Dual balloon central venous line catheter temperature control system

Abstract

A system for controlling patient temperature uses a central venous line catheter having axially spaced distal and proximal heat exchange balloons. The central venous line catheter is provided with one or more lumens for providing access to the central blood supply of the patient, and with additional lumens for communicating heat exchange fluid to the balloons. Heat exchange fluid temperature is controlled through a feed back loop in which patient temperature is sensed and used to control a temperature control unit comprising a heating device and/or a cooling device in heat exchange relationship with the heat exchange fluid. A tubing set transports the heat exchange fluid between the central venous line and the temperature control unit, with a pump serving to circulate the fluid in a closed fluid circuit in the system.

1 . A heat exchange catheter comprising: 
 a catheter body having at least a heat exchange fluid supply lumen and a heat exchange fluid return lumen; and    at least a distal balloon and a proximal balloon on the catheter body, the balloons and lumens being arranged such that heat exchange fluid flows serially through the balloons, wherein the heat exchange fluid flows serially through the heat exchange fluid supply lumen, then to one of the distal and proximal balloons, then to the other of the distal and proximal balloons, then to the heat exchange fluid return lumen.    
     
     
         2 . A heat exchange catheter comprising: 
 a catheter body;    at least one infusing tube connected to said catheter body;    at least first and second coolant tubes connected to said catheter body, said coolant tubes being arranged such that heat exchange fluid flows serially through the first coolant tube then to the second coolant tube.    
     
     
         3 . The catheter of  claim 2  further comprises a clamp in communication with said infusing tube, said clamp for selectively blocking fluid flow through said infusing tube.  
     
     
         4 . The catheter of  claim 2  wherein said catheter body further comprises at least one balloon, said balloon communicating with said coolant tube.  
     
     
         5 . The catheter of  claim 2  wherein said coolant tubes are constructed from a first material, and said infusing tube is constructed from a second material being more compressible than said first material.  
     
     
         6 . The catheter of  claim 2  wherein: 
 said coolant tubes further comprises coolant tubing walls;  
 said infusing tube further comprises infusing tubing walls; and  
 said coolant tubing walls are thicker than said infusing tubing walls.  
 
     
     
         7 . The catheter of  claim 2  wherein said catheter body further comprises at least one balloon, said balloon communicating with said coolant tubes.  
     
     
         8 . A patient temperature control system comprising: 
 a central venous line catheter having distal and proximal balloons disposed axially thereon;    means for sensing the temperature of the patient; and    means for controlling the temperature of the distal and proximal balloons in accordance with the means for sensing the temperature of the patient, wherein the means for controlling the temperature includes means for decreasing or terminating heat exchange fluid flow circulated in the distal and proximal balloons.    
     
     
         9 . The patient temperature control system of  claim 8 , wherein the means for sensing is a bladder probe.  
     
     
         10 . The patient temperature control system of  claim 8 , wherein the means for sensing is an esophageal probe.  
     
     
         11 . The patient temperature control system of  claim 8 , wherein the means for sensing is a rectal probe.  
     
     
         12 . The patient temperature control system of  claim 8 , wherein the means for sensing is a tympanic temperature sensor.  
     
     
         13 . The patient temperature control system of  claim 8 , wherein the means for sensing is a blood stream probe.