 can be installed on the smooth upper surface of inner chamber 1020, and it can slip on crosspiece 1040 in the shell 1005 subsequently, and crosspiece 1040 can be fastening or be molded on the inwall of shell 1005.In addition, the parts compartment can comprise locking mechanism 1045, is used for being connected separably with the power supply compartment.

Pump 1015 can comprise any suitable fluid pump, can in inner chamber 1020, produce up at least-pressure of 40mmHg.More preferably, pump 1015 can produce greater than-40mmHg (negative pressure for example-80mmHg).In certain embodiments, pump 1015 is configured to air is pumped in the outer shell cavity 1010 in the chamber 1020 internally.In this type of embodiment, outer shell cavity 1010 and inner chamber 1020 correspond respectively to first and second chambeies 830,835 in the sketch map of Fig. 8.With reference to figure 10A and 10B, the operation of pump 1015 can be by the controller control that is positioned on the printed circuit board (PCB) 1030 again.This controller can also be connected with the temperature sensor in pressure chamber and the pressure chamber, with the operation of the heat-conduction component of control pump 1015 and pressure chamber.

Valve 1025 and inner chamber 1020 and adapter input 1050 fluid communication, this adapter input 1050 can be connected with a connector that is used to be connected to portable pressure chamber.Valve 1025 can be controlled by controller, during negative pressure, inner chamber 1020 being connected with pressure chamber, thereby introduces negative pressure to pressure chamber.In certain embodiments, valve 1025 can also be connected with outer shell cavity 1010 fluids.This kind equipment can be described as closed system equipment, because when producing negative pressure, in air delivery to the outer shell cavity 1010 that pump 1015 will be shifted out, thereby air themperature is maintained its reformed temperature in pressure chamber from pressure chamber.During atmospheric pressure, this type of embodiment is connected outer shell cavity with pressure chamber, being back to pressure chamber through thermoregulator air.

Parts compartment 915 can also comprise supplementary features.For example, in certain embodiments, equipment also comprises flow off 1055, is used to guarantee correct and persistent connection the between control unit and the adapter.In addition, parts compartment 915 can comprise the interior one or more air bleeding valves of outer wall of shell, is used for one or more systems chamber is connected to the external world.This air bleeding valve can be activated, be released in prolongation or normal running during the excessive pressure that accumulates in the system.For example, the air that when introducing negative pressure, advances the pressure chamber from extraneous seepage possibly be retained in the system, makes pressure in pressure chamber (in the closed system), accumulate.Air bleeding valve can be by controller or is manually triggered, to discharge this excessive air.In addition, in certain embodiments, air bleeding valve can be opened, and with extra outside air drawing-in system, thereby allows to recover more quickly atmospheric pressure.

The embodiment of visible power supply compartment 920 in Figure 11.This compartment is hollow pipe basically, is used to hold power supply or memory device.In certain embodiments, power supply is one or more batteries.Battery can be chargeable or disposable, and in certain embodiments, comprises one or more ANR26650M1 batteries that can from the A123 system, obtain.The embodiment that comprises rechargeable battery can also comprise the charging contact 1105 in the shell that is installed in power supply compartment 920.In addition, some embodiment can comprise electric fuse 1110, to prevent overcharging of equipment.In order to link to each other with parts compartment 915, power supply compartment 920 can comprise locking mechanism 1115, and the paired locking mechanism 1045 of this locking mechanism on can the joint elements compartment is with two compartment lock together.

Various embodiment include the characteristic that helps pressure transition between the phase.For example, the transition from the negative pressure phase to the atmospheric pressure phase can realize through allowing that air is introduced pressure chamber.For example, in certain embodiments, pressure chamber can comprise the external valve that is connected to the environment external world, can open to discharge negative pressure (that is, making air flow to pressure chamber from the atmospheric pressure sources of relatively high pressure).Yet, preferably, the separate chamber in control unit or the pressure chamber is appointed as the atmosphere potential source, thereby permission equipment is operated as closed system equipment.Most preferably, this equipment comprises the malleation chamber, first chamber 1210 of the control unit among Figure 12 A-12D that is for example hereinafter discussed, and it is kept during negative pressure greater than atmospheric pressure (being malleation).Thereby, when transitting to atmospheric pressure during the phase, because the bigger pressure reduction between positive pressure source and the pressure chamber can promptly make fluid transfer to pressure chamber from the negative pressure phase.

Because the length of atmospheric pressure phase or the speed that air can get into pressure chamber again, the chamber maybe not can between the pulse of negative pressure fully returns to atmospheric pressure.In this case, in the latter stage of each pulse, can residual a spot of negative pressure in pressure chamber, promptly pressure chamber only returns to and approaches atmospheric pressure.This can be 0 to-20mmHg (0 to-2.7kPa) between, perhaps more preferably 0 to-10mmHg (0 to-1.3kPa) between, and more preferably 0 to-5mmHg (0 to-0.67kPa) between.Most preferably, the air speed and pulse period that can get into pressure chamber again makes cavity pressure return to atmospheric pressure in each atmospheric pressure phase.In fact, in most preferred embodiment, cavity pressure changes rapidly; Make that changing the shared time of pressure only is the sub-fraction of atmospheric pressure phase, for example, less than 50% of the atmospheric pressure phase; Preferably less than 25% of the atmospheric pressure phase, and more preferably less than 10% of the atmospheric pressure phase.Most preferably, square wave figure is followed in the time dependent drawing of pressure basically, has the rapid transition at the pressure change place, i.e. the change of cavity pressure is instantaneous basically.The transition of some circular arcs possibly appear in practice.Similarly, control unit should have enough abilities so that pressure chamber reaches required negative pressure or malleation as early as possible.In a preferred embodiment, control unit negative pressure before the phase (for example) in the last atmospheric pressure phase produce negative pressure in advance so that can likewise be approximately square wave to the transition of negative pressure phase.

