Fever regulation method and apparatus

• US 7,094,253 B2
• Filed: 04/09/2003
• Issued: 08/22/2006
• 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: Magers, Michael, Dobak, John D. III, Yon, Steven A.
• Primary Examiner(s): GIBSON, ROY DEAN
• Application Number:
  US10/411,001
• Publication Number:
  US 20030187489A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,231 Days
• Field of Search: 607/96, 607104-107
• US Class Current: 607/106
• 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 2017/22069 Immobilising; Stabilising
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0212 using an instrument inserted into a body lumen, e.g. catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0262 using a circulating cryogenic fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/064 for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/20 for measuring urological functions restricted to the evaluation of the urinary system A61B5/4375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0056 for cooling
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0059 with an open fluid circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0069 with return means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0095 with a temperature indicator
• 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 2025/0002 with a pressure sensor at the distal end
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0034 characterized by elements which are assembled, connected or fused, e.g. splittable tubes, outer sheaths creating lumina or separate cores making of catheters A61M25/0009
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0073 Tip designed for influencing the flow or the flow velocity of the fluid, e.g. inserts for twisted or vortex flow general flow characteristics A61M2206/10
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/36 related to heating or cooling
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/366 by liquid heat exchangers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/1085 Bladder
• 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 25/0029 : characterized by features relating to least one lumen located at the middle part of the catheter, e.g. slots, flaps, valves, cuffs, apertures, notches, grooves or rapid exchange ports catheter shaft surface irregularities A61M2025/006
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/003 : characterized by features relating to least one lumen located at the distal part of the catheter, e.g. filters, plugs or valves catheter tips A61M25/0067
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0032 : characterized by at least one unconventionally shaped lumen, e.g. polygons, ellipsoids, wedges or shapes comprising concave and convex parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0068 : Static characteristics of the catheter tip, e.g. shape, atraumatic tip, curved tip or tip structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/44 : having means for cooling or heating the devices or media

Abstract

A device and method for providing body cooling for treating fever. The cooling device applies cooling to blood flowing in a vein or artery, e.g., the vena cavae, that is then distributed throughout the body.

Claims

1. A method for treating fever in a patient'"'"'s body intravascularly, comprising:

providing a catheter having a flexible cooling element attached to a distal end thereof, wherein the catheter is flexible enough to navigate vasculature from the fernoral insertion point to an internal carotid artery;

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

circulating fluid through the cooling clement;

transferring heat from the blood in the vein to the flexible cooling clement; and

thereby lowering the temperature of the patient.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the catheter includes flexible elements separated by inflexibie elements.