Indwelling heat exchange catheter and method of using same

US7857781B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• ZOLL Circulation, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Wayne A. Noda · Mission Viejo, US
• Mike L. Jones · Capistrano Beach, US
• Scott M. Evans · Santa Ana, US
• Blair D. Walker · Mission Viejo, US
• William J. Worthen · Coto De Caza, US
• Yves Pierre Gobin · Los Angeles, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 16, 2005
• Grant date: Dec 28, 2010
• Expiry date: Jul 8, 2027

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61M25/1011
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A catheter is adapted to exchange heat with a body fluid, such as blood, flowing in a body conduit, such as a blood vessel. The catheter includes a shaft with a heat exchange region disposed at its distal end. This region may include hollow fibers which are adapted to receive a remotely cooled heat exchange fluid preferably flowing in a direction counter to that of the body fluid. The hollow fibers enhance the surface area of contact, as well as the mixing of both the heat exchange fluid and the body fluid. The catheter can be positioned to produce hypothermia in a selective area of the body or alternatively positioned to systemically cool the entire body system.