Patent ID: 7922752

Claim:
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 an elongate, flexible catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and a portion for insertion into a patient's body, the catheter including two or more elongated articulated segments having turbulence-inducing interior and exterior surfaces; at least one fluid lumen disposed within the two or more elongated articulated segments through which a water-based heat exchange fluid may be circulated; and a heat exchanger located at the distal end of the catheter, said heat exchanger being operative to exchange heat between blood which flows in heat exchange proximity to said heat exchanger and the water-based heat exchange fluid which is circulated through said catheter; 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.