Apparatus and methods for cooling a region within the body

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for cooling selected regions within a body are described herein. An implantable cooling system is used to cool regions of the brain, spinal cord, fibrous nerve bodies, e.g., vagus nerve, etc. down to about 30° C. to diminish nerve impulses which control seizures or chronic pain. The system includes an implantable unit containing a pumping mechanism and/or various control electronics. It also has a heat exchanger attachable to a tubular body organ, such as the superior vena cava or the inferior vena cava, through which the heat is effectively dissipated. Also included is a heat pump such as a Peltier junction configured to be placed into contact with the region of tissue to be cooled. The heated portion of the Peltier junction is cooled by a liquid heat transfer medium which absorbs the heat from the junction and dissipates it into the tubular body organ.

1 . A method for diminishing an impulse transmitted by a vagus nerve within a body, comprising cooling a portion of the vagus nerve such that the impulse is diminished or stopped.