Heat exchange catheter and method of use

A heat exchange catheter, comprising:

• a. an inflow housing assembly comprising:
• i. an inflow housing main section having a housing assembly central axis;
• and,
• ii. an inflow housing inlet section coupled to said inflow housing main section for providing an inlet flow of heat exchange fluid to said inflow housing main section, said inflow housing main section and said inflow housing inlet section having respective openings therein for providing for said inlet flow;
• b. an outflow housing assembly comprising:
• i. an outflow housing main section having a central axis which is along said housing assembly central axis of said inflow housing main section, said outflow housing main section being coupled to said inflow housing main section;
• and,
• ii. an outflow housing outlet section coupled to said outflow housing main section for receiving an outlet flow of heat exchange fluid from said outflow housing main section, said outflow housing main section and said outflow housing outlet section having respective openings for said inlet flow and said outlet flow;
• c. a discharge tube positioned within respective openings of said inflow housing assembly and said outflow housing assembly, said discharge tube being positioned along said housing assembly central axis;
• d. an inner balloon positioned about said discharge tube and coupled to said outflow housing assembly, said inner balloon having an inner balloon central axis being in a position offset from said housing assembly central axis;
• e. an outer balloon positioned about said inner balloon and connected at a first end to said outflow housing assembly, a second end thereof being securely attached to a distal portion of said discharge tube, said inner balloon being shorter than said outer balloon;
• and,
• f. flow separation means for separating the inlet flow of heat exchange fluid from said outlet flow of heat exchange fluid,
• wherein during operation said inlet flow of heat exchange fluid flows from said inflow housing inlet section, and through said inflow housing main section, then through an inlet fluid passageway formed between said inner balloon and said discharge tube, the flow continuing around a distal end of said inner balloon, thus becoming said outlet flow of said heat exchange fluid which is directed through an outlet fluid passageway formed between said inner balloon and said outer balloon, then through said outflow housing main section and finally discharged through said outflow housing outlet section.

A method for warming the urethra of a patient during ablative surgery, comprising the steps of:

• a. inserting at least one ablative surgical device into a prostate region of the patient;
• b. inserting a heat exchange catheter through the patient's urethra and at least to the bladder neck, said heat exchange catheter, comprising:
• i. an inflow housing assembly comprising:
• 1. an inflow housing main section having a housing assembly central axis;
• and,
• 2. an inflow housing inlet section coupled to said inflow housing main section for providing an inlet flow of heat exchange fluid to said inflow housing main section, said inflow housing main section and said inflow housing inlet section having respective openings therein for providing for said inlet flow;
• ii. an outflow housing assembly comprising:
• 1. an outflow housing main section having a central axis which is along said housing assembly central axis of said inflow housing main section, said outflow housing main section being coupled to said inflow housing main section;
• and,
• 2. an outflow housing outlet section coupled to said outflow housing main section for receiving an outlet flow of heat exchange fluid from said outflow housing main section, said outflow housing main section and said outflow housing outlet section having respective openings for said inlet flow and said outlet flow;
• iii. a discharge tube positioned within respective openings of said inflow housing assembly and said outflow housing assembly, said discharge tube being positioned along said housing assembly central axis;
• iv. an inner balloon positioned about said discharge tube and coupled to said outflow housing assembly, said inner balloon having an inner balloon central axis being in a position offset from said housing assembly central axis;
• v. an outer balloon positioned about said inner balloon and connected at a first end to said outflow housing assembly, a second end thereof being securely attached to a distal portion of said discharge tube, said inner balloon being shorter than said outer balloon;
• and
• vi. flow separation means for separating the inlet flow of heat exchange fluid from said outlet flow of heat exchange fluid;
• c. operating said heat exchange catheter to warm an outer surface thereof during operation of said at least one ablative surgical device,
• wherein during operation said inlet flow of heat exchange fluid flows from said inflow housing inlet section, and through said inflow housing main section, then through an inlet fluid passageway formed between said inner balloon and said discharge tube, the flow continuing around a distal end of said inner balloon, thus becoming said outlet flow of said heat exchange fluid which is directed through an outlet fluid passageway formed between said inner balloon and said outer balloon, then through said outflow housing main section and finally discharged through said outflow housing outlet section;
• and
• wherein said urethra is warmed by said outer surface of said heat exchange catheter to preserve living tissue thereof.