Patent ID: 6635076
Filing Date: 2003-10-21
Classification: A61B,A61F,A61M,H01L

Abstract:
A system for controlling body temperature of a patient, said system comprising:an intravascular catheter that is insertable into a blood vessel, the catheter having at least one heat exchanger which has at least one heat exchange surface capable of alternately introducing heat into and removing heat from blood flowing through the blood vessel; a temperature sensor positioned on or in the patient's body; and, a control unit that receives temperature information from the temperature sensor and, in response to said temperature information, selectively causes heat to be a) delivered through the heat exchange surface into the blood or b) absorbed through the heat exchange surface from the blood, thereby maintaining the temperature of at least a portion of the patient's body within a target temperature range; wherein the control unit is programed such that, when the system is being used to cool a patient who's body temperature is initially hyperthermic, the control unit will cause heat to be absorbed through the heat exchange surface from the blood until the temperature monitored by the temperature sensor has decreased to about 36.9Â° C. at which time the absorption of heat through the heat exchange surface from the blood is stopped; and wherein the control unit is further programed such that, if the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor continues to fall to a temperature of 36Â° C. or below, the controller will then cause heat to be delivered through the heat exchange surface and into the blood.