Figure 13 shows according to some embodiment, the time dependent drawing of the operation of equipment and method institute applied pressure.The one-period of institute's applied pressure in the pressure chamber has been represented in this drawing.Here, the negative pressure phase is at T ₀To T ₁Between, the atmospheric pressure phase is from T ₁To T ₂In certain embodiments, negative pressure phase T ₀-T ₁Persistent period be approximately 10 seconds, and atmospheric pressure phase T ₁-T ₂Persistent period be approximately 7 seconds.T ₀And T ₂Place's expression is from the transition of atmospheric pressure to negative pressure, T ₁Place's expression is from negative pressure to atmospheric transition.As stated, in some preferred embodiments, from atmospheric pressure P ₀To negative pressure P ₁Transition (promptly in certain embodiments from 0mmHg to-40mmHg) be rapid transition, produce fast that pressure changes, promptly pressure transition accounts for negative pressure phase T ₀-T ₁Persistent period less than 50%.In this embodiment, at T ₁The place causes greater than atmospheric pressure P to the transition of atmospheric pressure phase ₀Pressure P ₂Be applied in atmospheric pressure phase T ₁-T ₂A part or whole process.In certain embodiments, at atmospheric pressure phase T ₁-T ₂The application of interior malleation can have some advantageous effects.For example, malleation P ₂On patient's limbs, apply power, make vein flow sky fast, and further improve circulation.In addition, be applied to malleation P in the pressure chamber slit ₂Can oppress sleeve and/or heat-conduction component limbs, improve heat to limbs or from the passive diffusion of limbs against the patient.Thereby institute's applied pressure of Figure 13 has been represented the desired operation of some embodiment to the drawing of time.

Some embodiment can be through reducing the thermoregulator influence of ambient temperature to the patient, and enhancement apparatus is in position or in operation in transit.Regulate in position or in transporting under the situation of patient's central body temperature at needs, common situation is that near the ambient temperature the patient is the reason of conditions of patients or has caused patient's the state of an illness.For example, the ambient temperature that is lower than hypothermia patient's central body temperature only can further be aggravated patient's the state of an illness.Closed system equipment according to some embodiment is a kind of equipment, makes all basically air that shifted in the parts at equipment between the introductory phase in negative pressure be retained in the equipment.For example, with reference to figure 8,, the air of certain volume can be sent to control unit 105 (for example, to second chamber 835) from pressure chamber 110 for negative pressure being introduced in the pressure chamber 110.Because thermoregulation has been carried out in the application of attemperation, the air of this volume in being in pressure chamber 110 time.In the negative pressure phase, this can pump in first chamber 830 via pump 810 through thermoregulator air.Subsequently; In order from pressure chamber 110, to discharge negative pressure and to make the chamber recover atmospheric pressure; The air of substantially the same volume can be transferred in the pressure chamber 110 from control unit 105 (for example, first chamber 830), rather than in the outside air suction pressure chamber 110 with ambient temperature.Therefore, embodiments of the invention have reduced the influence of outside air being introduced pressure chamber through during successive pressures cycle, circulating in the pressure chamber through thermoregulator air.

For many reasons, the closed system portable equipment possibly be favourable.For example, as stated, reduced the thermoregulator influence of ambient temperature to the patient.In addition, closed system can provide the equipment that efficiency is more arranged through reducing heating or the refrigerative amount carried out by system.Because closed system is to carrying out recirculation through thermoregulator air, the temperature in the pressure chamber can maintain attemperation through heat-conduction component less heating or cooling.Therefore, the workload and the power consumption of heat-conduction component have been reduced.And, recirculation also can be used for heating or cooling off the miscellaneous part of control unit through the air of thermoregulator certain volume, this can further improve equipment performance.For example, in certain embodiments, be used for when heating, more effectively operating, therefore through providing closed system can improve the equipment performance under the cold environment condition to the battery of portable equipment power supply.

Figure 12 A-12D shows the indicative icon of operation of embodiment that the equipment 1200 of square wave transition basically is provided between the phase at pressure.Pressure chamber 1205, first chamber 1210 and second chamber 1215 of shown abstract is can be for example relevant with second chamber 835 with pressure chamber 110, first chamber 830 of embodiment shown in Figure 8.At first, shown in Figure 12 A, pump 1220 cuts out, and valve 1225 is opened, the fluid communication between each of authorized pressure chamber 1205, first chamber 1210 and second chamber 1215, and atmospheric pressure is all approached in each chamber.When device start, shown in Figure 12 B, valve 1225 is closed, and pump 1220 is opened.When opening, pump is transferred to air in first chamber 1210 from second chamber 1215, thereby makes and in second chamber 1215, accumulate negative pressure, has increased the pressure in first chamber 1210 simultaneously.Pressure in the pressure chamber 1205 is kept and is approached atmospheric pressure.In certain embodiments, can open air bleeding valve 1230 and from first chamber 1210, discharge some air during with the initial foundation of negative pressure in second chamber 1215.In addition, the negative pressure that in second chamber, accumulates can be higher than (that is, more negative) and will put on the required negative pressure in the pressure chamber.

