Non Invasive Therapeutic Temperature Management

Fever

While fever control is a routine practice in most hospitals, it is considered a part of this evolving therapy because of the recent aggressiveness and speed with which these fevers are treated. Recent studies have shown that a patient who has a fever particularly over 38°C (100.4°F) may actually exacerbate some illnesses and interfere with the patients outcome.

Accidental Hypothermia vs. Controlled Induction of ­Hypothermia

A victim of accidental hypothermia is more vulnerable than a patient who undergoes controlled hypothermia. In accidental hypothermia, the victims temperatures may drop precipitously and without control to dangerous low levels that affect heart rate and other organ functions. News accounts of survival of accidental hypothermia are however possible and common during the winter. Often those who do survive do so without any residual organ damage. These successes have led to animal and clinical studies to determine whether the induction of hypothermia may provide a patient benefit in certain medical conditions.

The literature provides some indication that most patients can be successfully cooled and managed at temperatures over 32°C (89.6°F) without systemic problems, such as cardiac arrhythmias, bleeding, or blood pressure problems. Research studies done to date suggest that the induction of mild hypothermia may slow the metabolic rate, may inhibit the release of neurotoxins in the injured brain, and in some cases, prolong the window of time in which the disease can be treated.

Arctic Sun AS 2000 Features

• Time to Target (gradual rewarming) –0.05° to 0.5 °C/hour (0.1° to 0.9 °F/hour)
• Temperature out feature – echoes patient temperature from the Arctic Sun to an ICU monitor.
• Patient Temperature Trend Indicator – reflects rate of patient temperature change
• Fully independent secondary temperature monitoring
• Data output capabilites
• Flow operates under negative pressure, thereby minimizing the chance of leakage
• Purge feature removes water from the pads at the end of the procedure

Arctic Sun Energy Transfer Pads Design

The Arctic Sun provides a highly efficient non-invasive method of warming or cooling patients. The combination of the Arctic Sun Control Module and Arctic Sun Energy Transfer Pads were designed to simulate water immersion.

The Arctic Sun Energy Transfer Pads offer an entirely different approach to surface cooling.

With conventional water blankets or wraps, air is trapped between the cooling source and the skin. The patient is then cooled by cold air (convection).