(54) METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR
THERMALLY ACTIVATING A CONSOLE OF
A THERMAL DELIVERY SYSTEM
(75) Inventor: Charles D. Lennox, Hudson, NH (US)
(73) Assignee: MedCool, Inc., Westwood, MA (US)
( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
(21) Appl. No.: 10/856,611
(22) Filed: May 28, 2004
(65) Prior Publication Data
US 2004/0243202 Al Dec. 2, 2004
Related U.S. Application Data
(60) Provisional application No. 60/473,705, filed on May 28, 2003.
(51) Int. CI.
A61F 7/00 (2006.01)
(52) U.S. CI 607/96; 607/104; 607/108;
607/114
(58) Field of Classification Search 607/96,
607/104-107, 114, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113,
607/108
See application file for complete search history.
(56) References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
3,587,577 A 6/1971 Smirnov et al 128/254
5,097,829 A 3/1992 Quisenberry 607/105
5,174,285 A 12/1992 Fontenot 607/104
5,862,675 A 1/1999 Scaringe et al 62/196.3
5,871,526 A 2/1999 Gibbs et al 607/104
A thermal delivery system includes a base unit having a thermal regulation source and a console configured to deliver cooling fluid to a body-cooling device to induce hypothermia and aid in resuscitation of a patient. When a user docks the console with the base station, the console thermally contacts the thermal regulation source. The thermal regulation source alters the temperature of fluid held by the console for an indefinite period of time. In the case where a patient, at a location remote from the thermal delivery system, requires induction of hypothermia, a user detaches the console from the base station and transports the console to the patient's location. The configuration of the thermal delivery system allows the base station to thermally adjust the temperature of the fluid held by the console for an extended period of time, thereby minimizing a delay in transporting a console having the thermally adjusted fluid to the patient.
25 Claims, 13 Drawing Sheets
