US6264679B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Heat exchange catheter with discrete heat exchange elements
Assignee: Zoll Circulation Inc
•
Filing: 1999-08-20
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Granted: 2001-07-24
•
Expires: 2019-08-20
Abstract
Abstract A catheter for exchanging heat with a body fluid is disclosed. The catheter includes a main shaft and a heat exchange region having a plurality of heat exchange elements each having a length and opposed ends. Each of the elements is attached on at least one of its ends to the shaft and disposed so that when inserted in a fluid body cavity having body fluid therein, the body fluid may circumferentially surround each heat exchange element along a portion of the length of the heat exchange element. The catheter includes a fluid circulation path therein, which desirably includes the hollow lumen within each of heat exchange elements. The heat exchange elements may be connected at two points along the shaft using manifolds that are in fluid communication with fluid flow paths within the shaft. Alternatively, the heat exchange elements may be connected at only one point and be permitted to float in a proximal or distal direction with respect to the catheter. The heat exchange region may be formed on a distal portion of the catheter, or may be formed along the entire length thereof. In the former configuration, an insulating member, such as a balloon, may be provided along the shaft proximal to the heat exchange region. Ribs may be provided on each heat exchange element to disrupt flow therearound and increase heat exchange. Each of the heat exchange elements may be non-circular in cross-section, and may extend in an undulating path with respect to the catheter shaft.
Inventors
- 👤 Wade E. Keller
- 👤 Timothy R. Machold
- 👤 Mark A. Saab
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 09:23
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F7/00; A61F7/12; A61F2007/126
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 68
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
A heat exchange catheter comprising: a longitudinal catheter shaft with a proximal end and a distal end; a heat exchange region comprising a plurality of heat exchange elements, each of said heat exchange elements having a length and opposed ends and each of said heat exchange elements being disposed such that, when the heat exchange region of the catheter is positioned in a body lumen or body cavity that contains body fluid, the body fluid may circumferentially surround at least a portion of each heat exchange element, further including an insulating region on the shaft located proximally with respect to the heat exchange region and wherein the insulating region comprises an inflatable balloon surrounding the shaft.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
A heat exchange catheter comprising: a longitudinal catheter shaft with a proximal end and a distal end; a heat exchange region comprising a plurality of heat exchange elements, each of said heat exchange elements having a length and opposed ends and each of said heat exchange elements being disposed such that, when the heat exchange region of the catheter is positioned in a body lumen or body cavity that contains body fluid, the body fluid may circumferentially surround at least a portion of each heat exchange element, further including an insulating region on the shaft located proximally with respect to the heat exchange region and wherein the insulating region comprises an inflatable balloon surrounding the shaft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The catheter of claim 1 , wherein at least some of the heat exchange elements have a fluid flow path therethrough.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The catheter of claim 2 , wherein at least some of the heat exchange elements have a non-circular cross-section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
The catheter of claim 2 , wherein the shaft has a fluid inflow lumen and a fluid outflow lumen and a circulation pathway therebetween for the circulation of heat exchange medium, at least some of the heat exchange elements being in the circulation pathway to enable circulation of a fluid heat exchange medium through the heat exchange elements.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The catheter of claim 4 , wherein each heat exchange element has an inflow orifice on one end and an outflow orifice on the opposed end, the inflow orifice and the outflow orifice being in communication with the circulation pathway.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The catheter of claim 5 , wherein each heat exchange element extends in a non-linear path from its inflow orifice to its outflow orifice, the non-linear path having a least one point of inflection.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
The catheter of claim 5 , wherein the catheter includes an inlet manifold open to the inflow lumen and to the inflow orifice of each heat exchange element, and the catheter includes an outlet manifold open to the outflow lumen and to the outflow orifice of each heat exchange element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The catheter of claim 7 , wherein the inlet manifold is disposed distally with respect to the outlet manifold.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
