Patent ID: 6149677
Filing Date: 2000-11-21
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
A method for selective organ hypothermia, said method comprising:providing a circulating fluid apparatus having a chiller and a flexible coaxial catheter, said catheter having an insulated inner lumen and a hollow flexible heat transfer element adjacent its distal tip;inserting said catheter through the vascular system of a patient to place said heat transfer element in a feeding artery of a selected organ;supplying chilled perfluorocarbon fluid to said insulated inner lumen of said coaxial catheter;cooling the interior of said heat transfer element with said chilled perfluorocarbon fluid;cooling blood flowing in said feeding artery with said heat transfer element, to enable said cooled blood to flow distally into said selected organ and cool said organ; andreturning said perfluorocarbon fluid to said chiller.