U.S. patent application number 17/133501 was filed with the patent office on 2021-11-11 for respiratory system for inducing therapeutic hypothermia.
This patent application is currently assigned to Qool Therapeutics, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Qool Therapeutics, Inc.. Invention is credited to Amir Belson.
Application Number | 20210346191 17/133501 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005735710 |
Filed Date | 2021-11-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210346191 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Belson; Amir |
November 11, 2021 |
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM FOR INDUCING THERAPEUTIC HYPOTHERMIA
Abstract
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for
controlling a patient's body temperature and in particular for
inducing therapeutic hypothermia. Various embodiments of the system
are described. The system includes: a source of breathing gas,
which may be in the form of a compressed breathing gas mixture; a
heat exchanger or other heating and/or cooling device; and a
breathing interface, such as a breathing mask or tracheal tube.
Optionally, the system may include additional features, such as a
mechanical respirator, a nebulizer for introducing medication into
the breathing gas, a body temperature probe and a feedback
controller. The system can use air or a specialized breathing gas
mixture, such as He/O.sub.2 or SF/O.sub.2 to increase the heat
transfer rate. In addition, the system may include an ice particle
generator for introducing fine ice particles into the flow of
breathing gas to further increase the heat transfer rate.
Inventors: |
Belson; Amir; (Cupertino,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Qool Therapeutics, Inc. |
Mountain View |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Qool Therapeutics, Inc.
Mountain View
CA
|
Family ID: |
1000005735710 |
Appl. No.: |
17/133501 |
Filed: |
December 23, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15610291 |
May 31, 2017 |
10893976 |
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17133501 |
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14657408 |
Mar 13, 2015 |
9757272 |
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15610291 |
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13780866 |
Feb 28, 2013 |
9004066 |
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14657408 |
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13326101 |
Dec 14, 2011 |
8402968 |
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13780866 |
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10587103 |
Jul 9, 2008 |
8100123 |
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PCT/US2005/002600 |
Jan 24, 2005 |
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13326101 |
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60538789 |
Jan 22, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M 2202/0208 20130101;
A61B 5/01 20130101; A61M 2202/06 20130101; A61M 16/16 20130101;
A61M 2205/362 20130101; A61M 2230/50 20130101; A61B 5/4836
20130101; A61M 2202/0225 20130101; A61M 2205/3606 20130101; A61M
11/001 20140204; A61M 2205/366 20130101; A61M 11/042 20140204; A61F
2007/0061 20130101; A61B 5/486 20130101; A61F 7/0085 20130101; A61M
16/10 20130101; A61M 16/1075 20130101; A61F 7/12 20130101; A61M
2202/03 20130101; A61M 11/005 20130101; A61M 2202/025 20130101;
A61M 19/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61F 7/00 20060101
A61F007/00; A61M 16/10 20060101 A61M016/10; A61M 11/00 20060101
A61M011/00; A61M 19/00 20060101 A61M019/00; A61B 5/01 20060101
A61B005/01; A61B 5/00 20060101 A61B005/00; A61F 7/12 20060101
A61F007/12 |
Claims
1. Apparatus for inducing therapeutic hypothermia, comprising: a
source of breathing gas; an ice particle generator; and a tracheal
tube configured to receive a flow of breathing gas from the source
of breathing gas and ice particles from ice particle generator and
to deliver a mist of the ice particles in the breathing gas into a
lung of a patient.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/610,291 (Attorney Docket No.
32138-703.304), filed May 31, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 14/657,408 (Attorney Docket No.
32138-703.303), filed Mar. 13, 2015, which is a continuation of
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/780,866 (Attorney Docket No.
32138-703.302), filed Feb. 28, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,004,066,
which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
13/326,101 (Attorney Docket No. 32138-703.401), filed Dec. 14,
2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,402,968, which is a divisional of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 10/587,103 (Attorney Docket No.