Subsequently, shown in Figure 12 C of the equipment state of above-mentioned expression negative pressure phase, valve is connected second chamber 1215 with pressure chamber 1205, makes air flow into second chamber 1215 from pressure chamber 1205, and makes the pressure of each intracavity equate.Pump 1220 stays open as required, moving the pressure in the pressure chamber to required negative pressure, and it is maintained this level.The air that pumps from second chamber 1215 is transferred into first chamber, makes the chamber of winning with respect to pressure chamber 1205, in certain embodiments with respect to atmospheric pressure, keeps malleation.In certain embodiments, excessive air maybe seepage 1235 entering systems, for example in the incomplete seals at of pressure chamber 1205.As time goes on, these excessive gases maybe during the negative pressure in system, promptly in first chamber 1210, form excessive pressure.Therefore, in certain embodiments, be connected with first chamber 1210 or in system the air bleeding valve 1230 in other places can open, leave system to allow excessive air.

Figure 12 D shows the equipment state of above-mentioned atmospheric pressure phase.During this period, valve 1225 switches to first chamber 1210 is connected with pressure chamber 1205.Ready along with this connection, air is from 1210 feed pressure chambeies 1205, first chamber, and pressure chamber returns near atmospheric pressure.Can open as required with the air bleeding valve that first chamber 1210 is connected, approach atmospheric pressure during this stage, to allow first chamber and pressure chamber to reach.In addition, during atmospheric pressure, pump 1220 can stay open as required, with accumulation negative pressure in second chamber 1215.As stated, this negative pressure can be greater than the required negative pressure that will be applied in the pressure chamber.

As above said with reference to figure 12A-12D, some embodiments of the present invention are only when after another intracavity of equipment accumulates negative pressure in advance, negative pressure being introduced pressure chamber.This operation is preferably, because it provides the rapider transition from positive phase to the negative pressure phase.In addition, through allowing before positive phase, to accumulate normal pressure, reduced from the transit time of negative pressure phase to positive phase at first intracavity.Thereby some embodiment can provide square-wave operation substantially.

It is that they provide the closed system operation that another advantage according to the apparatus operating of the embodiment of Figure 12 A-12D is provided.As stated, closed system equipment can reduce the thermoregulator influence of ambient temperature to the patient, and increases the efficiency of equipment.As used herein term " closed system " refers to all basically gas that will during the generation negative pressure, in system, shift and remains on a kind of equipment in the equipment.Though can realize that the closed system equipment of instantaneous pressure change is preferably substantially, should not think that or not is not the embodiment of square wave and closed system operation that present disclosure has been got rid of the pressure change in the equipment.For example, in some equipment, can introduce negative pressure through from pressure chamber, directly shifting out air.In addition, can so that being connected with environment, pressure chamber discharge negative pressure through opening valve.

In another aspect, embodiments of the invention provide and have been used in position or are transporting the method for regulating patient's central body temperature.In a kind of such method, patient's limbs are equipped with the sleeve that comprises absorbing material.Before sleeve being installed in around the limbs or after installing sleeve, use the moistening sleeve of liquid.The telescopic limbs that are equipped with on it through moistening are inserted in the pressure chamber, make limbs seal with the external world basically.Pressure chamber can be any pressure chamber as herein described, and the heating/cooling element that generally includes inflexible basically shell and be positioned at shell.The basically all liq inner at pressure chamber can be carried by sleeve.According to application, heating/cooling element can be activated temperature with (a) increase pressure intracavity to heating-up temperature, and perhaps (b) reduces temperature in the pressure chamber to chilling temperature.Negative pressure alternately introduced in the pressure chamber and in pressure chamber discharge, make and approach atmospheric pressure when pressure pressure chamber when pressure chamber discharges.In some preferred embodiments, the step of negative pressure alternately being introduced intracavity can be the closed system process that realizes as stated.

In this method, can realize telescopic moistening with the method that is suitable in a large number in position or in transporting, use.For example, in certain embodiments, through can moistening sleeve in the liquid that telescopic limbs are immersed in certain volume with being equipped with on it.For example, in certain embodiments, pressure chamber can be filled or the part is filled with liquid, and the telescopic limbs of conduction of heat are installed on it can insert in the pressure chamber.In this case, the liquid of certain volume possibly be discharged from from pressure chamber, and most of liquid is absorbed by the conduction of heat sleeve simultaneously.Can empty any excessive liquid of intracavity subsequently.Alternatively, the liquid of certain volume can be equipped with on the telescopic limbs thereon.In addition, some embodiment can comprise the groove or the inlet of the outer surface that is positioned at pressure chamber, can liquid be provided through it.In this type of embodiment, can insert in the pressure chamber of doing telescopic limbs are installed on it, liquid can be delivered in the equipment through groove or inlet then.In each case, liquid can be from selecting any obtainable source basically, for example, and a kettle drinking water or from the liquid of near river, pond or other open water supplies.On the other hand, some embodiment comprise the telescopic installation of pre-wetted conduction of heat.If use the pre-wetted sleeve, the pre-wetted sleeve that shifts out from packing before so moistening telescopic step is included in and installs.Therefore, use this sleeve, need not extra fluid supply in the field of employment.

In certain embodiments, sleeve is installed in around the limbs and moistening telescopic step also comprises and guarantees conduction of heat sleeve and the tight step that contacts around the limbs.As stated, in certain embodiments, expectation conduction of heat sleeve can contact limbs, makes that the gas gap between sleeve and the limbs minimizes, to improve from the heat of pressure chamber to limbs and the conduction of pressure.In order to ensure closely contacting with limbs skin on every side, user or patient can begin from the far-end of limbs, sleeve are compressed to limbs, backward up to open proximal end.This method can also be used for shifting out too much liquid from the conduction of heat sleeve.

