Dennis Albert Grahn

US Patent:

6602277, Aug 5, 2003

Filed:

Jun 7, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/878129

Inventors:

Dennis A. Grahn - Palo Alto CA
H. Craig Heller - Stanford CA

Assignee:

The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

A61F 700

US Classification:

607108, 128898, 601 16, 607109

Abstract:

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 the thoracic/abdominal core body and head of the mammal. In general, such thermal energy transfer occurs under negative pressure conditions. The subject methods and devices find use in a variety of applications.

US Patent:

6656208, Dec 2, 2003

Filed:

Apr 20, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/839590

Inventors:

Dennis A. Grahn - Stanford CA
H. Craig Heller - Stanford CA

Assignee:

The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

A61H 3300

US Classification:

607104

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

6673099, Jan 6, 2004

Filed:

Jun 7, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/877407

Inventors:

Dennis A. Grahn - Palo Alto CA
H. Craig Heller - Stanford CA

Assignee:

The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

A61F 700

US Classification:

607108, 607104, 601 16, 601 11

Abstract:

Methods and devices for preventing a change in the core body temperature of a mammal under cold conditions are provided. In the subject methods, a requirement for thermal energy input in said mammal is first detected. In response to the detection of this requirement for thermal energy input, a surface of a portion of the mammal is contacted with a warm temperature medium under negative pressure conditions for a period of time sufficient to introduce thermal energy into the core body of the mammal. The subject devices include at least a means for detecting a requirement for thermal energy input and a means for contacting a surface of the mammal with a warm temperature medium under negative pressure conditions. The subject methods and devices find use in a variety of applications, and are particularly suited for use in maintaining the core body temperature of a mammal substantially constant under cold conditions for an extended period of time.

US Patent:

6966922, Nov 22, 2005

Filed:

Sep 3, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/655557

Inventors:

Dennis A. Grahn - Palo Alto CA, US
H. Craig Heller - Stanford CA, US

Assignee:

The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

A61F007/00

US Classification:

607104, 607114

Abstract:

Methods and devices for preventing a change in the core body temperature of a mammal under cold conditions are provided. In the subject methods, a requirement for thermal energy input in said mammal is first detected. In response to the detection of this requirement for thermal energy input, a surface of a portion of the mammal is contacted with a warm temperature medium under negative pressure conditions for a period of time sufficient to introduce thermal energy into the core body of the mammal. The subject devices include at least a means for detecting a requirement for thermal energy input and a means for contacting a surface of the mammal with a warm temperature medium under negative pressure conditions. The subject methods and devices find use in a variety of applications, and are particularly suited for use in maintaining the core body temperature of a mammal substantially constant under cold conditions for an extended period of time.

US Patent:

6974442, Dec 13, 2005

Filed:

Nov 6, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/704345

Inventors:

Dennis A. Grahn - Palo Alto CA, US
H. Craig Heller - Stanford CA, US

Assignee:

The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

A61H033/00

US Classification:

604104

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

7122047, Oct 17, 2006

Filed:

Nov 14, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/714488

Inventors:

Dennis A. Grahn - Palo Alto CA, US
H. Craig Heller - Stanford CA, US

Assignee:

The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

A61F 7/00

US Classification:

607108, 128898, 607112, 607 96

Abstract:

Methods, computer programming and devices for transferring heat to and/or from a body portion of a mammal are provided. One approach includes directly determining a state of vasoconstriction or vasodilation in a portion of a body, and supplying heat to the portion of the body when vasoconstriction is determined, and removing heat from the portion of the body when vasodilation is determined. The body portion preferably includes specific heat exchange vasculature. In another approach, a transition of the body portion from a state of vasodilation to vasoconstriction is determined and the body portion is then actively kept in a state of vasodilation while removing heat therefrom.

US Patent:

7182776, Feb 27, 2007

Filed:

Aug 31, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/932344

Inventors:

Dennis A. Grahn - Palo Alto CA, US
H. Craig Heller - Stanford CA, US

Assignee:

The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

A61F 7/00

US Classification:

607104, 607107

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

7330123, Feb 12, 2008

Filed:

Jun 9, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/865127

Inventors:

Dennis A. Grahn - Palo Alto CA, US
H. Craig Heller - Stanford CA, US
Robert M. Sapolsky - San Francisco CA, US
Lisa Share - San Francisco CA, US

Assignee:

Stanford University-Office of Technology Licensing - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

G08B 23/00

US Classification:

3405736, 3405731, 340553, 367134

Abstract:

Low-cost, reliable, easy to use device and method identifies potential drowning or near-drowning events (i. e. a submerged inert human) in a timely manner, provides the precise location of the event, and issues an alert that such an event is in progress. Device is optionally networked to remote monitoring station.