According to the company, patients in the two clinical studies will be cooled while under sedation, with the intent of reaching a state of therapeutic hypothermia in approximately 30 minutes or less.
Life Recovery Systems R&D vice president Dr Robert Schock said: "We are eager to see our rapid cooling treatment evaluated in victims of heart attack and stroke, as preliminary data predict that cooling will be most effective if it is provided close to the time of reperfusion."
Using direct liquid contact with the patient, the ThermoSuit system reduces core body temperature. The system cools to a therapeutic temperature of 33°C in about 30 minutes.
A thin film of ice water is circulated over the patient’s body until the temperature reaches a pre-set limit, at which point the water is automatically removed from the suit. As the patient reaches the target temperature, the suit is removed from the patient.
The patient remains cold for hours after removal from the ThermoSuit, allowing unencumbered access for imaging or treatment in the catheterization laboratory.
