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Method and apparatus for regional and whole body temperature modification

  • US 8,246,669 B2
  • Filed: 05/04/2011
  • Issued: 08/21/2012
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/24/1998
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A system for maintaining or changing the temperature of at least a portion of the body of a subject, comprising:

  • a disposable heat exchange catheter having at least one recirculating-fluid-type intracorporeal heat exchanger, the disposable heat exchange catheter being insertable into the vasculature of a subject such that the intracorporeal heat exchanger is in contact with blood flowing within the vasculature;

    an external heat exchanger configured to be fluidly coupled to the disposable heat exchange catheter;

    a pump head in fluid communication with the intracorporeal heat exchanger and the external heat exchanger, the pump head, the external heat exchanger and the intracorporeal heat exchanger forming a fluid circuit through which a heat exchange fluid flows;

    a heater/cooler device in thermal communication with the external heat exchanger, the heater/cooler device configured to add heat to the heat exchange fluid or subtract heat from the heat exchange fluid flowing through the external heat exchanger;

    at least one sensor for monitoring the temperature of at least a portion of the subject'"'"'s body, the at least one sensor providing signals representative of the monitored temperature of the at least a portion of the subject'"'"'s body;

    a fluid source in fluid communication with the fluid circuit for providing heat exchange fluid to the fluid circuit;

    a reservoir in fluid communication with the external heat exchanger and the pump for storage of heat exchange fluid; and

    a controller configured to control the heater/cooler device in response to the signals provided by the at least one sensor to maintain or change the temperature of at least a portion of the subject.

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