32138-703.831), filed Jul. 9, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,100,123,
which is a National Stage Entry of PCT/US2005/002600 (Attorney
Docket No. 32138-703.601), filed Jan. 24, 2005, which claims the
benefit of Provisional Application No. 60/538,789 (Attorney Docket
No. 32138-703.101), filed Jan. 22, 2004, the full disclosures of
which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to apparatus and
methods for selective modification and control of a patient's body
temperature. More particularly, it relates to a respiratory system
and methods for raising and lowering a patient's body temperature
by heat exchange with the patient's lungs. The respiratory system
provides rapid induction of therapeutic hypothermia by having the
patient breathe a respiratory gas that carries with it ice
particles or a frozen mist to enhance heat capacity. The
respiratory gas may be air or a special gas mixture that includes
oxygen (about 20% concentration or more) and a gas with a high heat
capacity (Cp) for more effective heat exchange, such as helium or
sulfur hexafluoride.
[0003] The respiratory system of the present invention is useful
for treating patient's with hypothermia or hyperthermia and for
inducing therapeutic hypothermia for treating a variety of
conditions, including acute myocardial infarction and emergent
stroke.
[0004] Man is considered to be a tropical animal. Normal
functioning of the human animal requires a body temperature of
approximately 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit). The
body can self-compensate for small upward or downward variations in
temperature through the activation of a built-in thermoregulatory
system, controlled by temperature sensors in the skin. The response
to an upward variation in body temperature is the initiation of
perspiration, which moves moisture from body tissues to the body
surface. When the moisture reaches the surface it evaporates,
carrying with it a quantity of heat. The explanation for a person
becoming thirsty when exposed to a hot environment for a period of
time is that fluids lost due to perspiration must be replaced. The
response to a downward variation in body temperature is shivering,
which is the body's attempt to generate heat. Shivering is an
involuntary contraction and expansion of muscle tissue occurring on
a large scale. This muscle action creates heat through
friction.
[0005] Hypothermia is defined as a core temperature of less than 35
degrees Celsius. Hypothermia is also considered the clinical state
of subnormal temperature when the body is unable to generate
sufficient heat to effectively maintain functions. Many variables
contribute to the development of hypothermia. Age, health,
nutrition, body size, exhaustion, exposure, duration of exposure,
wind, temperature, wetness, medication and intoxicants may decrease
heat production, increase heat loss, or interfere with
thermostability. The healthy individual's compensatory responses to
heat loss via conduction, convection, radiation, evaporation and
respiration may be overwhelmed by exposure. Medications may
interfere with thermoregulation. Acute or chronic central nervous
system processes may decrease the effectiveness of
thermoregulation.
[0006] Mild Hypothermia is when the core temperature is 34-35
degrees Celsius. The patient is still alert and able to help
him/herself and intense shivering begins. The patient's movements,
however, become less coordinated and the coldness creates some pain
and discomfort.
[0007] Moderate Hypothermia is when the patient's core temperature
is 31-33 degrees Celsius. Shivering slows or stops, muscles begin
to stiffen and mental confusion and apathy sets in. Speech becomes
slow, vague and slurred, breathing becomes slow and shallow, and
drowsiness and strange behavior may occur.
[0008] Severe Hypothermia is when the core temperature drops below
31 degrees Celsius. Skin is cold, may be bluish-gray in color, eyes
may be dilated. The patient is very weak, displays a marked lack of
coordination, slurred speech, appears exhausted, may appear to be
drunk, denies there is a problem and may resist help. There is a
gradual loss of consciousness. There may be little or no apparent
breathing, the patient may be very rigid, unconscious, and may
appear dead.
[0009] Simple methods for treating hypothermia have been known
since very early times. Such methods include wrapping the patient
in blankets, administering warm fluids by mouth, and immersing the
patient in a warm water bath. Even these simple methods may be
effective if the hypothermia is not too severe. These simple
methods are limited in their effectiveness however. Wrapping the
patient in blankets ultimately depends on the patient's own
production of heat to rewarm his body. In even moderate cases of
hypothermia, or in the case of an ill or injured patient, the
patient may simply be too weak or exhausted to produce sufficient
heat. Oral administration of a warm fluid requires that the patient
be conscious and capable of swallowing the fluid. Since loss of
consciousness occurs early in hypothermia, this method is also
limited to moderate cases. Immersion of the patient in a warm water
bath is often simply impractical. For example, immersion of a
patient undergoing surgery would obviously be undesirable.
