Apparatus and method for esophageal cooling

A heat exchange apparatus for removing heat from, or adding heat to, an esophagus of a patient, comprising:

• a heat transfer shaft insertable into an esophagus of a patient, the heat transfer shaft including
• a first fluid lumen having a proximal end and a distal end and
• a second fluid lumen having a proximal end and a distal end,
• the first fluid lumen and the second fluid lumen having a side by side configuration, and
• a non-inflatable cavity disposed at a distal end of the heat transfer shaft, the cavity in fluid communication with the first and second fluid lumens such that a heat exchange fluid introduced into the proximal end of the first fluid lumen flows from the first fluid lumen through the cavity into the distal end of the second fluid lumen,
• a pump in fluid communication with the first fluid lumen and the second fluid lumen, the pump configured to pump heat exchange fluid through the first fluid lumen and the second fluid lumen;
• a master control unit housing a heater or cooler unit;
• and
• wherein heat is exchanged between the esophagus and the heat exchange fluid circulating within the heat transfer shaft so as to controllably alter the temperature of at least a portion of the patient.