Avacore Technologies, Inc.

Thermatx, Inc.

Carefusion 2200, Inc.

Medtronic Vidamed, Inc.

Dynatherm Medical Inc.

Stephen J Williams

John Roy Kane

Scott A Christensen

Nathan Hamilton

Thomas H McGaffigan

James G Lovewell

Embodiments of the invention include a method and a device for increasing blood flow and controlling the temperature of a mammal by applying a desired pressure to extremities of a mammal. The device generally includes a pliant body element that is adapted to receive a portion of an extremity of the mammal therein, and then apply a pressure to a portion of the extremity when a pressure is provided to a region in which the extremity is positioned within the pliant body element. By evacuating the region in which the extremity is enclosed, a contact surface area between the extremity of a mammal and the pliant body element is increased, due to the external atmospheric pressure acting on the pliant body element against the skin of the extremity of the mammal. The application of pressure assures that sufficient contact and thermal heat transfer (heating or cooling) is provided to the extremity of the mammal.

Methods and apparatus for adjusting blood circulation

Embodiments of the invention include methods and devices for increasing blood flow and controlling the temperature of a mammal. The device generally includes collapsible and pliant body elements, capable of expanding from a first volume into an expanded second volume which can then be reduced from the expanded second volume into a pressurized third volume. One or more thermal exchange units can be positioned in the one or more collapsible and pliant body elements. Accordingly, the temperature of the extremity of a mammal can be regulated by providing heating or cooling to the one or more thermal exchange units.

A method and device for increasing blood flow by applying positive pressure to extremities of a mammal and/or controlling the temperature of the mammal. The device includes one or more collapsible and pliant body elements capable of expanding and flexibly applying pressurized compression forces to the extremity of the mammal by attaching one or more pressure-applying gas plenums as close to the extremity as possibly. The flexible extremity device can be used independently or can be used in conjunction with thermal pads disposed to the one or more collapsible and pliant body elements. Alternatively, the one or more collapsible and pliant body elements can be manufactured into thermal pads.

Embodiments of the invention include a method and a device for increasing blood flow and controlling the temperature of a mammal by applying a desired pressure to extremities of a mammal. The device generally includes one or more collapsible and pliant body elements, capable of expanding from a first volume into an expanded second volume so the device can receive a portion of an extremity of the mammal therein and then be reduced from the expanded second volume into a pressurized third volume to conformably enclose the portion of the extremity. One or more thermal exchange units can be positioned in the one or more collapsible and pliant body elements. Accordingly, the temperature of the extremity of a mammal can be regulated by providing a heated or cooled fluid medium or electric thermal energy to the one or more thermal exchange units. Next, by evacuating the region in which the extremity is enclosed the contact surface area between the extremity of a mammal and the one or more thermal exchange units is increased, due to the external atmospheric pressure acting on the pliant body elements against the skin of the extremity of the mammal. The application of pressure assures that sufficient contact and thermal heat transfer (heating or cooling) is provided to the extremity of the mammal.

A method and apparatus for the prevention of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), lower extremity edema, and other associated medical conditions by adjusting the temperature of the muscles of a foot or a leg, and/or applying vacuum or negative pressure to increase blood flow. A human extremity such as a leg is exposed to a negative pressure environment and/or a thermally controlled environment within a medical device. In one aspect, the device is portable. A thermal exchange unit and, optionally, a vacuum or negative pressure unit, are provided to increase blood flow and vasodilation. The device can be programmed by a controller in a manner to stimulate the muscles of the extremity to reduce pooling of blood therein.

Methods and apparatus for increasing blood circulation

A medical device for photodynamically treating cancerous tissue, such as prostate cancer, comprising a body, a needle extendable from the body and at least one light-emitting (e.g., laser) diode mounted on the needle. The body is sized and configured for introduction into the urethra of a patient. The needle is movable between a retracted position housed substantially within the cylindrical body, and a deployed position in which the needle extends from the cylindrical body to enable it to penetrate into prostate tissue. The light-emitting diode is adapted to emit light to activate a photosensitizing agent (e.g., porfimer sodium) in or adjacent cancerous tissue in the prostate. Methods of treating cancer and other embodiments of medical devices for cancer treatment are also disclosed.

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Scottsdale, AZ, United States of America

Stephen J Williams