Inventors:
Gary Gruszecki - Arvada CO
Bruce Ellingboe - Littleton CO
Gary Carson - Golden CO
Assignee:
Medivance Incorporated - Louisville CO
International Classification:
A61F 200
Abstract:
An improved patient temperature exchange system and method is disclosed for use with one or more interconnectable patient contact pads. In one embodiment, the system includes a circulating pump for drawing fluid through the interconnected pad(s) under negative pressure, and for pumping the fluid through one of more heat exchange devices into a circulating reservoir. A make-up reservoir may be provided for gravity fluid flow into the circulating reservoir during the filling of the interconnectable pad(s) and for receiving fluid upon emptying of the interconnectable pad(s). During normal heating/cooling operations, the circulated fluid does not pass through the make-up reservoir, thereby yielding a highly responsive system. The make-up and circulatory reservoirs may be directly interconnected, with the make-up reservoir maintained at atmospheric pressure (e. g. via a non-spill vent).
