# US 11,026,739 B2 · Thermocouple-controlled catheter cooling system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,026,739 B2 - Document ID: US11026739B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/919,782 - Filed: 2018-03-13 - Published: 2018-08-23 - Granted: 2021-06-08 - Earliest claimed: 2008-05-16 - Assignees: Medronic CryoCath LP - Applicants: Medtronic CryoCath LP - Inventors: Jean-Pierre Lalonde; Dan Wittenberger; Marwan Abboud; Constantin Bogdan Ciobotaru; Ramin Sabbaghe-Kermani - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11026739B2 ## CPC - A61B 18/02: by cooling, e.g. cryogenic techniques - A61B 2018/00023: {closed, i.e. without wound contact by the fluid} - A61B 2018/0022: {Balloons} - A61B 2018/00797: {measured by multiple temperature sensors} - A61B 2018/00821: {measured by a thermocouple} - A61B 2018/0212: {using an instrument inserted into a body lumen, e.g. catheter} - A61B 2018/0262: {using a circulating cryogenic fluid} - A61M 25/0136: {Handles therefor} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract The present invention provides a medical system, including a catheter defining an injection lumen, a chamber in fluid communication with the injection lumen, and an exhaust lumen in fluid communication with the chamber; a first temperature sensor positioned in the exhaust lumen proximal to the chamber; a second temperature sensor positioned in the chamber; and a console in electrical communication with the first and second temperature sensors, the controller modifying coolant flow through the medical device based at least in part upon a signal received from the first and second temperature sensor. The system may further include a thermally-conductive element circumscribing a substantial portion of the exhaust lumen proximal to the chamber, where the first temperature sensor is mounted to the thermally-conductive element, and the thermally-conductive element may include at least one of a braid, coil, and band. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A medical system, the system comprising: a catheter having a length and defining an injection lumen, a chamber in fluid communication with the injection lumen, and an exhaust lumen in fluid communication with the chamber; a thermally conductive reinforcement element disposed within the catheter and circumscribing a substantial portion of the exhaust lumen, the reinforcement element extending along a substantial length of the exhaust lumen; a plurality of temperature sensors coupled to the reinforcement element; a cryogenic fluid supply in fluid communication with the injection lumen, the reinforcement element being directly exposed to cryogenic fluid within the exhaust lumen and; and a console in electrical communication with the plurality of temperature sensors, the console being programmed to: receive temperature measurements from each of the plurality of temperature sensors; determine temperature characteristics at a plurality of discrete locations along the length of the catheter; calculate a pressure of the cryogenic fluid at each of the plurality of discrete locations along the length of the catheter; and adjust a flow of the cryogenic fluid within the catheter based on the calculated pressure at each of the plurality of discrete locations along the length of the catheter. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the reinforcement element circumscribes an inner circumference of the exhaust lumen. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein the exhaust lumen has a length, the reinforcement element extending along an entirety of the length of the exhaust lumen. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the reinforcement element is located entirely within the exhaust lumen. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the reinforcement element includes at least one of a braid and a coil. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, wherein the reinforcement element is a braid having a plurality of intersecting segments defining a plurality of intersecting points, each of the plurality of temperature sensors being at a corresponding one of the plurality of intersecting points. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a vacuum source in fluid communication with the exhaust lumen. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein the vacuum source maintains a pressure within the exhaust lumen to a pressure between 80 mm Hg and 0 mm Hg before an initiation of the flow of cryogenic fluid within the catheter. ### Claim 9 A method of using a medical system, the method comprising: circulating a cryogenic fluid through a catheter having a length and including: an injection lumen; a chamber in fluid communication with the injection lumen; an exhaust lumen in fluid communication with the chamber; a thermally conductive braid disposed within and circumscribing a substantial portion of the exhaust lumen, the braid including a plurality of intersecting segments defining a plurality of intersecting points; and a plurality of temperature sensors coupled to the thermally conductive braid, each of the plurality of temperature sensors being at a corresponding one of the plurality of intersecting points; receiving temperature measurements from each of the plurality of temperature sensors; determining temperature characteristics at a plurality of discrete locations along the length of the catheter; calculating a pressure of a cryogenic fluid at each of the plurality of discrete locations along the length of the catheter; and adjusting a flow of the cryogenic fluid within the catheter based on the calculated pressure at each of the plurality of discrete locations along the length of the catheter. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, further comprising maintaining with a vacuum source a pressure within the exhaust lumen to a pressure between 80 mm Hg and 0 mm Hg before an initiation of the flow of cryogenic fluid within the catheter.