Furthermore, the immersion technique is time consuming and may be
ineffective in that it requires the transmission of warmth from the
patient's skin surface into the body core before the benefit of the
warmth can be realized. Other devices allow for the direct warming
of a patient's blood. These methods involve removing blood from the
patient, warming the blood in external warming equipment, and
delivering the blood back into the patient. While such methods are
much more effective than any of the simple methods previously
described, they are disadvantageous for other reasons. First, the
apparatus involved is quite cumbersome. Second, some danger is
involved in even the temporary removal of significant quantities of
blood from an already weakened patient. In fact, a further drop in
body temperature is often experienced when blood is first removed
for warming in the external apparatus. Finally, special catheters
are used for the direct warming of a patient's blood. However,
those catheters require a trained staff to insert the device to a
central blood vessel of the patient and those physicians are
available only in specific units and not in the ambulance or even
not always in the emergency room. Those instruments are also very
expensive and thus are not available for every caregiver.
[0010] Hyperthermia is a condition of abnormally high body
temperature. It may result from exposure to a hot environment,
overexertion, or fever. Body core temperatures can range from 38-41
degrees Celsius due to fever and may be substantially higher in
cases of exposure and overexertion. Like hypothermia, hyperthermia
is a serious condition and can be fatal. Also like hypothermia,
simple methods for treating hyperthermia, for example, immersion of
the patient in a cool water bath or administration of cool fluids,
have long been known. In general, it is as hard to treat
hyperthermia as it is to treat hypothermia.
[0011] Recent medical reports have described the use of controlled
hypothermia as a means to reduce oxygen consumption of tissue, such
as the heart muscle and the brain during decreased perfusion that
occurs as a result of myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke
(respectively), which leads to reduced damage and decrease of the
infarcted area. Medical reports have also described the
prophylactic use of controlled hypothermia during cardiac surgery
or interventional cardiology procedures for reducing damage from
ischemia and/or embolization in the heart and brain during and
after the procedure.
[0012] The following patents and patent applications describe
apparatus and methods for affecting a patient's body temperature.
These, and all other patents and patent applications referred to
herein, are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
[0013] WO03059425 Method for altering the body temperature of a
patient using a nebulized mist--Body temperature reducing method
involves administering nebulized mist at temperature below body
temperature of patient until patient's temperature is reduced.
[0014] US20030136402 Method for altering the body temperature of a
patient using a nebulized mist--Body temperature reducing method
involves administering nebulized mist at temperature below body
temperature of patient until patient's temperature is reduced.
[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 6,303,156 Noninvasive method for increasing or
decreasing the body temperature of a patient--Increasing or
decreasing body temperature for treating e.g. hemorrhagic shock
comprises administering oxygen and sulfur hexafluoride gas mixture
by hyperventilation.
[0016] EP1089743 Composition containing sulfur hexafluoride and
oxygen, for increasing or decreasing the body temperature of a
patient--Increasing or decreasing body temperature for treating
e.g. hemorrhagic shock comprises administering oxygen and sulfur
hexafluoride gas mixture by hyperventilation.
[0017] WO9966938 Composition containing sulfur hexafluoride and
oxygen, for increasing or decreasing the body temperature of a
patient--Increasing or decreasing body temperature for treating
e.g. hemorrhagic shock comprises administering oxygen and sulfur
hexafluoride gas mixture by hyperventilation.
[0018] US20030066304 Method for inducing
hypothermia--Hypothermia-inducing treatment method for patient in
cardiac arrest involves performing continuous administering of
phase-change particulate slurry to patient in cardiac arrest until
state of hypothermia is induced to patient.
[0019] U.S. Pat. No. 6,547,811 Method for inducing
hypothermia--Improvement of a cardiac arrest patient's outcome by
pre-hospital administration of a phase-change particulate slurry
internally until a state of hypothermia is induced.
