Patent ID: 7771460

Claim:
A system 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; said flexible catheter having an insertion portion, said insertion portion for insertion into the patient, said insertion portion extending from the distal end to a point short of the proximal end; 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, said heat exchanger being curved and having an outer surface along its outer radius of curvature, and having an inner surface along its inner radius of curvature, said outer surface and said inner surface having substantially different thermal transmissivity; a sensor that senses data from the patient, generates a signal in response thereto; a manual input whereby an operator may specify a target parameter; a controller unit for receiving said signal and said target parameter, and controlling the operation of said catheter device in response to said sensed data and in relation to said target parameter.