Devices and methods for controlling patient temperature
Inventors
Kulstad, Erik • Caherty, Hugh Patrick
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-9326890-B2
Publication Date
2016-05-03
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 invention relates to an esophageal heat transfer device for patient temperature control. The device includes one or more lumens providing a fluid path for flow of a heat transfer medium, and a distal end configured for insertion into a pharyngeal opening, nostril, or mouth of a patient. A heat transfer region is capable of directly contacting esophageal epithelium upon insertion into a patient, with a heat transfer medium input port and a heat transfer medium output port positioned proximal to the heat transfer region.
The device further includes a gastric tube. In another form, the heat transfer region is configured to be substantially helical to define a gastric access lumen, and the gastric tube is positioned within that gastric access lumen. The claims also recite inflow and outflow lumens or a single lumen, and specify the heat transfer medium as a liquid.
Claims Coverage
The partial claim set includes two independent claims, each focused on an esophageal heat transfer device with direct contact to esophageal epithelium and inclusion of a gastric tube, with further structural refinements in dependent claims.
Esophageal heat transfer device with lumen fluid path and proximal input/output ports contacting esophageal epithelium
An esophageal heat transfer device comprising one or more lumens providing a fluid path for flow of a heat transfer medium, a distal end configured for insertion into a pharyngeal opening, a heat transfer region capable of directly contacting esophageal epithelium upon insertion, a heat transfer medium input port positioned proximal to the heat transfer region, a heat transfer medium output port positioned proximal to the heat transfer region, and a gastric tube.
Esophageal heat transfer device insertable via nostril or mouth with direct esophageal epithelium contact and gastric tube
An esophageal heat transfer device comprising a distal end configured for insertion into a nostril or mouth of a patient, a heat transfer region capable of directly contacting esophageal epithelium upon insertion, and a gastric tube.
Across the independent claims, the core claimed coverage is an esophageal heat transfer device that directly contacts esophageal epithelium using a heat transfer region, includes a gastric tube, and uses lumen-based fluid-path architectures with proximal input and output ports in one independent claim and nostril or oral insertion in the other. Dependent claims further refine the heat transfer region, the gastric access lumen, the heat transfer medium, and geometrical constraints.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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