초록 ▼

An apparatus is disclosed for convectively and evaporatively cooling a patient. The apparatus comprises an upper sheet and a base sheet that are attached at a plurality of locations to form a convective device. The base sheet includes a plurality of apertures that direct an inflating medium from the

An apparatus is disclosed for convectively and evaporatively cooling a patient. The apparatus comprises an upper sheet and a base sheet that are attached at a plurality of locations to form a convective device. The base sheet includes a plurality of apertures that direct an inflating medium from the convective device toward the patient. The base sheet also supports a fluid delivery apparatus that distributes and delivers a cooling fluid to the patient. The fluid is evaporated from the patient's skin by the inflating medium exhausted from the convective device. The fluid delivery apparatus may be constructed in a variety of configurations and may circulate a variety of fluids, which may be pressurized or unpressurized. In operation, an air blower, that may also include a compressor for selectively delivering room temperature or cooled air to the appatatus, is connected to the convective device. The blower delivers air, under pressure, to an inlet opening in the convective device. The pressurized air is distributed throughout the convective device and flows to the patient through the apertures in the base sheet. The apparatus is configured to cover one or more portions of a patient's body. In one construction, the apparatus covers all of the patient's body except for the head. In an alternative construction, a specially designed apparatus is constructed to cover only the patient's head.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An apparatus for cooling a patient, comprising:an upper sheet and a base sheet connected together at a plurality of locations to form a convective device; an air inlet in the convective device for delivering pressurized air; a plurality of apertures opening through the base sheet for exhausting t

1. An apparatus for cooling a patient, comprising:an upper sheet and a base sheet connected together at a plurality of locations to form a convective device; an air inlet in the convective device for delivering pressurized air; a plurality of apertures opening through the base sheet for exhausting the pressurized air from the convective device; and an evaporative cooling element adapted to be disposed beneath the base sheet.