Method for low temperature thrombolysis and low temperature thrombolytic agent with selective organ temperature control
First Claim
1. A method for substantially reducing the size of a thrombus in a blood vessel in which blood is flowing, comprising:
- delivering a heat transfer element to a blood vessel in fluid communication with a thrombosed blood vessel;
adjusting the temperature of the heat transfer element such that the temperature of the heat transfer element is sufficient to remove heat from the flowing blood; and
transferring heat from a volume including the thrombus to the heat transfer element, such that the resultant temperature of the volume is sufficient to substantially reduce the size of a thrombus.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention provides a method for substantially reducing the size of a thrombus in a blood vessel in which blood is flowing. The method includes delivering a heat transfer element to a blood vessel in fluid communication with a thrombosed blood vessel. The temperature of the heat transfer element is adjusted such that the same is sufficient to remove heat from the flowing blood. Heat is transferred from a volume including the thrombus to the heat transfer element. In a separate embodiment, heat may be delivered to the volume including the thrombus from the heat transfer element. The resultant temperature of the volume may be sufficient to substantially reduce the size of a thrombus. For example, the resultant temperature of the volume may be sufficiently high to substantially enhance plasminogen activation near the thrombus. In a separate embodiment, a therapeutic drug may be delivered to the blood vessel to further reduce the size of a thrombus, the drug having an optimal temperature at the hypothermic or hyperthernic temperature of the blood.
326 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A method for substantially reducing the size of a thrombus in a blood vessel in which blood is flowing, comprising:
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delivering a heat transfer element to a blood vessel in fluid communication with a thrombosed blood vessel;
adjusting the temperature of the heat transfer element such that the temperature of the heat transfer element is sufficient to remove heat from the flowing blood; and
transferring heat from a volume including the thrombus to the heat transfer element, such that the resultant temperature of the volume is sufficient to substantially reduce the size of a thrombus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
inserting the heat transfer element into the vessel; and
cooling the heat transfer element by delivering a working fluid to the heat transfer element.
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12. The method of claim 11, further comprising delivering the working fluid at a temperature of between about −
- 3°
C. and 1°
C.
- 3°
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13. The method of claim 11, further comprising delivering the working fluid at a pressure of less than about 5 atmospheres.
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14. The method of claim 13, further comprising delivering the working fluid at a pressure of between about 1 and 5 atmospheres.
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15. The method of claim 11, further comprising inducing turbulence in the working fluid.
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16. The method of claim 1, further comprising inflating the heat transfer element with a working fluid.
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17. The method of claim 16, wherein the inflating further comprises passing the working fluid through a substantially helical-shaped structure.
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18. The method of claim 1, further comprising absorbing between about 75 and 200 watts of heat from the blood.
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19. A method for selective thrombolysis by selective vessel hypothermia, comprising:
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introducing a catheter having a heat transfer element into a thrombosed blood vessel;
cooling the heat transfer element; and
inducing free stream turbulence in blood flowing over the heat transfer element;
such that heat is removed from the blood to cool the blood within the thrombosed vessel.
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20. A method for selective thrombolysis by selective vessel hypothermia, comprising:
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introducing a catheter having a heat transfer element into a blood vessel in fluid communication with a thrombosed blood vessel;
cooling the heat transfer element by flowing a working fluid through the heat transfer element;
cooling the blood by flowing the blood past the heat transfer element and inducing free stream turbulence in the blood, such that the blood is cooled to a prespecified temperature range; and
delivering a thrombolytic drug to the blood, the thrombolytic drug having a working temperature within the prespecified temperature range. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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23. A method for selective thrombolysis by selective vessel hypothermia, comprising:
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introducing a catheter having a heat transfer element into a thrombosed blood vessel;
cooling the heat transfer element by flowing a working fluid through the heat transfer element;
cooling the blood by flowing the blood past the heat transfer element and inducing free stream turbulence in the blood, such that the blood is cooled to a prespecified temperature range;
delivering a thrombolytic drug to the blood, the thrombolytic drug having a working temperature within the prespecified temperature range; and
rewarming the blood. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method for selective thrombolysis by selective vessel hyperthermia, comprising:
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introducing a catheter having a heat transfer element into a thrombosed blood vessel;
heating the heat transfer element by flowing a working fluid through the heat transfer element;
heating the blood by flowing the blood past the heat transfer element, such that the blood is heated to a prespecified temperature range; and
delivering a thrombolytic drug to the blood, the thrombolytic drug a working temperature within the prespecified temperature range. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30)
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31. A method for eliminating a thrombus in a blood vessel in which blood is flowing, comprising:
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delivering a heat transfer element to the blood vessel;
adjusting the temperature of the heat transfer element such that the temperature of the heat transfer element is sufficient to supply heat to the flowing blood; and
transferring heat from the heat transfer element to a volume including the thrombus, such that the resultant temperature of the volume is sufficiently high to substantially enhance plasminogen activation near the thrombus.
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Specification