Articulation device for selective organ cooling apparatus

Abstract

A selective organ heat transfer device with deep irregularities in a turbulence-inducing exterior surface. The device can have a plurality of elongated, articulated segments, each having a turbulence-inducing exterior surface. A flexible joint connects adjacent elongated, articulated segments. The flexible joint may be a rubber tube or a metal tube of a predetermined thickness. An inner lumen is disposed within the heat transfer segments. The inner lumen is capable of transporting a pressurized working fluid to a distal end of the heat transfer element.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A selective organ heat transfer device, comprising: 
 a flexible catheter capable of insertion to a selected feeding artery in the vascular system of a patient;    a heat transfer element attached to a distal end of said catheter, said heat transfer element including a plurality of heat transfer segments, further including a flexible joint connecting each of said heat transfer segments to adjacent said heat transfer segments, and wherein said flexible joint includes a flexible tube;    a plurality of exterior surface irregularities on said heat transfer element, said surface irregularities being shaped and arranged to create turbulence in surrounding fluid, said surface irregularities having a depth at least equal to the boundary layer thickness of flow in the feeding artery; and    an inner coaxial tube disposed within said heat transfer element, said inner coaxial tube being connected in fluid flow communication with an inner coaxial tube within said catheter.    
     
     
         2 . The heat transfer device of    claim 1   , wherein said flexible tube is made of a metal.  
     
     
         3 . The heat transfer device of    claim 2   , wherein said metal is nickel.  
     
     
         4 . The heat transfer device of    claim 2   , wherein said flexible tube has a thickness between about 0.5 and 0.8 mils.  
     
     
         5 . The heat transfer device of    claim 1   , wherein said flexible tube is made of a polymer.  
     
     
         6 . The heat transfer device of    claim 5   , wherein said polymer is selected from the group consisting of rubber, plastic, and corrugated plastic.  
     
     
         7 . The heat transfer device of    claim 6   , wherein said rubber is latex rubber.  
     
     
         8 . The heat transfer device of    claim 1   , wherein: 
 said surface irregularities comprise a helical ridge and a helical groove formed on each said heat transfer segment; and    said helical ridge on each said heat transfer segment has an opposite helical twist to said helical ridges on adjacent said heat transfer segments.    
     
     
         9 . The heat transfer device of    claim 1   , wherein: 
 said surface irregularities comprise protrusions on said exterior surface; and    said protrusions are axially staggered along said exterior surface.    
     
     
         10 . The heat transfer device of    claim 1   , further comprising a plurality of interior surface irregularities in said heat transfer element, said interior surface irregularities being shaped and arranged to create turbulence in fluid within said heat transfer element, said interior surface irregularities having a depth at least equal to the boundary layer thickness of flow within said heat transfer element.  
     
     
         11 . The heat transfer device of    claim 10   , wherein: 
 said heat transfer element comprises a plurality of heat transfer segments;    said interior surface irregularities comprise a helical ridge and a helical groove formed within each said heat transfer segment; and    said helical ridge within each said heat transfer segment has an opposite helical twist to said helical ridges within adjacent said heat transfer segments.    
     
     
         12 . The heat transfer device of    claim 10   , wherein: 
 said surface irregularities comprise protrusions on said interior surface; and    said protrusions are axially staggered along said interior surface.    
     
     
         13 . A selective organ heat transfer device, comprising: 
 a flexible coaxial catheter capable of insertion to a selected feeding artery in the vascular system of a patient;    an articulated heat transfer element attached to a distal end of said catheter, said heat transfer element having an exterior diameter substantially less than the inner diameter of the selected feeding artery;    a plurality of heat transfer segments on said heat transfer element, each said segment having a plurality of exterior surface irregularities, said surface irregularities being shaped and arranged to create turbulence in surrounding fluid, said surface irregularities having a depth at least equal to the boundary layer thickness of flow in the feeding artery;    a straight flexible tube connecting each of said heat transfer segments to adjacent said heat transfer segments; and    an inner coaxial tube disposed within said heat transfer element, said inner coaxial tube being connected in fluid flow communication with an inner coaxial tube within said catheter.    
     
     
         14 . The heat transfer device of    claim 13   , wherein said straight flexible tube is made of metal.  
     
     
         15 . The heat transfer device of    claim 13   , wherein: 
 said surface irregularities comprise a helical ridge and a helical groove formed on each said heat transfer segment; and    said helical ridge on each said heat transfer segment has an opposite helical twist to said helical ridges on adjacent said heat transfer segments.    
     
     
         16 . A heat transfer device, comprising: 
 a flexible catheter capable of insertion to a selected vessel in the vascular system of a patient;    a heat transfer element attached to a distal end of said catheter, said heat transfer element including a plurality of helical mixing-inducing heat transfer segments, further including a flexible joint connecting each of said heat transfer segments to adjacent said heat transfer segments, wherein said flexible joint includes a flexible tube; and    an inner coaxial tube disposed within said heat transfer element, said inner coaxial tube being connected in fluid flow communication with an inner coaxial tube within said catheter.