Patent ID: 6527798
Filing Date: 2003-03-04
Classification: A61B,A61F,A61M

Abstract:
A catheter device which is insertable into an anatomical structure of a mammalian patient through which body fluid may flow to a target region of the patient, said catheter device being operative to effect in situ heat exchange with the body fluid to effect temperature alteration of the target region, said catheter device comprising:an elongate flexible catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, the entire length of said flexible catheter being defined as the distance from its proximal end to its distal end; at least one fluid lumen in through which said thermal exchange fluid may be circulated; a heat exchanger located at a first location on the catheter, said heat exchanger being operative to exchange heat between body fluid in heat exchange proximity to said heat exchanger and heat exchange fluid circulating through said heat exchanger, said first location extending less than the entire length of the catheter; a body-fluid channeling sleeve formed about a segment of said catheter including the first location at which at least a portion of said heat exchanger is located, said body fluid channeling sleeve defining a body fluid flow space between said body fluid channeling sleeve and said catheter, said body fluid channeling sleeve having a body fluid inlet located proximal to the heat exchanger and a body fluid outlet located distal to at least a portion of said heat exchanger, such that body fluid will enter the flow space through said body fluid inlet, will then flow through said flow space in heat exchange proximity to at least a portion of said heat exchanger, and then out of said body fluid outlet and to a conduit in fluid communication with said target region of the patient's body.