| abstract |
The invention provides methods and apparatus for regulating the temperature of a liquid medium while the liquid medium is within a patient. According to one exemplary method, a catheter is provided having a catheter body with a proximal end and a distal end. At least one lumen extends between the proximal end and distal end, and an internal temperature altering region is near the distal end. The catheter is introduced into a body structure until the temperature altering region is near a target area within the body structure. A liquid medium is introduced into the lumen so that the temperature of the liquid medium may be altered while passing through the temperature altering region. |