Method and apparatus for regulating patient temperature by irrigating the bladder with a fluid

A method for heating or cooling at least a selected portion of a body, said method comprising:

• inserting a catheter through the urethra and into the bladder;
• conducting a heated or chilled fluid through a supply lumen of the catheter and into the bladder;
• evacuating the fluid from the bladder through a return lumen of the catheter;
• and
• monitoring a pressure differential between the fluid conducted into the supply lumen and the fluid flowing through the return lumen.

A method for heating or cooling at least a selected portion of a body, said method comprising:

• irrigating the bladder with a heated or chilled fluid;
• controlling at least one measurable parameter of the fluid irrigating the bladder;
• evacuating the fluid from the bladder;
• and
• monitoring, during the irrigation step, the at least one measurable parameter of fluid flowing out of the bladder,
• wherein the at least one measurable parameter is selected from the group consisting of the flow rate of the fluid and the pressure differential between the fluid flowing into and out of the bladder.

A method for heating or cooling at least a selected portion of a body, said method comprising:

• irrigating the bladder with a heated or chilled fluid;
• controlling at least one measurable parameter of the fluid irrigating the bladder;
• evacuating the fluid from the bladder;
• and
• monitoring, during the irrigation step, the at least one measurable parameter of fluid flowing out of the bladder,
• wherein the at least one measurable parameter includes the flow rate of the fluid and the pressure differential between the fluid flowing into and out of the bladder.

A method for heating or cooling at least a selected portion of a body said method comprising:

• irrigating the bladder with a heated or chilled fluid;
• controlling at least one measurable parameter of the fluid irrigating the bladder;
• evacuating the fluid from the bladder;
• and
• monitoring, during the irrigation step, the at least one measurable parameter of fluid flowing out of the bladder,
• wherein irrigating the bladder includes the step of irrigating the bladder with a pulsed flow of fluid.

A method for heating or cooling at least a selected portion of a body, said method comprising:

• irrigating the bladder with a heated or chilled fluid;
• controlling at least one measurable parameter of the fluid irrigating the bladder;
• evacuating the fluid from the bladder;
• and
• monitoring, during the irrigation step, the at least one measurable parameter of fluid flowing out of the bladder,
• further comprising adjusting the at least one measurable parameter based at least in part on a monitored quantity of urine flowing out of the bladder.

A method for heating or cooling at least a selected portion of a body, said method comprising:

• irrigating the bladder with a heated or chilled fluid;
• controlling at least one measurable parameter of the fluid irrigating the bladder;
• evacuating the fluid from the bladder;
• and
• monitoring, during the irrigation step, the at least one measurable parameter of fluid flowing out of the bladder,
• wherein the bladder is irrigated with fluid flowing at a substantially constant flow rate.

A method for heating or cooling at least a selected portion of a body, said method comprising:

• irrigating the bladder with a heated or chilled fluid;
• controlling at least one measurable parameter of the fluid irrigating the bladder;
• evacuating the fluid from the bladder;
• and
• monitoring, during the irrigation step, the at least one measurable parameter of fluid flowing out of the bladder,
• wherein the bladder is irrigated with fluid flowing at a periodically interrupted flow rate.

A method for heating or cooling at least a selected portion of a body, said method comprising:

• irrigating the bladder with a heated or chilled fluid;
• controlling at least one measurable parameter of the fluid irrigating the bladder;
• evacuating the fluid from the bladder;
• and
• monitoring, during the irrigation step, the at least one measurable parameter of fluid flowing out of the bladder,
• further comprising adjusting the at least one measurable parameter fluid based on a monitored quantity of urine flowing out of the bladder and a pressure differential between the fluid flowing into and out of the bladder.

A method for heating or cooling at least a selected portion of a body, said method comprising:

• irrigating the bladder with a heated or chilled fluid;
• controlling at least one measurable parameter of the fluid irrigating the bladder;
• evacuating the fluid from the bladder;
• and
• monitoring, during the irrigation step, the at least one measurable parameter of fluid flowing out of the bladder,
• further comprising monitoring a temperature differential between the fluid flowing into and out of the bladder.

An apparatus for heating or cooling at least a selected portion of a body, comprising:

• a catheter for irrigating and evacuating the bladder with a heated or chilled fluid;
• means, coupled to the catheter, for controlling at least one measurable parameter of the fluid irrigating the bladder;
• and
• means for monitoring at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of:
• the at least one measurable parameter of fluid flowing out of the bladder while it is being irrigated, a core temperature of the body, and a pressure of the combined heated or chilled fluid and urine in the bladder,
• wherein the at least one measurable parameter is the flow rate of the fluid irrigating the bladder.

