Heat exchange catheter with multi-lumen tube having a fluid return passageway

1. A heat exchange catheter for warming the urethra of a patient during ablative surgery, comprising:

a) an inflow housing assembly for receiving an inlet flow of warming fluid;

b) an outflow housing assembly for receiving an outlet flow of warming fluid;

c) a multi-lumen tube comprising an outflow portion and an accessory portion, said accessory portion being integrally formed within an interior volume of said outflow portion, said accessory portion having a cross-section smaller than said outflow portion, said outflow portion having a central axis being offset from a central axis of said accessory portion such that said outflow portion and said accessory portion are integrally joined, wherein the space between said outflow portion and said accessory portion defines a fluid return passageway and the space within said accessory portion defines an accessory passageway;

d) a flexible outer sleeve cooperating with said multi-lumen tube positioned therein to form a fluid inlet passageway; and,

e) flow separation means for separating the inlet flow of warming fluid from said outlet flow of warming fluid,

wherein during operation said inlet flow of warming fluid flows from said inflow housing assembly, then through said fluid inlet passageway formed between said outer sleeve and said multi-lumen tube, the flow continuing around a distal end of said outflow portion of said multi-lumen tube, thus becoming said outlet flow of said warming fluid which is directed through said fluid return passageway, then through said outflow housing assembly.

2. The heat exchange catheter of claim 1 , wherein said outflow portion and said accessory portion each have substantially circular cross-sections.

3. The heat exchange catheter of claim 1 , wherein said outflow portion and said accessory portion are integrally joined at a common wall.

4. The heat exchange catheter of claim 1 , wherein said outflow portion has a wall thickness that is less than the wall thickness of said accessory portion.

5. The heat exchange catheter of claim 1 , wherein said outflow portion has a wall thickness in a range of about 0.005-0.009 inches.

6. The heat exchange catheter of claim 1 , wherein said accessory portion has a wall thickness in a range of about 0.009-0.017 inches.

7. The heat exchange catheter of claim 1 , wherein said multi-lumen tube is formed of polyethylene.

8. The heat exchange catheter of claim 1 , wherein:

a. said inflow housing assembly, comprises:

i. inflow housing main section having a central axis; and,

ii. an inflow housing inlet section coupled to said inflow housing main section for providing an inlet flow of warming fluid to said inflow housing main section, said inflow housing main section and said inflow housing inlet section having respective openings therein for providing for said inlet flow; and,

b. said outflow housing assembly, comprises:

i. an outflow housing main section having a central axis which is along said central axis of said inflow housing main section, said outflow housing main section being coupled to said inflow housing main section; and,

ii. an outflow housing outlet section coupled to said outflow housing main section for receiving an outlet flow of warming fluid from said outflow housing main section.

9. The heat exchange catheter of claim 8 , wherein said flow separation means comprises a divider element secured to said inflow housing assembly and said outflow housing assembly, said divider element comprising:

a. a proximal axially oriented portion secured to a proximal end of said inflow housing main section and to a distal end of said outflow housing main section;

b. a radially inwardly extending portion depending from a distal end of said proximal axially oriented portion, said radially inward extending portion being radially off center from said central axis; and,

c. a distal axially oriented portion depending from said radially inwardly extending portion, said distal axially oriented portion being secured to a proximal end of said outflow portion of said multi-lumen tube thus positioning said multi-lumen tube in an offset position.

10. The heat exchange catheter of claim 8 , wherein said outflow housing assembly further includes a LUER fitting extending from a proximal end of said outflow housing main section for providing access to said accessory portion.

11. The heat exchange catheter of claim 8 , wherein said inflow housing main section includes an axial extension, said outer sleeve being secured to said axial extension.

12. The heat exchange catheter of claim 8 , further comprising a strain relief element secured about an outer periphery of an axial extension of said inflow housing main section.

13. The heat exchange catheter of claim 8 , wherein said inflow housing main section comprises an inflow block and said outflow housing main section comprises an outflow block, said outflow block having an axial extension having a decreased diameter, a mating surface formed by the presentation of said axial extension being offset from a central axis of the outflow housing main section, an inner radial surface of said axial extension being secured to an outer surface of said outflow portion of said multi-lumen tube.

14. The heat exchange catheter of claim 13 , wherein said outflow housing assembly further includes a LUER fitting extending from a proximal end of said outflow housing main section for providing access to said accessory portion.

15. The heat exchange catheter of claim 13 , wherein said inflow housing main section includes an axial extension, said outer sleeve being secured to said axial extension.

16. The heat exchange catheter of claim 13 , further comprising a strain relief element secured about an outer periphery of an axial extension of said inflow housing main section.

17. A method for warming the urethra of a patient during ablative surgery, comprising the steps of:

a. inserting at least one ablative surgical device into a prostate region of the patient;

b. inserting a heat exchange catheter through the patient's urethra and at least to the bladder neck, said heat exchange catheter, comprising:

i. an inflow housing assembly for receiving an inlet flow of warming fluid;

ii. an outflow housing assembly for receiving an outlet flow of warming fluid;

iii. a multi-lumen tube comprising an outflow portion and an accessory portion, said accessory portion being integrally formed within an interior volume of said outflow portion, said accessory portion having a cross-section smaller than said outflow portion, said outflow portion having a central axis being offset from a central axis of said accessory portion such that said outflow portion and said accessory portion are integrally joined, wherein the space between said outflow portion and said accessory portion defines a fluid return passageway and the space within said accessory portion defines an accessory passageway;

iv. a flexible outer sleeve cooperating with said multi-lumen tube positioned therein to form a fluid inlet passageway; and,

v. flow separation means for separating the inlet flow of warming fluid from said outlet flow of warming fluid; and,

c. operating said heat exchange catheter to warm an outer surface thereof during operation of said at least one ablative surgical device,

wherein during operation said inlet flow of warming fluid flows from said inflow housing assembly, then through said fluid inlet passageway formed between said outer sleeve and said multi-lumen tube, the flow continuing around a distal end of said outflow portion of said multi-lumen tube, thus becoming said outlet flow of said warming fluid which is directed through said fluid return passageway, then through said outflow housing assembly; and,

wherein said urethra is warmed by said outer surface of said heat exchange catheter to preserve living tissue thereof.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein said step of inserting at least one ablative surgical device into a prostate region of the patient, comprises inserting at least one cryosurgical probe.