Dynatherm Technology Questions and Answers

  1. What makes Dynatherm Medical’s technology different from current patient warmers?
    Dynatherm’s patented Core Thermal Regulation™ (CTR™) technology noninvasively warms blood instead of warming superficial skin and fat. This means warmth is delivered to the patient’s core faster than with conventional technologies. The vitalHEAT™ vH2™ Temperature Management System with CTR technology also allows for full patient access, making assessment and treatment easier. The warming interface requires only one extremity.
  2. How can CTR technology warm blood noninvasively?
    The patented technique makes use of the body's own highly efficient “blood radiators.” These specialized, non-fleshy areas of the body (palm of hand, fingers, sole of foot, toes) are capable of transferring large amounts of heat via a relatively small area when subjected to the right conditions. Unlike other areas of the body that act as thermal insulation, these areas are designed to channel blood flow near the skin’s surface for the purpose of heat exchange.
  3. Are there studies to prove that this technology really works?
    Yes. The original studies performed at Stanford University Medical Center by Dennis Grahn, Ph.D. and John Brock-Utne, M.D. documented rapid changes in core temperatures in a population of hypothermic patients. This study also compared the warming rates of this technology with those of other marketed technologies. Additional studies are currently underway in three other nationally recognized medical institutions.
  4. Does CTR technology work for cooling?
    Yes. Although this aspect of the technology is currently without the benefit of published university studies, rapid cooling therapy can be performed with CTR technology.
  5. Is the technology expensive?
    No. Although the vitalHEAT vH2 device is not yet available commercially, the intended hospital pricing will be comparable to available products for temperature management.
  6. When will the technology be available?
    Commercial units of the vitalHEAT vH2 Temperature Management System are scheduled to be available in the late-2008 time frame in the U.S. Call or e-mail for more information.
  7. Is managing temperature really that important?
    Yes, managing a patient’s temperature during surgery and the postoperative period is important. Published clinical studies have shown that hypothermia either intraoperatively or postoperatively is associated with adverse outcomes including increased surgical site infection rates, impaired drug metabolism, cardiac morbidity, shivering, impaired immune function, coagulopathy and increased use of hospital resources. Several of these studies have demonstrated that maintenance of normothermia during the perioperative period significantly reduces morbidity.