Thermal treatment apparatus
US6849063B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 5, 1999 |
| Grant date | Feb 1, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 5, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2007/0296
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A temperature-setting device for providing a predetermined temperature to a quantity of fluid circulating therethrough, a thermal treatment apparatus including such device for selectively treating a targeted tissue adjacent a subject's body cavity, and techniques using such thermal treatment apparatus are provided. The temperature-setting device comprises: an electrically conducting tubular element, a housing element for receiving the tubular element; and a transformer electrically connectable to the housing element. The tubular element functions as a resistor and heats the fluid circulating therethrough. Alternatively, the housing element comprises a thermal conducting member disposed within a bath of a cooling substance, the thermal conducting member having a recess for receiving the tubular element. The tubular element may alternately be placed in a housing element functioning as a heater and a housing element functioning as a cooler, thereby alternately heating or cooling the fluid circulating therethrough. The thermal treatment apparatus comprises: a temperature-setting device according to the present invention; a catheter insertable into a subject's body cavity, the catheter …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.