Medical device for selective intrathecal spinal cooling in aortic surgery and spinal trauma

A method for preventing neurologic damage, comprising the steps of:

• providing first and second elongate tubular members, each member having a lumen communicating with a port at a distal end;
• inserting the first tubular member between lumbar vertebrae into the subarachnoid space;
• inserting the second tubular member between low cervical vertebrae into the subarachnoid space, and advancing the distal port cephalad or caudal and locating the port in the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar region of the spine;
• aspirating cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) from the spinal column through one of the first tubular member or second tubular member;
• cooling the CSF by extracorporeal refrigeration;
• and
• perfusing the CSF into the spinal column through the other of the first tubular member or second tubular member, wherein the spinal cord is cooled to below normal body temperature and wherein CSF pressure is reduced to and maintained at a level substantially below normal CSF pressure.