Proximal Mounting of Temperature Sensor in Intravascular Temperature Management Catheter

Abstract

An intra vascular temperature management catheter incudes a shaft through which working fluid can circulate to and from a proximal location on the shaft. The catheter extends from a connector hub. At least one heat exchange member is supported by a distal part of the shaft or other part of the catheter to receive circulating working fluid from the proximal location. A temperature sensor is supported on the catheter for generating a temperature signal representative of blood temperature to a control system. The temperature sensor includes first and second conductive leads having respective first and second distal segments on or in the catheter shaft. The first and second distal segments are arranged to be in thermal contact with blood flowing past the catheter when the catheter is disposed in a blood vessel of a patient. Also, the temperature sensor includes a joining body connected to proximal segments of the first and second leads. The joining body may be supported in the hub or in another location proximal to the first and second conductive leads.

1 . An intravascular temperature management catheter, comprising: at least one catheter shaft through which working fluid can circulate to and from a proximal location on the shaft, the catheter extending from a connector hub;
 at least one heat exchange member configured to receive circulating working fluid from the proximal location;   at least one temperature sensor supported on or in the catheter for generating a temperature signal representative of blood temperature to a control system, the temperature sensor comprising:   at least first and second conductive leads having respective first and second distal segments on or in the catheter shaft, the first and second distal segments being arranged to be in thermal contact with blood flowing past the catheter when the catheter is disposed in a blood vessel of a patient, the temperature sensor further comprising a joining body connected to proximal segments of the first and second leads, wherein the joining body is supported in or on the hub or in a location proximal to the hub.   
     
     
         2 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the temperature sensor is a thermistor. 
     
     
         3 . The catheter of  claim 2 , wherein the thermistor is a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor. 
     
     
         4 . The catheter of  claim 2 , wherein the thermistor is a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) thermistor. 
     
     
         5 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the joining body is made of a polymer.) 
     
     
         6 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the joining body is made of a ceramic. 
     
     
         7 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the joining body is made of sintered metal oxide. 
     
     
         8 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein the joining body is made of a doped polycrystalline ceramic. 
     
     
         9 . The catheter of  claim 1 , further comprising a thermally conductive cover to physically shield at least portions of the first and segment distal segments from contact with blood flowing past the catheter when the catheter is disposed in a blood vessel of a patient. 
     
     
         10 . A method comprising:
 thermally exposing first and second distal segments of first and second leads of a temperature sensor mounted on or in a closed loop intravascular temperature management catheter to blood flowing past the catheter;   receiving a signal representing blood temperature from a joining body connected to the leads wherein the temperature sensor is positioned such that the joining body is disposed in a location which is proximal to at least a portion of the first and second leads; and   sending the signal to a control system for controlling a temperature of working fluid flowing through the catheter in a closed loop.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the catheter extends from a connector hub and the joining body is disposed on or in the hub or in a location proximal to the hub. 
     
     
         12 . A device comprising:
 at least one catheter shaft through which working fluid can circulate;   at least one temperature sensor supported on or in the device for generating a temperature signal, the temperature sensor comprising:   at least first and second conductive leads having respective first and second distal segments, the first and second distal segments being arranged to be in thermal contact with blood flowing past the catheter when the catheter is disposed in a blood vessel of a patient, the temperature sensor further comprising a joining body connected to proximal segments of the first and second leads, the joining body being supported in a location proximal to the distal segments of the first and second leads.   
     
     
         13 . The catheter of  claim 12 , wherein the catheter extends from a connector hub and the joining body is disposed on or in the hub or in a location proximal to the hub. 
     
     
         14 . The catheter of  claim 12 , wherein the temperature sensor is a thermistor. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the thermistor is a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistor. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the thermistor is a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) thermistor. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the joining body is made of a polymer. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the joining body is made of a ceramic. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the joining body is made of sintered metal oxide. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the joining body is made of a doped polycrystalline ceramic. 
     
     
         21 . (canceled)