| abstract |
The present invention is a heating and cooling pad for therapeutically treating the orbital, frontal, nasal, and temporal regions of a patient's head with a non-ambient temperature fluid that circulates through the pad. The pad includes a pair of molded membranes that enclose a central reservoir. Capillaries extend outwardly from opposing sides of the central reservoir into collector channels that extend around the outer periphery of the pad. The reservoir and collector channels are connected to an external source of the fluid. The design of the reservoir and capillaries is optimized to deliver the temperature-adjusting fluid to key anatomical structures. The pad includes a unique integral support structure that allows adjustment of its shape. n The present invention also provides a method for treating a variety of biopsychiatric and physiological disorders by using the pad of the invention to heat the orbital and temporal areas of a person's head, which ultimately results in greater neurotransmitter activity in the orbital cortex. |