In certain embodiments, the method according to this invention comprises that also preparing limbs is used for installing.For example, in comprising the embodiment of the anatomical features of wrist characteristic for example, possibly be difficult to usually patient's limbs are correctly inserted in the pressure chamber.This is because can hinder limbs to get into intracavity through the narrow that comprises the chamber that anatomical features forms.On unconscious patients, install in the situation of method and apparatus according to the invention, limbs are inserted particularly difficulty of intracavity, and incorrect installation possibly cause the injury to the patient.Thereby, prepare to be used to insert limbs in the pressure chamber and can be included in and stretch limbs or guarantee the step that limbs have stretched before inserting limbs.For example, be that arm and pressure chamber comprise under the situation of wrist part at limbs, the limbs of preparing to be used to install can comprise and stretch finger so that minimum transverse cross-sectional dimension to be provided, and are used for surpassing the insertion of the hands of wrist part, and reduce the incidence rate to patient's injury.And, in certain embodiments, can help to insert intracavity through temporary transient expansion pressure chamber.When pressure chamber is that this method is preferred during such as the described distensible pressure chamber of earlier in respect of figures 5A-5C.

The method according to this invention is particularly advantageous in position or in transporting, regulates patient's central body temperature.For the ease of this use, this method can comprise the system and method according to any embodiment of above-mentioned discussion is transported to the position that needs carry out thermoregulator patient.Under the not removable or unconscious situation of patient, this method maybe be particularly useful.For equipment is sent to the patient, this equipment can be the motor vehicles of carrying or being connected to such as ambulance.Preferably, equipment can be carried in carrying case.When arriving the patient, portable equipment can shift out from carrying case.In certain embodiments, possibly guarantee that control unit is connected with the fluid of pressure chamber.If not, pressure chamber should directly or preferably use adapter to be connected with control unit.In some cases, guarantee that it is important that limbs seal basically from external environment.For example, be used under the hypothermia patient's who is in the cold environment the situation at equipment, sealing can enhancement apparatus and the operation of method from cold external environment condition basically to guarantee limbs.Subsequently, be used for using the remaining step of equipment can be in patient's position (original position) or when the patient is transported (transporting) carry out.

In addition, will be appreciated that, can be to use equipment and method, to realize some above-mentioned functions according to some embodiment with above-mentioned different mode.For example, the embodiment of the said equipment can be used for heating or cooling patient, and need not the application of pulsating pressure.In this case, heat-conduction component (alone or with the conduction of heat sleeve) can be used to heat or cool off the limbs that insert pressure chamber, and need not the application of pressure or apply constant pressure at intracavity.Though it is not too effective in most of the cases to compare above-mentioned use usually, if when for example the pump of equipment damages, this alternative usage can be provided in original position or in transporting to patient's heating or cooling.Likewise, the embodiment of equipment and method can be used to exert pressure or pulsating pressure to patient's limbs, and need not to heat or the application of chilling temperature.Therefore, equipment can be used to increase the blood flow in the limbs that need not thermoregulator patient.

Equipment of the present invention aspect comprises as follows:

1, a kind ofly be used in position or transporting the portable equipment of regulating patient's central body temperature, said equipment comprises:

The conduction of heat sleeve, the limbs that are suitable for holding the patient make the conduction of heat sleeve contact with limbs;

Pressure chamber comprises (a) inflexible basically shell, is suitable for holding limbs and conduction of heat sleeve, and (b) heat-conduction component, is suitable in shell, applying attemperation; And

Control unit can be connected to pressure chamber and when being connected to pressure chamber, is suitable for alternately during negative pressure, introducing negative pressure in the pressure chamber and during atmospheric pressure, from pressure chamber, discharges negative pressure so that pressure chamber returns to approximate atmospheric pressure,

Wherein conduction of heat sleeve, pressure chamber and control unit are configured to put into and carry in the case, make portable equipment with carry case and can carry by personal hands.

2, according to equipment aspect 1 described portable equipment, wherein, said limbs are arms.

3, according to equipment aspect 1 described portable equipment, wherein, when the conduction of heat sleeve accommodated limbs, said conduction of heat sleeve closely contacted with limb skin.

4, according to equipment aspect 1 described portable equipment, wherein, the conduction of heat sleeve comprises formation to hold the wettable material of limbs, and said wettable material is suitable for using liquid moistening.

5, according to equipment aspect 4 described portable equipments, wherein, when limbs and conduction of heat hub being mounted were in pressure chamber, all liq basically in the pressure chamber was included in the conduction of heat sleeve.

6, according to equipment aspect 4 described portable equipments, wherein, said wettable material is high absorbing material.

7, according to equipment aspect 4 described portable equipments, wherein, said liquid is water.

8, according to equipment aspect 1 described portable equipment; Wherein, Said control unit comprises closed system basically with said pressure chamber when being connected; Wherein (a) introduces pressure chamber with negative pressure and comprises air in certain amount is sent to control unit from pressure chamber, and (b) from pressure chamber, discharges negative pressure and comprise that the air with substantially the same amount is sent to pressure chamber from control unit.

9,, wherein, during operation, flow and be included in control unit and the pressure chamber by introducing and discharging all air basically that negative pressure produced according to equipment aspect 1 described portable equipment.

10, according to equipment aspect 1 described portable equipment, wherein, said control unit comprises:

Portable shell, the adapter input that it has first and second chambeies and is used for providing to pressure chamber the fluid connection, said second chamber is that air is impermeable basically;

Pump is coupled to said portable shell and (a) and the second chamber fluid communication, and (b) is suitable for transfer air from second chamber;

Valve is coupled to shell and is suitable for alternately the adapter input being connected to first chamber and second chamber;

Controller is suitable for control (a) pump and valve, controls negative pressure thus to the introducing of pressure chamber with from the release of pressure chamber and the attemperation that (b) pressure chamber, is applied; And

Power supply is coupled to said portable shell and is suitable for to pump, valve, controller and heat-conduction component power supply.

