Patent ID: 6648908
Filing Date: 2003-11-18
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
A method for selectively cooling or heating an organ in a body of a patient, comprising:introducing a catheter having an inflatable heat transfer element formed by at least an inlet lumen and an outlet lumen, the inlet lumen configured to provide working fluid to the heat transfer element and the outlet lumen configured to remove working fluid from the heat transfer element, into an artery supplying the organ, at least one of the inlet lumen or the outlet lumen having a helical shape to induce turbulence in blood flowing in the artery; inflating the heat transfer element; and inducing free stream turbulence in blood flowing over the at least one of the inlet lumen or the outlet lumen having a helical shape; such that heat is removed from or added to the blood to cool or heat the organ.