Patient temperature regulation method and apparatus

• US 7,311,725 B2
• Filed: 01/25/2006
• Issued: 12/25/2007
• 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: Dobak, John D. III
• Primary Examiner(s): GIBSON, ROY DEAN
• Application Number:
  US11/340,377
• Publication Number:
  US 20060124141A1
• Time in Patent Office: 699 Days
• Field of Search: 607/96, 607/105, 607/113
• 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 2017/22002 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 substantially reducing stenoses recurring following angioplasty, comprising:

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

performing an angioplasty or stenting operation on a blood vessel of the patient;

inserting the catheter through the vascular system of the patient to place the cooling element in the blood vessel;

circulating fluid through the cooling element; and

transferring heat from the blood in the vessel to the cooling element, whereby blood and the blood vessel wall are cooled,

wherein said mixing-inducing surface features are configured to cause mixing in the fluid circulating through the cooling element and in blood in the blood vessel passing the cooling element.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said mixing-inducing surface features create a turbulence intensity of at least about 0.05.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said mixing-inducing surface feature is a helix.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said mixing-inducing surface features create a mixing characterized by a Nusselt number of at least about 5.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said mixing-inducing surface feature includes at least one helical invagination.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said mixing-inducing surface features include at least one protrusion.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said mixing-inducing surface features include at least one bellows section configured to allow axial compression of said cooling element.