Patent ID: 6217552
Filing Date: 2001-04-17
Classification: A61B,A61F,A61M

Abstract:
A method for cooling the spinal cord to prevent neurologic damage during inadequate spinal perfusion, comprising the steps of:providing first and second elongate tubular members, each member having a lumen communicating with a port at a distal end;inserting the first tubular member between lumbar vertebrae into the subarachnoid space;inserting the second tubular member between lumbar vertebrae into the subarachnoid space, and advancing the distal port cephalad and locating the port in the cervical or thoracic region of the spine;aspirating or draining cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) from the spinal column through one of the first tubular member or second tubular member;cooling the CSF by extracorporeal refrigeration; andperfusing the CSF into the spinal column through the other of the first tubular member or second tubular member, wherein the spinal cord is cooled to below normal body temperature, and wherein CSF pressure is reduced to and maintained at a level substantially below normal CSF pressure.