Patent ID: 7922752
Filing Date: 2011-04-12
Classification: A61B,A61F,A61M

Abstract:
1. A method for lessening damage to neural tissue located within a patient after said neural tissue is damaged, the method comprising acts of: selecting a portion of the body containing the tissue, which portion receives a flow of blood; providing a heat exchange device which comprises inserting the catheter into a blood vessel of the patient; positioning the catheter such that fluid flowing through the vessel will pass in heat exchange proximity to the heat exchanger before reaching the selected body portion; circulating the water-based heat exchange fluid through the fluid lumen of the device, such that blood will pass in heat exchange proximity to the heat exchanger, the water-based heat exchange fluid being at a temperature other than the blood, whereby the temperature of the blood will be altered, and will subsequently flow to said neural tissue; causing turbulence within the blood when a first elongated articulated segment of the two or more elongated articulated segments induces a rotational inertia to the blood and a second elongated articulated segment of the two or more elongated articulated segments alternatively reverse a rotational direction of the inertia; and maintaining the catheter in said position for a sufficient time to alter the temperature of the neural tissue.