Patent · US Expired

Topical hypothermia apparatus and method for treating the human body and the like

US4111209A · kind A · utility

129Cited by
5References
5Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 18, 1977
Grant dateSep 5, 1978
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 18, 1997

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61F2007/0056
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Apparatus and method for providing hypothermia or effecting hemostasis to prevent hemorrhaging in organs or regions of the human body and the like. In one application described herein, the apparatus provides hypothermia to the heart during, for example, cardio-pulmonary bypass. The apparatus comprises a unitary preferably disposable coolant fluid circuit, including a length of flexible tubing having a heat exchange portion and a flexible, inflatable bag through which a sterile coolant fluid passes. The inflatable bag is connected to the flexible tubing by a double lumen. The tubing is provided with appropriate fittings proximate to its juncture with the double lumen to allow introduction of coolant fluid. The heat exchanger portion of the coolant fluid circuit is located within a preferably disposable container which contains refrigeration means for reducing the temperature of the coolant fluid. A pump is provided which operates externally to the coolant fluid circuit in order to cause the coolant fluid to circulate therethrough. Just prior to locating the bag into proximity with the organ to be treated, the fluid circuit is filled with coolant fluid by parting the tubing at the fi…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.