An apparatus for heating or cooling at least a selected portion of a body, comprising:

• a catheter for irrigating and evacuating the bladder with a heated or chilled fluid;
• means, coupled to the catheter, for controlling at least one measurable parameter of the fluid irrigating the bladder;
• and
• means for monitoring at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of:
• the at least one measurable parameter of fluid flowing out of the bladder while it is being irrigated, a core temperature of the body, and a pressure of the combined heated or chilled fluid and urine in the bladder,
• wherein the at least one measurable parameter is the pressure differential between the fluid flowing into and out of the bladder.

An apparatus for heating or cooling at least a selected portion of a body, comprising:

• a catheter for irrigating and evacuating the bladder with a healed or chilled fluid;
• means, coupled to the catheter, for controlling at least one measurable parameter of the fluid irrigating the bladder;
• and
• means for monitoring at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of:
• the at least one measurable parameter of fluid flowing out of the bladder while it is being irrigated, a core temperature of the body, and a pressure of the combined heated or chilled fluid and urine in the bladder,
• wherein the at least one measurable parameter includes the flow rate of the fluid and the pressure differential between the fluid flowing into and out of the bladder.

An apparatus for heating or cooling at least a selected portion of a body, comprising:

• a catheter for irrigating and evacuating the bladder with a heated or chilled fluid;
• means, coupled to the catheter, for controlling at least one measurable parameter of the fluid irrigating the bladder;
• and
• means for monitoring at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of:
• the at least one measurable parameter of fluid flowing out or the bladder while it is being irrigated, a core temperature of the body, and a pressure of the combined heated or chilled fluid and urine in the bladder,
• further comprising means for adjusting the at least one measurable parameter based at least in part on a monitored quantity of urine flowing out of the bladder.

An apparatus for heating or cooling at least a selected portion of a body, comprising:

• a catheter for irrigating and evacuating the bladder with a heated or chilled fluid;
• means, coupled to the catheter, for controlling at least one measurable parameter of the fluid irrigating the bladder;
• and
• means for monitoring at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of:
• the at least one measurable parameter of fluid flowing out of the bladder while it is being irrigated, a core temperature of the body, and a pressure of the combined heated or chilled fluid and urine in the bladder,
• further comprising means for adjusting the at least one measurable parameter fluid based on a monitored quantity of urine flowing out of the bladder and a pressure differential between the fluid flowing into and out of the bladder.

An apparatus for heating or cooling at least a selected portion of a body, comprising:

• a catheter for irrigating and evacuating the bladder with a heated or chilled fluid;
• means, coupled to the catheter, for controlling at least one measurable parameter of the fluid irrigating the bladder;
• and
• means for monitoring at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of:
• the at least one measurable parameter of fluid flowing out of the bladder while it is being irrigated, a core temperature of the body, and a pressure of the combined heated or chilled fluid and urine in the bladder,
• further comprising means for monitoring a temperature differential between the fluid flowing into and out of the bladder.

A catheter, comprising:

• a manifold having a proximal end with at least first and second input ports and a distal end with an output port;
• at least first and second flexible tubes defining a supply lumen and a return lumen, respectively, said first and second flexible tubes having proximal ends removably connectable to the output port of the manifold and having distal ends with a supply and return orifice, respectively;
• and
• a dispersing element associated with the supply orifice for dispersing fluid exiting the supply orifice into a portion of the body.

A method for heating or cooling at least a selected portion of a body, said method comprising the steps of:

• inserting a catheter through the urethra and into the bladder;
• conducting a heated or chilled fluid through a supply lumen of the catheter and into the bladder;
• evacuating the fluid from the bladder through a return lumen of the catheter;
• and
• monitoring a pressure of the combined urine and heated or chilled fluid in the bladder.

A method for heating or cooling at least a selected portion of a body, said method comprising the steps of:

• inserting a catheter through the urethra and into the bladder;
• conducting a heated or chilled fluid through a supply lumen of the catheter and into the bladder;
• evacuating the fluid from the bladder through a return lumen of the catheter;
• and
• monitoring a temperature of the heated or chilled fluid in the supply lumen or in the return lumen,
• further comprising controlling the flow rate, pressure, or temperature of the heated or chilled fluid based on the monitored temperature.

A method for heating or cooling at least a selected portion of a body, said method comprising the steps of:

• inserting a catheter through the urethra and into the bladder;
• conducting a heated or chilled fluid through a supply lumen of the catheter and into the bladder;
• and
• periodically flushing the fluid from the bladder.

A method for heating or cooling at least a selected portion of a body, said method comprising the steps of:

• inserting a catheter through the urethra and into the bladder;
• conducting a heated or chilled fluid through a supply lumen of the catheter and into the bladder;
• evacuating the fluid from the bladder through a return lumen of the catheter;
• and
• monitoring a physiologic parameter of the body, such that a neutral physiology is maintained.

