Patent ID: 6610083
Filing Date: 2003-08-26
Classification: A61B,A61F,A61M

Abstract:
A heat exchange catheter that is insertable into a vessel of a human or animal patient for the purpose of heating or cooling a body fluid in the vessel, the heat exchange catheter comprising:a catheter shaft that has an inflow lumen, an outflow lumen, and a working lumen formed therein, the working lumen including at least one wall which substantially prevents fluid communication between the working lumen and the inflow and outflow lumens; a plurality of curvilinear heat exchange elements attached to the catheter shaft, said heat exchange elements having substantially hollow interiors that are fluidly connected to the inflow and outflow lumens of the catheter shaft such that heat exchange fluid may circulate from the inflow lumen, through the interiors of the heat exchange elements and out of the outflow lumen; wherein at least one of the heat exchange elements is of a generally helical configuration, at least when heat exchange fluid is being circulated therethrough.