Stevens Urethane film, the key component in a new Topical Cooling Device

A topical cooling device fabricated from Stevens Urethane film has become a key element in myocardial preservation in open heart surgery, replacing ice slush or cold water. The TCD™, manufactured by COBE Cardiovascular, Inc., consists of a flexible, foam-insulated urethane pad that is wrapped around the heart during the entire procedure. A cooled saline solution is pumped in a closed loop through the device. This allows for maximum cooling of the heart, rather than the surgeon’s hand or fingers which often occurred when using traditional cooling methods. Urethane was specified rather than PVC for its ability to remain flexible over a wide temperature range as well as its superior heat transfer properties.