Method and device for non-invasive anatomical and systemic cooling and neuroprotection

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and device for non-invasive anatomical and systemic cooling, fluid removal and/or energy removal. The method and device provide for removal of fluid and cooling of various bodily fluid-containing spaces or surfaces, such as mucus-containing spaces or surfaces via delivery of a dry fluid not including a coolant into or upon the mucus-containing space or surface. Exposure of such mucus to the dry fluid results in evaporation of body fluid, removal of energy, cooling of the anatomical feature, and systemic cooling. In this fashion, therapeutic hypothermia may be achieved to provide for neuroprotection of various organs after ischemic insult, such the brain after cardiac arrest. Similarly, excess fluid removal may be achieved for treatment of cardiogenic shock or other conditions that cause significant fluid build-up, especially in cases of compromised renal function. Additionally, the invention may be used to reduce fever, and other conditions where removal of heat, energy and/or water are beneficial.

1 .- 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A device for inducing evaporation of a fluid from a bodily fluid-containing space in a mammal, the device comprising:
 a housing defining an airflow path therein; said housing containing a fan configured to draw ambient air into the airflow path of said housing and a dehumidifier to dehumidify said ambient air drawn into said housing; said housing also containing an airflow delivery port in communication with an external surface of said housing at an air outlet side of said airflow path; said device further comprising a conduit comprising: a proximal end, a distal end, a first lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends, and one or more dehumidified air delivery ports at the distal end in fluid communication with the first lumen, said proximal end of said conduit configured to connect to said airflow delivery port of said housing; and   wherein the device is configured such that ambient air is drawn into the housing of the device by said fan, said ambient air is dehumidified by said dehumidifier, and dehumidified air is forced by said fan out of said housing via said airflow delivery port and into said conduit to flow distally along the first lumen through the dehumidified gas delivery ports to contact the bodily fluid-containing space.   
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 c) a second lumen extending toward the distal end of the conduit;   d) one or more return ports at the distal end in fluid communication with the second lumen; and   e) an exhaust port in fluid communication with the proximal end of the second lumen; wherein the device is configured such that dehumidified air flows distally along the first lumen through the fluid delivery ports and air that has contacted said bodily fluid containing space reenters the second lumen through the return ports.   
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 22 , further comprising a temperature sensor. 
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 25 , wherein the temperature sensor is disposed at the distal tip of the conduit. 
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein the temperature sensor comprises means to adjust fluid flow through the conduit. 
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 24 , further comprising a pressure sensor. 
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 28 , wherein the pressure sensor is disposed at the distal tip of the conduit. 
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 28 , wherein the pressure sensor comprises means to adjust flow of air through the conduit. 
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein the device is configured to deliver the dehumidified air to the lungs, trachea, oral cavity, nasopharynx, nostrils, gastro-intestinal system, stomach, peritoneal, or urinary bladder. 
     
     
         32 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein the dehumidified air delivery ports are disposed proximal to the return ports. 
     
     
         33 . The device of  claim 22 , further comprising a fluid flow regulator. 
     
     
         34 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein the exhaust comprises means for generating suction to facilitate flow of the air through the return ports into the second lumen. 
     
     
         35 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein the expansion and return ports are disposed circumferentially around the conduit. 
     
     
         37 .- 41 . (canceled) 
     
     
         42 . The device of  claim 22 , further comprising a third lumen extending toward the distal end of the conduit, and one or more additional dehumidified air delivery ports at the distal end in fluid communication with the third lumen. 
     
     
         43 . The device of  claim 22 , further comprising a third lumen extending towards the distal end of the conduit in fluid communication with the return ports. 
     
     
         44 .- 59 . (canceled) 
     
     
         60 . A device according to  claim 22 , further comprising device to monitor humidity of air delivered to a subject. 
     
     
         61 . A device according to  claim 22 , further comprising a device to monitor temperature of air delivered to a subject.