[0020] WO0108593 Method for inducing hypothermia--Improvement of a
cardiac arrest patient's outcome by pre-hospital administration of
a phase-change particulate slurry internally until a state of
hypothermia is induced.
[0021] US20030131844 Inducing hypothermia and rewarming using a
helium-oxygen mixture--Composition useful for treating ischemic
event by inducing hypothermia comprises a gas mixture comprising
helium and oxygen having temperature significantly different than
normal human body temperature.
[0022] WO03047603 Breathable gas mixtures to change body
temperature--Composition useful for treating ischemic event by
inducing hypothermia comprises a gas mixture comprising helium and
oxygen having temperature significantly different than normal human
body temperature.
[0023] U.S. Pat. No. 5,755,756 Hypothermia-inducing resuscitation
unit--Hypothermia inducing apparatus for cardio pulmonary
resuscitation in accident--has stretcher and liquid oxygen and
carbon dioxide sources that are maintained in movable state to
transport patient from trauma site to hospital.
[0024] U.S. Pat. No. 6,149,624 Apparatus and method for the rapid
induction of hypothermic brain preservation--Assembly for inducing
rapid hypothermic brain preservation using a liquid pulmonary
lavage, comprises a fluid reservoir, a heat exchanger for cooling
the pulmonary lavage, a means for circulating the lavage and an
effluent reservoir.
[0025] WO0018459 Mixed-mode liquid ventilation gas and heat
exchange--Gas and heat exchange method in lungs for treatment of
hypothermic pathologies, involves mixing oxygenated liquid
comprising perfluorocarbon and gas such as helium.
[0026] U.S. Pat. No. 6,582,457 Method of controlling body
temperature while reducing shivering--Method for controlling body
temperature below set point, for reducing shivering, involves
sensing temperature, generating signal, controlling temperature
based upon signal and administering agent.
[0027] U.S. Pat. No. 6,572,638 Method of controlling body
temperature while inhibiting thermoregulatory
responses--Controlling body temperature while inhibiting
thermoregulatory response, involves controlling temperature of
patient's body using heat exchange device, and administering
anti-thermoregulatory response agent to the patient.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0028] The present invention provides a method and apparatus for
controlling a patient's body temperature and in particular for
inducing therapeutic hypothermia. Various embodiments of the system
are described. The system includes: a source of breathing gas,
which may be in the form of a compressed breathing gas mixture; a
heat exchanger or other heating and/or cooling device; and a
breathing interface, such as a breathing mask or tracheal tube.
Optionally, the system may include additional features, such as a
mechanical respirator, a nebulizer for introducing medication into
the breathing gas, a body temperature probe and a feedback
controller. The system can use air or a specialized breathing gas
mixture, such as He/O.sub.2 or SF.sub.6/O.sub.2 to increase the
heat transfer rate. In addition, the system may include an ice
particle generator for introducing fine ice particles into the flow
of breathing gas to further increase the heat transfer rate.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of the
apparatus for inducing therapeutic hypothermia using a source of
compressed breathing gas and a heat exchanger.
[0030] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of the
apparatus for inducing therapeutic hypothermia using adiabatic
cooling of a compressed breathing gas as an adjunct to the heat
exchanger.
[0031] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a third embodiment of the
apparatus for inducing therapeutic hypothermia that includes a
fluid source and a fluid injector for creating ice particles or a
frozen mist to enhance heat capacity of the breathing gas
mixture.
[0032] FIG. 4 is a bar graph showing the heat removed from the body
(Watts) as a function of the rate of ice particles added to the
breathing mixture (1/hr).
