Fluid-circulating catheters useable for endovascular heat exchange

Abstract

Disclosure includes fluid-circulating heat exchange catheters, systems and related methods useable for controlling a patient's body temperature.

1 . A catheter device comprising:
 a catheter body having a distal end, a first lumen and a second lumen;   an elongate member which extends distally from the catheter body, said elongate member having a plurality of spaced-apart heat exchange member-receiving features therein or thereon;   at least one heat exchange member disposed on the elongate member and connected to said first and second lumens such that fluid may circulate in a distal direction through the first lumen, then through said at least one heat exchange member, then in a proximal direction through the second lumen.   
     
     
         2 . A catheter device according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one heat exchange member comprises at least one tube configured in a series of loops. 
     
     
         3 . A catheter device according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one heat exchange member comprises a continuous tube having a first segment which runs from the catheter body to a distal location on the elongate member and a second segment that returns from the distal location on the elongate member to the catheter body. 
     
     
         4 . A catheter device according to  claim 2  wherein the loops are helical. 
     
     
         5 . A catheter device according to  claim 4  wherein helical loops of a first size are formed in a first tube or first tube segment helical loops of a second size are formed in a second tube or second tube segment. 
     
     
         6 . A catheter device according to  claim 5  wherein the loops are aligned in a row. 
     
     
         7 . A catheter device according to  claim 6  wherein the loops of the first size alternate with the loops of the second size. 
     
     
         8 . A catheter device according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one heat exchange member is selected from:
 a single heat member having a first segment through which heat exchange fluid circulates in a distal direction and a second segment through which heat exchange fluid circulates in a proximal direction; 
 a plurality of heat exchange members including at least a first heat exchange member through which heat exchange fluid circulates in a distal direction and a second heat exchange member which is connected to the first heat exchange member such that fluid which has flowed in the distal direction through the first heat exchange member then flows in the proximal direction through the second heat exchange member. 
 
     
     
         9 . A catheter device according to  claim 8  wherein helical loops are formed in said at least one heat exchange member. 
     
     
         10 . A catheter device according to  claim 9  wherein helical loops of a first size are formed in the first segment or first heat exchange member and helical loops of a second size are formed in the second segment or second heat exchange member. 
     
     
         11 . A catheter device according to  claim 10  wherein the first segment or first heat exchange member and the second segment or second heat exchange member are disposed on the elongate member such that the loops of the loops are aligned in a row. 
     
     
         12 . A catheter device according to  claim 11  wherein the loops of the first size alternate with the loops of the second size. 
     
     
         13 . A catheter device according to  claim 8  wherein the at least one heat exchange member comprises a first heat exchange member through which heat exchange fluid circulates in a distal direction, a second heat exchange member through which heat exchange fluid circulates in a proximal direction and a fluidic connection between the first and second heat exchange members, and, wherein:
 The fluidic connection comprises a recirculating distal tip on a distal end of the elongate member, wherein the first and second heat exchange members are connected to the recirculating distal tip such that fluid may flow from the first lumen of the catheter body, in a distal direction through the first heat exchange member, through the recirculating distal tip, in a proximal direction through the second heat exchange member and then into the second lumen of the catheter body. 
 
     
     
         14 . A catheter device according to  claim 1  further comprising:
 a third lumen extending through the catheter body; and 
 an elongate luminal member attached to the catheter body and extending substantially parallel to the elongate member, said elongate luminal member which has a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. 
 
     
     
         15 . A catheter device according to  claim 14  wherein portions of said at least one heat exchange member are captured between the elongate member and the elongate luminal member. 
     
     
         16 . A catheter device according to  claim 15  further comprising adhesive which adheres said at least one heat exchange member to at least one of the elongate member and the elongate luminal member. 
     
     
         17 . A catheter device according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one heat exchange member comprises at least one heat exchange tube. 
     
     
         18 . A catheter device according to  claim 17  wherein said at least one heat exchange tube is collapsed when empty and expanded when filled with fluid. 
     
     
         19 . A catheter device according to  claim 18  wherein said at least one heat exchange tube is formed of a non-compliant polymer material. 
     
     
         20 . A catheter device according to  claim 1  wherein:
 the elongate comprises an elongate member which has receiving features formed therein or thereon, said receiving features corresponding to the size and shape of elongate member -contacting locations on said at least one heat exchange member; and 
 the elongate member -contacting locations on said at least one heat exchange member are positioned in the receiving features. 
 
     
     
         21 .- 89 . (canceled)