CENTRAL VENOUS LINE CATHETER HAVING TEMPERATURE CONTROL SYSTEM

• Main Authors: WORTHEN, WILLIAM J, ALIBERTO, ANTHONY C, EVANS, SCOTT M
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French
• Published: 29.09.2009
• Subjects: BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROMTHE BODY; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF,TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, E.G. STENTS; DIAGNOSIS; FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; FIRST-AID KITS; FOMENTATION; HUMAN NECESSITIES; HYGIENE; IDENTIFICATION; MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; PROSTHESES; SURGERY; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS

A system for controlling patient temperature uses a central venous line catheter (20) having a heat exchange element (24). The central venous line catheter (20) is provided with one or more lumens for providing access to the central blood supply of the patient, and with additional lumens for communicating heat exchange fluid to the heat exchange element (24). Heat exchange fluid temperature is controlled through a feed back loop in which patient temperature is sensed, used to control a temperature control unit comprising a heating device, and/or cooling device in heat exchange relationship with the heat exchange fluid. A tubing set transports the heat exchange fluid between the central venous line (20), and the temperature control unit, with a pump serving to circulate the fluid in a closed fluid circuit in the system.