[0033] FIG. 5 is a bar graph showing a more detailed breakdown of
the heat removed from the body (Watts) as a function of the rate of
ice particles added to the breathing mixture (1/hr).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0034] The present invention provides methods and apparatus for
modifying and controlling a patient's body temperature. According
to the present invention the patient will be wearing a mask that
will provide the patient with the breathing mixture. Alternatively,
the patient may be intubated with a tracheal tube. The system will
work with patients who breathe spontaneously as well as patients
who are mechanically ventilated. The respiratory gas may be air or
a special gas mixture that includes oxygen (about 20% concentration
or more) and a gas with a high heat capacity (Cp) for more
effective heat exchange. The mixture can be regular or purified
air, or air with a higher concentration of oxygen (from 20 to
100%). A different possible mixture will be oxygen and helium,
which has been proven to be safe and is used by divers and for
treatment of patients with airway disease such as asthma (for
example HELIOX, which is 20% oxygen and 80% helium). The specific
heat capacity for helium is much higher than the specific heat
capacity for air, thus using a helium/oxygen mixture will improve
the heat flow rate and will enable a much more effective way of
changing the patient's temperature. Alternatively or in addition,
the mixture may include sulfur hexafluoride SF.sub.6, which is a
dense, nontoxic gas that has a much higher specific heat capacity
than air. The invention does not limit the gas mixture and other
combinations of gasses that are biocompatible and safe that will
serve for the temperature exchange may optionally be used.
[0035] Other gases may be added to the mixture. For example, carbon
dioxide (CO.sub.2) may be added to the gas mixture to help regulate
the patient's respiration rate. A CO.sub.2 partial pressure will
induce hyperventilation, i.e. cause the patient to breathe faster,
which will increase the gas mixture flow rates and thus improve the
rate of heat transfer within the patient's lungs. Conscious
patients may be asked to hyperventilate to increase the gas mixture
flow rate. Alternatively, patients may be caused to hyperventilate
through use of positive and negative pressure, such as when a
mechanical ventilator or similar apparatus is used. CO.sub.2 may be
added to ensure that proper levels of CO.sub.2 and O.sub.2 are
maintained in the patient's blood. A higher concentration of
CO.sub.2 in the breathing mixture will help to prevent hypocapnia
that may result from hyperventilation. Other gases, for example
nitrous oxide, can also be added to the breathing gas mixture.
[0036] The invention will also enable controlling the pressure of
the inhaled gas. Pressurizing the gas will further improve the gas
mixture mass flow rate, and hence the heat transfer rate. The
system will be able to pressurize the inhaled gas to what is known
to be safe to the patient (for example 1.5-2 atmospheres).
Alternatively, the system may pulse the gas, i.e. vary the pressure
continuously from high to low, which will help mixing the gas and
improve the heat transfer rate.
[0037] Alternatively or in addition, jets of air (high pressure
boluses of gas) delivered through the mask or through a tracheal
tube will also help mixing the gas and improve the heat transfer
rate.
[0038] The invented device will also control the humidity of the
inhaled gas. Changing the content of water in the inhaled gas could
influence the heat flow rate.
[0039] The device will also record the patient's temperature using
any known way of measuring a patient's temperature (like a probe
that will be inserted to the patient's rectum or a probe that will
check the patient's skin temperature but will be separated from the
room temperature by a bandage that can isolate it effectively, or
using IR to measure tympanic temperature or any other way to check
temperature). The device will use the recorded temperature as a
feedback and will adjust the temperature of the inhaled gas
according to the desired patient temperature.
[0040] The gas will be cooled or heated using any known way of
cooling or heating. For example, a system of heat exchangers that
will enable heat exchange between the gas outside the heat
exchanger and liquid or gas inside the heat exchangers. Another
option is to use an electric heater/cooler. Another option is to
use a heat pump. Another means of cooling the gas will be that the
gas will be pressurized inside special pressure resistant
containers/bottles. When gas is released from a high pressure to a
lower pressure heat is released and the temperature of the gas
drops.
[0041] Since the rate of heat transfer is affected by the
difference of the temperatures of the gas and the patient, the
device will be configured to deliver gas at a very low temperature
that will be proven to be safe.
[0042] The device will be used by the first aid giver, such as
paramedics in an ambulance or medical team outside the hospital, by
a team in the emergency room or any other place where this
treatment is necessary. Advantages of the system include ease of
operation and the fact that it could be operated with minimal
training. Thus treatment of the patient can begin much sooner after
a heart attack, stroke or other event compared to other more
invasive methods that must be performed in the emergency room or in
the cath lab. Rapid treatment for these conditions has been shown
to improve patient outcomes by reducing ischemic damage and
necrosis in the affected tissue.
[0043] The cold/hot gas will be in contact with the huge surface
area of the lungs. The temperature of the blood in the lungs will
change and this blood will flow to the left heart and there will
change the temperature of the heart tissue. From the left ventricle
some of the blood flows to the coronary arteries (where it will
continue to influence the temperature of the tissue and change the
metabolism and the oxygen consumption). In the case of myocardial
infarction, the effect of this chilled blood flowing directly into
the coronaries is especially beneficial. The blood also flows from
the left heart to the entire body and there it will also change the
temperature as desired. In the case of stroke, a portion of the
cooled blood will flow to the brain, cooling the tissue and
reducing the metabolism and the oxygen consumption, which will
reduce ischemic damage to the brain.
[0044] The system will potentially be able to use drugs like
bronchodilators and local (inhaled) vasodilators or any other
medications that will increase the blood flow to the lungs for
better heat transfer and prevent bronchoconstriction from the cold
breathing mixture. The system will also potentially be able to be
used in conjunction with drugs that encourage perspiration,
peripheral vasodilators and drugs that reduce or eliminate
shivering. Other medications that can be administered by inhalation
may be added to the breathing mixture, for example using a
nebulizer.
[0045] FIGS. 1-2 illustrate various embodiments of an apparatus for
controlling a patient's temperature and inducing therapeutic
hypothermia. These examples are not intended to be limiting. The
features of these embodiments can be combined and arranged in other
configurations to form other embodiments of the invention.
[0046] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of the
apparatus for inducing therapeutic hypothermia using a source of
compressed breathing gas and a heat exchanger. The system includes
a supply of compressed breathing gas stored in a pressurized
container 1. The gas is delivered though a heat exchanger 2 or
other heating and/or cooling apparatus to the mask 3 that the
patient is using. Optionally, the system includes a humidifier 8 to
humidify the gas in order to improve heat transfer.
[0047] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of the
apparatus for inducing therapeutic hypothermia using adiabatic
cooling of a compressed breathing gas as an adjunct to the heat
exchanger. The system includes a supply of compressed breathing gas
1 and a heat exchanger 2 where the heat is exchanged with fluid
located inside the heat exchanger. The temperature of the fluid in
the heat exchanger is changed and monitored by a separate heating
and/or cooling device 6. The system includes a device 5 that uses
the cold temperature that results from depressurizing the gas to
help cool the patient 5. A temperature sensor probe 7 records the
patient's temperature and a feedback controller associated with the
heating and/or cooling device 6 uses it as feedback to determine
the desired temperature of the breathing gas.
[0048] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a third embodiment of the
apparatus for inducing therapeutic hypothermia that includes a
fluid source 9 and a fluid injector 10 for creating ice particles
or a frozen mist to enhance the heat capacity of the breathing gas
mixture. The fluid source 9 will preferably contain normal saline
solution (0.9% NaCl) or any other desired solution, so that it will
be isotonic with the patient's blood. Alternatively plain water,
e.g. distilled water, may be used. If plain water is used, NaCl may
be added to the breathing mixture in the proper amount to maintain
an isotonic concentration or administered to the patient orally or
via another route. Optionally, the system may be connected to a
mechanical respirator 11, particularly for patients who are not
breathing spontaneously. The system may use air or one of the
specialized gas mixtures described above. The incoming breathing
gas is passed through a heat exchanger 12 to cool it to a
temperature below the freezing point of the injected fluid (below 0
degrees Celsius for water and below -0.52 degrees Celsius for
normal saline solution). The heat exchanger can utilize a
refrigeration cycle, a reversible heat pump, a thermoelectric
heater/cooler, dry ice, liquid nitrogen or other cryogen, or other
known heater/cooler to achieve the desired temperature.
[0049] A fine spray of fluid droplets is injected into the cooled
breathing gas mixture to form a frozen mist of fine ice particles.
