INDWELLING HEAT EXCHANGE CATHETER AND METHOD OF USING SAME

摘要

A catheter is adapted to exchange heat with a body fluid, such as blood,
flowing in a
body conduit, such as a blood vessel. The catheter includes a shaft with a
heat
exchange region disposed at its distal end. This region may include hollow
fibers
which are adapted to receive a remotely cooled heat exchange fluid preferably
flowing in a direction counter to that of the body fluid. The hollow fibers
enhance the
surface area of contact, as well as the mixing of both the heat exchange fluid
and the
body fluid. The catheter can be positioned to produce hypothermia in a
selective area
of the body or alternatively positioned to systemically cool the entire body
system.