The catheter of claim 7 , wherein the heat exchange elements comprise elongate hollow filaments having opposed open ends defining the respective inflow and outflow orifices, and wherein each filament open end communicates with an interior space in a respective manifold.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The catheter of claim 7 wherein the heat exchange elements are longer than the distance between the inlet and outlet manifold.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the shaft has a length and the heat exchange region extends a distance that is less than one half the length of the shaft.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The catheter of claim 11 , wherein the heat exchange region is located on the distal region of the shaft.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the insulating region extends the entire length of the shaft proximal of the heat exchange region.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the insulating region extends approximately 85-90% of the length of the shaft, and a heat exchange region extends substantially along the rest of the shaft.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the shaft is within the balloon and the insulating region comprises a plurality of stand-offs interposed between and spacing apart the inner wall of the balloon and the shaft.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The catheter of claim 1 , wherein the insulating region comprises a plurality of the balloons surrounding the shaft and a sleeve encompassing the balloons.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The catheter of claim 1 , wherein there are at least three heat exchange elements.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The catheter of claim 17 , wherein the heat exchange elements are evenly circumferentially distributed about the shaft.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
40 words
The catheter of claim 1 wherein said catheter shaft comprises a plurality of heat exchange elements substantially surrounded by a sleeve and wherein the heat exchange region comprises portions of the heat exchange elements that protrude out of said sleeve.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
128 words
A heat exchange catheter comprising: a longitudinal catheter shaft with a proximal end and a distal end; a heat exchange region comprising a plurality of heat exchange elements each of said heat exchange elements having a length and opposed ends and each of said heat exchange elements being disposed such that, when the heat exchange region of the catheter is positioned in a body lumen or body cavity that contains body fluid, the body fluid may circumferentially surround at least a portion of each heat exchange element, wherein the heat exchange elements are flexible and each is constrained along a portion of its length with respect to the shaft so that a free end of each heat exchange element is permitted to drift freely within the body fluid.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
128 words
A heat exchange catheter comprising: a longitudinal catheter shaft with a proximal end and a distal end; a heat exchange region comprising a plurality of heat exchange elements each of said heat exchange elements having a length and opposed ends and each of said heat exchange elements being disposed such that, when the heat exchange region of the catheter is positioned in a body lumen or body cavity that contains body fluid, the body fluid may circumferentially surround at least a portion of each heat exchange element, wherein the heat exchange elements are flexible and each is constrained along a portion of its length with respect to the shaft so that a free end of each heat exchange element is permitted to drift freely within the body fluid.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The catheter of claim 20 , wherein the heat exchange elements comprise very thin-walled balloons.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The catheter of claim 20 , wherein the heat exchange elements have walls permitting a high rate of conductive heat transfer therethrough.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
38 words
The catheter of claim 20 , wherein the heat exchange elements are hollow, the shaft including a fluid circulation path, and the hollow interior of the heat exchange elements being in fluid communication with the fluid circulation path.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
30 words
The catheter of claim 23 , wherein each heat exchange element has a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end of each being attached to the catheter shaft.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
69 words
The catheter of claim 23 , wherein each heat exchange element has a distal end and a proximal end and extends from a proximal end of the catheter shaft to beyond the distal end of the catheter shaft, the plurality of heat exchange elements being retained closely together by the shaft except at their distal ends where they are separate and permitted to float freely in the body fluid.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
28 words
The catheter of claim 25 , further including a proximal manifold for supplying and removing a heat exchange medium to the hollow interior of each heat exchange element.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
34 words
The catheter of claim 26 , wherein each heat exchange element is formed with a coaxial flow path, the heat exchange medium being supplied to an inner lumen and removed from an outer lumen.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
29 words
The catheter of claim 26 , wherein each heat exchange element comprises a loop of a single lumen tube, the heat exchange medium being supplied to the tube lumen.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
31 words
The catheter of claim 20 , wherein the shaft has a length and the heat exchange region extends a distance that is less than one half the length of the shaft.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
