Medical device for selective intrathecal spinal cooling in aortic surgery and spinal trauma

Abstract

The invention provides a medical device having a catheter with two lumens and a cooling system. The first lumen has a proximal end and communicates with a port at the distal end. The second lumen has a proximal end and communicates with a side port. The proximal ends of the lumens are connected to the cooling system. The cerebral spinal fluid can be drained from the side port of the first lumen. Methods for cooling the brain to prevent neurologic damage during head trauma or inadequate perfusion are also disclosed.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for cooling the brain to prevent neurologic damage during head trauma or inadequate perfusion, comprising the steps of: 
 providing first and second elongate tubular members, each member having a lumen communicating with a port at a distal end;    inserting the first tubular member between low cervical vertebrae or high thoracic vertebrae into the subarachnoid space;    inserting the second tubular member into the subarachnoid space or into the lateral ventricle;    aspirating cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) from the spinal column through one of the first tubular member or second tubular member;    cooling the CSF by extracorporeal refrigeration; and    perfusing the CSF into the spinal column through the other of the first tubular member or second tubular member, wherein the spinal cord is cooled to below normal body temperature.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second tubular members are inserted over a needle.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of measuring CSF pressure using a manometer.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of releasing CSF to reduce the pressure in the subarachnoid space.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of performing aortic surgery.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the surgery is any one of thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of infusing fluid into the subarachnoid space, and wherein the CSF is mixed with the fluid.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the fluid is Ringer's lactate or saline solution.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of adjusting the CSF flow rate.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of measuring CSF temperature.  
     
     
         11 . A medical device for cooling the spinal cord to prevent neurologic damage during inadequate spinal perfusion, comprising: 
 a tubular member having a first lumen, a second lumen, a distal region, and a distal end, wherein the first lumen has a proximal end and communicates with a port at the distal end, wherein the second lumen has a proximal end and communicates with a side port; and    a cooling system connected to the proximal end of the first lumen and the proximal end of the second lumen.    
     
     
         12 . The medical device of  claim 11 , further comprising a bendable region on the tubular member distal to the side port of the second lumen.  
     
     
         13 . The medical device of  claim 11 , wherein the first lumen communicates with a side port located proximal the side port of the second lumen and distal the proximal end of the first lumen.  
     
     
         14 . The medical device of  claim 13 , wherein the first lumen carries a needle that extends from the side port of the first lumen through the port at the distal end, and wherein the needle assists introduction into the subarachnoid space.  
     
     
         15 . The medical device of  claim 13 , wherein the side port of the first lumen is adapted for draining the CSF.  
     
     
         16 . The medical device of  claim 13 , wherein the side port of the first lumen is adapted for infusing fluid or pharmaceutical agents.  
     
     
         17 . The medical device of  claim 11 , further comprising a manometer associated with the second lumen for measuring CSF pressure.  
     
     
         18 . The medical device of  claim 11 , further comprising a thermometer associated with the first lumen for measuring CSF temperature.  
     
     
         19 . The medical device of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second lumens are joined distally and separated proximally.  
     
     
         20 . The medical device of  claim 11 , further comprising a suture flange mounted on the tubular member proximal the side port of the second lumen.  
     
     
         21 . The medical device of  claim 11 , wherein the side port is in the distal region, proximal to the port at the distal end.  
     
     
         22 . The medical device of  claim 11 , wherein the tubular member comprises a first tubular member that defines the first lumen and a second tubular member that defines the second lumen.  
     
     
         23 . The medical device of  claim 11 , wherein the tubular member includes a barrier that extends longitudinally to separate the first lumen from the second lumen.