Articulation device for selective organ cooling apparatus

• US 6,254,626 B1
• Filed: 12/16/1998
• Issued: 07/03/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Innercool therapies Incorporated (Taxus Cardium Pharmaceuticals Group, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Innercool therapies Incorporated (Taxus Cardium Pharmaceuticals Group, Inc.)
• Inventors: Lasheras, Juan C., Dobak, John D. III
• Primary Examiner(s): Dvorak, Linda C. M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kearney, R.
• Application Number:
  US09/215,041
• Time in Patent Office: 930 Days
• Field of Search: 607/104-106, 606/20, 606/21, 606/22, 606/23, 604/93, 604/52, 604/53, 165/142, 165/179, 165/181, 165/184
• US Class Current: 607/105
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/02 by cooling, e.g. cryogenic techniques devices for cooling specific reflex points of the body within cell-life limits A61H39/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00292 mounted on or guided by flexible, e.g. catheter-like, means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0022 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0212 using an instrument inserted into a body lumen, e.g. catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0056 for cooling
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/126 for invasive application, e.g. for introducing into blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/12 Devices for heating or cooling internal body cavities
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0004 having two or more concentrically arranged tubes for forming a concentric catheter system
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/006 having a special surface topography or special surface properties, e.g. roughened or knurled surface
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3606 cooled
• 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 25/0023 by the form of the lumen, e.g. cross-section, variable diameter

Abstract

A selective organ heat transfer device with deep irregularities in a turbulence-inducing exterior surface. The device can have a plurality of elongated, articulated segments, each having a turbulence-inducing exterior surface. A flexible joint connects adjacent elongated, articulated segments. The flexible joint may be a rubber tube or a metal tube of a predetermined thickness. An inner lumen is disposed within the heat transfer segments. The inner lumen is capable of transporting a pressurized working fluid to a distal end of the heat transfer element.

Claims

1. A selective brain cooling device, comprising:

a flexible catheter capable of insertion to a carotid artery of a patient;

a heat transfer element attached to a distal end of said catheter, said heat transfer element including a plurality of heat transfer segments, further including a flexible metal tube connecting each of said heat transfer segments to adjacent said heat transfer segments, and wherein said flexible metal tube has a wall thickness of between about 0.5 and 0.8 mils and a diameter of between about 2 and 4 mm;

a plurality of exterior helical ridges on said heat transfer element, said helical ridges to create mixing in a blood flow in the carotid artery; and

an inner coaxial tube disposed within said heat transfer element, said inner coaxial tube being connected in fluid flow communication with an inner coaxial tube within said catheter.

2. A selective brain cooling device, comprising:

a flexible catheter capable of insertion to a carotid artery of a patient;

a heat transfer element attached to a distal end of said catheter, said heat transfer element including a plurality of heat transfer segments, further including a flexible rubber tube connecting each of said heat transfer segments to adjacent said heat transfer segments, and wherein said flexible rubber tube has a diameter of between about 2 and 4 mm;

a plurality of exterior helical ridges on said heat transfer element, said helical ridges to create mixing in a blood flow in the carotid artery; and

an inner coaxial tube disposed within said heat transfer element, said inner coaxial tube being connected in fluid flow communication with an inner coaxial tube within said catheter.