Selective organ cooling apparatus and method

• US 7,066,948 B2
• Filed: 03/08/2004
• Issued: 06/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• 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:
  US10/796,906
• Publication Number:
  US 20040230265A1
• Time in Patent Office: 841 Days
• Field of Search: 607/96, 607104-107, 607/113, 606 21- 23
• 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 for low temperature ablation of tissue, comprising:

first and second elongated segments, one of said first or second elongated segments providing a closed end of said heat transfer device;

a bellows connecting said first and second elongated segments;

a tubular conduit disposed within and extending substantially through said first and second elongated segments, said conduit having an inner lumen for transporting a working fluid to a distal end of said one of said first or second elongated segments providing a closed end of said heat transfer device;

a smooth outer surface on at least one of said first and second elongated segments; and

longitudinal ridges and grooves on said smooth outer surface.

2. A heat transfer device for low temperature ablation of tissue, comprising:

first and second elongated segments, one of said first or second elongated segments providing a closed end of said heat transfer device;

a bellows connecting said first and second elongated segments;

a tubular conduit disposed within and extending substantially through said first and second elongated segments, said conduit having an inner lumen for transporting a working fluid to a distal end of said one of said first or second elongated segments providing a closed end of said heat transfer device; and

an irregular interior surface within at least one of said first and second elongated segments, said irregular interior surface being adapted to induce mixing within a pressurized said working fluid.

3. A heat transfer device for low temperature ablation of tissue, comprising:

first and second elongated segments, one of said first or second elongated segments providing a closed end of said heat transfer device;

a bellows connecting said first and second elongated segments;

a tubular conduit disposed within and extending substantially through said first and second elongated segments, said conduit having an inner lumen for transporting a working fluid to a distal end of said one of said first or second elongated segments providing a closed end of said heat transfer device; and

a clot inhibiting outer surface coating on at least one of said first and second elongated segments.