Patent ID: 6620189
Filing Date: 2003-09-16
Classification: A61B,A61F,A61M

Abstract:
A controller for controlling the temperature and flow of a heat exchange fluid within a circuit, comprising:a heat exchange catheter insertable within a patient, the catheter configured to heat or cool blood flowing past the catheter within the patient; an external heat exchanger; a pump for flowing heat exchange fluid through the circuit; a thermoelectric heating and/or cooling element, the thermoelectric heating and/or cooling element being in non-fluid thermal contact with the external heat exchanger containing the heat exchange fluid; a patient sensor positioned and configured to generate a signal representing a biophysical condition of a patient; a microprocessor connected to receive the signal from the patient sensor and being responsive to the signal to control the thermoelectric heating and/or cooling element; a mechanical drive unit for activating the pump contained in the circuit; and a safety sensor for detecting a fluid parameter representing the presence of air in the circuit and generating a safety signal representative of the presence or absence of the fluid parameter, the safety signal being transmitted to the microprocessor that responds by controlling the flow of heat exchange fluid within the circuit.