Method for low temperature thrombolysis and low temperature thrombolytic agent with selective organ temperature control

• US 6,468,296 B1
• Filed: 11/16/2000
• Issued: 10/22/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Zoll Circulation Incorporated (Asahi Kasei Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Innercool therapies Incorporated (Taxus Cardium Pharmaceuticals Group, Inc.)
• Inventors: Lasheras, Juan C., Dobak, John D. III
• Primary Examiner(s): ROLLINS, ROSILAND STACIE
• Application Number:
  US09/714,749
• Time in Patent Office: 705 Days
• Field of Search: 607/96, 607/105, 607/106, 607/113, 606/20, 606/21, 606/22, 606/23, 606/24, 606/25, 606/26, 128/898
• 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: A61B 2018/0281 using a tortuous path, e.g. formed by fins or ribs
• 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

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 hyperthermic temperature of the blood.

Claims

1. A method for dissolving a blood clot, comprising:

introducing a catheter having a cooling element into a blood vessel in which a blood clot has formed and disposing the cooling element within the blood vessel such that blood flows past the cooling element to the blood clot;

cooling at least a portion of the volume of blood surrounding the blood clot; and

inducing mixing in a free stream in the blood flowing over the catheter;

whereby inhibition of anti-clotting enzymes by the cooling is reduced.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the mixing of said inducing mixing step is caused by the shape of said cooling element.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the cooling element has a plurality of beat transfer segments.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the plurality of heat transfer segments are comprised of helical ridges to induce mixing within the free stream in the blood flowing over the catheter.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the cooling element is flexible.