Cooling system for indwelling heat exchange catheter

An apparatus for changing and maintaining the core temperature of the body of a patient, the apparatus comprising:

• an indwelling catheter including a catheter body having an inflow lumen and an outflow lumen, and at least one heat exchange element communicating with the lumens and distally disposed on the catheter body;
• at least one temperature sensor generating a signal representative of core body temperature of the patient;
• a primary fluid circuit in fluid flow communication with the indwelling catheter, the primary circuit adapted to contain a first circulating fluid therein;
• a secondary fluid circuit which is in heat exchange relationship with the primary fluid circuit and adapted to contain a second circulating fluid therein, the first and second fluids being in fluid-flow isolation from each other;
• and
• a temperature control module receiving the signal from the sensor for changing the temperature of the second fluid to approach a desired core body temperature of the patient.