Capullo: Thermoregulating surgical blanket
Summary
Designed to reduce the recurring risk of hypothermia, this thermoregulating blanket can be used to fully cover patients (except for the face) before, during and after surgery, and during post-op or postpartum recovery of pediatric patients or newborns.
Capullo is connected to an external source of thermoregulated air that inflates and heats the device using either convection or conduction.
The blanket can be used inflated and open (not wrapped around the patient) as an assistive device during medical or surgical procedures, or it can be used inflated and closed (fully wrapped around the patient) during post-op recovery to reduce the prevalence of body heat regulation issues associated with anesthesia.
Additionally, Capullo prevents hypothermia even when uninflated (without injecting thermoregulated air) since the mere act of placing it on top of patients will conserve their body heat, making it appropriate for post-op treatment.
Potential Use
Suitable for use with newborns or pediatric patients in general who must undergo surgery or who are under post-op care and exposed to lower temperatures that could lead to hypothermia.
Development Status
TRL 4: Technology validated in lab.
Advantages
- Easy-to-use design allows for quick connection to surgical monitors, probes and other external devices.
- Body heat regulation (thermoregulation).
- Reduces respiratory difficulties often caused by excessive hyperthermia in newborns and pediatric patients.
- Flexible design adapts to newborn bodies.
Intellectual Property
- International patent request No. PCT/CL2019/050048.
Opportunity
- Looking for companies or institutions interested in financing the next stages of development and production for future sale and marketing.
Research Team
- Chiara Antillo Heilenkotter,
- Soledad Picasso Taladriz
- Yael Berkowitz Chame
- Olivia Garreaud Sutil
- Iván Caro Pinto,
- Juan Carlos Patillo Silva