Devices and methods for controlling patient temperature

Inventors

Kulstad, Erik • Caherty, Hugh Patrick

Assignees

Attune Medical

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 invention provides a relatively non-invasive patient temperature control approach that uses an esophageal heat transfer device and methods for heating and cooling. The device includes a heat transfer region capable of directly contacting esophageal epithelium upon placement within an esophagus, and it is configured to induce and maintain systemic therapeutic hypothermia for ischemic conditions and to provide operative temperature management by controlling patient temperature.

The core device architecture includes at least one lumen providing a fluid path for flow of a heat transfer medium, with a heat transfer medium input port connected to the lumen and positioned proximal to the heat transfer region. In certain embodiments, the device further includes an inflow lumen and an outflow lumen in a semi-rigid tube, with a heat transfer medium input port connected to the inflow lumen and a heat transfer medium output port connected to the outflow lumen, and a gastric tube as part of the esophageal heat transfer device.

The disclosed configuration also includes an embodiment where the heat transfer region directly contacts esophageal epithelium without including a balloon or partially inflatable lumen. Performance is described through controller/sensor-based temperature feedback and claims of unexpectedly superior cooling performance, including relatively higher cooling rates and cooling capacity associated with the esophageal cooling arrangement.

Claims Coverage

The partial content includes four independent claims directed to an esophageal heat transfer device for temperature control with an esophageal epithelium-contacting heat transfer region, lumen-based heat transfer medium flow, and a gastric tube. The inventive features are primarily differentiated by device lumen/port structure and by an exclusion of balloon or partially inflatable lumen in one independent claim.

Across the independent claims, the claim coverage centers on an esophageal heat transfer device with a heat transfer region configured for direct contact with esophageal epithelium, a lumen-based heat transfer medium pathway with porting, and a gastric tube. Structural variations include single-lumen versus inflow/outflow lumen configurations and specification of the heat transfer region as a portion of a semi-rigid tube wall, and one independent claim further requires avoidance of a balloon or partially inflatable lumen.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications