Dual balloon central venous line catheter temperature control system

• US 6,620,131 B2
• Filed: 08/10/2001
• Issued: 09/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Zoll Circulation Incorporated (Asahi Kasei Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Alsius Corporation
• Inventors: Pham, Nora Tran, Walker, Blair D., Evans, Scott M., Shimada, Lynn M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Casler, Brian L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Thissell, Jeremy
• Application Number:
  US09/927,942
• Publication Number:
  US 20020029016A1
• Time in Patent Office: 767 Days
• Field of Search: 604/96.01, 604/101.05, 604/113, 604/500, 606/20-23, 606/27, 606/28
• US Class Current: 604/113
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00011 with fluids
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/126 for invasive application, e.g. for introducing into blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/123 using a flexible balloon containing the thermal element
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/369 Temperature treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/44 having means for cooling or heating the devices or media

Abstract

A system for controlling patient temperature uses a central venous line catheter having axially spaced distal and proximal heat exchange balloons. The central venous line catheter is provided with one or more lumens for providing access to the central blood supply of the patient, and with additional lumens for communicating heat exchange fluid to the balloons. Heat exchange fluid temperature is controlled through a feed back loop in which patient temperature is sensed and used to control a temperature control unit comprising a heating device and/or a cooling device in heat exchange relationship with the heat exchange fluid. A tubing set transports the heat exchange fluid between the central venous line and the temperature control unit, with a pump serving to circulate the fluid in a closed fluid circuit in the system.

Claims

1. A method for reducing patient body temperature comprising:

warming the patient externally;

introducing a catheter into the body of the patient;

fastening the catheter to the body of the patient; and

circulating a cooling fluid in the catheter such that the cooling fluid is in heat exchange relationship with the blood flow of the patient.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of warming is implemented using heating blankets.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the catheter is a central venous line catheter.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the central venous line catheter is provided with at least a pair of axially disposed balloons adapted to contain the circulating cooling fluid therein.