Patent ID: 6755850
Filing Date: 2004-06-29
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
An apparatus for causing hypothermia in at least a portion of a mammal, said apparatus comprising:a source of working fluid; a flexible elongated catheter, said catheter having a flexible tubular outer catheter body; a flexible tubular inner working fluid supply conduit located within said outer catheter body, a proximal end of said inner working fluid supply conduit being connected in fluid flow communication with an outlet of said source of working fluid; a working fluid return path within said outer catheter body, a proximal end of said working fluid return path being connected in fluid flow communication with an inlet of said source of working fluid; a flexible elongated, hollow, heat transfer element mounted to said distal end of said outer catheter body, said heat transfer element being adapted to transform to a shape having an enhanced heat transfer surface area; and a chamber defined within said hollow heat transfer element, said chamber being connected in fluid flow communication with an outlet of said working fluid supply conduit, said chamber being connected in fluid flow communication with a distal end of said working fluid return path within said outer catheter body.