Patent ID: 7621890

Claim:
A heat exchange catheter for warming the urethra of a patient during ablative surgery, comprising: a) an inflow housing assembly for receiving an inlet flow of warming fluid; b) an outflow housing assembly for receiving an outlet flow of warming fluid; c) a multi-lumen tube comprising an outflow portion and an accessory portion, said accessory portion being integrally formed within an interior volume of said outflow portion, said accessory portion having a cross-section smaller than said outflow portion, said outflow portion having a central axis being offset from a central axis of said accessory portion such that said outflow portion and said accessory portion are integrally joined, wherein the space between said outflow portion and said accessory portion defines a fluid return passageway and the space within said accessory portion defines an accessory passageway; d) a flexible outer sleeve cooperating with said multi-lumen tube positioned therein to form a fluid inlet passageway; and, e) flow separation means for separating the inlet flow of warming fluid from said outlet flow of warming fluid, wherein during operation said inlet flow of warming fluid flows from said inflow housing assembly, then through said fluid inlet passageway formed between said outer sleeve and said multi-lumen tube, the flow continuing around a distal end of said outflow portion of said multi-lumen tube, thus becoming said outlet flow of said warming fluid which is directed through said fluid return passageway, then through said outflow housing assembly.