Dual balloon central venous line catheter temperature control system

A central venous line catheter comprising:

• a substantially elongate structure configured for establishing central venous access, said structure having a proximal portion and a distal portion and defining at least a first access lumen in communication with the exterior of the structure at said proximal and distal portions;
• a proximal and a distal balloon disposed axially along the substantially elongate structure, the proximal and distal balloons adapted to effect heat exchange with the central venous system;
• a heat exchange fluid supply lumen in fluid communication with the distal balloon;
• a heat exchange fluid return lumen in fluid communication with the proximal balloon;
• wherein a serial fluid flow path is established from the distal balloon to the proximal balloon such that fluid flows from the supply lumen, to the distal balloon, then to a segment of the return lumen, then to the proximal balloon, then to the remainder of a return lumen.

A patient temperature control system comprising:

• a central venous line catheter having a proximal portion and a distal portion and defining at least a first access lumen in communication with the exterior of the catheter at the proximal and distal portions;
• a proximal and a distal balloon disposed axially along the central venous line catheter, the proximal and distal balloons adapted to effect heat exchange with the central venous system;
• a heat exchange fluid supply lumen in fluid communication with the distal balloon;
• a heat exchange fluid return lumen in fluid communication with the proximal balloon;
• and
• a temperature control unit for providing heat exchange fluid to the heat exchange fluid supply lumen and for receiving heat exchange fluid from the heat exchange fluid return lumen, the heat exchange control unit adapted to change the temperature of a heat exchange fluid circulated in the proximal and distal balloons,
• wherein a serial fluid flow path is established between the proximal and distal balloons.

A patient temperature control system comprising:

• a central venous line catheter having distal and proximal balloons disposed axially thereon;
• means for sensing the temperature of the patient;
• and
• means for controlling the temperature of the distal and proximal balloons in accordance with the means for sensing the temperature of the patient.

A method for reducing patient body temperature comprising:

• warming the patient externally;
• introducing a catheter into the body of the patient;
• and
• circulating a cooling fluid in the catheter such that the cooling fluid is in heat exchange relationship with the blood flow of the patient.