Inflatable catheter for selective organ heating and cooling and method of using the same

• US 6,533,804 B2
• Filed: 01/11/2001
• Issued: 03/18/2003
• 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): Dvorak, Linda C. M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ruddy, David M.
• Application Number:
  US09/758,742
• Publication Number:
  US 20010008975A1
• Time in Patent Office: 796 Days
• Field of Search: 607/101, 607/102, 607/122, 607/105-106, 606/41-52, 606/21-28, 606/103-104, 604/103.07, 604/103.08
• 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 2018/0262 using a circulating cryogenic fluid
• 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

Abstract

A catheter system and method are provided which change the temperature of a fluid, such as blood, by heat transfer. Selective cooling or heating of an organ may be performed by changing the temperature of the blood feeding the organ. The catheter system includes an inlet lumen and an outlet lumen structured and arranged to carry a working fluid having a temperature different from the adjacent blood. The outlet lumen is configured to induce turbulence in the adjacent fluid passing adjacent the outlet lumen.

Claims

1. An intravascular catheter system to change the temperature of blood by heat transfer to or from a circulating working fluid, comprising:

an inlet lumen; and

an outlet lumen, the inlet and outlet lumens formed of a flexible material, the outlet lumen coupled to the inlet lumen so as to transfer the circulating working fluid between the two, the outlet lumen having a helical or a spiral structure,

wherein the circulating working fluid is not exposed to the blood.

2. The catheter system of claim 1, wherein the inlet lumen and the outlet lumen are made of a flexible polymer material.

3. The catheter system of claim 2, wherein the flexible polymer material is rubber.

4. The catheter system of claim 2, wherein the flexible polymer material is a material capable of undergoing inflation.

5. The catheter system of claim 1, further comprising more than one outlet lumen, each outlet lumen having a helical or spiral shape.

6. The catheter system of claim 1, wherein the circulating working fluid is saline.

7. The catheter system of claim 1, further comprising a wire disposed within one of at least the inlet lumen or the outlet lumen.

8. The catheter system of claim 1, wherein a length of the inlet lumen is between about 5 and 30 centimeters.

9. The catheter system of claim 1, further comprising a working fluid supply including a pump, and wherein the pump circulates the working fluid.

10. The catheter system of claim 9, wherein the working fluid supply is configured to produce a pressurized working fluid at a temperature of between about −

3°

C. and 36°

C. and at a pressure below about 5 atmospheres of pressure.

11. The catheter system of claim 1, wherein the outlet lumen includes a surface coating or treatment to inhibit clot formation.

12. The catheter system of claim 11, wherein the surface coating or treatment includes heparin.

13. The catheter system of claim 1, wherein the inlet lumen is substantially straight.

14. The catheter system of claim 1, wherein the outlet lumen helically encircles the inlet lumen.

15. The catheter system of claim 5, wherein each outlet lumen helically encircles the inlet lumen.