The present invention provides methods and devices for controlling a cold slurry that is delivered to a target tissue and for limiting heat transferring from surrounding tissue to the target tissue. In particular, a balloon structure is deployed at or near a point of delivery to act as a physical and/or thermal barrier. In some instances, the balloon structure can act as a pressure device obstructing the flow of warm blood into a treatment area, which can melt the cold slurry.

Devices and systems for providing cooling and compression to a site needing hemostasis can include a compression member having a component that can be inflated with one or more fluids, including a coolant solution. Cooling can be initiated and maintained by securing such a device to the site and optionally equipping the device with the coolant solution. A system can include materials for equipping the device with a coolant solution.

An esophageal liquid-supply catheter is capable of reducing the temperature transmission to the esophagus due to heating, cooling or the like by ablation, by efficiently delivering a liquid to the esophagus is disclosed. The esophageal liquid-supply catheter contains a tubular member, a plurality of arms with the proximal ends fixed to the distal end of the tubular member, and a distal end tip fixed to the distal end of the arms, wherein the plurality of arms can be deformed and expanded outward in the radial direction of the tubular member. A shaft may be inserted through the tubular member and fixed on the distal end to the distal end tip, and the arms can be expanded outward in the radial direction when the shaft is slid toward the proximal end side relative to the tubular member.

The present invention relates to a low-temperature treatment device capable of preventing nerve damage. The low-temperature treatment device according to one embodiment of the present invention can comprise: a cooling pocket which is inserted and positioned in a rectum and which has a predetermined shape during expansion; and a circulation tube which has a passage through which fluid flows in and out and which is inserted into the cooling pocket so as to circulate the fluid in an inner space of the cooling pocket.

This disclosure relates to a brain cooling and spinal cord cooling system, device or mechanism for use in military helmets, and in an adapted format in non-military helmets. The system is comprised of an inflatable pad, or a set of interconnected pads, attached to the interior surface of the helmet, together with a series of valves that allow cooling gases to be delivered from a high pressure canister. The use of different cooling gases permits the achievement and maintenance of cooling of the brain for 24 to 96 hours at a mild (36° C.) or moderate (33° C.-35° C.) brain hypothermia, which is 1.5° C.-4.5° C. below the core temperature.

The invention relates to a device for use in the thermal therapy treatment of a selected region of the body of a human or of an animal, in particular for use in the treatment of tissue damage after surgical interventions, of injuries, of inflammations and of chronic diseases of the rheumatic type, and in particular for assisting chemotherapeutic treatments, comprising a temperature control device which is provided in order to control a temperature of a temperature control fluid, and a heat transfer device which is arranged to transfer heat to the selected region of the body, wherein the temperature control device is connected, in a fluid conducting manner, to the heat transfer device, and is further arranged to temper the heat transfer device with a heat transferring temperature control fluid flowing through the heat transfer device, and with a control device which is connected to the temperature control device and to the heat transfer device, wherein the control device is arranged to control the temperature control device, in order to cause the heat transfer device to be at least partially at an approximately uniform temperature in the region of a contact surface between the heat transfer device and the selected region of the body to be temperature controlled. The invention further relates to a method of operating the device.

A catheter provides temperature management for a target body. A system provides for target temperature management and a method allows for target body temperature management. The target body temperature management may be performed in cavities, such as the nasopharynx route, of a body.

A process for a therapeutic bladder pressure estimator is operative with a pump connected, in sequence, to a first hose, a supply pressure sensor, a second hose, a bladder having an inlet coupled to the second hose, a bladder outlet coupled to a third hose of substantially equal length to the second hose, a return pressure sensor, and a fourth hose coupled to the return pressure sensor and returning fluid from the pump to the reservoir. The process forms an error signal from the difference between a setpoint and the average of the supply and return pressures. A head pressure measurement may be done by turning the pump off after a steady state reading is made.

A catheter is provided comprising a flexible heat transfer element provided on an outer surface of the catheter, a conduit arranged to supply an inflation fluid for inflating the flexible heat transfer element so as to form an inflated balloon, a guide wire lumen for receiving a guide wire, and an elongate cooling element arranged to cool said inflation fluid for inflating the balloon. Said cooling element and said guide wire lumen are arranged inside the flexible heat transfer element such that, when inflated the cooling element is substantially central within the balloon and said guide wire lumen is parallel to and radially offset from the cooling element.

The present invention provides methods and devices for controlling a cold slurry that is delivered to a target tissue and for limiting heat transferring from surrounding tissue to the target tissue. In particular, a balloon structure is deployed at or near a point of delivery to act as a physical and/or thermal barrier. In some instances, the balloon structure can act as a pressure device obstructing the flow of warm blood into a treatment area, which can melt the cold slurry.