2397 results about "Hypothermia" patented technology

Post-angioplasty hyperplasia in blood vessels is treated using a cryosurgical balloon catheter. The balloon catheter is positioned at a target region within the blood vessel, and the balloon inflated by expanding a cryogenic fluid, such as liquid nitrogen, across an expansion orifice into a balloon. The balloon will be constructed so that cooling is achieved primarily in the central regions of the balloon, with the proximal and distal regions being less cold and acting to insulate adjacent regions of the blood vessel from excessive cooling.

A NIRS sensor device for brain monitoring is small in size, provides reliable attachment to a patient, blocks ambient light, is easy to use, is hygienic, and supports data integration with surgical and monitoring systems. The sensor device is coupled to a remote near infrared light source via a hybrid cable. Since the light source is remotely located, a source adapted for providing high energy, short pulses can easily be used so that there is less chance of interference by superficial non-brain tissues and less interference from ambient light. In addition, the remote location avoids changes in output of local light sources experienced in the prior art during hypothermia procedures (e.g., bandwidth shifts in LEDs as a result of lowered temperature). The higher energy may be achieved by the use of laser diodes as opposed to locally-mounted LEDs typically used in the prior art. The sensor device is a two-piece design comprising a reusable portion containing the photodetector(s) and a disposable portion that receives the light from the reusable portion and bends it to direct the light into the brain.

Devices and methods for performing cryo therapy, cryo ablation or cryoplasty. A cryo therapy apparatus may comprise an elongate shaft, a cooling member disposed at the distal end of the shaft, and a pressure gauge coupled to the cooling member.

A tissue ablation probe, system, and method are provided. The ablation probe comprises an elongated member, an ablative element mounted on the distal end of the elongated member, and at least one thermoelectric device mounted to the member in thermal communication with the ablative element. The system may include the ablation probe, thermal control circuitry for controlling the thermal effect of the thermoelectric device, and an ablation source for suppying ablation energy to the ablative element. A plurality of circumferentially distributed thermoelectric devices can be provided, so that radial tissue sectors can be selectively affected by independently controlling the thermal effect of the thermoelectric devices. In one embodiment, the thermoelectric device(s) can be used to cool a heat ablative element. In another embodiment, the thermoelectric device(s) can be used to heat an ablative element, thereby forming a heat ablative element. In still another embodiment, the thermoelectric device(s) can be used to cryogenically cool an ablative element, thereby forming a cryogenic ablative element.

A system and method for using magnetic resonance imaging to increase the accuracy of electrophysiologic procedures is disclosed. The system in its preferred embodiment provides an invasive combined electrophysiology and imaging antenna catheter which includes an RF antenna for receiving magnetic resonance signals and diagnostic electrodes for receiving electrical potentials. The combined electrophysiology and imaging antenna catheter is used in combination with a magnetic resonance imaging scanner to guide and provide visualization during electrophysiologic diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. The invention is particularly applicable to catheter ablation, e.g., ablation of atrial fibrillation. In embodiments which are useful for catheter ablation, the combined electrophysiology and imaging antenna catheter may further include an ablation tip, and such embodiment may be used as an intracardiac device to both deliver energy to selected areas of tissue and visualize the resulting ablation lesions, thereby greatly simplifying production of continuous linear lesions. The invention further includes embodiments useful for guiding electrophysiologic diagnostic and therapeutic procedures other than ablation. Imaging of ablation lesions may be further enhanced by use of MR contrast agents. The antenna utilized in the combined electrophysiology and imaging catheter for receiving MR signals is preferably of the coaxial or “loopless” type. High-resolution images from the antenna may be combined with low-resolution images from surface coils of the MR scanner to produce a composite image. The invention further provides a system for eliminating the pickup of RF energy in which intracardiac wires are detuned by filtering so that they become very inefficient antennas. An RF filtering system is provided for suppressing the MR imaging signal while not attenuating the RF ablative current. Steering means may be provided for steering the invasive catheter under MR guidance. Other ablative methods can be used such as laser, ultrasound, and low temperatures.

A method and apparatus for transmural ablation using an instrument containing two electrodes or cryogenic probes. A clamping force is exerted on the two electrodes or probes such that the tissue of the hollow organ is clamped therebetween. Bipolar RF energy is then applied between the two electrodes, or the probes are cryogenically cooled, thus ablating the tissue therebetween. The method provides for ablating cardiac tissue of a patient utilizing a sub-xyphoid approach and identifying cardiac tissue prior to ablation.

A catheter is adapted to exchange heat with a body fluid, such as blood, flowing in a body conduit, such as a blood vessel. The catheter includes a shaft with a heat exchange region disposed at its distal end. This region may include at least one balloon which is adapted to receive a remotely cooled heat exchange fluid preferably flowing in a direction counter to that of the body fluid. Embodiments including multiple balloons enhance the surface area of contact, and the mixing of both the heat exchange and the body fluid. The catheter can be positioned to produce hypothermia in a selective area of the body without cooling the entire body system. It is of particular advantage in brain surgeries where stroke, trauma or cryogenic tumors can best be addressed under hypothermic conditions.

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling the internal body temperature of a patient. According to the present invention, a catheter is inserted through an incision into a large blood vessel of a patient. By selectively heating or cooling a portion of the catheter lying within the blood vessel, heat may be transferred to or from blood flowing within the vessel and the patient's body temperature may thereby be increased or decreased as desired. The invention will find use in treating undesirable conditions of hypothermia and hyperthermia, or for inducing a condition of artificial hypothermia when desired.