Apparatus and method for providing enhanced heat transfer from a body

摘要

Methods and apparatuses for temperature modification of a patient, or selected regions thereof, including an induced state of hypothermia. The temperature modification is accomplished using an in-dwelling heat exchange catheter within which a fluid heat exchange medium circulates. A heat exchange cassette is attached to the circulatory conduits of the catheter, the heat exchange cassette being sized to engage a cavity within a control unit. The control unit includes a heater/cooler device for providing heated or cooled fluid to a heat exchanger in thermal communication with the fluid heat exchange medium circulating to the heat exchange catheter, a user input device, and a processor connected to receive input from various sensors around the body and the system. A temperature control scheme for ramping the body temperature up or down without overshoot is provided.

主权项

1. A cassette for use in a system for adjusting the temperature of a patient, comprising:
a secondary heat exchanger, the secondary heat exchanger having a primary fluid circuit side and a secondary fluid circuit side, the primary fluid circuit side having a primary fluid inlet port and a primary fluid outlet port, the secondary fluid circuit side having a secondary fluid inlet port and a secondary fluid outlet port, the secondary fluid circuit side in fluid communication with a heat exchange catheter insertable within a patient and a secondary fluid circuit for flowing secondary fluid through the secondary circuit side of the heat exchanger and the heat exchange catheter, the secondary fluid circuit including a secondary fluid circuit pump for flowing a secondary heat exchange fluid through the secondary fluid circuit to the heat exchange catheter and back through the secondary fluid circuit to the secondary fluid pump; releasable couplers disposed at the primary fluid inlet and outlet ports in fluid communication with the primary fluid circuit side for releasably coupling the primary fluid circuit side of the secondary heat exchanger with a primary fluid circuit; and a check valve disposed in each of the releasable couplers to fluidly seal the primary fluid circuit side when the primary fluid circuit side is not connected to the primary fluid circuit to minimize primary fluid loss from the primary fluid circuit side of the heat exchanger and the primary fluid circuit.