Method and apparatus for inducing therapeutic hypothermia

摘要

Methods and apparatus for delivering therapeutic hypothermia to a patient are provided which may include any number of features. One feature is a hypothermia system comprising a fluid reservoir, a heat exchanger assembly, a catheter in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir, and a pump system configured to infuse hypothermic fluid into a patient cavity and extract hypothermic fluid from the patient cavity. The hypothermia system can infuse and extract fluid automatically from the patient cavity. In one embodiment, the patient cavity is a peritoneal cavity. A safe access device to gain access to the patient cavity is also provided.