Thermoelectric cooler (TEC) heat exchanger for intravascular heat exchange catheter

• US 20060293732A1
• Filed: 06/27/2005
• Published: 12/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Alsius Corporation (Asahi Kasei Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Alsius Corporation (Asahi Kasei Corporation)
• Inventors: Collins, Kenneth A., Palmer, Grant
• Application Number:
  US11/168,087
• Publication Number:
  US 20060293732A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/104
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0001 Body part
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0054 with a closed fluid circuit, e.g. hot water
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0076 remote from the spot to be heated or cooled
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0086 with a thermostat
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/02 Compresses or poultices for effecting heating or cooling
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/12 Devices for heating or cooling internal body cavities

Abstract

A patient temperature control catheter or pad is warmed or cooled by coolant circulating through it. The coolant in turn is warmed or cooled as it flows through a cartridge that is placed against a control system TEC. For cooling, heat is removed from the TEC by tap water flowing through a reservoir that is in contact with the TEC. If desired, a small turbine can be disposed in the reservoir to be driven by the flowing tap water, and the turbine is coupled to a pump element that pumps the coolant through the catheter or pad.

Claims

1. A system for exchanging heat with a patient temperature control element, comprising:

at least one secondary heat exchange element, coolant flowing in a closed loop including the secondary heat exchange element and patient temperature control element;

at least one thermoelectric cooler (TEC) assembly in thermal contact with the secondary heat exchange element; and

at least one reservoir receiving tap water from a building tap water system and in thermal contact with the TEC assembly.

2. The system of claim 1, comprising a turbine in the reservoir and actuated by flowing tap water, the turbine being coupled to a pump element that pumps the coolant through the closed loop.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the patient temperature control element is an intravascular catheter.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the patient temperature control element is a pad configured for external application against the patient'"'"'s skin.

5. The system of claim 1, comprising tap water intake and exhaust lines communicating with the reservoir and at least one valve disposed in one of the intake and exhaust lines.

6. The system of claim 1, comprising a controller establishing a power level to the TEC assembly at least in part based on a desired patient temperature and an actual patient temperature.

7. The system of claim 5, comprising a controller controlling the valve(s).

8. A method for altering patient temperature, comprising:

engaging an intravascular catheter and/or an external heat exchange pad with a patient;

causing coolant to flow through the catheter and/or pad without the coolant touching the patient, the coolant exchanging heat with the patient;

exchanging heat with the coolant using a TEC assembly; and

selectively exchanging heat with the TEC assembly using tap water in a building.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the causing act is undertaken at least in part by directing tap water through a reservoir in thermal contact with the TEC assembly.

10. The method of claim 8, comprising opening and closing at least one valve as desired to allow tap water to flow into a reservoir in thermal contact with the TEC assembly.

11. The method of claim 8, comprising establishing a power level to the TEC assembly at least in part based on a desired patient temperature and an actual patient temperature.

12. A heat exchange system, comprising:

primary means engageable with the body of a patient to exchange heat therewith;

primary heat transfer means;

a thermoelectric cooling (TEC) assembly;

secondary means juxtaposable with the TEC assembly to exchange heat therewith, the primary heat transfer means flowing in a closed loop between the primary means and secondary means to transfer heat therebetween; and

liquid means for removing heat from the TEC assembly.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the primary means is an intravascular closed loop catheter.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the primary means is an externally applied heat exchange pad.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the primary heat transfer means is saline.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein the liquid means is tap water.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the tap water flows through a reservoir that is in thermal contact with the TEC assembly.

18. The system of claim 17, comprising means for causing the primary heat transfer means to flow, the means for causing being disposed in the reservoir and being actuated by flowing tap water in the reservoir.