Patent ID: 6540771
Filing Date: 2003-04-01
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
A catheter method of changing the temperature of blood by heat transfer to or from a circulating working fluid, comprising:inserting an inflatable heat transfer element formed by at least an inlet lumen and an inflatable outlet lumen into an artery or vein; inflating the inflatable heat transfer element by delivering a circulating working fluid to the inlet lumen of the inflatable heat transfer element, the temperature of the circulating working fluid different from that of the blood such that blood contacts both the inlet lumen and the outlet lumen; and inducing turbulence in the working fluid by passing the working fluid through a helical turbulence-inducing path formed by the outlet lumen when inflated, and, inducing turbulence in blood flowing past the helical turbulence inducing path formed by the outlet lumen when inflated thereby enhancing heat transfer between the circulating working fluid and the blood.