Method and Apparatus for Peritoneal Hypothermia and/or Resuscitation

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide apparatus, systems and methods for introducing fluids into a body cavity for hypothermic, resuscitative, or other treatment. One embodiment provides an apparatus for introducing fluids into a peritoneal cavity comprising an access device for insertion into subcutaneous tissue, an infusion member and an advancement member. The access device includes a lumen, a proximal end, a tissue penetrating distal end and a stop for controlling the depth of the distal end into tissue. The infusion member includes an infusion lumen, a removal lumen and at least one sensor and is advanceable from a lumen of the access device into the peritoneal cavity. The advancement member is removably positionable in an infusion member lumen and has sufficient column strength to advance the infusion member tip through abdominal wall tissue into the peritoneal cavity. When the advancement member is removed, the infusion member tip is substantially atraumatic.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus configured to induce hypothermia in a patient, the apparatus comprising:
 an access device configured to be inserted a controlled depth into a peritoneal cavity of the patient, the device including a lumen and a tissue penetrating distal end;   a sensor configured to determine an entry point into the peritoneal cavity;   an infusion member positioned within a lumen of the access device and advanceable into the peritoneal cavity of the patient, the infusion member including a first lumen and a second lumen for the infusion and removal of a hypothermic fluid into and out of the peritoneal cavity;   a temperature sensor configured to monitor a temperature of the patient; and   an electronic controller configured to infuse the hypothermic fluid into the peritoneal cavity through the infusion member based on the monitored temperature to reduce the temperature of the patient to a selected temperature.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first or second lumen is sized to deliver sufficient fluid to the cavity to reduce patient body temperature by at least about 3° C. through heat exchange with peritoneal tissue. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first lumen is configured for infusion of hypothermic fluid into the peritoneal cavity and the second lumen is configured for removal of hypothermic fluid from the peritoneal cavity. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the infusion member includes at least one aperture positioned on a wall of the infusion member. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one aperture opens to the second lumen. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one aperture includes a plurality of apertures distributed along a distal portion of the infusion member. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one aperture opens to the first lumen. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one aperture is protected from tissue obstruction during advancement of the infusion member by a barrier coupled to the infusion member. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first lumen extends through to a distal end of the infusion member and the second lumen is closed at the distal end of the infusion lumen. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the infusion member is a catheter, a dual lumen catheter or a multi-lumen catheter. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is positioned at a distal portion of the infusion member or the access device. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a temperature, pressure or flow sensor.