Selective organ cooling apparatus and method

• US 20030018375A1
• Filed: 09/19/2002
• Published: 01/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zoll Circulation Incorporated (Asahi Kasei Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Innercool therapies Incorporated (Taxus Cardium Pharmaceuticals Group, Inc.)
• Inventors: Lasheras, Juan C., Dobak, John D. III
• Granted Patent: US 6,887,262 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/105
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/02 by cooling, e.g. cryogenic techniques devices for cooling specific reflex points of the body within cell-life limits A61H39/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00292 mounted on or guided by flexible, e.g. catheter-like, means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0022 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0212 using an instrument inserted into a body lumen, e.g. catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0262 using a circulating cryogenic fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0056 for cooling
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/126 for invasive application, e.g. for introducing into blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/12 Devices for heating or cooling internal body cavities
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0004 having two or more concentrically arranged tubes for forming a concentric catheter system
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/006 having a special surface topography or special surface properties, e.g. roughened or knurled surface
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3606 cooled
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/00 Catheters; Hollow probes dilators A61M29/00; peritoneal catheters A61M1/285; tracheal tubes A61M16/04; for drainage A61M27/00; for uterus, vagina or rectum A61M31/00 ; for measuring or testing A61B; materials for catheters A61L29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0023 by the form of the lumen, e.g. cross-section, variable diameter

Abstract

A selective organ heat transfer device with deep irregularities in a turbulence-inducing exterior surface. The device can have a plurality of elongated, articulated segments, each having a turbulence-inducing exterior surface. A flexible joint connects adjacent elongated, articulated segments. An inner lumen is disposed within the heat transfer segments. The inner lumen is capable of transporting a pressurized working fluid to a distal end of the heat transfer element.

Claims

1. A method of treating an organ, comprising:

inserting a flexible heat transfer element into a feeder artery from a distal location; and

changing the temperature of said flexible heat transfer element to modify the temperature of the blood in the feeder artery, thereby selectively modifying the temperature of the organ.

2. The method recited in claim 1, wherein said temperature change comprises lowering said temperature.

3. The method recited in claim 1, wherein said temperature change comprises raising said temperature.

4. The method recited in claim 1, further comprising circulating a working fluid through said flexible heat transfer element to accomplish said temperature change.

5. A catheter for modifying the temperature of a body, comprising:

a catheter shaft;

a heat transfer tip adapted to transfer heat between blood surrounding said heat transfer tip and an interior of said heat transfer tip; and

mixing-inducing structures on the exterior of said heat transfer tip, said mixing-inducing structures being shaped and sized to induce mixing in blood flowing within a blood vessel.

6. The catheter recited in claim 5, wherein said mixing-inducing structures include a helix.

7. The catheter recited in claim 5, wherein said mixing-inducing structures include a plurality of protrusions.

8. The catheter recited in claim 5, further comprising:

first and second lumens in said catheter shaft; and

a working fluid circulated in through said first lumen and out through said second lumen to accomplish said heat transfer.

9. A catheter for modifying the temperature of a body, comprising:

a catheter shaft;

first and second lumens in said catheter shaft;

a heat transfer tip adapted to transfer heat between blood surrounding said heat transfer tip and an interior of said heat transfer tip;

a working fluid circulated in through said first lumen and out through said second lumen to accomplish said heat transfer; and

mixing-inducing structures on said interior of said heat transfer tip, said mixing-inducing structures being shaped and sized to induce mixing in said working fluid.

10. A method of treating an organ, comprising:

inserting a heat transfer element into a feeder artery from a distal location; and

changing the temperature of the heat transfer element to modify the temperature of the blood in the feeder artery, thereby selectively modifying the temperature of the organ.

11. The method recited in claim 10, further comprising providing a flexible heat transfer element for insertion into a feeder artery.

12. A method of treating an organ, comprising:

inserting a heat transfer element into a feeder artery from a distal location; and

changing the temperature of the heat transfer element and inducing mixing in blood flowing in the feeder artery to modify the temperature of the blood in the feeder artery, thereby selectively modifying the temperature of the organ.

13. A method of treating an organ, comprising:

inserting a heat transfer element into a feeder artery from a distal location;

circulating a working fluid through said heat transfer element to accomplish heat transfer;

inducing mixing in said working fluid; and

changing the temperature of the heat transfer element to modify the temperature of the blood in the feeder artery, thereby selectively modifying the temperature of the organ.