Methods and Devices for Manipulating the Thermoregulatory Status of a Mammal

摘要

Methods and devices for manipulating the thermoregulatory status of a mammal are provided. In the subject methods, thermal energy is transferred between the environment and both of the thoracic/abdominal core body and head of the mammal. In general, thermal energy transfer between thoracic/abdominal core body and the environment occurs under negative pressure conditions. The subject methods and devices can be used to increase the thoracic/abdominal core body temperature of a mammal, in which case thermal energy is introduced into the thoracic/abdominal core body of the mammal and removed from the head of the mammal or cold is merely applied thereto. The subject methods and devices can also be used to reduce the thoracic/abdominal core body temperature of a mammal, in which case thermal energy is removed from the thoracic/abdominal core body of the mammal and introduced into the head of the mammal or heat is merely applied thereto.