Patent ID: 7621889
Filing Date: 2009-11-24
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. A heat exchange catheter for warming the urethra of a patient during ablative surgery, comprising: a) an inflow housing assembly comprising: b) an outflow housing assembly comprising: c) a discharge tube positioned within respective openings of said inflow housing assembly and said outflow housing assembly, said discharge tube being positioned along said housing assembly central axis; d) an inner balloon positioned about said discharge tube and coupled to said outflow housing assembly, said inner balloon having an inner balloon central axis being in a position offset from said housing assembly central axis; e) an outer balloon positioned about said inner balloon and connected at a first end to said outflow housing assembly, a second end thereof being securely attached to a distal portion of said discharge tube, said inner balloon being shorter than said outer balloon; and, f) flow separation means for separating the inlet flow of warming fluid from said outlet flow of warming fluid, wherein during operation said inlet flow of warming fluid flows from said inflow housing inlet section, and through said inflow housing main section, then through an inlet fluid passageway formed between said inner balloon and said discharge tube, the flow continuing around a distal end of said inner balloon, thus becoming said outlet flow of said warming fluid which is directed through an outlet fluid passageway formed between said inner balloon and said outer balloon, then through said outflow housing main section and finally discharged through said outflow housing outlet section.