# US 2014/0155965 A1 · Devices and methods for controlling patient temperature > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0155965 A1 - Document ID: US20140155965A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/768,752 - Filed: 2013-02-15 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2009-02-26 - Assignees: Advanced Cooling Therapy, Inc. - Inventors: Erik Kulstad; Hugh Patrick Caherty - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140155965A1 ## CPC - A61F 7/12: Devices for heating or cooling internal body cavities - A61F 7/123: {using a flexible balloon containing the thermal element} - A61B 2017/00084: {Temperature} - A61B 2090/064: {for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension} - A61F 2007/0054: {with a closed fluid circuit, e.g. hot water} - A61F 2007/0095: {with a temperature indicator} - A61F 2007/126: {for invasive application, e.g. for introducing into blood vessels} - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is capable of receiving a target pressure determined by a health care professional. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is capable of decreasing the flow of the heat transfer medium to the heat transfer region. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is capable of increasing the flow of the heat transfer medium to the heat transfer region. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is capable of periodically increasing or decreasing the flow of the heat transfer medium to the heat transfer region. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a pressure sensor for detecting gastric pressure and generating a signal representative of gastric pressure. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein the pressure sensor is capable of sending the signal to the microprocessor. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein the microprocessor is capable of responding to the signal from the pressure sensor with a proportional integrated differential response to control the flow of the heat transfer medium to the heat transfer region. ### Claim 9 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. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of monitoring gastric pressure. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein information representing gastric pressure is communicated to a microprocessor capable of inflating or deflating the inflatable heat transfer region. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the microprocessor is capable of receiving a target pressure determined by a health care professional. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the microprocessor is capable of responding to the signal from the pressure sensor with a proportional integrated differential response to control the flow of the heat transfer medium to the heat transfer region. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of maintaining the core body temperature of the patient below about 34° C. for at least two hours. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of maintaining the core body temperature of the patient below about 34° C. for at least twenty four hours. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of maintaining the core body temperature of the patient below about 34° C. for at least seventy two hours. ### Claim 17 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. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, further comprising nasally or orally inserting a gastric tube into the patient ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the inflatable heat transfer region takes on a substantially helical shape upon inflation. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the inflatable heat transfer region takes on a substantially hourglass shape upon inflation.