20 words
The catheter of claim 29 , Wherein the heat exchange region is located on the distal region of the shaft.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
23 words
The catheter of claim 20 , further including an insulating region on the shaft located proximally with respect to the heat exchange region.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
17 words
The catheter of claim 31 , herein the insulating region comprises an inflatable balloon surrounding the shaft.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
36 words
The catheter of claim 32 , wherein the shaft is within the balloon and the insulating region comprises a plurality of stand-offs interposed between and spacing apart the inner wall of the balloon and the shaft.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
168 words
A heat exchange catheter comprising: a longitudinal catheter shaft with a proximal end and a distal end; a heat exchange region comprising a plurality of heat exchange elements, each of said heat exchange elements having a length and opposed ends and each of said heat exchange elements being disposed such that when the heat exchange region of the catheter is positioned in a body lumen or body cavity that contains body fluid, the body fluid may circumferentially surround at least a portion of each heat exchange element, wherein each heat exchange element comprises a filament having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end being attached to the catheter shaft, and further including a spring member positioned between the filament and the shaft and adapted to compress upon application of an external force to the catheter as it is being inserted into the body cavity, and expand in the absence of such an external force to maintain the filament a predetermined radial distance away from shaft.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
168 words
A heat exchange catheter comprising: a longitudinal catheter shaft with a proximal end and a distal end; a heat exchange region comprising a plurality of heat exchange elements, each of said heat exchange elements having a length and opposed ends and each of said heat exchange elements being disposed such that when the heat exchange region of the catheter is positioned in a body lumen or body cavity that contains body fluid, the body fluid may circumferentially surround at least a portion of each heat exchange element, wherein each heat exchange element comprises a filament having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end being attached to the catheter shaft, and further including a spring member positioned between the filament and the shaft and adapted to compress upon application of an external force to the catheter as it is being inserted into the body cavity, and expand in the absence of such an external force to maintain the filament a predetermined radial distance away from shaft.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
38 words
The catheter of claim 34 wherein each filament is further attached at its proximal end to the catheter shaft, each filament being hollow and providing a fluid flow path therethrough for passage of a liquid heat exchange medium.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
43 words
The catheter of claim 35 , wherein the shaft has a fluid inflow lumen and a fluid outflow lumen and a circulation pathway therebetween for the circulation of heat exchange medium, at least some of the hollow filaments being in the circulation pathway.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
39 words
The catheter of claim 36 , wherein each hollow filament has an inflow orifice on one end and an outflow orifice on the opposed end, the inflow orifice and the outflow orifice being in communication with the circulation pathway.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
61 words
The catheter of claim 37 , wherein the catheter includes an inlet manifold open to the inflow lumen and to the inflow orifice of each hollow filament, and the catheter includes an outlet manifold open to the outflow lumen and to the outflow orifice of each hollow filament, wherein the inlet manifold is disposed distally with respect to the outlet manifold.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
31 words
The catheter of claim 34 , wherein the shaft has a length and the heat exchange region extends a distance that is less than one half the length of the shaft.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
20 words
The catheter of claim 39 , wherein the heat exchange region is located on the distal region of the shaft.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
23 words
The catheter of claim 34 , further including an insulating region on the shaft located proximally with respect to the heat exchange region.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
17 words
The catheter of claim 41 , wherein the insulating region comprises an inflatable balloon surrounding the shaft.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
36 words
The catheter of claim 42 , wherein the shaft is within the balloon and the insulating region comprises a plurality of stand-offs interposed between and spacing apart the inner wall of the balloon and the shaft.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
103 words
A heat exchange catheter comprising: a longitudinal catheter shaft with a proximal end and a distal end; a heat exchange region comprising a plurality of heat exchange elements, each of said heat exchange elements having a length and opposed ends and each of said heat exchange elements being disposed such that, when the heat exchange region of the catheter is positioned in a body lumen or body cavity that contains body fluid, the body fluid may circumferentially surround at least a portion of each heat exchange element, wherein each heat exchange element comprises a rod-like filament having a flow disrupting rib disposed thereon.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
