Patent ID: 6620188
Filing Date: 2003-09-16
Classification: A61B,A61F,A61M

Abstract:
A method for maintaining or changing the temperature of at least a portion of the body of a human or veterinary patient, said method comprising the steps of:A. providing a heat exchange system which comprises i) an elongate flexible heat exchange catheter having at least one recirculating-fluid-type intracorporeal heat exchanger, said catheter being insertable into the vasculature of the patient such that the intracorporeal heat exchanger is in contact with the patient's blood; ii) an extracorporeal heat exchange member configured to contain a quantity of thermal exchange fluid, said heat exchange member being attachable to the catheter in such manner as to form a substantially enclosed fluid flow path through which thermal exchange fluid is circulated from the extracorporeal heat exchange member through the intracorporeal heat exchanger of the catheter, and iii) an extracorporeally located device for heating or cooling thermal exchange fluid contained within the extracorporeal heat exchange member, the extracorporeal heat exchange member being insertable into and removable from the device for heating or cooling; iv) at least one temperature sensor for determining the temperature of at least the portion of the patient's body wherein temperature is to be changed or maintained, and v) a controller that receives input of a target body temperature as well as body temperature information from the temperature sensor and, in response to such target body temperature input and body temperature information received from the temperature sensor, controls the amount and direction of heat exchange occurring through the intracorporeal heat exchanger while avoiding heating or cooling of the heat exchanger to any temperature that will cause substantial destruction of blood cells; B. inserting the catheter into the patient's vasculature and positioning the catheter such that the intracorporeal heat exchanger is positioned in a blood vessel through which blood flows; C. inserting the extracorporeal heat exchange member on or in the extracorporeally located device for heating or cooling such that heat exchange fluid within the extracorporeal heat exchange member is heated or cooled; and D. positioning the temperature sensor so as to sense the temperature of at least the portion of the patient's body wherein temperature is to be changed or maintained; E. inputting into the controller a target body temperature and, thereafter, operating the system such that the controller controls the amount and direction of heat exchange between the patient's blood and the intracorporeal heat exchanger to control the sensed body temperature relative to the input target body temperature while avoiding heating or cooling of the intracorporeal heat exchanger to any temperature that will cause substantial destruction of blood cells.