Reinforced esophageal heat transfer devices

Abstract

Reinforced esophageal heat transfer devices are disclosed. An example reinforced esophageal heat transfer device includes a distal end configured for nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal insertion into an esophagus of a subject, a proximal end including an inlet port and an outlet port, a heat transfer region between the distal end and the proximal end, one or more lumens configured for providing a fluid path for flow of a heat transfer medium to and from the heat transfer region, and one or more reinforcing elements configured for reinforcing the one or more lumens to enable the heat transfer medium to flow through the fluid path via negative pressure.

1 . An esophageal heat transfer device comprising at least one reinforced tube defining a lumen for flow of a heat transfer medium. 
     
     
         2 . The esophageal heat transfer device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one reinforced tube is a silicone tube. 
     
     
         3 . The esophageal heat transfer device of  claim 1 , further comprising a reinforcing element disposed within said lumen. 
     
     
         4 . The esophageal heat transfer device of  claim 1 , further comprising a reinforcing element integral with the at least one reinforced tube defining said lumen. 
     
     
         5 . The esophageal heat transfer device of  claim 4 , wherein the reinforcing element is a coiled wire. 
     
     
         6 . The esophageal heat transfer device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one reinforced tube defines at least one of an inflow lumen and an outflow lumen. 
     
     
         7 . The esophageal heat transfer device of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforced tube is configured to have a radial strength that is to prevent collapse in a negative pressure environment. 
     
     
         8 . A reinforced esophageal heat transfer device comprising:
 a distal end configured for nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal insertion into an esophagus of a subject;   a proximal end including an inlet port and an outlet port;   a heat transfer region between the distal end and the proximal end;   one or more lumens configured for providing a fluid path for flow of a heat transfer medium to and from the heat transfer region; and   one or more reinforcing elements configured for reinforcing the one or more lumens to enable the heat transfer medium to flow through the fluid path via negative pressure.   
     
     
         9 . The reinforced esophageal heat transfer device of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the one or more reinforcing elements is disposed within at least one lumen. 
     
     
         10 . The reinforced esophageal heat transfer device of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the one or more reinforcing elements is integral with a tube defining at least one lumen. 
     
     
         11 . The reinforced esophageal heat transfer device of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the one or more reinforcing elements is a coiled wire. 
     
     
         12 . A method for controlling core body temperature in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a heat transfer device, the heat transfer device comprising a heat transfer region having at least one reinforced tube defining a lumen, said lumen providing a fluid path for flow of a heat transfer medium;   placing the heat transfer region of the heat transfer device in an esophagus of the subject; and   initiating flow of the heat transfer medium along the fluid path.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein at least one reinforcing element is disposed within said lumen. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein at least one reinforcing element is integral with the tube defining said lumen. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the heat transfer medium is circulated along the fluid path via negative pressure. 
     
     
         16 . The esophageal heat transfer device of  claim 3 , wherein the reinforcing element is a coiled wire.