Patient temperature regulation method and apparatus

• US 6,991,645 B2
• Filed: 05/30/2002
• Issued: 01/31/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Philips Electronics North America Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Innercool therapies Incorporated (Taxus Cardium Pharmaceuticals Group, Inc.)
• Inventors: Dobak, John D. III
• Primary Examiner(s): ROLLINS, ROSILAND STACIE
• Application Number:
  US10/160,611
• Publication Number:
  US 20020151946A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,342 Days
• Field of Search: 607/96, 607/105, 607/106, 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 2017/22002 preventing restenosis
• 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

Abstract

A device and method for providing body cooling. The cooling device applies cooling to blood flowing in a vena cavae that is then distributed throughout the body. The cooling can be assisted by use of thermoregulatory drugs or warming devices to prevent shivering and vasoconstriction.

Claims

1. A method for cooling a patient'"'"'s body intravascularly, comprising:

providing a catheter having a cooling element attached to a distal end thereof, the cooling element having mixing-inducing surface features thereon;

inserting the catheter through the vascular system of the patient to place the cooling element in a vein that drains into the heart of a patient;

circulating fluid through the cooling element; and

transferring heat from the blood in the vein to the cooling element, further comprising applying cooling via a cooling device to a substantial portion of the surface area of the patient.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the cooling device is a cooling blanket.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising administering a thermoregulatory drug to the patient.

4. A method of treating a human body, comprising:

inserting a flexible conductive heat transfer element into a vein from a distal location, the flexible heat transfer element having mixing-inducing surface features on the surface thereof;

circulating a working fluid through the flexible conductive heat transfer element to modify the temperature of the blood in the vein, thereby modifying the temperature of the body; and

modifying the temperature of at least a portion of the surface of the human body by a surface cooler.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said mixing-inducing features create a turbulence intensity of at least about 0.05.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said mixing-inducing features include at least one helical invagination.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein said mixing-inducing features include at least one protrusion.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein said mixing-inducing features create a mixing characterized by a Nusselt number of at least about 5.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said mixing-inducing features include at least one helical invagination.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein said mixing-inducing features include at least one protrusion.