Methods and apparatus for thermally activating a console of a thermal delivery system

• US 7,056,334 B2
• Filed: 05/28/2004
• Issued: 06/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Medcool, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Medcool, Inc.
• Inventors: Lennox, Charles D.
• Primary Examiner(s): ROLLINS, ROSILAND STACIE
• Application Number:
  US10/856,611
• Publication Number:
  US 20040243202A1
• Time in Patent Office: 739 Days
• Field of Search: 607/96, 607104-107, 607/114, 607/109, 607/110, 607/111, 607/112, 607/113, 607/108
• US Class Current: 607/96
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00044 Sensing electrocardiography, i.e. ECG
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0002 Head or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0078 with a battery
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/0085 Devices for generating hot or cold treatment fluids
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3904 External heart defibrillators [EHD]

Abstract

A thermal delivery system includes a base unit having a thermal regulation source and a console configured to deliver cooling fluid to a body-cooling device to induce hypothermia and aid in resuscitation of a patient. When a user docks the console with the base station, the console thermally contacts the thermal regulation source. The thermal regulation source alters the temperature of fluid held by the console for an indefinite period of time. In the case where a patient, at a location remote from the thermal delivery system, requires induction of hypothermia, a user detaches the console from the base station and transports the console to the patient'"'"'s location. The configuration of the thermal delivery system allows the base station to thermally adjust the temperature of the fluid held by the console for an extended period of time, thereby minimizing a delay in transporting a console having the thermally adjusted fluid to the patient.

Claims

1. A thermal delivery system comprising:

a base station having a base station thermal conductor and a thermal regulation source in thermal communication with the base station thermal conductor; and

a console detachably coupled to the base station, the console having;

a reservoir configured to hold a fluid,

a console thermal conductor coupled to the reservoir and in thermal communication with the base station thermal conductor of the base station, the console thermal conductor configured to exchange thermal energy with the base station thermal conductor, and

a pump in fluid communication with the reservoir, the pump configured to deliver fluid from the reservoir to a body temperature regulation device when the console is detached from the base station.

2. The thermal delivery system of claim 1 wherein the base station thermal conductor and the thermal regulation source are configured to reduce a temperature of the console thermal conductor.

3. The thermal delivery system of claim 2 wherein the console comprises a sensor configured to detect a presence of ice relative to the console thermal conductor.

4. The thermal delivery system of claim 2 wherein the console comprises a heating element in thermal communication with the console thermal conductor.

5. The thermal delivery system of claim 2 wherein the body temperature regulation device further comprises a body-cooling device in fluid communication with the console.

6. The thermal delivery system of claim 5 wherein the body-cooling device comprises a head-cooling device.

7. The thermal delivery system of claim 5 wherein the body-cooling device comprises a blood-cooling device.

8. The thermal delivery system of claim 1 wherein the reservoir removably couples to the console.

9. The thermal delivery system of claim 1 wherein:

the base station comprises a power supply; and

the console comprises a battery in electrical communication with the pump and detachably coupled to the power supply of the base station.

10. The thermal delivery system of claim 1 further comprising a physiological sensor configured to detect a physiologic state of a subject.

11. The thermal delivery system of claim 10 wherein the physiological sensor is chosen from the group consisting of an electrocardiogram sensor, a temperature sensor, or a pulse oximetry sensor.

12. The thermal delivery system of claim 1 further comprising a treatment apparatus configured to provide a treatment to a subject.

13. The thermal delivery system of claim 12 wherein the treatment apparatus is chosen from the group consisting of a fluid infusion device, a defibrillator, or a ventilator.

14. A thermal delivery system comprising:

a base station having a thermal regulation source; and

a console detachably coupled to the base station, the console having;

a reservoir configured to hold a fluid,

a thermal conduction element coupled to the reservoir and in thermal communication with the thermal regulation source, and

a pump in fluid communication with the reservoir, the pump configured to deliver fluid from the reservoir to a body temperature regulation device when the console is detached from the base station.

15. The thermal delivery system of claim 14 wherein the thermal regulation source is configured to reduce a temperature of the thermal conduction element.

16. The thermal delivery system of claim 15 wherein the thermal regulation source comprises a liquid gas source and wherein the thermal conduction element comprises a gas evaporator.

17. The thermal delivery system of claim 16 wherein the pump comprises a turbine in fluid communication with the gas evaporator, the turbine configured to receive gas from the gas evaporator and cause operation of the pump.

18. The thermal delivery system of claim 15 further comprising a body-cooling device in fluid communication with the console.

19. The thermal delivery system of claim 14 wherein:

the base station comprises a power supply; and

the console comprises a battery in electrical communication with the pump and detachably coupled to the power supply of the base station.

20. A method for altering a body temperature of a subject comprising

coupling a console, holding a fluid, to a base station to allow the base station to alter the temperature of the fluid within the console;

detaching the console from the base station;

transporting the console to a subject location;

placing a body temperature regulation device, associated with the console, in thermal communication with at least a portion of the subject; and

activating the console to transmit the fluid within the console to the body temperature regulation device.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the step of coupling comprises coupling the console to a first base station located at a first location and further comprising:

transporting the console to a second base station located at a second location, the second location distinct from the first location; and

coupling the console to the second base station to allow the second base station to alter the temperature of the fluid within the console.

22. The method of claim 20 further comprising defibrillating the patient.

23. A thermal delivery system comprising:

a base station having a base station thermal conductor and a thermal regulation source in thermal communication with the base station thermal conductor;

a console detachably coupled to the base station, the console having a pump motor and a console thermal conductor in thermal communication with the base station thermal conductor; and

,

a fluid reservoir detachably coupled to the console and having a pump head detachably coupled to the pump motor, the fluid reservoir in thermal communication with the console thermal conductor.

24. The thermal delivery system of claim 23 further comprising a body temperature regulation device in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir.

25. The thermal delivery system of claim 23 wherein:

the base station comprises a power supply; and

the console comprises a battery in electrical communication with the pump motor and detachably coupled to the power supply.