Patent ID: 6558412
Filing Date: 2003-05-06
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
A method for reducing damage to neural tissue located in a patient after said neural tissue has become ischemic or has been otherwise affected by a disease or trauma comprising:A. selecting a portion of the body containing the tissue, which portion receives a flow of a body fluid; B. providing a heat exchange catheter device which comprises: i) an elongate, flexible catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and an insertion portion for insertion into a patient's body; ii) at least one fluid lumen through which a refrigerant heat exchange fluid may be circulated; and iii) a heat exchanger located adjacent the distal end, said heat exchanger being operative to exchange heat between body fluid which flows in heat exchange proximity to said heat exchanger and the refrigerant heat exchange fluid which is circulated through said catheter; C. inserting the catheter into the patient and positioning the catheter such that the body fluid will pass in heat exchange proximity to the heat exchanger before reaching the selected body portion; D. circulating the refrigerant heat exchange fluid through the fluid lumen of the catheter device, such that body fluid will pass in heat exchange proximity to the heat exchanger, the refrigerant heat exchange fluid being at a temperature other than the body fluid, whereby the temperature of the body fluid will be altered, and will subsequently flow to said neural tissue; E. maintaining the catheter in said position for a sufficient time to alter the temperature of the neural tissue.