103 words
A heat exchange catheter comprising: a longitudinal catheter shaft with a proximal end and a distal end; a heat exchange region comprising a plurality of heat exchange elements, each of said heat exchange elements having a length and opposed ends and each of said heat exchange elements being disposed such that, when the heat exchange region of the catheter is positioned in a body lumen or body cavity that contains body fluid, the body fluid may circumferentially surround at least a portion of each heat exchange element, wherein each heat exchange element comprises a rod-like filament having a flow disrupting rib disposed thereon.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
17 words
The catheter of claim 44 , wherein the flow disrupting rib is helically disposed about the filament.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
17 words
The catheter of claim 44 , wherein the flow disrupting rib is circumferentially disposed about the filament.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
21 words
The catheter of clam 44 , wherein at least some of the heat exchange elements have a fluid flow path therethrough.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
21 words
The catheter of clam 44 , wherein at least some of the heat exchange elements have a fluid flow path therethrough.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
18 words
The catheter of claim 47 wherein at least some of the heat exchange elements have a non-circular cross-section.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
58 words
The catheter of claim 47 , wherein the shaft has a fluid inflow lumen and a fluid outflow lumen and a circulation pathway therebetween for the circulation of heat exchange medium, at least some of the heat exchange elements being in the circulation pathway to enable circulation of a fluid heat exchange medium through the heat exchange elements.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
40 words
The catheter of claim 49 , wherein each heat exchange element has an inflow orifice on one end and an outflow orifice on the opposed end, the inflow orifice and the outflow orifice being in communication with the circulation pathway.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
34 words
The catheter of claim 50 , wherein each heat exchange element extends in a non-linear path from its inflow orifice to its outflow orifice, the non-linear path having a least one point of inflection.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
50 words
The catheter of claim 50 , wherein the catheter includes an inlet manifold open to the inflow lumen and to the inflow orifice of each heat exchange element, and the catheter includes an outlet manifold open to the outflow lumen and to the outflow orifice of each heat exchange element.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
19 words
The catheter of claim 52 , wherein the inlet manifold is disposed distally with respect to the outlet manifold.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
41 words
The catheter of claim 52 , wherein the heat exchange elements comprise elongate hollow filaments having opposed open ends defining the respective inflow and outflow orifices, and wherein each filament open end communicates with an interior space in a respective manifold.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
21 words
The catheter of claim 52 wherein the heat exchange elements are longer than the distance between the inlet and outlet manifold.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
31 words
The catheter of claim 44 , wherein the shaft has a length and the heat exchange region extends a distance that is less than one half the length of the shaft.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
20 words
The catheter of claim 56 , wherein the heat exchange region is located on the distal region of the shaft.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
23 words
The catheter of claim 44 , further including an insulating region on the shaft located proximally with respect to the heat exchange region.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
23 words
The catheter of claim 58 , wherein the insulating region extends the entire length of the shaft proximal of the heat exchange region.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
32 words
The catheter of claim 59 , wherein the insulating region extends approximately 85-90% of the length of the shaft, and a heat exchange region extends substantially along the rest of the shaft.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
17 words
The catheter of claim 58 , wherein the insulating region comprises an inflatable balloon surrounding the shaft.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
36 words
The catheter of claim 61 , wherein the shaft is within the balloon and the insulating region comprises a plurality of stand-offs interposed between and spacing apart the inner wall of the balloon and the shaft.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
25 words
The catheter of claim 61 , wherein the insulating region comprises a plurality of the balloons surrounding the shaft and a sleeve encompassing the balloons.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-07-23 | 2005-01-22 | 2005-07-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-07-23 | 2009-01-22 | 2009-07-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-07-23 | 2013-01-22 | 2013-07-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |