The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 21, 2001
Filed:
Oct. 07, 1998
Kerry Tomic-Edgar, Santa Ana, CA (US);
Gordon Shigezawa, Irvine, CA (US);
Anthony V. Beran, Santa Ana, CA (US);
Respiratory Support Products, Inc., Irvine, CA (US);
Abstract
The present invention relates to an improved thermal conditioning apparatus for thermally treating a patient. More specifically, the present invention relates to an inflatable apparatus for bathing a patient with a thermally conditioned medium. Such a treatment apparatus is useful for medically treating a patient suffering from hypothermia or hyperthermia, or for maintaining the body temperature of a patient undergoing a surgical procedure. A thermal conditioning apparatus according to the present invention includes first and second pluralities of orifices, the first plurality of orifices being smaller than the second plurality. An inlet portion which receives the thermal conditioning medium is located closer to the first plurality of orifices than the second plurality of orifices. The combined use of smaller orifices in close proximity to the inlet portion with larger orifices distal from the inlet portion tends to minimize the thermal gradients that may occur. Furthermore, a thermal conditioning apparatus according to the present invention includes a cover portion formed from the first and second material layers which make up the thermal conditioning apparatus.