The fluid injector 10 may include an orifice-type atomizer or an
ultrasonic atomizer to achieve a small and uniform droplet size. An
ultrasonic atomizer will typically produce droplets (and hence ice
particles) with a size in the range of 2 to 5 microns, which can
easily be suspended in the moving flow of the breathing gas
mixture. However, larger or smaller droplets and ice particles will
also be effective. Optionally, the system may include a screen or
filter downstream from the ice particle generator to limit the size
of ice particles delivered to the patient. The amount of ice
particles added to the breathing gas mixture is preferably in the
range of 0 to 5 liters per hour (measured as the volume of fluid
injected to produce the frozen mist.) A flow rate of ice particles
in the range of 0.25 to 1 liters per hour is currently thought to
be sufficient for rapidly achieving hypothermia in an adult human
patient. Due to the beat of fusion (the heat required to effect a
phase change from liquid water to ice), the incoming breathing gas
may need to be cooled to a temperature significantly below the
freezing point to achieve effective freezing of the fluid droplets.
In addition, it may be helpful to pre-cool the fluid to a
temperature close to freezing before it is injected into the
breathing gas. An additional heat exchanger may be included for
this purpose. Optionally, the fluid injection can be timed with the
pulsatile flow of breathing gas. Optionally, a fan 14 may be
included to constantly circulate the breathing gas within the
system to avoid the fluid droplets and ice particles from settling
out of the breathing gas. Preferably, the system is insulated 15 to
avoid condensation or frost formation on the exterior of the
conduit and to prevent heat exchange with the ambient environment.
Optionally, the interior surface of the conduit may be coated with
Teflon or a hydrophobic coating 16 to avoid fluid or ice from
accumulating on the interior surface. A drain 13 is provided for
removing any fluid that accumulates within the system. Optionally,
the system may include a nebulizer 18 for introducing medications
into the flow of breathing gas.
[0050] Other methods may be used for adding the ice particles to
the breathing gas mixture. For example, solid ice may be ground or
shaved into small particles and added to the flow of the breathing
gas mixture. Alternatively, small ice particles can be produced and
stored ahead of time and added to the flow of the breathing gas
mixture, for example using a screw-type metering device, a
vibratory feeder, or any other means of controlling the quantity of
ice particles delivered into the breathing mixture. Water droplets
and compressed gas, for example carbon dioxide, can be release
together so that the adiabatic cooling of the expanding gas will
freeze the water droplets into ice particles. The resulting mixture
of expanded gas and frozen particles can be mixed with air and/or
with oxygen and other gases to produce the desired breathing gas
mixture. Alternatively or in addition, the system may utilize other
types of frozen particles, for example dry ice particles, to
enhance the heat capacity of the breathing gas mixture.
[0051] The system is connected to a breathing mask 3 or tracheal
tube for the patient to breathe through. The frozen mist is carried
into the patient's lungs by the breathing gas. The ice particles
melt within the patient's lungs providing a high rate of heat
transfer for cooling the lungs and the blood that flows through it.
A heat transfer analysis outlined below indicates the beneficial
effect of the frozen mist on the heat transfer rate. The system is
used in this manner until the desired degree of hypothermia is
achieved. Once hypothermia has been achieved, the rate of heat
transfer can be reduced by reducing the quantity of ice particles
delivered and the temperature of the heat exchanger can be adjusted
to maintain body temperature. One advantage of this embodiment of
the system is that, because of the high heat transfer rate provided
by the ice particles, an extremely low temperature will not be
needed for effective cooling of the patient thereby mitigating the
risk of freezing damage to the patient's lungs. After the need for
protective hypothermia has passed, the system may be used for
rewarming the patient to normothermia.
[0052] The amount of fluid that forms in the lungs from the melting
of the ice particles will be easily tolerated by the patient. An
adult human with good lung function can readily clear 1 liter per
hour of fluid from the lungs through normal processes. Thus, a flow
rate of ice particles in the range of 0.25 to 1 liters per hour
will be readily tolerated for an extended period of several hours.
