Devices and methods for controlling patient temperature
Inventors
Kulstad, Erik • Caherty, Hugh Patrick
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10716703-B2
Publication Date
2020-07-21
Expiration Date
Abstract
Relatively non-invasive devices and methods for heating or cooling a patient's body are disclosed. Devices and methods for treating ischemic conditions by inducing therapeutic hypothermia are disclosed. Devices and methods for inducing therapeutic hypothermia through esophageal cooling are disclosed. Devices and methods for operative temperature management are disclosed.
Core Innovation
The patent describes a relatively non-invasive temperature management approach that uses an esophageal heat transfer device positioned for insertion into a patient via a nostril or mouth. A heat transfer medium flows through an inflow lumen to transfer heat to or extract heat from the esophagus, and heat transfer occurs via a non-inflatable heat transfer region contacting esophageal tissue.
The device includes a heat transfer medium return that is not positioned within the heat transfer medium supply tube. In one implementation, the heat transfer medium supply tube defines an inflow lumen and the return tube defines an outflow lumen, with the exterior portion of the supply tube constituting the heat transfer region.
In another implementation, a length of tubing defines a multi-lumen cavity with an inner divider wall disposed longitudinally. The inner divider wall divides the cavity into at least a first lumen and a second lumen arranged in parallel to each other, and at least a portion of an exterior wall of the tubing contacts esophageal tissue and constitutes a non-inflatable heat transfer region.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims are clm-00001, clm-00007, and clm-00015. Across these claims, the main inventive features are directed to a non-inflatable esophageal heat transfer device, defined supply and return lumen arrangements, and a multi-lumen cavity with an inner divider wall and parallel, fluid-communicating lumens.
Non-inflatable esophageal heat transfer region with separate supply and return tubes
An esophageal heat transfer device configured for insertion into a nostril or mouth of a patient, with a heat transfer medium supply tube defining an inflow lumen, a heat transfer medium return tube defining an outflow lumen, and a heat transfer region configured to transfer heat to or extract heat from the esophagus when a heat transfer medium flows through the inflow lumen. The heat transfer region is not inflatable, and the return tube is not positioned within the supply tube.
Exterior-wall contact heat transfer region using parallel lumens on non-inflatable supply tube
A heat transfer medium supply tube and a heat transfer medium return tube, wherein at least a portion of an exterior wall of the supply tube is in contact with esophageal tissue upon placement of the device and constitutes a heat transfer region configured to transfer heat to or extract heat from the esophageal tissue when a heat transfer medium flows through the inflow lumen. The heat transfer region is not inflatable, and the return tube is not positioned within the supply tube.
Multi-lumen parallel-flow cavity with non-inflatable exterior heat transfer region
An esophageal heat transfer device with a proximal end comprising an input port for receiving a heat transfer medium from a source and an output port for returning the heat transfer medium to the source, and a length of tubing that defines a multi-lumen cavity comprising an inner divider wall disposed longitudinally dividing the cavity into at least a first lumen and a second lumen arranged in parallel and in fluid communication to define a fluid path for flow of the heat transfer medium. At least a portion of an exterior wall of the length of tubing is in contact with esophageal tissue and constitutes a non-inflatable heat transfer region configured to transfer heat to or extract heat from the esophageal tissue.
Across the independent claims, the inventive core is an esophageal heat transfer device that uses a non-inflatable heat transfer region contacting esophageal tissue, with defined inflow/outflow lumen structures or a multi-lumen, parallel-arranged cavity with an inner divider wall, and with the return tube separate from the supply tube.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Therapeutic hypothermia for ischemic, neurologic, and cardiac injuries.
Manage operative core temperature.
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