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Publication Number
US-12290470-B2
Publication Date
2025-05-06
Expiration Date
Abstract
Reinforced esophageal heat transfer devices are disclosed. An example reinforced esophageal heat transfer device includes a distal end configured for nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal insertion into an esophagus of a subject, a proximal end including an inlet port and an outlet port, a heat transfer region between the distal end and the proximal end, one or more lumens configured for providing a fluid path for flow of a heat transfer medium to and from the heat transfer region, and one or more reinforcing elements configured for reinforcing the one or more lumens to enable the heat transfer medium to flow through the fluid path via negative pressure.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a reinforced esophageal heat transfer device for temperature management with a distal end configured for nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal insertion into an esophagus of a subject and a proximal end including an inlet tube and an outlet tube. A heat transfer region is disposed between the distal end and the proximal end, and the device includes a heat transfer medium supply lumen connected to the inlet tube and a heat transfer medium return lumen connected to the outlet tube.
The device further includes a gastric access lumen passing through the heat transfer region and disposed parallel to the heat transfer medium supply lumen and the heat transfer medium return lumen. The gastric access lumen is configured to allow gastric decompression or drainage, and the heat transfer medium supply lumen, the heat transfer medium return lumen, and the gastric access lumen are separated from each other by at least one internal wall.
To prevent lumen collapse and enable negative-pressure operation, the device includes a pair of metal reinforcing return coils arranged in parallel within the outlet tube and the heat transfer medium return lumen. The metal reinforcing return coils reinforce the outlet tube and the heat transfer medium return lumen to enable the heat transfer medium to flow through the return fluid path via negative pressure applied to the outlet tube.
Claims Coverage
The document contains one independent claim covering the main device architecture and reinforcement for a reinforced esophageal heat transfer device, including a gastric access lumen and negative-pressure return flow. Dependent claims refine internal wall arrangement and add parallel metal reinforcing supply coils, and one dependent claim recasts the device into a temperature-control method using negative pressure.
Reinforced esophageal heat transfer device with parallel supply, return, and gastric access lumens
A distal end for nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal insertion into an esophagus, a proximal inlet tube and outlet tube, and a heat transfer region between them, with a heat transfer medium supply lumen connected to the inlet tube and a heat transfer medium return lumen connected to the outlet tube.
Gastric decompression or drainage via parallel gastric access lumen through the heat transfer region
A gastric access lumen passing through the heat transfer region and disposed parallel to the heat transfer medium supply lumen and the heat transfer medium return lumen, configured to allow gastric decompression or drainage, with each of the supply, return, and gastric access lumens separated from each of the other two lumens by at least one internal wall.
Pair of metal reinforcing return coils enabling negative-pressure return flow
A pair of metal reinforcing return coils arranged in parallel within the outlet tube and the heat transfer medium return lumen, configured for reinforcing the outlet tube and the heat transfer medium return lumen to enable the heat transfer medium to flow through the return fluid path via negative pressure applied to the outlet tube.
Parallel metal reinforcing supply coils for reinforced supply flow
A pair of metal reinforcing supply coils arranged in parallel within the inlet tube and the heat transfer medium supply lumen, configured for reinforcing the inlet tube and the heat transfer medium supply lumen.
Core body temperature control by esophageal placement and negative-pressure flow initiation
A method that controls a subject’s core body temperature by placing the heat transfer region in the subject’s esophagus and initiating flow of the heat transfer medium along the fluid path using negative pressure applied to the outlet tube.
Overall claim coverage centers on a reinforced esophageal heat transfer device that combines separated parallel lumens for supply, return, and gastric access, internal wall separation for lumen segregation, and parallel metal reinforcing return coils configured to enable negative-pressure return flow, with dependent refinements adding parallel metal reinforcing supply coils and a corresponding core body temperature control method.
Stated Advantages
Enables heat transfer medium to flow through the return fluid path via negative pressure applied to the outlet tube.
Provides gastric decompression or drainage via a gastric access lumen passing through the heat transfer region.
Reinforces the outlet tube and the heat transfer medium return lumen using metal reinforcing return coils to support negative-pressure operation.
Optionally increases radio-opacity for x-ray visualization.
Documented Applications
Temperature management using a reinforced esophageal heat transfer device, including initiating heat-transfer-medium flow via negative pressure to control core body temperature.
Gastric decompression or drainage using a gastric access lumen passing through the heat transfer region.
X-ray visualization using radio-opacity.
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