Higher flow rate of ice particles, up to 5 liters per hour, can be
tolerated for shorter periods. If desired, positive pressure
ventilation may be used to help drive the fluid from the lung
passages into the surrounding tissue and from there into the
bloodstream. In addition, diuretics or other medications to treat
pulmonary edema may be administered to the patient to help
eliminate excess water if needed.
[0053] Anti-shivering agents and/or anti-thermoregulatory response
agents may be administered to the patient to assist in achieving
the desired degree of hypothermia. Alternatively or in addition,
external warming, such as with a warm air blanket or electric
blanket, may be applied to reduce shivering while internal
hypothermia is maintained. Regional heating of selected portions of
the patient's body may be used to control shivering and/or to
"trick" the body's thermoregulatory responses.
[0054] For increased heating or cooling effect, the apparatus and
methods described herein can be used in combination with any known
body temperature control systems, such as those described in the
patents cited above. Alternatively or in addition, external heating
or cooling can be applied to augment the total heat transfer rate.
Peripheral vasodilators and/or drugs that encourage perspiration
may also be administered to the patient to increase heat loss
through the skin.
[0055] Analysis of the Effects of Adding Ice Particles to Breathing
Mixture for Control of Patient Body Temperature
[0056] Baseline calculations and initial animal studies showed that
cooling the breathing mixture supplied to a patient will lower core
body temperature over time. Initial calculations for various
mixtures of gases indicate that the rate of heat transfer from the
patient to the breathing mixture will range from a low of about 10
Watts for the case of an He/O.sub.2 mixture at atmospheric pressure
with an initial temperature of -30.degree. C. and a volumetric flow
rate of 20 liters/min, to a high of 117 Watts for the case of an
air/CO.sub.2 breathing mixture at 2 atm pressure with an initial
temperature of -30.degree. C. and a volumetric flow rate of 100
liters/min.
[0057] An analysis of the addition of ice particles to the mixture
shows a significant contribution to the heat transfer rate. The
precise level of fluid addition that is tolerable to the patient is
as yet unknown, so analyses were performed for ice particle
addition rates ranging from 0.25 to 5 liters/hour. The ice
particles were assumed to be small in size, and to have an initial
temperature of -30.degree. C. Heating of the ice particles was
broken down into 3 steps: 1) heating the solid ice from -30.degree.
C. to 0.degree. C., 2) causing a solid-to-liquid phase change at
0.degree. C., and 3) heating the liquid water from 0.degree. C. to
37.degree. C. For the various rates of addition of ice particles,
the following heat transfer rates resulted:
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Rate of Ice Power to Power for Power to
Particle Heat Ice Solid/Liquid Heat Liquid Total Addition from
-30.degree. C. Phase Change from 0.degree. C. Power (liters/hour)
to 0.degree. C. (W) (W) to 37.degree. C. (W) (W) 0.25 3.8 21.5 10.0
35.2 0.5 7.5 42.9 19.9 70.4 1 15.1 85.9 39.8 140.8 2.5 37.7 214.7
99.6 352.1 5 75.4 429.5 199.2 704.1
[0058] The calculations assume that the ice is mixed with air at
atmospheric pressure, initially at -30.degree. C., with a
volumetric flow rate of 20 liters/min.
[0059] FIG. 4 is a bar graph showing the heat removed from the body
(Watts) as a function of the rate of ice particles added to the
breathing mixture (liters/hr).
[0060] FIG. 5 is a bar graph showing a more detailed breakdown of
the heat removed from the body (Watts) as a function of the rate of
ice particles added to the breathing mixture (liters/hr). The
analysis shows that the addition of ice particles will have a
significant effect, and that the majority of the heat transfer is
contributed by the phase change of the ice to liquid water, and
that the smallest contribution comes from the power required to
heat the ice to 0.degree. C.
[0061] While the present invention has been described herein with
respect to the exemplary embodiments and the best mode for
practicing the invention, it will be apparent to one of ordinary
skill in the art that many modifications, improvements and
subcombinations of the various embodiments, adaptations and
variations can be made to the invention without departing from the
spirit and scope thereof.
* * * * *