Heating/cooling system for indwelling heat exchange catheter

Abstract

A cooling system for an indwelling heat exchange catheter includes a heat exchange bath that is configured to receive a conduit that carries saline to and from the catheter. A heating/cooling fluid is in the bath and exchanges heat with the saline. The heating/cooling fluid flows through a heat exchanger that includes a refrigerant and two variable speed DC compressor for removing heat from the refrigerant. A gear pump circulates the working fluid to and from the catheter and is removably engaged with a pump support platform.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A heat exchange system for a heat exchange catheter, comprising:
 a heat exchange receptacle configured to receive a conduit carrying fluid to and from the catheter when the fluid is at a temperature different from normal mammal body temperature to exchange heat with a mammal in whom the catheter is disposed; and   a pump in communication with the conduit for pumping the working fluid to and from the catheter.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the pump is detachably engaged with the conduit and a pump support platform. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the pump support platform comprises:
 a pump locking bore, the pump removably engaging the pump locking bore.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the pump support platform further comprises:
 at least one spring loaded ball plunger, the spring loaded ball plunger removably engaging the pump with the pump support platform.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the pump support platform further comprises:
 a motor, the motor engaging the pump to provide power to the pump when the pump is engaged with the pump support platform.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the pump support platform further comprises:
 at least one sensor for detecting the presence of the pump when it is engaged with the pump support platform.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one air trap vessel downstream from the pump; and   at least one air trap detector at least partially surrounding the air trap vessel.   
     
     
         8 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A system for a heat exchange catheter, comprising:
 a heat exchange receptacle configured to receive a conduit carrying fluid to and from the catheter when the fluid is at a temperature different from normal human body temperature to exchange heat with a patient in whom the catheter is disposed; and   a pump support platform supporting a pump for pumping fluid to the catheter, the pump support platform further comprising at least one sensor for detecting the presence of the pump when the pump is engaged with the pump support platform.   
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the pump is a gear pump in communication with the conduit for pumping the fluid to and from the catheter. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the pump is detachably engaged with the conduit and a pump support platform. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the pump support platform comprises:
 a pump locking bore, the pump removably engaging the pump locking bore.   
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the pump support platform further comprises:
 at least one spring loaded ball plunger, the spring loaded ball plunger removably engaging the pump with the pump support platform.   
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the pump support platform further comprises:
 a motor, the motor engaging the pump to provide power to the pump when the pump is engaged with the pump support platform.   
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 23 , further comprising:
 at least one air trap vessel downstream from the pump; and   at least one air trap detector at least partially surrounding the air trap vessel.   
     
     
         30 . A system for a heat exchange catheter, comprising:
 a heat exchange receptacle configured to receive a conduit carrying fluid to and from the catheter when the fluid is at a temperature different from normal human body temperature to exchange heat with a patient in whom the catheter is disposed;   a pump support platform supporting a pump for pumping working fluid to the catheter;   at least one air trap vessel downstream from the pump; and   at least one air trap detector at least partially surrounding the air trap vessel.   
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the pump is a gear pump in communication with the conduit for pumping the fluid to and from the catheter. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the pump is detachably engaged with the conduit and a pump support platform. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the pump support platform comprises:
 a pump locking bore, the pump removably engaging the pump locking bore.   
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the pump support platform further comprises:
 at least one spring loaded ball plunger, the spring loaded ball plunger removably engaging the pump with the pump support platform.   
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the pump support platform further comprises:
 a motor, the motor engaging the pump to provide power to the pump when the pump is engaged with the pump support platform.   
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the pump support platform further comprises at least one sensor for detecting the presence of the pump when it is engaged with the pump support platform.