Method and system for patient temperature management and central venous access

• US 20030195465A1
• Filed: 03/31/2003
• Published: 10/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zoll Circulation Incorporated (Asahi Kasei Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Alsius Corporation
• Inventors: Worthen, William J.
• Granted Patent: US 6,942,644 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/113
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00011 with fluids
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/123 using a flexible balloon containing the thermal element
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/369 Temperature treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/44 having means for cooling or heating the devices or media

Abstract

A catheter with three spiral heat exchange elements surrounding a central supply tube and communicating with a source of heat exchange fluid in a closed loop for effecting patient temperature control and at least two infusion lumens for providing access to the central venous blood supply when the catheter is placed in the central venous system. An anchor can be provided to suture or tape the catheter to the skin of a patient.

Claims

1. A central venous access catheter, comprising:

a central heat exchange fluid supply lumen terminating at a distal end;

plural heat exchange fluid return tubes communicating with the supply lumen at the distal end for carrying heat exchange fluid, each return tube being formed spirally around the supply lumen such that a body fluid flowing past the return tube exchanges heat with the heat exchange fluid flowing therein; and

the catheter also defining at least two infusion lumens separated from the heat exchange fluid and terminating in respective ports longitudinally separated from each other, each infusion lumen providing access to the central venous blood supply of a patient when the catheter is placed in the central venous system of a patient.

2. The catheter of claim 1, further comprising an anchor located proximal to at least one return tube and configured for affixing the catheter to the skin of a patient.

15. The catheter of claim 1, comprising three return tubes.

3. A central venous access catheter, comprising:

a central heat exchange fluid supply lumen terminating at a distal end;

plural heat exchange fluid return tubes communicating with the supply lumen at the distal end, each return tube being formed spirally around the supply lumen such that a body fluid flowing past the return tube exchanges heat with a heat exchange fluid flowing therein; and

an anchor located proximal to at least one return tube and configured for affixing the catheter to the skin of a patient.

4. The catheter of claim 3, wherein the catheter defines at least two infusion lumens separated from the heat exchange fluid and terminating in respective ports longitudinally separated from each other, each infusion lumen providing access to the central venous blood supply of a patient when the catheter is placed in the central venous system of a patient.

16. The catheter of claim 3, comprising three return tubes.

5. A central venous catheter, comprising:

at least first and second hollow spiral-shaped heat exchange elements, each being configured for conveying a heat exchange fluid for exchanging heat with a body fluid flowing past the element;

at least one fluid pathway for conveying heat exchange fluid to and from the heat exchange elements; and

at least first and second infusion lumens separated from the heat exchange fluid and terminating in respective ports longitudinally separated from each other, each infusion lumen providing access to the central venous blood supply of a patient when the catheter is placed in the central venous system of a patient.

6. The catheter of claim 5, further comprising an anchor located proximal to at least one heat exchange element and configured for affixing the catheter to the skin of a patient.

17. The catheter of claim 5, comprising three heat exchange elements.

7. A central venous catheter, comprising:

at least first, second, and third hollow corkscrew heat exchange elements establishing at least part of at least one closed circuit fluid pathway for the heat exchange fluid; and

an anchor located proximal to at least one heat exchange element and configured for affixing the catheter to the skin of a patient.

8. The catheter of claim 7, further comprising at least first and second infusion lumens separated from the heat exchange fluid and terminating in respective ports longitudinally separated from each other, each infusion lumen providing access to the central venous blood supply of a patient when the catheter is placed in the central venous system of a patient.

9. A method for treating a patient, comprising:

advancing a catheter into the central venous system of the patient;

circulating a heat exchange fluid through the catheter to exchange heat with the patient; and

simultaneously with the circulating act, undertaking one or more central venous (CV) line functions.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the catheter has at least one spirally configured heat exchange element.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the element conveys heat exchange fluid in a proximal direction relative to the catheter.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the CV function is medicament infusion.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the CV function is blood monitoring.

14. The method of claim 9, comprising undertaking at least two CV functions.

18. A central venous catheter, comprising:

at least first, second, and third hollow corkscrew heat exchange elements establishing at least part of at least one closed circuit fluid pathway for the heat exchange fluid; and

at least first and second infusion lumens separated from the heat exchange fluid and terminating in respective ports longitudinally separated from each other, each infusion lumen providing access to the central venous blood supply of a patient when the catheter is placed in the central venous system of a patient.