Selective organ cooling apparatus and method

• US 6,702,842 B2
• Filed: 05/30/2002
• Issued: 03/09/2004
• 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., Werneth, Randell L., Dobak, John D. III
• Primary Examiner(s): GIBSON, ROY DEAN
• Application Number:
  US10/161,107
• Publication Number:
  US 20030009206A1
• Time in Patent Office: 649 Days
• Field of Search: 607/96, 607/104-106, 607/113, 604/113
• 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 2018/0212 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

An endovascular heat transfer device which can have a smooth exterior surface, or a surface with ridges and grooves. The device can have a plurality of elongated, articulated segments, with each having such a surface. A flexible joint connects adjacent elongated, articulated segments. The flexible joints can be bellows or flexible tubes. 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 heat transfer device, comprising:

a flexible catheter capable of insertion to a vessel in the vascular system of a patient;

a plurality of heat transfer segments attached to a distal end of said catheter;

a flexible joint connecting each of said heat transfer segments to adjacent said heat transfer segments, each said flexible joint having external structures shaped and sized to induce mixing in blood flowing around said heat transfer segments; and

a smooth flexible tube connecting at least some of said heat transfer segments to adjacent said heat transfer segments.

2. An endovascular heat transfer device, comprising:

a flexible catheter capable of insertion to a selected vessel in the vascular system of a patient;

a heat transfer element attached to a distal end of said catheter, said heat transfer element comprising a plurality of heat transfer segments, each said heat transfer segment being encompassed by a smooth metallic surface;

a plurality of less conductive joining segments between said heat transfer segments, each said joining segment having external structures shaped and sized to induce mixing in blood flowing around said heat transfer element; and

an inner tube disposed within said heat transfer element, said inner tube being adapted to supply heat transfer fluid to the interior of said heat transfer element.

3. The heat transfer device recited in claim 2, wherein said plurality of joining segments comprise flexible joints connecting adjacent said heat transfer segments.

4. The heat transfer device recited in claim 2, further comprising a smooth flexible tube connecting at least some of said heat transfer segments to adjacent said heat transfer segments.

5. A selective organ heat transfer device comprising:

a flexible catheter capable of insertion to a selected feeding artery in the vascular system of a patient;

an articulated heat transfer element attached to a distal end of said catheter;

a plurality of heat transfer segments on said heat transfer element, each said segment being encompassed by a smooth metallic surface;

a flexible joint connecting each of said heat transfer segments to adjacent said heat transfer segments, each said flexible joint having external structures shaped and sized to induce mixing in blood flowing around said heat transfer element; and

an inner tube disposed within said heat transfer element, said inner tube being adapted to supply heat transfer fluid to the interior of said heat transfer element.

6. The heat transfer device recited in claim 5, further comprising a smooth flexible tube connecting at least some of said heat transfer segments to adjacent said heat transfer segments.

7. A method for selectively controlling a temperature of a patient, said method comprising:

providing a catheter having a heat transfer element attached to a distal end thereof, said heat transfer element having a plurality of smooth heat transfer segments separated by flexible joints;

inserting said catheter through the vascular system of the patient to place said heat transfer element in a blood vessel;

circulating fluid into said heat transfer element via an internal lumen of said catheter and via an internal lumen of said heat transfer element;

circulating fluid out of said heat transfer element via an external lumen of said heat transfer element; and

transferring heat between said heat transfer segments and the blood in the vessel to selectively control the temperature of the patient.

8. A method of treating an organ, comprising:

inserting a heat transfer element into a feeder artery, wherein said heat transfer element has a smooth exterior surface; and

changing the temperature of said heat transfer element to modify the temperature of the blood in the feeder artery, thereby selectively modifying the temperature of the organ.

9. A method of treating an organ, comprising:

inserting a heat transfer element into a feeder artery, wherein said heat transfer element has a plurality of longitudinal ribs on its surface; and

changing the temperature of the longitudinally ribbed surface of said heat transfer element to modify the temperature of the blood in the feeder artery, thereby selectively modifying the temperature of the organ.