Devices and methods for controlling patient temperature
Inventors
Kulstad, Erik • Caherty, Hugh Patrick
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-8523929-B2
Publication Date
2013-09-03
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 disclosure describes non-invasive esophageal and esophago-gastric heat transfer devices and methods for heating and cooling, including inducing therapeutic hypothermia. The approach includes inserting a heat transfer device into a patient, with a heat transfer region configured for contacting esophageal epithelium and with fluid paths configured to provide flow of a heat transfer medium.
The heat transfer device is implemented with lumens configured to provide a fluid path for flow of a heat transfer medium, with a proximal end including an input port and an output port and a distal end configured for insertion into an esophagus of the patient. A hollow tube having a distal end configured to extend into a stomach of the patient is included to provide an esophago-gastric interface.
In the described embodiments, the heat transfer region directly contacts esophageal epithelium and, in some instances, does not include a balloon or a partially inflatable lumen. The disclosure further includes monitoring physiological parameters, including temperature and pressure sensors such as an esophageal pressure sensor and an intra-abdominal pressure sensor, and it describes unexpected improvements in cooling and heating rate relative to prior transesophageal balloon devices.
Claims Coverage
The partial claims provided include three independent claims. Across these independent claims, the inventive features are directed to inserting a heat transfer device with lumens and an esophageal heat transfer region to treat or prevent ischemia-reperfusion injury, with a gastric tube and, in one case, an explicit exclusion of a balloon or partially inflatable lumen.
Treating or preventing ischemia-reperfusion injury using an inserted heat transfer device with plural lumens and esophageal contact
A method for treating or preventing ischemia-reperfusion injury in a patient comprising inserting a heat transfer device into the patient, wherein the heat transfer device comprises a plurality of lumens configured to provide a fluid path for flow of a heat transfer medium, a heat transfer region configured for contacting esophageal epithelium of the patient, a proximal end including an input port and an output port, a distal end configured for insertion into an esophagus of the patient, and a hollow tube having a distal end configured to extend into a stomach of the patient.
Treating or preventing ischemia-reperfusion injury using an inserted heat transfer device with directly contacting esophageal heat transfer region and gastric tube
A method for treating or preventing ischemia-reperfusion injury in a patient comprising inserting a heat transfer device into the patient, wherein the heat transfer device comprises one or more lumens providing a fluid path for flow of a heat transfer medium, a heat transfer region wherein the heat transfer region is capable of directly contacting esophageal epithelium upon insertion into a patient, one or more ports connected to at least one of the one or more lumens, and a gastric tube.
Treating or preventing ischemia-reperfusion injury using a nostril-or-mouth inserted heat transfer device with balloon-excluded direct esophageal contact
A method for treating or preventing ischemia-reperfusion injury in a patient comprising inserting a heat transfer device into the patient, wherein the heat transfer device comprises a distal end configured for insertion into a nostril or mouth of a patient, a heat transfer region capable of directly contacting esophageal epithelium of the patient, wherein the heat transfer region does not include a balloon or partially inflatable lumen, an input port for receiving a heat transfer medium, and a gastric tube.
Across the independent claims, the coverage centers on methods for treating or preventing ischemia-reperfusion injury by inserting a heat transfer device with fluid-path lumens and an esophageal heat transfer region, paired with an esophago-gastric configuration using a gastric tube. Claim coverage further includes direct esophageal epithelium contact and, for one independent claim, an explicit exclusion of a balloon or partially inflatable lumen.
Stated Advantages
Unexpected improvements in cooling/heating rate versus prior transesophageal balloon devices.
Documented Applications
Heating and cooling therapy using non-invasive esophageal and esophago-gastric heat transfer devices, including inducing therapeutic hypothermia for ischemic and neurologic/cardiac injuries.
Treatment and prevention of ischemia-reperfusion injury in contexts associated with ischemic conditions, including cardiac arrest, myocardial infarction, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
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