Devices and methods for controlling patient temperature
AssigneeAdvanced Cooling Therapy, Inc.
InventorsErik Kulstad, Hugh Patrick Caherty
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Relatively non-invasive devices and methods for heating or cooling a patient's body are disclosed. Devices and methods for treating ischemic conditions by inducing therapeutic hypothermia are disclosed. Devices and methods for inducing therapeutic hypothermia through esophageal cooling are disclosed. Devices and methods for operative temperature management are disclosed.
Claims20
A system for controlling core body temperature of a patient comprising:
- a heat transfer device having
- (a) an input port capable of receiving a heat transfer medium from an external source;
- (b) a lumen connected to the input port;
- and
- (c) an inflatable heat transfer region configured for contacting the patient's esophageal epithelium upon inflation, wherein the lumen provides a fluid path for flow of the heat transfer medium to the inflatable heat transfer region
- a microprocessor coupled to the external source, wherein the microprocessor regulates the flow of the heat transfer medium to the heat transfer region.
A method for reducing core body temperature in a patient, comprising the steps of:
- nasally or orally inserting an esophageal heat transfer device into the patient;
- wherein the heat transfer device includes:
- (a) an input port capable of receiving a heat transfer medium from an external source;
- (b) a lumen connected to the input port;
- and
- (c) an inflatable heat transfer region configured for contacting a patient's esophageal epithelium upon inflation, wherein the lumen provides a fluid path for flow of the heat transfer medium to the inflatable heat transfer region
- advancing the inflatable heat transfer region of the heat transfer device into the patient's esophagus;
- initiating flow of a heat transfer medium along the fluid path to inflate the inflatable heat transfer region;
- deflating the inflatable heat transfer region to permit gastric ventilation;
- and
- re-inflating the inflatable heat transfer region.
A method for reducing core body temperature in a patient, comprising the steps of:
- nasally or orally inserting an esophageal heat transfer device into the patient;
- wherein the heat transfer device includes one or more lumens configured to provide a fluid path for flow of a heat transfer medium to an inflatable heat transfer region configured for contacting a patient's esophageal epithelium upon inflation;
- advancing the inflatable heat transfer region of the heat transfer device into the patient's esophagus;
- initiating flow of a heat transfer medium along the fluid path to inflate the inflatable heat transfer region;
- wherein gastric access is maintained upon inflation of the inflatable heat transfer region.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.