Method for altering the body temperature of a patient using a nebulized mist

• US 20030136402A1
• Filed: 01/07/2003
• Published: 07/24/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brigham and Women's Hospital Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Brigham and Women's Hospital Incorporated
• Inventors: Jiang, Yandong, Ferrigno, Massimo
• Granted Patent: US 7,201,163 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/200.24
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0085 using ultrasonics spraying or atomising liquids using ultrasonic vibrations in general B05B17/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/1075 by influencing the temperature A61M16/1045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/1085 after being humidified or mixed with a beneficial agent
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/14 by mixing different fluids, one of them being in a liquid phase
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/142 with semi-permeable walls separating the liquid from the respiratory gas
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/162 Water-reservoir filling system, e.g. automatic
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3368 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3389 Continuous level detection A61M2205/3393 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3606 cooled
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/366 by liquid heat exchangers

Abstract

The present invention is directed to methods for changing the body temperature of a patient by having them breathe a mist created by nebulizer. The temperature of the mist is adjusted using a heat exchanger. The methods may be used to either cool or warm patients for a variety of clinical reasons. In addition, the invention includes a device (Thermomist) that can be used for generating a mist that can be administered to patients.

Claims

1. A method of reducing the body temperature of a patient for any clinical condition in which a reduction in body temperature is desirable, comprising:

(a) administering a mist to said patient by ventilation, wherein;

(i) said mist is generated by a nebulizer and contains liquid particles having an average size of no more than 5 microns in diameter;

(ii) said mist comprises a mixture of a physiologically acceptable gas and a physiologically acceptable liquid;

(iii) said mist is administered at a temperature below the body temperature of said patient;

and

(b) maintaining the administration of said mist until said patient'"'"'s body temperature is reduced.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said mist contains liquid particles with an average size of no more than 2 microns in diameter.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said mist comprises no less than 80% gas by volume and no more than 20% liquid by volume.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said gas comprises air or oxygen, or a combination of the two gases.

5. The method of any one of claims 1-4, wherein said liquid is water or saline.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the body temperature of said patient is cooled in preparation for, or during, cardiac surgery or neurosurgery.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the body temperature of said patient is cooled as a treatment for hemorrhagic shock or to prevent brain damage subsequent to a stroke.

8. A method of increasing the body temperature of a patient for any clinical condition in which an increase in body temperature is desirable, comprising:

(a) administering a mist to said patient by ventilation, wherein;

(i) said mist is generated by a nebulizer and contains liquid particles having an average size of no more than 5 microns in diameter;

(ii) said mist comprises a mixture of a physiologically acceptable gas and a physiologically acceptable liquid;

(iii) said mist is administered at a temperature above the body temperature of said patient;

(b) maintaining the administration of said mist until said patient'"'"'s body temperature is increased.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said mist contains particles having an average size of no more than 2 microns in diameter.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein said gas comprises air or oxygen, or a combination of the two gases.

10. The method of claim, wherein said mist comprises no less than 80% gas by volume and no more than 20% liquid by volume.

12. The method of any one of claims 8-11, wherein said liquid is water or saline.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the body temperature of said patient is increased as a treatment for hypothermia.

14. A heat exchange system (Thermomist) comprising:

(a) a gas impermeable circuit in which a mist is circulated through, said circuit comprising;

(i) an interface (30) through which gas and mist may be exchanged with a patient;

(ii) an exhalation limb of the breathing circuit (26) connecting said interface (30) to a mist generation region (28) and having a fresh gas supply inlet (11) connected to a gas reservoir (27);

(iii) a mist generation region (28) connecting said exhalation limb (26) to a heat exchange region (29), wherein said mist generation region (28) is bounded on the bottom by a fluid layer (3) lying on the surface of a mist generation plate (1A);

(iv) a heat exchange region (29) in which a tubing for said mist extends through a heat exchanger (22) and connects said mist generation region (28) to the inhalation limb of the breathing circuit (25);

(v) an inhalation limb of the breathing circuit (25) connecting said interface (30) to said heat exchange region (29) and comprising;

(a) a liquid trap (24) connected to an overflow reservoir (6); and

(b) a ventilator (21);

(b) a mist generation plate (1A) which;

(i) lies underneath said mist generation region (28) of said heat exchange system;

(ii) serves as an electrode;

(iii) has a fluid layer (3) on its upper surface;

(c) a piezoelectric vibrator plate (2) contacting the bottom surface of said mist generation plate (1A) and the top surface of an electrode (1B);

(d) an overflow tube (32) connecting said fluid layer (3) to an overflow reservoir (6);

(e) a main liquid reservoir (5) connected by tubing (4) to said fluid layer (3); and

(f) a heat exchanger (22) which is part of the heat exchange region (29) of said heat exchange system.

15. The heat exchange system of claim 14, wherein said vibrator plate vibrates at a frequency of about 5 Mhz.

16. The heat exchange system of claim 14, further comprising a temperature sensor (20) attached to said exhalation limb of the breathing circuit and a temperature sensor (19) attached to said inhalation limb of the breathing circuit.