Patent ID: RE39651

Claim:
Apparatus for inducing hypothermia in a patient's brain, said apparatus comprising: a) an endotracheal tube having a first end and second end, b) a toroidal shaped bladder surrounding said tube proximate said first end of said tube, said first end for insertion into said a patient's trachea whereby said bladder contacts the tissues and blood vessels of said a patient's oral cavity, c) a source of liquid or gaseous coolant, said source for providing coolant to said bladder, d) inlet and outlet coolant conducting elements connected to said toroidal shaped bladder, whereby said coolant from said source flowing through said inlet and outlet coolant conducting elements cools said bladder, further whereby when said first end of said endotracheal tube is inserted into said a patient's trachea, said coolant flowing in said bladder lowers the temperature of said the tissues and blood vessels of said a patient's oral cavity in contact with said bladder, said the tissues and blood vessels further acting as heat conducting paths from said a patient's brain to said bladder whereby the temperature of said the brain is lowered.