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Cooling system for indwelling heat exchange catheter

  • US 6,454,792 B1
  • Filed: 10/25/2000
  • Issued: 09/24/2002
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/24/1998
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for changing and maintaining the temperature of at least a portion of the body of a patient, the apparatus comprising:

  • an indwelling catheter adapted for heat exchange within the body;

    a means for measuring a core body temperature of the patient;

    a primary fluid circuit in fluid flow communication with the indwelling, catheter, the primary circuit adapted to contain a first circulating fluid therein and provided with a detector for sensing fluid loss;

    a secondary fluid circuit which is in heat exchange relationship with the primary fluid circuit and adapted to contain a second circulating fluid therein, the first and second fluids being in fluid-flow isolation from each other; and

    a temperature control module for changing the temperature of the second fluid, whereby, the temperature control module operates depending on the measured core body temperature of the patient;

    wherein the detector for sensing fluid loss comprises;

    a fluid volume reservoir in fluid communication with the primary circuit, the fluid volume reservoir assuming a first configuration when the first fluid level is at an acceptable level and assuming a second configuration when the first fluid level is at an unacceptable level;

    a switch adapted to toggle between first and second states depending on the configuration of the fluid volume reservoir.

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