HEAT EXCHANGER CATHETER FOR CONTROLLING BODY TEMPERATURE

摘要

Methods and apparatuses for temperature modification of a patient, or selected regions thereof, including an induced state of hypothermia of the brain region for neuroprotection. The temperature modification is accomplished using an in-dwelling heat exchange catheter (52) within which a fluid heat exchange medium circulates. Various disposable heat exchange cassettes are attached to the circulatory flow lines of the catheter, the heat exchange cassettes sized to engage cavities within various control units (50). The control units (50) include a heater/cooler device (66), a user input device (72), and a processor (70) connected to receive input from various sensors (36, 80). The heater/cooler (66) device may be thermoelectric to enable both heating and cooling based on polarity. A temperature control scheme for ramping the body temperature up and down without overshoot is provided. The disposable heat exchange cassettes may include an integral pump head (98) that engages a pump drive mechanism (68) in the control unit (50).