Indwelling heat exchange catheter and method of using same

A method for making a heat exchange catheter, comprising the steps of:

• providing a first tube having a first lumen extending between a proximal end and a distal end;
• inserting a second tube into the lumen of the first tube, the second tube having a second lumen;
• connecting a plurality of hollow fibers in fluid communication with a first flow path extending along the second lumen of the second tube, and a second flow path extending along the first lumen of the first tube outwardly to the second tube;
• and
• insuring that the second tube is at least one of axially and rotationally movable relative to the first tube to vary the configuration of the hollow fibers in order to facilitate heat exchange with the heat exchange catheter.

A heat exchange catheter, including:

• an elongate shaft extending along an axis between a proximal end a distal end;
• first portions of the shaft defining an inlet lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end of the shaft;
• second portions of the shaft defining an outlet lumen;
• a first manifold in fluid communication with the inlet lumen at the distal end of the shaft;
• a second manifold in fluid communication with the outlet lumen of the shaft;
• a plurality of hollow fibers disposed to extend between the first manifold and the second manifold in fluid communication with the inlet lumen and the outlet lumen;
• and
• the catheter being adapted to receive a heat exchange fluid at the proximal end of the inlet lumen, and to direct the heat exchange fluid through the hollow fibers to exchange heat through the hollow fibers.

A method for exchanging heat with a body fluid in a body conduit, comprising the steps of:

• introducing into the body conduit a catheter having an inlet lumen and an outlet lumen;
• providing the catheter with a first cavity in heat transfer relationship with a body fluid in the body conduit;
• introducing a heat exchange fluid into the inlet lumen and into the first cavity;
• exchanging heat between the heat exchange fluid and the body fluid in the body conduit;
• removing the heat exchange fluid from the first cavity through the outlet lumen;
• and
• during the providing step, providing the catheter with a plurality of hollow heat exchange fibers each extending in fluid communication with the inlet lumen and the outlet lumen, the heat exchange fibers collectively defining the first cavity in heat transfer relationship with the body fluid in the body conduit.

A heat exchange catheter having a elongate configuration and extending between a proximal end and a distal end, the catheter being adapted for cooling the blood of a patient, comprising:

• a heat exchange region of the catheter;
• a plurality of fibers included in the heat exchange region, with each of the fibers having a hollow configuration and being adapted to receive a heat exchange fluid;
• and
• a coating disposed on the outer surface of the fibers to inhibit the formation of blood clots on the cooled fibers.