Dynatherm Medical recently introduced the vitalHEAT vH2 Temperature Management System, which is designed to noninvasively prevent or treat intraoperative hypothermia through the encapsulation of only one extremity.
Utilizing the application of heat under low vacuum to open AVAs (thermo-regulatory structures) in the palm and fingers, the vH2 warms blood in the hand and arm then delivers this heat directly to the core through the venous vasculature bypassing the need to cover large body surface areas. The maker says it is convenient to apply and simple to operate and it warms patients while minimizing interference with either surgical drapes or site.