Heat exchange catheters with bi-directional fluid flow and their methods of manufacture and use
AssigneeZoll Circulation, Inc.
InventorJeremy Thomas Dabrowiak
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Closed loop heat exchange catheters having bi-directional flow heat exchange regions and their methods of manufacture and use. The heat exchange region may be formed of expandable or non-expandable tubular conduit(s) that are configured in a series of loops or coiled configuration defining a supply flow path and a return flow path through which heat exchange medium is circulated. The individual loops of convolutions of the coiled configuration may be the same or different size. In some embodiments, the tubular conduit(s) may be passed through generally transverse bore holes formed in a catheter shaft so that the loops or convolutions of protrude from the catheter shaft.
Claims18
A catheter device comprising:
- an elongate catheter body;
- and
- a heat exchange region having a proximal end and a distal end;
- said heat exchange region comprising a first flow path through which heat exchange fluid flows toward the distal end and a second flow path through which heat exchange fluid flows toward the proximal end.
A method for modifying or controlling a body temperature in a mammalian subject, said method comprising the steps of:
- inserting into the vasculature of the subject a heat exchange catheter according to any of claims 1 through 18 such that the heat exchange region is in contact with blood flowing through the vasculature;
- and
- circulating heat exchange fluid through the supply flow path and return flow path of the heat exchange region to warm or cool blood flowing through the subject's vasculature.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.