Open core heat exchange catheter, system and method

摘要

A heat exchange catheter having an open core includes a catheter body for use in the central vasculature of a patient. The catheter body having a balloon with at least one heat exchange lumen for exchanging heat with flowing blood. The balloon inflates from a collapsed configuration to an inflated configuration. In the inflated configuration the balloon facilitates the flow of heat exchange fluid through the heat exchange lumen, which wraps in a helical pattern to define the open core and to enable blood to flow through the open core during use of the catheter. The open core defines an inside and an outside, the heat exchange lumen has non-contiguous helical winds to allow flowing blood to mix between the inside of the open core and the outside of the open core.