IMPROVED THERMAL CONDITIONING APPARATUS

摘要

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 (500) for bathing a patient with a thermally conditioned medium. Such a treatment apparatus is useful for medically treating a patient suffering form hypothermia or hyperthermia, or for maintaining the body temperature of a patient undergoing a surgical procedure. A thermal conditioning apparatus (500) according to the present invention includes first and second pluralities of orifices (130), the first plurality of orifices being smaller than the second plurality. An inlet portion (150) 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 (150) with larger orifices distal from the inlet portion (150) tends to minimize the thermal gradients that may occur. Furthermore, a thermal conditioning apparatus (500) according to the present invention includes a cover portion (170) formed from the first and the second material layers which make up the thermal conditioning apparatus.