Heating/cooling system for indwelling heat exchange catheter

• US 8,388,577 B2
• Filed: 06/20/2007
• Issued: 03/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Zoll Circulation Incorporated (Asahi Kasei Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Zoll Circulation Incorporated (Asahi Kasei Corporation)
• Inventors: Noda, Wayne, Stelea, Stelica
• Primary Examiner(s): Lucchesi, Nicholas
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHANDER, DIVA KAKAR
• Application Number:
  US11/765,536
• Publication Number:
  US 20070244434A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,085 Days
• Field of Search: 604/113
• US Class Current: 604/113
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0054 with a closed fluid circuit, e.g. hot water
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0093 programmed
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0096 with a thermometer
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/126 for invasive application, e.g. for introducing into blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/0085 Devices for generating hot or cold treatment fluids
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 7/12 Devices for heating or cooling internal body cavities
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 15/0069 Magnetic couplings
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 2/18 with similar tooth forms F04C2/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 29/0064 Magnetic couplings
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 13/024 a magnetic coupling
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 29/606 Mounting in cavities
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2400/01 Heaters
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2600/0253 with variable speed
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2700/1351 of the cooled fluid upstream or downstream of the evaporator
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 17/02 for circulating liquids, e.g. brine

Abstract

A cooling system for an indwelling heat exchange catheter includes a heat exchange bath that is configured to receive a conduit that carries saline to and from the catheter. A heating/cooling fluid is in the bath and exchanges heat with the saline. The heating/cooling fluid flows through a heat exchanger that includes a refrigerant and two variable speed DC compressor for removing heat from the refrigerant. A gear pump circulates the working fluid to and from the catheter and is removably engaged with a pump support platform.

Claims

1. A heat exchange system for an indwelling heat exchange catheter, comprising:

a heat exchange bath configured to receive a conduit carrying working fluid to and from the catheter, the working fluid being at a temperature below normal human body temperature to cool a human patient in whom the catheter is disposed; and

a gear pump in communication with the conduit for pumping the working fluid to and from the catheter.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the gear pump is detachably engaged with the conduit and a pump support platform.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the pump support platform comprises:

a pump locking bore, the gear pump removably engaging the pump locking bore.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the pump support platform further comprises:

at least one spring loaded ball plunger, the spring loaded ball plunger removably engaging the gear pump with the pump support platform.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the pump support platform further comprises:

a motor, the motor engaging the gear pump to provide power to the pump when the pump is engaged with the pump support platform.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the pump support platform further comprises:

at least one sensor for detecting the presence of the gear pump when it is engaged with the pump support platform.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one air trap vessel downstream from the gear pump; and

at least one air trap detector at least partially surrounding the air trap vessel.