Methods and devices for extracting thermal energy from the body core of a mammal
View Patent ↗Methods and devices for extracting thermal energy from the core body of a mammal are provided. In practicing the subject methods, a portion of the mammal, e.g. a limb or portion thereof, is placed in a sealed enclosure to produce an enclosed portion of the mammal. A surface of the enclosed portion of the mammal is then contacted with a low temperature medium under negative pressure conditions for a period of time sufficient to provide for the desired core body thermal energy extraction. The subject methods and devices find use in a variety of applications, e.g. providing relief from temperature sensitive disorders, such as multiple sclerosis, and the treatment of hyperthermia, among other treatments. The subject methods and devices are particularly suited for use in enhancing the physical ability of a mammal.
1. A method for extracting thermal energy from the core body of a mammal, said method comprising:
(a) enclosing a portion of said mammal in a sealed enclosure having a two-sided seal configuration to produce an enclosed portion of said mammal;
(b) contacting a surface of said enclosed portion with a low temperature medium under negative pressure conditions for a period of time sufficient to extract thermal energy from the core body of said mammal, wherein said low temperature medium has a temperature below said mammal's normal physiologic temperature but above a temperature that results in localized vasoconstriction at said surface.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said portion of said mammal is a limb or a portion thereof.
3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein said limb is selected from the group consisting of an arm and a leg.
4. The method according to claim 3 , wherein said portion is a heat exchange surface.
5. The method according to claim 4 , wherein said heat exchange surface is selected from the group consisting of a sole and a palm.
6. The method according to claim 2 , wherein said sealed enclosure under said negative pressure conditions has a pressure ranging from about −20 to about −80 mm Hg.
7. The method according to claim 2 , wherein said low temperature medium has a temperature ranging from about 15 to about 35° C.
8. The method according to claim 2 , wherein said period of time ranges from about 0.5 min to about 24 hrs.
9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said mammal is a human.
10. A method for enhancing the ability of a mammal to perform a physical procedure, said method comprising:
(a) enclosing a portion of said mammal in a sealed enclosure having a two-sided seal configuration to produce an enclosed portion of said mammal;
(b) contacting a surface of said enclosed portion with a low temperature medium under negative pressure conditions at least once during said physical procedure for a period of time sufficient to enhance the ability of said mammal to perform said physical procedure, wherein said low temperature medium has a temperature below said mammal's normal physiologic temperature but above a temperature that results in localized vasoconstriction at said surface.
11. A device for extracting thermal energy from the core body of a mammal, said device comprising:
(a) a sealable enclosure having a two-sided seal configuration dimensions sufficient to produce an enclosed portion of a mammal;
(b) a negative pressure producing element that produces negative pressure conditions in said sealable enclosure; and
(c) a cooling element for producing a reduced temperature medium in said sealable enclosure;
(d) wherein said devices is adapted to avoid localized vasoconstriction on the surface of an enclosed portion of a mammal.