Inflatable catheter for selective organ heating and cooling and method of using the same
AssigneeInnercool Therapies, Inc.
InventorsJohn D. Dobak III, Juan D. Lasheras
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A catheter system and method are provided which change the temperature of a fluid, such as blood, by heat transfer. Selective cooling or heating of an organ may be performed by changing the temperature of the blood feeding the organ. The catheter system includes an inlet lumen and an outlet lumen structured and arranged to carry a working fluid having a temperature different from the adjacent blood. The outlet lumen is configured to induce turbulence in the adjacent fluid passing adjacent the outlet lumen.
Claims9
A catheter system to change the temperature of blood by heat transfer to or from a circulating working fluid, comprising:
- an inlet lumen to introduce a circulating working fluid;
- and and
- an outlet lumen to extract a circulating working fluid, the outlet lumen having a shape that induces mixing in blood flowing past the outlet lumen or in the working fluid.
A catheter system to rewarm a patient, comprising:
- a working fluid supply configured to circulate a working fluid, wherein the working fluid supply is configured to produce a working fluid at a temperature of greater than about 37° C.;
- an inlet lumen to introduce the circulating working fluid;
- and
- an outlet lumen to extract the circulating working fluid, the outlet lumen having a shape that induces mixing in blood flowing past the outlet lumen or in the working fluid.
A catheter method of inducing a therapeutic state of hypothermia in a patient comprising:
- inserting an inflatable heat transfer element, formed by at least an inlet lumen and an outlet lumen, into an artery or vein;
- inflating the inflatable heat transfer element by delivering a working fluid to the inflatable heat transfer element, the temperature of the working fluid lower than that of the blood;
- and
- passing the working fluid through a mixing inducing path formed by the outlet lumen, wherein an open path between the inlet lumen and the outlet lumen allows blood flow therethrough, thereby enhancing heat transfer between the working fluid and the blood.
A method for warning a body of a patient, comprising:
- introducing a catheter having an inflatable heat transfer element, formed by at least an inlet lumen and an outlet lumen, the outlet lumen having a mixing inducing shape, into a blood vessel;
- circulating a working fluid through the heat transfer element, wherein the working fluid is removed from the heat transfer element by passing through the outlet lumen, the working fluid having a temperature greater than the temperature of the blood vessel;
- and
- such that heat is added to the blood to warm the body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.