Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for producing sterile ice slurries for medical cooling applications. The apparatus is capable of producing highly loaded slurries suitable for delivery to targeted internal organs of a patient, such as the brain, heart, lungs, stomach, kidneys, pancreas, and others, through medical size diameter tubing. The ice slurry production apparatus includes a slurry production reservoir adapted to contain a volume of a saline solution. A flexible membrane crystallization surface is provided within the slurry production reservoir. The crystallization surface is chilled to a temperature below a freezing point of the saline solution within the reservoir such that ice particles form on the crystallization surface. A deflector in the form of a reciprocating member is provided for periodically distorting the crystallization surface and dislodging the ice particles which form on the crystallization surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for producing sterile ice slurries for medical cooling applications. The apparatus is capable of producing highly loaded slurries suitable for delivery to targeted internal organs of a patient, such as the brain, heart, lungs, stomach, kidneys, pancreas, and others, through medical size diameter tubing. The ice slurry production apparatus includes a slurry production reservoir adapted to contain a volume of a saline solution. A flexible membrane crystallization surface is provided within the slurry production reservoir. The crystallization surface is chilled to a temperature below a freezing point of the saline solution within the reservoir such that ice particles form on the crystallization surface. A deflector in the form of a reciprocating member is provided for periodically distorting the crystallization surface and dislodging the ice particles which form on the crystallization surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for producing sterile ice slurries for medical cooling applications. The apparatus is capable of producing highly loaded slurries suitable for delivery to targeted internal organs of a patient, such as the brain, heart, lungs, stomach, kidneys, pancreas, and others, through medical size diameter tubing. The ice slurry production apparatus includes a slurry production reservoir adapted to contain a volume of a saline solution. A flexible membrane crystallization surface is provided within the slurry production reservoir. The crystallization surface is chilled to a temperature below a freezing point of the saline solution within the reservoir such that ice particles form on the crystallization surface. A deflector in the form of a reciprocating member is provided for periodically distorting the crystallization surface and dislodging the ice particles which form on the crystallization surface.

Abstract: Various systems for delivering phase-change particulate ice slurries to targeted areas or organs of a patient are provided. Systems for delivering phase-change particulate ice slurries include a slurry reservoir and a conduit for delivering slurry from the reservoir to the patient. The conduit may include multiple components, including a section of medical tubing, an insertion tip for directing the out flow of slurry to the targeted area, and one or more transition fittings to adapt the tubing to the insertion tip. Interfaces between the various components that form the slurry flow path are configured so that there are no sudden reductions in the cross sectional area of the flow path. Any narrowing of the flow path occurs in a gradual tapered manner. The entire flow path remains substantially free of all obstacles that may tend to trap particles and lead to plugging of the flow path.

Abstract: Methods of inducing protective hypothermia of an organ are described that include delivering a phase-change particulate slurry to at least a portion of the organ; and reducing a temperature of the organ through heat exchange with the phase-change particulate slurry. Therapeutically acceptable duration of artificially-induced ischemia of the organ is prolonged.