SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE TEMPERATURE OF A CATHETER-MOUNTED HEATER

摘要

A system for keeping the surface temperature of an electric resistance-type heater element in a thermodilution catheter within safe physiological limits includes, in the preferred embodiment, a heater element core temperature monitor, a monitor for monitoring the power that is supplied to the heater element, and a surface temperature calculator for calculating the surface tem- perature of the heater element based on the core temperature, supplied power , and information representing the characteristics of the particular catheter under anticipated clinical conditions. A second aspe ct of the invention involves a system for determining the supply of power to the heater element based on the core temperature of t he heater element. A third aspect of the invention in- volves a system readiness test for determining, in vivo, that the thermodilution catheter system is properly calibrated before the system is operational. Methods of operation for each of the above-referenced aspects of the invention are also disclosed.