Hypothermia Devices and Methods

Abstract

A method of providing hypothermia to a patient including the steps of inserting a fluid delivery member into a peritoneal cavity of the patient; delivering hypothermia fluid from a fluid source into the peritoneal cavity through the delivery member; and limiting fluid pressure within the peritoneal cavity without providing feedback control to the fluid source. The invention also provides an apparatus for practicing the method.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A therapeutic fluid infusion and extraction system, comprising:
 a fluid source;   a fluid delivery member adapted to be inserted into a peritoneal cavity of a patient, the fluid delivery member being configured to infuse fluid from the fluid source into the peritoneal cavity and to remove fluid from the peritoneal cavity; and   a cavity pressure limiter adapted to limit fluid pressure within the peritoneal cavity without providing feedback control to the fluid source.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the cavity pressure limiter comprises a pressure relief valve configured to control flow of fluid through the fluid extraction member. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the pressure relief valve is configured to open when the fluid pressure within the peritoneal cavity reaches a predetermined pressure. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising an outlet port disposed in the fluid delivery member, the outlet port being configured to automatically commence infusion of fluid when the fluid delivery member enters the peritoneal cavity. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a weight disposed near an inlet port. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the fluid source comprises a pump and the cavity pressure limiter comprising a torque limiter in the pump. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the torque limiter comprises a clutch plate. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the fluid delivery member comprises a multi-lumen catheter. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a heat exchange element thermally coupled to the fluid delivery member. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the heat exchange element is configured to cool the fluid from the fluid source. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the heat exchange element is configured to heat the fluid from the fluid source. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the fluid source is filled with a hypothermia fluid. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a patient temperature sensor. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the temperature sensor is mounted on an endotracheal cuff. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the temperature sensor is mounted on an esophageal catheter. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the temperature sensor is mounted on a bladder catheter.