Modelling epidural space heat transfer with air cooling via catheter insertion for spinal cord injury treatment

Abstract

Localized cooling of the spinal cord has been studied and demonstrated to have therapeutic and protective effects on traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI). Often, the spinal cord is cooled using closed catheters systems that circulate a cooling fluid into the subdural or epidural space (ES) or alternatively, into the systemic circulation. Whether or not localized cooling of the epidural space can be done using an open catheter system with air, as the cooling medium remains an open question. This paper proposes a manual derivation for modelling the system dynamics of an air-cooled open catheter system to determine the feasibility of a low-cost design. Preliminary experimental testing is also performed to gather evidence of design effectiveness as a proof of concept. The results demonstrate that cooling of the ES can be achieved through routine surgical procedures allowing for the introduction of air into the spinal cord, thus providing cooling effects to assist in TSCI recovery.

Keywords

• Epidural space
• Air cooling
• Catheter
• Spinal cord injury treatment
• Localized hypothermia