Patent ID: 7896009
Filing Date: 2011-03-01
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. A method of manipulating the temperature of a patient comprising: positioning a catheter having an inelastic heat exchange balloon and a shaft in the a patient such that the heat exchange balloon is located within the stomach of a patent, wherein the shaft of the catheter is located in the esophagus of the patient, and the shaft is sized and shaped so as to not block saliva drainage in the esophagus while the heat exchange fluid is being circulated within the heat exchange balloon; introducing a heat exchange fluid into the heat exchange balloon such that the heat exchange balloon expands to a size and shape that distends the stomach; controlling the temperature of the heat exchange fluid; allowing the heat exchange fluid to circulate within the heat exchange balloon, wherein heat is exchanged between the heat exchange balloon and the distended stomach so as to controllably alter the temperature of at least a portion of the patient; monitoring the patient with a temperature probe to obtain a monitored temperature; automatically controlling the step of exchanging heat between the heat exchange balloon and the distended stomach based on the monitored temperature; wherein the temperature of at least a portion of the patient is controllably altered in order to treat cardiac insufficiency.