Catheter system with on-board temperature probe

摘要

A catheter system for controlling the body temperature of a patient by modifying the temperature of blood flowing within a blood vessel of the patient. The catheter system comprises a catheter body having a heat exchange region in contact with the blood; and a temperature probe having a distal end that extends from the catheter body, thereby monitoring the temperature of blood flowing within the blood vessel.

主权项

1. A catheter system for controlling the temperature of a patient, the catheter system comprising:
a heat exchange catheter which comprises a catheter shaft and a heat exchanger, the catheter shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, an inflow lumen, an outflow lumen, a temperature probe lumen and a guidewire lumen;
wherein the inflow lumen extends through the catheter shaft from the proximal end to the heat exchanger so as to circulate heat exchange fluid into the heat exchanger;wherein the outflow lumen extends through the catheter shaft from the heat exchanger to the proximal end so as to circulate heat exchange fluid out of the heat exchanger;wherein the temperature probe lumen has an inner diameter, a ramp and an exit opening located proximal to the heat exchanger; a temperature probe comprising an elongate member having an outer diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of the temperature probe lumen, a distal end portion and a temperature sensor located on or in the distal end portion; wherein the temperature probe is initially positionable at a first position where its distal end portion is within the temperature sensor lumen and subsequently advanceable to a deployed position whereby the distal end portion is deflected by the ramp and advanced out of the exit opening to said deployed position; wherein the distal end portion of the temperature probe is biased to a curved configuration which curves away from the catheter shaft as it advances out of the exit opening thereby causing the temperature sensor to be spaced at least 1.8 away from the catheter shaft and proximal to the heat exchanger when the temperature probe is in the deployed position; wherein the distal end portion of the temperature probe is prevented from rotating so that it remains in a rotational orientation that causes it to curve away from the catheter shaft as it advances out of the exit opening; and, wherein the exit opening comprises a flat slot and wherein the temperature probe comprises a flat portion which mates with the flat slot to ensure that the curved shape extends away from the catheter shaft as it advances out of the exit opening.