Patient temperature regulation method and apparatus
A device and method for providing body cooling. The cooling device applies cooling to blood flowing in a vena cavae that is then distributed throughout the body. The cooling can be assisted by use of thermoregulatory drugs or warming devices to prevent shivering and vasoconstriction.
1 . A method for substantially reducing stenoses recurring following angioplasty, comprising:
providing a catheter having a cooling element attached to a distal end thereof, the cooling element employing mixing-inducing surface features;
performing an angioplasty or stenting operation on a blood vessel of the patient;
inserting the catheter through the vascular system of the patient to place the cooling element in the blood vessel;
circulating fluid through the cooling element; and
transferring heat from the blood in the vessel to the cooling element, whereby blood and the blood vessel wall are cooled.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said mixing-inducing surface features create a turbulence intensity of at least about 0.05.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said mixing-inducing surface feature is a helix.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said mixing-inducing surface features include a substantially cylindrical body having protrusions thereon.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said mixing-inducing surface features create a mixing characterized by a Nusselt number of at least about 5.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said mixing-inducing surface feature includes at least one helical invagination.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said mixing-inducing surface features include at least one protrusion.