Cooled mechanical circulatory support system and method of operation

A cooling element of a mechanical circulatory support system, the cooling element comprising:

• a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end;
• a first lumen that accommodates flow of a fluid in a first direction from the proximal end of the catheter to the distal end of the catheter;
• and
• a second lumen that accommodates flow of the fluid a second direction from the distal end of the catheter to the proximal end of the catheter,
• wherein the cooling element is configured to cool blood circulated by the mechanical circulatory support system.

A mechanical circulatory support system for a heart comprising:

• a support catheter having a distal end, a proximal end, an inner surface, and an outer surface, the outer surface of the support catheter configured to contact blood when disposed within patient vasculature;
• and
• a cooling element disposed in the support catheter, the cooling element comprising:
• a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end;
• a first lumen that accommodates flow of a fluid in a first direction from the proximal end of the catheter to the distal end of the catheter;
• and
• a second lumen that accommodates flow of the fluid a second direction from the distal end of the catheter to the proximal end of the catheter,
• wherein the cooling element is configured to cool blood circulated by the mechanical circulatory support system.

A cooling element of a blood pump, the cooling element comprising:

• a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end;
• a first lumen that accommodates flow of a fluid in a first direction from the proximal end of the catheter to the distal end of the catheter;
• and
• a second lumen that accommodates flow of the fluid a second direction from the distal end of the catheter to the proximal end of the catheter,
• wherein the cooling element is configured to cool blood circulated by the blood pump.