Method and apparatus for providing localized heating of the preoptic anterior hypothalamus
AssigneeMedivance Incorporated
InventorGary Allen Carson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and system to provide for the controlled heating of the preoptic anterior hypothalamus (POAH) for patients receiving such treatment. The system employs a catheter device which may be positioned proximate to the POAH and which emits radiant energy. The radiant energy provides for the heating of the POAH and a cooling apparatus may further be provide for cooling bodily tissues near the POAH which are heated. Feedback sensors may be positioned at various locations on the patient in order to determine an optimal position for the catheter device and to monitor the core body temperature. A control apparatus included with the system controls the amount of heating the POAH receives based on the feedback signals received from the sensors.
Claims22
A system for providing localized heating to the preoptic anterior hypothalamus (POAH) of a body comprising:
- a source of microwave radiation;
- and
- a catheter device which is connectable to the source of microwave radiation and is positionable inside a bodily cavity proximate to the POAH, wherein upon activation said catheter device emits predetermined amounts of microwave radiation to induce heating of the POAH;
- at least one sensor positionable at a predetermined location on the body, which provides feedback signals indicative of a temperature of the body;
- said at least one sensor includes at least one of:
- a core body temperature sensor positionable at a first predetermined location on the body which provides a first feedback signal indicative of the core body temperature of the body;
- and
- a skin conductivity sensor positionable at a second predetermined location on the body which provides a second feedback signal indicative of skin conductivity;
- and
- a controller connectable to the at least one sensor which controls power to the catheter device in an amount proportional to the magnitude of the feedback signal received from the at least one sensor.
A system for providing localized heating to the preoptic anterior hypothalamus (POAH) of a body comprising:
- a source of microwave radiation;
- a catheter device which is connectable to the source of microwave radiation and is positionable inside a bodily cavity proximate to the POAH, wherein upon activation said catheter device emits predetermined amounts of microwave radiation to induce heating of the POAH;
- and
- a cooling system incorporated in the catheter device, to provide a predetermined amount of cooling to the tissues located between the source of microwave energy and the POAH.
A method for heating the preoptic anterior hypothalamus (POAH) of a body comprising the steps of:
- positioning a source of microwave energy proximate to the POAH;
- emitting the microwave radiation from the catheter device toward the POAH;
- and providing a predetermined amount of cooling to the tissues located between the source of microwave energy and the POAH.
A method of inducing mild hypothermia in a patient comprising the steps of:
- positioning a catheter device which emits microwave energy in the sphenoidal sinus region of the patient proximate to the preoptic anterior hypothalamus (POAH);
- emitting the radiant energy from the catheter device at a first predetermined level towards the POAH, such that the POAH is heated to a predetermined level so as to initiate a bodily thermoregulatory cooling response;
- periodically measuring the core body temperature;
- and
- automatically varying the microwave radiation emitted from the catheter to achieve a desired core body temperature indicative of mild hypothermia.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.