Selective organ cooling apparatus

• US 7,998,182 B2
• Filed: 01/17/2006
• Issued: 08/16/2011
• 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: Werneth, Randell L., Lasheras, Juan C., Dobak, John D. III
• Primary Examiner(s): GIBSON, ROY DEAN
• Application Number:
  US11/333,986
• Publication Number:
  US 20060116734A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,037 Days
• Field of Search: 607104-107
• 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, said heat transfer device 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 structure connecting said first and second elongated segments, said bellows structure being structured to be less thermally conductive than said first and second elongated segments by virtue of inherent fluid stagnation on the surface of said bellows structure; and

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.

2. The device recited in claim 1, further comprising a smooth outer surface on at least one of said first and second elongated segments.

3. The device recited in claim 1, wherein said first and second elongated segments are formed from highly conductive material.

4. The device recited in claim 1, further comprising:

a coaxial supply catheter having an inner catheter lumen coupled to said inner lumen of said tubular conduit; and

a working fluid supply configured to dispense said working fluid and having an output coupled to said inner catheter lumen.

5. The device recited in claim 4, wherein said working fluid supply is adapted to dispense a perfluorocarbon working fluid.

6. The device recited in claim 4, wherein said working fluid supply is adapted to produce pressurized working fluid at a temperature less than about 0 degrees C.

7. The device recited in claim 1, further comprising:

at least one additional elongated segment; and

at least one additional bellows structure connecting said at least one additional elongated segment to one of said first and second elongated segments.

8. The device recited in claim 1, wherein said bellows structure is less thermally conductive than said first and second elongated segments by virtue of fluid stagnation on an outer surface of said bellows structure.

9. The device recited in claim 1, wherein said bellows structure is less thermally conductive than said first and second elongated segments by virtue of fluid stagnation on an inner surface of said bellows structure.

10. The device recited in claim 1, wherein said bellows structure is less thermally conductive than said first and second elongated segments by virtue of fluid stagnation on both inner and outer surfaces of said bellows structure.