title: CAERvest® - a novel endothermic hypothermic device for core temperature cooling: safety and efficacy testing.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cooling of the body is used to treat hyperthermic individuals with heatstroke or to depress core temperature below normal for neuroprotection. A novel, chemically activated, unpowered cooling device, CAERvest®, was investigated for safety and efficacy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight healthy male participants (body mass 79.9 ± 1.9 kg and body fat percentage 16.1 ± 3.8%) visited the laboratory (20 °C, 40% relative humidity) on four occasions. Following 30-min rest, physiological and perceptual measures were recorded. Participants were then fitted with the CAERvest® proof of concept (PoC) or prototype 1 (P1), 2 (P2) or 3 (P3) for 60 min. Temperature, cardiovascular and perceptual measures were recorded every 5 min. After cooling, the CAERvest® was removed and the torso checked for cold-related injuries.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Temperature measures significantly (p < 0.05) reduced pre to post in all trials. Larger reductions in core and skin temperatures were observed for PoC (-0.36 ± 0.18 and -1.55 ± 0.97 °C) and P3 (-0.36 ± 0.22 and -2.47 ± 0.82 °C), compared with P1 and P2. No signs of cold-related injury were observed at any stage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrates that the CAERvest® is an effective device for reducing body temperature in healthy normothermic individuals without presence of cold injury. Further research in healthy and clinical populations is warranted.
authors.affiliation: a Centre for Sport and Exercise Science and Medicine (SeSAME), Environmental Extremes Laboratory , University of Brighton , UK.
authors.forename: Ashley G B
authors.initials: AGB
authors.lastname: Willmott
authors.affiliation: a Centre for Sport and Exercise Science and Medicine (SeSAME), Environmental Extremes Laboratory , University of Brighton , UK.
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bliss
authors.affiliation: b BodyChillz, The Beehive , UK.
authors.forename: William H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Simpson
authors.affiliation: b BodyChillz, The Beehive , UK.
authors.forename: Steve M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Tocker
authors.affiliation: b BodyChillz, The Beehive , UK.
authors.forename: Rowland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cottingham
authors.affiliation: a Centre for Sport and Exercise Science and Medicine (SeSAME), Environmental Extremes Laboratory , University of Brighton , UK.
authors.forename: Neil S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Maxwell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D003080:Cold Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D018882:Heat Stress Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D007036:Hypothermia, Induced / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D010465:Perception; D012881:Skin Temperature / Q000502:physiology
keywords: cooling; heat-related illness; hyperthermia; targeted temperature management; thermoregulation