11, according to equipment aspect 1 described portable equipment, wherein, said limbs are arms, and said hull shape becomes conforming to arm basically, and said shell comprises the hand that is arranged on broad and the narrower wrist between the forethiga.

12, according to equipment aspect 1 described portable equipment, wherein, said shell forms to conform to limbs basically according to anatomy.

13, according to equipment aspect 11 described portable equipments, wherein, said shell is expansible to help the insertion of limbs.

14, according to equipment aspect 13 described portable equipments, wherein, said shell is hinged and expansible along a side, and said shell can be opened along relative side.

15, according to equipment aspect 14 described portable equipments, wherein, said relative side comprises one or more aligning parts of contiguous relative side, is suitable for during the open and close shell, preventing misalignment.

16, according to equipment aspect 13 described portable equipments, said pressure chamber also comprises:

Basically elastic skin is arranged on the external surface peripheral of shell, and skin is suitable for making the shell trend closed, also allows the expansion of shell to insert to help limbs.

17, according to equipment aspect 16 described portable equipments, wherein, said skin comprises chloroprene rubber.

18, according to equipment aspect 1 described portable equipment, pressure chamber also comprises the extension characteristic, so that the extension of pressure chamber to be provided, allows to hold the more most of of limbs thus.

19, according to equipment aspect 1 described portable equipment, wherein, said heat-conduction component comprises:

Be arranged on the glove of said shell the inside, be suitable for when limbs and conduction of heat sleeve are contained in the shell, contacting with the conduction of heat sleeve; And

Be installed in the one or more thermal power units in the said glove and be suitable for when limbs and conduction of heat sleeve are contained in the shell and the limbs thermal communication.

20, according to equipment aspect 19 described portable equipments, wherein, said glove comprise chloroprene rubber.

21, according to equipment aspect 19 described portable equipments, wherein, said heat-conduction component also comprises the temperature sensor that is connected with thermal control circuit, is used to adjust said attemperation.

22, according to equipment aspect 1 described portable equipment, said pressure chamber also comprises:

Potted component is suitable for when limbs are contained in the pressure chamber, pressure chamber being sealed in around the limbs.

23, according to equipment aspect 22 described portable equipments, wherein, said potted component comprises the cuff that includes extensible material.

24, according to equipment aspect 1 described portable equipment, also comprise and carry case.

25, a kind of portable equipment that is used to regulate patient's central body temperature, said portable equipment comprises:

The conduction of heat sleeve is suitable for holding patient's limbs and is suitable for by moistening, makes said conduction of heat sleeve and limbs surface contact and the air between said conduction of heat sleeve and the surface is minimized;

Pressure chamber is suitable for holding limbs and conduction of heat sleeve and is suitable for applying attemperation via said conduction of heat sleeve to limbs; And

Can be connected to the control unit of pressure chamber, and be suitable for when being connected to pressure chamber, alternately during negative pressure, negative pressure being introduced in the pressure chamber, and during atmospheric pressure, from pressure chamber, discharge negative pressure so that pressure chamber returns near atmospheric pressure,

Wherein, when limbs and conduction of heat sleeve were inserted in the pressure chamber, all liq basically in the pressure chamber carried by the conduction of heat sleeve.

26, according to equipment aspect 25 described portable equipments, wherein, said conduction of heat sleeve comprises the pre-wetted sleeve.

27, according to equipment aspect 25 described portable equipments, wherein, said control unit comprises:

Pump is coupled to said portable shell, and (a) and the second chamber fluid communication, and (b) is suitable for transfer air from second chamber;

Power supply is coupled to portable shell and is suitable for to pump, valve, controller and heat-conduction component power supply.

28, according to equipment aspect 27 described portable equipments, wherein, the pump of said control unit comprises the pump discharge with the first chamber fluid communication.

29, according to equipment aspect 27 described portable equipments, wherein, first chamber of said control unit is that air is impermeable basically.

30, according to equipment aspect 29 described portable equipments, wherein, said control unit also comprises the air bleeding valve that is installed in the portable shell, is used for periodically discharging from first chamber excess pressure of accumulation.

31, according to equipment aspect 25 described portable equipments, wherein, said control unit can be hose connection to pressure chamber through one section.

32, a kind ofly be used in position or transporting the portable equipment of regulating patient's central body temperature, said portable equipment comprises:

Portable pressure chamber is suitable for holding patient's limbs;

Be used to receive the heat conducting device of patient's limbs, the insertion that it helps limbs to arrive portable pressure chamber, and when it inserts in the portable pressure chamber with limbs, carry all any liquid basically in the portable pressure chamber;

Temperature-adjusting device is used for when heat conducting device and limbs are inserted into portable pressure chamber, applies attemperation and thus attemperation is applied to limbs to heat conducting device; And

The force applications device is used for when heat conducting device and limbs are inserted into portable pressure chamber, alternately during the negative pressure negative pressure is introduced into limbs and heat conducting device around, and during atmospheric pressure, discharge negative pressure to recover the atmospheric pressure around the limbs.

33, according to equipment aspect 32 described portable equipments, wherein, the negative pressure around the limbs is alternately introduced and shifted out to said force applications device with the form of square wave basically.

34, according to equipment aspect 32 described portable equipments; Wherein, Said portable equipment also comprises and carries case; Said portable pressure chamber, heat conducting device, temperature-adjusting device and force applications device are configured to put into and carry in the case, make portable equipment with carry case and can carry by personal hands.

