Method for Controlling Patient's Body Temperature

• US 20140257441A1
• Filed: 11/12/2013
• Published: 09/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/1993
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Zoll Circulation Incorporated (Asahi Kasei Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Zoll Circulation Incorporated (Asahi Kasei Corporation)
• Inventors: Ginsburg, Robert S.
• Application Number:
  US14/078,209
• Publication Number:
  US 20140257441A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/106
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/00 Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body eye surgery A61F9/007; ear surgery A61F11/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/082 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00084 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22051 with an inflatable part, e.g. balloon, for positioning, blocking, or immobilisation A61B2017/22048, A61B2017/3486 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00095 high, i.e. heat conducting
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0054 with a closed fluid circuit, e.g. hot water
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0086 with a thermostat
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0095 with a temperature indicator
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/126 for invasive application, e.g. for introducing into blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/007 characterised by electric heating
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/12 Devices for heating or cooling internal body cavities
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/123 using a flexible balloon containing the thermal element
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/1072 having balloons with two or more compartments
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/1086 having a special balloon surface topography, e.g. pores, protuberances, spikes or grooves
• 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 25/1011 Multiple balloon catheters

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling the internal body temperature of a patient. According to the present invention, a catheter is inserted through an incision into a large blood vessel of a patient. By selectively heating or cooling a portion of the catheter lying within the blood vessel, heat may be transferred to or from blood flowing within the vessel and the patient'"'"'s body temperature may thereby be increased or decreased as desired. The invention will find use in treating undesirable conditions of hypothermia and hyperthermia, or for inducing a condition of artificial hypothermia when desired.

Claims

1. A method for altering the body temperature of a living patient having blood circulating through his or her vasculature, said method comprising the step of:

A. providing a heat exchange catheter having a distal end which is insertable into the lumen of a blood vessel of the patient, a heat exchanger which occupies less than the entire length of the catheter, an inflow lumen through which a circulating heat exchange fluid flows into the heat exchanger and an outflow lumen through which the circulating heat exchange fluid flows out of the heat exchanger;

B. inserting the heat exchange catheter into the patient'"'"'s vasculature with the heat exchange balloon in a deflated state;

C. advancing the catheter to a position where the heat exchange balloon is positioned within the blood vessel;

D. circulating heat exchange fluid through the heat exchanger without substantially impeding the flow of blood through the blood vessel and resulting in heat exchange between the circulating heat exchange fluid and blood flowing through the blood vessel; and

E. adjusting the temperature of the circulating heat exchange fluid to cause the patient'"'"'s body temperature to be maintained at or changed to a desired body temperature.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the patient'"'"'s body temperature is lowered.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the patient'"'"'s body temperature is lowered below 37 degrees C.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein the patient'"'"'s body temperature is raised.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein the patient'"'"'s body temperature is lowered.

6. A method according to claim 5 wherein the patient'"'"'s body temperature is temporarily lowered to a temperature that is sufficiently low to reduce the oxygen consumption of tissue within the patient'"'"'s body.

7. A method according to claim 1 wherein the method is carried out to warm a patient who is hypothermic.

8. A method according to claim 1 wherein the method is carried out to cool a patient who is hyperthermic.

9. A method according to claim 1 wherein the heat exchanger has a blood contacting surface that is maintained within a range between about 20 degrees C. and about 24 degrees C. when cooling.

10. A method according to claim 1 wherein the heat exchanger has a blood contacting surface that is maintained below about 43 degrees C. when warming.

11. A method according to claim 1 wherein the distal end of the catheter remains within the patient'"'"'s body during performance of Steps D and E.

12. A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of:

removing the catheter from the patient'"'"'s vasculature.

13. A method according to claim 1 wherein the heat exchanger has a heat exchange surface that comprises at least one helical protrusion.

14. A method according to claim 13 wherein the helical protrusion on the heat exchange surface serves to increase the heat exchange surface area.

15. A method according to claim 1 wherein the heat exchanger expands when heat exchange fluid is circulated therethrough.

16. A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of:

monitoring patient body temperature.

17. A method according to claim 16 wherein the heat exchange catheter further comprises a temperature sensor and wherein the step of monitoring patient body temperature is carried out using that temperature sensor.

18. A method according to claim 51 wherein the temperature sensor is located at the distal end of the catheter