A method for heating or cooling at least a selected portion of a body, said method comprising the steps of:

• inserting a catheter through the urethra and into the bladder;
• conducting a heated or chilled fluid through a supply lumen of the catheter and into the bladder;
• evacuating the fluid from the bladder through a return lumen of the catheter;
• and
• monitoring a temperature of the combination of the urine and heated or chilled fluid in the bladder.

A method for heating or cooling at least a selected portion of a body, said method comprising:

• irrigating the bladder with a heated or chilled fluid;
• controlling at least one measurable parameter of the fluid irrigating the bladder;
• evacuating the fluid from the bladder;
• and
• monitoring, during the irrigation step, the at least one measurable parameter of fluid flowing out of the bladder,
• wherein the heated or chilled fluid is a chilled fluid, and further comprising chilling the fluid with a gas-driven heat exchanger.

A method for heating or cooling at least a selected portion of a body, said method comprising:

• irrigating the bladder with a heated or chilled fluid;
• controlling at least one measurable parameter of the fluid irrigating the bladder;
• evacuating the fluid from the bladder;
• and
• monitoring, during the irrigation step, the at least one measurable parameter of fluid flowing out of the bladder,
• wherein a flow rate of fluid conducted into the bladder is substantially equal to a flow rate of fluid being evacuated from the bladder.

An apparatus for heating or cooling at least a selected portion of a body, comprising:

• a catheter for irrigating and evacuating the bladder with a heated or chilled fluid;
• means, coupled to the catheter, for controlling at least one measurable parameter of the fluid irrigating the bladder;
• and
• means for monitoring at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of:
• the at least one measurable parameter of fluid flowing out of the bladder while it is being irrigated, a core temperature of the body, and a pressure of the combined heated or chilled fluid and urine in the bladder,
• wherein a flow rate of fluid conducted into the bladder is substantially equal to a flow rate of fluid being evacuated from the bladder.

An apparatus for heating or cooling at least a selected portion of a body, comprising:

• a catheter for irrigating and evacuating the bladder with a heated or chilled fluid;
• means, coupled to the catheter, for controlling at least one measurable parameter of the fluid irrigating the bladder;
• and
• means for monitoring at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of:
• the at least one measurable parameter of fluid flowing out of the bladder while it is being irrigated, a core temperature of the body, and a pressure of the combined heated or chilled fluid and urine in the bladder,
• wherein the heated or chilled fluid is a chilled fluid, and further comprising chilling the fluid with a gas-driven heat exchanger.

An apparatus for heating or cooling at least a selected portion of a body, comprising:

• a catheter for irrigating and evacuating the bladder with a heated or chilled fluid;
• means, coupled to the catheter, for controlling at least one measurable parameter of the fluid irrigating the bladder;
• and
• means for monitoring at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of:
• the at least one measurable parameter of fluid flowing out of the bladder while it is being irrigated, a core temperature of the body, and a pressure of the combined heated or chilled fluid and urine in the bladder,
• wherein the flow rate of the heated or chilled fluid is less than a flow rate substantially preventing fluid from flowing from the kidneys to the bladder.

An apparatus for heating or cooling at least a selected portion of a body, comprising:

• a catheter for irrigating and evacuating the bladder with a heated or chilled fluid;
• means, coupled to the catheter, for controlling at least one measurable parameter of the fluid irrigating the bladder;
• and
• means for monitoring at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of:
• the at least one measurable parameter of fluid flowing out of the bladder while it is being irrigated, a core temperature of the body, and a pressure of the combined heated or chilled fluid and urine in the bladder,
• wherein the conducting includes delivering the heated or chilled fluid at a substantially constant rate.

An apparatus for heating or cooling at least a selected portion of a body, comprising:

• a catheter for irrigating and evacuating the bladder with a heated or chilled fluid;
• means, coupled to the catheter, for controlling at least one measurable parameter of the fluid irrigating the bladder;
• and
• means for monitoring at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of:
• the at least one measurable parameter of fluid flowing out of the bladder while it is being irrigated, a core temperature of the body, and a pressure of the combined heated or chilled fluid and urine in the bladder,
• wherein the conducting includes delivering the heated or chilled fluid at a periodically interrupted rate.

A method for heating or cooling at least a selected portion of a body, said method comprising the steps of:

• inserting a catheter through the urethra and into the bladder;
• conducting a heated or chilled fluid through a supply lumen of the catheter and into the bladder;
• evacuating the fluid from the bladder through a return lumen of the catheter;
• and monitoring a core temperature of the body,
• wherein a flow rate of fluid conducted into the bladder is substantially equal to a flow rate of fluid being evacuated from the bladder.

