Apparatus and method for the rapid induction of hypothermic brain preservation
OwnerRichard Houston McShaneinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus and method for using a cooled fluid to be introduced into the lungs as a heat exchange which as a result of the circulatory system of the body, lowers the temperature of the brain as well as the temper of the body in general. In instances where cardiopulmonary arrest occurs and CPR is delayed due to the clinical setting in which the arrest takes place, the rapid induction of brain hypothermia by liquid pulmonary lavage secures valuable time for the subsequent application of CPR techniques. The method can be used on any elective hypothermic surgery.
Claims16
An assembly suitable for inducing rapid hypothermic brain preservation using a liquid pulmonary lavage comprising:
- a fluid reservoir suitable for storage of a liquid pulmonary lavage;
- heat exchanger means suitable for cooling said liquid pulmonary lavage;
- means connecting said fluid reservoir and said heat exchanger means;
- means associated with said fluid reservoir for circulating said liquid pulmonary lavage and connected to,
- a first flexible catheter extending from and connected at its proximal end to said heat exchanger means and having a distal end suitable for dispensing said cooled liquid pulmonary lavage in a subject's tracheobronchial tree;
- a second flexible catheter insertable in said subject's tracheobronchial tree positioned substantially parallel to said first catheter and having a closed distal end and a proximal end, and having a plurality of openings adjacent said proximal end of said catheter, said openings providing access to the interior of said catheter;
- said proximal end of said second catheter connected to an effluent reservoir;
- said effluent reservoir containing means for creating low pressure in said second catheter to withdraw said liquid pulmonary lavage effluent from the subject's tracheobronchial tree;
- said effluent reservoir having means to filter and purify said liquid pulmonary lavage effluent to form a recycled liquid pulmonary lavage effluent;
- means connecting said effluent reservoir and said fluid reservoir to deliver said recycled liquid pulmonary lavage effluent thereto.
A method for the rapid induction of brain preservation comprising:
- passing a liquid suitable for use as a pulmonary lavage from a reservoir through heat exchanger means suitable for cooling said liquid pulmonary lavage into a first flexible catheter extending from and connected at its proximal end to said heat exchanger means and having an open distal end suitable for dispensing said cooled liquid pulmonary lavage;
- inserting said distal end into a subject's tracheobronchial tree and passing said liquid pulmonary lavage into said tracheobronchial tree so that said cooled liquid is pumped to the deepest part of the subject's pulmonary tree with the result that the blood circulating through the lungs is cooled which flows to the heart and the brain, thereby cooling the brain;
- said liquid pulmonary lavage being warmed to a liquid pulmonary lavage effluent;
- concurrently removing said liquid pulmonary effluent from said subject's tracheobronchial tree via a second flexible catheter which is inserted into said subject's tracheobronchial tree substantially parallel to said first catheter and having a closed distal end and a proximal end, and having a plurality of openings adjacent said proximal end of said catheter, said openings providing access to the interior of said catheter through which said liquid pulmonary lavage effluent flows into an effluent reservoir;
- said effluent reservoir containing means for creating low pressure to withdraw said liquid pulmonary lavage effluent from the subject's tracheobronchial tree;
- filtering and purifying said liquid pulmonary lavage effluent to form a recycled liquid pulmonary lavage in said effluent reservoir and passing said product to said reservoir.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.