System and method for inducing hypothermia with control and determination of catheter pressure

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide a system for temperature control of the human body. The system includes an indwelling catheter with a tip-mounted heat transfer element. The catheter is fluidically coupled to a console that provides a heated or cooled heat transfer working fluid to exchange heat with the heat transfer element, thereby heating or cooling blood. The heated or cooled blood then heats or cools the patient's body or a selected portion thereof. In particular, methods and devices are provided for control and determination of the pressure within the heat transfer element.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device comprising:
 a series of elongated, articulated segments comprising at least a first articulated segment and a second articulated segment;   each articulated segment being defined by at least one helical ridge; and   at least one connecting segment connecting the first articulated segment to the second articulated segment, the connecting segment not being configured like the first or second articulated segments and not being a tube with a continuous smooth outer surface.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , each segment comprising at least first and second helical ridges separated from each other by at least one helical groove. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the helical ridge has a counter-clockwise helical rotation. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the first helical ridge has a counter-clockwise helical rotation and the second helical ridge has a clockwise helical rotation. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting segment is a bellows segment configured to be axially compressible. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each articulated segment comprises at least one helical ridge with a rounded contour. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the articulated segments are made of Nickel. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the articulated segments are coated with Gold. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the articulated segments are coated with platinum. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the articulated segments are coated with polymer paralyene. 
     
     
         11 . A console system comprising:
 a chassis;   a control system in the chassis;   a circulation set housed by the chassis;   an output display on the chassis and electrically connected to the control system;   input elements supported on the chassis to facilitate user interaction with the control system; and   a hood pivotally connected to the chassis for covering at least part of an internal space of the chassis.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , comprising at least one heat transfer catheter operably engageable with the control system. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the heat transfer catheter comprises a series of elongated, articulated segments comprising at least a first articulated segment and a second articulated segment;
 each articulated segment being defined by at least one helical ridge; and   at least one connecting segment connecting the first articulated segment to the second articulated segment, the connecting segment not being configured like the first or second articulated segments and not being a tube with a continuous smooth outer surface.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , each segment comprising at least first and second helical ridges separated from each other by at least one helical groove. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the helical ridge has a counter-clockwise helical rotation. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the first helical ridge has a counter-clockwise helical rotation and the second helical ridge has a clockwise helical rotation. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the connecting segment is a bellows segment configured to be axially compressible.