A method for heating or cooling at least a selected portion of a body, said method comprising the steps of:

• inserting a catheter through the urethra and into the bladder;
• conducting a heated or chilled fluid through a supply lumen of the catheter and into the bladder;
• evacuating the fluid from the bladder through a return lumen of the catheter;
• and monitoring a core temperature of the body,
• wherein the heated or chilled fluid is a chilled fluid, and further comprising chilling the fluid with a gas-driven heat exchanger.

A method for heating or cooling at least a selected portion of a body, said method comprising the steps of:

• inserting a catheter through the urethra and into the bladder;
• conducting a heated or chilled fluid through a supply lumen of the catheter and into the bladder;
• evacuating the fluid from the bladder through a return lumen of the catheter;
• and monitoring a core temperature of the body,
• wherein the flow rate of the heated or chilled fluid is less than a flow rate substantially preventing fluid from flowing from the kidneys to the bladder.

A method for heating or cooling at least a selected portion of a body, said method comprising the steps of:

• inserting a catheter through the urethra and into the bladder;
• conducting a heated or chilled fluid through a supply lumen of the catheter and into the bladder;
• evacuating the fluid from the bladder through a return lumen of the catheter;
• and monitoring a core temperature of the body,
• wherein the conducting includes delivering the heated or chilled fluid at a substantially constant rate.

A method for heating or cooling at least a selected portion of a body, said method comprising the steps of:

• inserting a catheter through the urethra and into the bladder;
• conducting a heated or chilled fluid through a supply lumen of the catheter and into the bladder;
• evacuating the fluid from the bladder through a return lumen of the catheter;
• and monitoring a core temperature of the body,
• wherein the conducting includes delivering the heated or chilled fluid at a periodically interrupted rate.

An apparatus for heating or cooling at least a selected portion of a body, comprising:

• a catheter for irrigating and evacuating the bladder with a heated or chilled fluid;
• means, coupled to the catheter, for controlling at least one measurable parameter of the fluid irrigating the bladder;
• and
• means for monitoring at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of:
• the at least one measurable parameter of fluid flowing out of the bladder while it is being irrigated, a core temperature of the body, and a pressure of the combined heated or chilled fluid and urine in the bladder,
• further comprising a gas-driven heat exchanger for chilling the fluid.

An apparatus for heating or cooling at least a selected portion of a body, comprising:

• a catheter for irrigating and evacuating the bladder with a heated or chilled fluid;
• means, coupled to the catheter, for controlling at lest one measurable parameter of the fluid irrigating the bladder;
• and
• means for monitoring at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of the at least one measurable parameter of fluid flowing out of the bladder while it is being irrigated, a core temperature of the body, and a pressure of the combined heated or chilled fluid and urine in the bladder,
• further comprising a resistive heater for heating the fluid.

An apparatus for heating or cooling at least a selected portion of a body, comprising:

• a catheter for irrigating and evacuating the bladder with a heated or chilled fluid;
• means, coupled to the catheter, for controlling at least one measurable parameter or the fluid irrigating the bladder;
• and
• means for monitoring at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of:
• the at least one measurable parameter of fluid flowing out of the bladder while it is being irrigated, a core temperature of the body, and a pressure of the combined heated or chilled fluid and urine in the bladder,
• wherein the means for monitoring the pressure of the bladder is a pressure transducer mounted adjacent the distal tip of the catheter.

An apparatus for heating or cooling at least a selected portion of a body, comprising:

• a catheter for irrigating and evacuating the bladder with a heated or chilled fluid;
• means, coupled to the catheter, for controlling at least one measurable parameter of the fluid irrigating the bladder;
• and
• means for monitoring at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of:
• the at least one measurable parameter of fluid flowing out of the bladder while it is being irrigated, a core temperature of the body, and a pressure of the combined heated or chilled fluid and urine in the bladder,
• wherein the at least one measurable parameter of fluid flowing out of the bladder is the output of urine.

A Foley catheter for heating or cooling at least a selected portion of a body, comprising:

• a catheter for irrigating and evacuating the bladder with a heated or chilled fluid, the catheter including:
• a manifold having a proximal end with at least first and second input ports and a distal end with an output port;
• at least first and second flexible tubes defining a supply lumen and a return lumen, respectively, said first and second flexible tubes having proximal ends removably connectable to the output port of the manifold and having distal ends with a supply and return orifice, respectively;
• means, coupled to the catheter, for controlling at least one measurable parameter of the fluid irrigating the bladder;
• and
• means for monitoring at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of:
• the at least one measurable parameter of fluid flowing out of the bladder while it is being irrigated, a core temperature of the body, and a pressure of the combined heated or chilled fluid and urine in the bladder.