Disclosed are devices and methods for body temperature management using a heat transfer catheter carrying a heat transfer fluid to heat or cool a desired, focused portion of a patients body. In accordance with certain aspects of the invention, the heat transfer catheter may include hollow nodes that have greater rigidity than the remainder of the catheter to aid in placement of the heat transfer catheter within and navigation of the desired portion of the patients body. Methods of using such heat transfer catheter to effect temperature management of the patients body are also disclosed.