Method of the present invention aspect comprises as follows:

1, a kind ofly be used in position or transporting the method for regulating patient's central body temperature, said method comprises the steps:

The sleeve that will comprise absorbing material is installed in around patient's limbs;

Use the moistening sleeve of liquid;

With being installed on it, insert in the pressure chamber moistening telescopic limbs; Make limbs seal from external environment condition basically; Wherein said pressure chamber comprises the heating/cooling element in inflexible basically shell and the shell, and all liq basically in the pressure chamber is carried by sleeve;

Start heating/cooling element with the temperature of (a) pressurize intracavity optionally to heating-up temperature, perhaps (b) reduces the interior temperature of pressure chamber to chilling temperature; And

Alternately during negative pressure, negative pressure is introduced pressure chamber, and during atmospheric pressure, from pressure chamber, discharge negative pressure, so that pressure chamber returns near atmospheric pressure.

2, according to the method for method aspect 1, wherein, said moistening telescopic step occurs in and said sleeve is installed in after the step around the limbs.

3, according to the method for method aspect 1, wherein, said moistening telescopic step comprises limbs and sleeve is immersed in the liquid of certain volume.

4, according to the method for method aspect 1, wherein, said installing sleeve and moistening telescopic step comprise that to guarantee sleeve tight with skin basically around limbs.

5, according to the method for method aspect 1, wherein, the said step of in pressure chamber, alternately introducing and discharging negative pressure comprises the closed system process.

6, according to the method for method aspect 1, wherein, the said step of alternately introducing and discharging negative pressure comprises:

First intracavity at the control unit that is connected to pressure chamber during atmospheric pressure produces negative pressure; And

First chamber of control unit is connected with the pressure chamber fluid, thus excessively to the negative pressure phase,

Wherein during negative pressure, second chamber of control unit maintains the pressure that is higher than negative pressure.

7, according to the method for method aspect 6, wherein, the step that discharges negative pressure from pressure chamber comprises being connected of opening pressure chamber and first chamber, and pressure chamber is connected with the second chamber fluid of control unit, transits to the atmospheric pressure phase thus.

8, according to the method for method aspect 6, wherein, during negative pressure, second chamber of said control unit maintains and is higher than atmospheric pressure.

9, according to the method for method aspect 6, also comprise the steps:

Periodically be released in and alternately introduce and discharge the pressure that accumulates during the negative pressure, prevent the excessive supercharging of said control unit thus from second chamber of said control unit.

10, according to the method for method aspect 6, wherein, the step that produces negative pressure at first intracavity of said control unit comprises that the gas with certain volume is pumped to second chamber from first intracavity, increases the pressure of second intracavity thus.

11, according to the method for method aspect 1, wherein, the step of said startup heating/cooling element comprises the temperature through the temperature control unit controlled pressure intracavity that is coupled to the control unit that links to each other with pressure chamber.

12, according to the method for method aspect 1, wherein, said patient is the patient of hypothermia, and the temperature that the step of startup heating/cooling element comprises the increase pressure intracavity is to heating-up temperature.

13, according to the method for method aspect 1, wherein, about 10 seconds of persistent period negative pressure phase.

14, according to the method for method aspect 1, wherein, about 7 seconds of persistent period atmospheric pressure phase.

15, according to the method for method aspect 1, wherein, about 10 seconds of persistent period negative pressure phase, about 7 seconds of persistent period atmospheric pressure phase.

16, according to the method for method aspect 1, wherein, the patient is unconscious, and the step of insertion limbs comprises the limbs that preparation is used to insert.

17, according to the method for method aspect 16; Wherein, The shell of pressure chamber comprises the wrist with reduced size cross section profile between hand with large-size cross section profile and forethiga; Said limbs comprise arm and hands; The step of the limbs that said preparation is used to insert comprises the finger that stretches hands, surpasses wrist to insert.

18, according to the method for method aspect 1, wherein, said heating-up temperature is more than or equal to patient's central body temperature.

19, according to the method for method aspect 1, wherein, said heating-up temperature is between about 38.0 ℃ to about 43.5 ℃.

20, according to the method for method aspect 19, wherein, said heating-up temperature is about 43.0 ℃.

21, according to the method for method aspect 1, wherein, said chilling temperature is less than or equal to patient's central body temperature, but greater than the known temperature that will cause that extremity vascular shrinks.

22, according to the method for method aspect 1, wherein, said chilling temperature is between about 22.0 ℃ to about 24.0 ℃.

23, according to the method for method aspect 22, wherein, said chilling temperature is 23.0 ℃.

24, a kind of be used in position or in the method for transporting the central body temperature of regulating unconscious patients, this method comprises the steps:

(i) is provided pressure chamber, comprises inflexible basically shell and the heating/cooling element in shell, (ii) conduction of heat sleeve, and (iii) with the control unit of pressure chamber fluid communication, it is suitable for the cavity pressure in the controlled pressure chamber;

The conduction of heat sleeve is installed in around the limbs of unconscious patients;

Preparation is used for inserting the limbs of pressure chamber, and the conduction of heat sleeve is installed on the said limbs;

After being ready for the limbs that insert pressure chamber, limbs are inserted pressure chamber, make limbs seal from external environment condition basically; And

The start-up control unit; (a) starts heating/cooling element with temperature to the heating-up temperature of (i) pressurize intracavity optionally or (ii) reduce temperature in the pressure chamber to chilling temperature thus, and (b) introducing negative pressure and from pressure chamber, discharge negative pressure in pressure chamber alternately.

25, according to the method for method aspect 24, wherein, said shell comprises the anatomical features with small cross sections size profile, and the step that said preparation is used for inserting the limbs of pressure chamber comprises that the arrangement limbs are to pack into above the anatomical features of shell.

