San Jose-based design consultancy Whipsaw won a 2005 Medical Design Excellence Award for their design and engineering work on the Dynatherm Vital Heat, a device that helps restore and regulate core body temperature during and after surgery. General anesthesia lowers body temperature. Within fifteen minutes, Vital Heat elevates body temperature back to normal. The patient's hand is gently sealed in a clear plastic disposable chamber. This chamber snaps onto a heat exchanger, which circulates hot water under the palm of the hand. A slight vacuum (1 psi) is pulled inside the chamber in order to vasodilate the patient's hand, increasing blood flow and transferring heat directly to the patient's core.

The base unit hangs on an IV pole, controlling water temperature, flow rate, and vacuum pressure. The heat exchanger cord wraps neatly around the base unit during storage or transport. The user interface is simple and intuitive to eliminate user error, which is especially important in the O.R. or recovery room. Vital Heat offers a smaller, less expensive, and more effective alternative to the traditional hot air blanket. Dynatherm Vital Heat received FDA approval in October 2004 and is currently in clinical trials.

More info: Whipsaw Company Profile

More Bullitts From Whipsaw:
Gateway Profile 5 and Rio Audio's 2003/4 line
GR3 GPS Receiver
Adiri Natural Nurser

Date Posted: March 18, 2005
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