The Thermal Angel, a patented medical product that helps U.S. government, military and emergency responders save lives, has now tripled production to assist American troops deployed or about to deploy throughout the world, it was announced Wednesday.

Jay Lopez, president and CEO of Dallas-based Estill Medical Technologies, Inc., said the battery-powered Thermal Angel Blood and IV Fluid Warmer is "in stock and immediately available" for shipping to U.S. troops in Afghanistan and elsewhere around the globe.

The high-tech Thermal Angel helps to prevent a trauma victim's core body temperature from dropping to a hypothermic level. "The first 60 minutes after a trauma incident are often the most important. In fact, a substantial number of casualty deaths occur in the field, before the victim ever reaches a hospital. Having the Thermal Angel on the scene can make the difference between life and death," said Jay Lopez. Lopez, along with his father, Leonard Lopez, the company's chairman, and his brother, Brandon Lopez, vice president of operations and business development, runs the family business.

The Thermal Angel - a small (9 inches/23 cm), disposable, lightweight (9 oz. /260 grams) medical device - has become a mission-critical component of combat casualty care. "The Thermal Angel is being extensively used by the Marines to treat casualties in their portable operating rooms, the Forward Resuscitative Surgical System (FRSS). In fact, our product is so effective that we've sold it to every branch of the U.S. military, helping to ensure a high standard of care for our forces," said Brandon Lopez, in charge of production.

With five simple steps, the Thermal Angel Blood and IV Warmer will provide warm fluids within 45 seconds. Because the Thermal Angel Blood Warmer is disposable, there are no complicated or time-consuming maintenance protocols.

"Set it up, use it and dispose of it. It's that simple," said Brandon Lopez, noting that the unit is cost-effective because it streamlines and improves patient care, with little staff training, maintenance, and it helps reduce medical complications resulting from hypothermia. Nevertheless, the Thermal Angel comes with a brief, on-line demonstration training video and around-the-clock technical support to help emergency responders.

The Thermal Angel utilizes advanced technology which regulates temperature almost 5,000 times per second. It requires 30-45 seconds to set up and start delivering warm fluid in either a battlefield or commercial healthcare setting. As a result of the Thermal Angel's portability, it follows the patient from the initial point of injury, through transport, into ER and recovery for an uninterrupted continuum of care.

The Thermal Angel continues to be a proven medical technology for the U.S. military community. Over the last five years, the battery-powered Thermal Angel has been extensively used as the portable blood and IV fluid warmer for Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC). TCCC is the only standard of care endorsed by both the American College of Surgeons, and the National Association of EMT's for Casualty Management in Tactical Environments.

The Thermal Angel was first sold to the military in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001 and it was recognized as standard care in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. In addition to U.S. military installations around the world, the Thermal Angel is used by hospitals, emergency medical services (EMS) and flight services across the United States. To date, more than 90 countries have expressed interest in the Thermal Angel, including key U.S. allies.

"Our No.1 priority is to have our Thermal Angel available for U.S. Marines and all American troops who are deployed to sustain life and to bring them home safely," said Jay Lopez.

To order the Thermal Angel TA-200 (catalog #TA-200 and NSN# 6515-01-500-3521) and related products, please visit: www.thermalangel.com

CONTACT: Kirsten Fedewa, +1-202-365-6936, for Thermal Angel