26, according to the method for method aspect 25; Wherein, The anatomical features of said shell comprises the wrist with reduced size cross section profile between hand with large-size cross section profile and forethiga; Said limbs comprise arm and hands, and the arm of preparing to be used for to insert pressure chamber and hands comprise the incidence rate that the finger and thumb that stretches hands damages unconscious patients with minimizing.

27, according to the method for method aspect 24, wherein, the step of limbs being inserted pressure chamber comprises that interim expansion pressure chamber is to help the insertion of limbs.

28, according to the method for method aspect 24, wherein, the air through removing certain volume from pressure chamber also is sent to control unit with the air of this volume negative pressure is introduced the pressure chamber.

29, according to the method for method aspect 28, wherein, be back to pressure chamber to discharge negative pressure from control unit from pressure chamber through air with this volume.

30, a kind ofly be used in position or transporting the method for regulating patient's central body temperature, said method comprises the steps:

Carry the portable equipment in the case with hands; Said portable equipment comprises (i) pressure chamber, and it comprises the heating/cooling element in inflexible basically shell and the shell, (ii) conduction of heat sleeve; And (iii) control unit, but be connected with the pressure chamber fluid and be suitable for the cavity pressure in the controlled pressure chamber;

Shift out portable equipment from carrying case;

Whether the inspection control unit is connected with the pressure chamber fluid, and if not, connect control unit and pressure chamber;

The conduction of heat sleeve is installed in around patient's the limbs;

Preparation is used to insert the limbs in the pressure chamber, and the conduction of heat sleeve is installed on the said limbs;

After being ready for the limbs that insert in the pressure chamber, limbs are inserted in the pressure chamber, make limbs seal from external environment condition basically;

The start-up control unit; (a) starts heating/cooling element with temperature to the heating-up temperature of (i) pressurize intracavity optionally or (ii) reduce temperature in the pressure chamber to chilling temperature thus, and (b) alternately makes cavity pressure be reduced to negative pressure and cavity pressure is increased near atmospheric pressure.

31, according to the method for method aspect 30, wherein, the step of preparing to be used to insert the limbs in the pressure chamber comprises uses liquid wetting heat conduction sleeve.

32, according to the method for method aspect 30, wherein, the unitary step of said start-up control makes cavity pressure alternately reduce and increase with the form of square wave basically.

33, according to the method for method aspect 30, wherein, the said step that makes cavity pressure reduce comprises air is sent to control unit from pressure chamber.

34, according to the method for method aspect 30, wherein, the said step that makes cavity pressure increase comprises air is sent to pressure chamber from control unit.

35, according to the method for method aspect 30, wherein, said negative pressure-20mmHg to-80mmHg (2.7kPa and-10.7kPa) between.

36, according to the method for method aspect 35, wherein, said negative pressure is-40mmHg is (5.3kPa).

37, a kind ofly be used in position or transporting the method for regulating patient's central body temperature, said method comprises the steps:

Provide and be configured to put into the portable temperature management system that carries in the case; Make and saidly carry case and portable temperature management system can be carried by personal hands; Said portable temperature management system comprises (i) conduction of heat sleeve; (ii) pressure chamber; It comprises inflexible basically shell and the heat-conduction component that is arranged in shell, and the control unit that (iii) can be connected to pressure chamber;

The conduction of heat sleeve is installed in around patient's limbs;

Insert in the shell the telescopic limbs of conduction of heat are installed on it, make limbs seal from external environment condition basically;

The start-up control unit, (i) starts heat-conduction component in shell, applying attemperation thus, and (ii) alternately in pressure chamber, introduces negative pressure and in pressure chamber, discharge negative pressure.

38, according to the method for method aspect 37, wherein, said attemperation is between 38.0 ℃ to 43.5 ℃.

39, according to the method for method aspect 38, wherein, said attemperation is 43.0 ℃.

40, according to the method for method aspect 37, wherein, said attemperation is between 20.0 ℃ to 25.0 ℃.

41, according to the method for method aspect 40, wherein, said attemperation is 23.0 ℃.

42, according to the method for method aspect 37, wherein, the said step of alternately introducing and discharging negative pressure comprises introduced negative pressure about 10 seconds.

43, according to the method for method aspect 37, wherein, the said step of alternately introducing and discharging negative pressure comprises and discharges about 7 seconds of negative pressure.

44, according to the method for method aspect 37, wherein, the said step of alternately introducing and discharging negative pressure comprises to be introduced about 10 seconds of negative pressure and discharged negative pressure about 7 seconds.

45, according to the method for method aspect 37, wherein, said negative pressure-20mmHg to-80mmHg (2.7kPa and-10.7kPa) between.

46, according to the method for method aspect 45, wherein, said negative pressure is-40mmHg is (5.3kPa).

Though described in detail the present invention with reference to some disclosed embodiment, embodiment disclosed by the invention be used for illustrative purposes and and unrestricted, and other embodiment of the present invention also are possible.Those skilled in the art will understand can carry out various changes, adaptation and modification, and does not break away from the scope of spirit of the present invention and accompanying claims.

Claims

1. portable equipment that is used to regulate patient's central body temperature, said portable equipment comprises:

The conduction of heat sleeve is suitable for holding patient's limbs and is suitable for by moistening, makes conduction of heat sleeve and limbs surface contact and make the air between conduction of heat sleeve and the said surface to minimize;

Pressure chamber is suitable for holding limbs and conduction of heat sleeve and is suitable for applying an attemperation via said conduction of heat sleeve to limbs; And

Control unit, it can be connected to pressure chamber and be suitable for when being connected to pressure chamber, alternately during negative pressure, negative pressure being introduced in the pressure chamber, and during atmospheric pressure, from pressure chamber, discharges negative pressure so that pressure chamber returns near atmospheric pressure,

Wherein, when limbs and conduction of heat sleeve inserted in the pressure chamber, all any liquid basically in the pressure chamber carried by the conduction of heat sleeve.

