Method and apparatus of a self-managed portable hypothermia system

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a method to enable a user to use a hypothermia system to cool a body part involved in cancer therapy or in brain trauma. The method enables the user to operate the hypothermia system by her- or himself and still be mobile. The hypothermia system comprises a conformal cap system, a thermally conductive liquid located between the body part to be cooled and the cap system, thermal transfer fluids, phase change materials, thermally insulated cooler, physical measuring devices, mechanical and electrical components, a 'smart' user interface device, a battery, and an uninterruptible power controller. The method allows a user to control the rate of and temperature of cooling down the body part, exhibits parameters associated with the process of cooling the body part, provides alerts if necessary, is portable and entirely self-managed. The hypothermia device is in communication with and can be controlled by an application installed on a smart device, such as a phone. The method of using the hypothermia system can help to eliminate hair loss caused by the side effects of certain chemotherapy treatments or to reduce the metabolic rate of ischemic tissue to prevent or minimize the severity of swelling.