2. portable equipment according to claim 1 is characterized in that, said conduction of heat sleeve comprises the pre-wetted sleeve.

3. portable equipment according to claim 1 is characterized in that, said control unit comprises:

Pump is coupled to portable shell, and (a) and the second chamber fluid communication, and (b) is suitable for transfer air from second chamber;

Valve is coupled to said shell and is suitable for alternately the adapter input being connected to first chamber and second chamber;

Controller is suitable for control (a) pump and valve, controls negative pressure thus to the introducing of pressure chamber with from the release of pressure chamber, and the said attemperation that (b) in pressure chamber, is applied; And

4. portable equipment according to claim 3 is characterized in that the pump of said control unit comprises the pump discharge with the first chamber fluid communication.

5. portable equipment according to claim 3 is characterized in that, first chamber of said control unit is that gas is impermeable basically.

6. portable equipment according to claim 5 is characterized in that said control unit also comprises the air bleeding valve that is installed in the portable shell, is used for periodically discharging from first chamber excess pressure of accumulation.

7. portable equipment according to claim 1 is characterized in that, said control unit can be connected to pressure chamber through one section flexible pipe.

8. one kind is used in position or is transporting the method for regulating patient's central body temperature, and said method comprises the steps:

Use the moistening sleeve of liquid;

Insert in the pressure chamber moistening telescopic limbs are installed on it, make limbs basically from the external environment condition sealing, wherein pressure chamber comprises the heating/cooling element in inflexible basically shell and the shell, and all liq basically in the pressure chamber is carried by sleeve;

Start heating/cooling element with temperature to a heating-up temperature of (a) pressurize intracavity optionally, perhaps (b) reduces interior temperature to a chilling temperature of pressure chamber; And

Alternately negative pressure is introduced pressure chamber, and during atmospheric pressure, from pressure chamber, discharge negative pressure, closely connect atmospheric pressure so that pressure chamber returns in the negative pressure phase.

9. method according to claim 8 is characterized in that, said moistening telescopic step occurs in sleeve is installed in after the step around the limbs.

10. method according to claim 8 is characterized in that, said moistening telescopic step comprises limbs and sleeve are immersed in the liquid of certain volume.

11. method according to claim 8 is characterized in that, said installing sleeve and moistening telescopic step comprise that to guarantee sleeve tight with skin basically around the limbs.

12. method according to claim 8 is characterized in that, the said step of alternately in pressure chamber, introducing and discharging negative pressure comprises the closed system process.

13. method according to claim 8 is characterized in that, the said step of alternately introducing and discharging negative pressure comprises:

First chamber of control unit is connected with the pressure chamber fluid, transits to the negative pressure phase thus,

Wherein, during negative pressure, second chamber of control unit maintains the pressure that is higher than negative pressure.

14. method according to claim 13 is characterized in that, the step that discharges negative pressure from pressure chamber comprises being connected of opening pressure chamber and first chamber, and pressure chamber is connected with the second chamber fluid of control unit, transits to the atmospheric pressure phase thus.

15. method according to claim 13 is characterized in that, during negative pressure, second chamber of said control unit maintains and is higher than atmospheric pressure.

16. method according to claim 13 also comprises the steps:

Periodically be released in and alternately introduce and discharge the pressure that is accumulated during the negative pressure, prevent the excessive supercharging of control unit thus from second chamber of said control unit.

17. method according to claim 13 is characterized in that, the step that produces negative pressure at first intracavity of said control unit comprises that the air with certain volume is pumped to second chamber from first chamber, increases the pressure of second intracavity thus.

18. method according to claim 8 is characterized in that, the step of said startup heating/cooling element comprises to be used and the temperature that is connected to the coupled temperature control unit controlled pressure of the control unit intracavity of pressure chamber.

19. method according to claim 8 is characterized in that, said patient is the patient of hypothermia, and the step that starts heating/cooling element comprises temperature to the said heating-up temperature of pressurize intracavity.

20. method according to claim 8 is characterized in that, the persistent period of said negative pressure phase is approximately 10 seconds.

21. method according to claim 8 is characterized in that, the persistent period of said atmospheric pressure phase is approximately 7 seconds.

22. method according to claim 8 is characterized in that, the persistent period of said negative pressure phase is approximately 10 seconds, and the persistent period of said atmospheric pressure phase is approximately 7 seconds.

23. method according to claim 8 is characterized in that, said patient is unconscious, and the step of said insertion limbs comprises the limbs that preparation is used to insert.

24. method according to claim 23; It is characterized in that; The shell of said pressure chamber comprises the wrist with reduced size cross section profile between hand with large-size cross section profile and forethiga; Said limbs comprise arm and hands; The step of the limbs that said preparation is used to insert comprises the finger that stretches hands, surpasses wrist to insert.

25. method according to claim 8 is characterized in that, said heating-up temperature is more than or equal to patient's central body temperature.

26. method according to claim 8 is characterized in that, said heating-up temperature is between about 38.0 ℃ to about 43.5 ℃.

27. method according to claim 26 is characterized in that, said heating-up temperature is about 43.0 ℃.

28. method according to claim 8 is characterized in that, said chilling temperature is less than or equal to patient's central body temperature, but greater than the known temperature that will cause that extremity vascular shrinks.

29. method according to claim 8 is characterized in that, said chilling temperature is between about 22.0 ℃ to about 24.0 ℃.

30. method according to claim 29 is characterized in that, said chilling temperature is 23.0 ℃.