CRYOGENIC SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE

摘要

A cryogenic medical device for delivery of subcooled liquid cryogen to various configurations of cryoprobes is designed for the treatment of damaged, diseased, cancerous or other unwanted tissues. The device is a closed or semi-closed system in which the liquid cryogen is contained in both the supply and return stages. The device is capable of generating cryogen to a supercritical state and may be utilized in any rapid cooling systems. As designed, the device comprises a number of parts including a vacuum insulated outer dewar, submersible cryogen pump, baffled linear heat exchanger, multiple pressurization cartridges, a return chamber, and a series of valves to control the flow of the liquid cryogen interconnected with cryotreatment devices including cryoprobes and catheters. The cryogenic medical device promotes subcooling to the tips of various external cryogenic instrument configurations.

主权项

1. A cryogenic system comprising:
a container having cryogen within said container; one or more cryoprobes outside said container for use in cryotherapeutic procedures; a heat exchanger surrounded by a subcooling chamber; a pump which delivers the cryogen to said heat exchanger to subcool the cryogen; at least one supply line connected to said heat exchanger and to said exit port, said supply line directing the cryogen to said one or more cryoprobes; at least one return line which returns the cryogen from said one or more cryoprobes to said container; and at least one pressurized apparatus having one or more heaters arranged therein, at least one inlet port for filling said pressurized apparatus, at least one outlet port for releasing pressurized cryogen, and one or more control valves; wherein said one or more cryoprobes is interconnected with said at least one supply line and said at least one return line; and wherein said pressurized apparatus is configured to provide continuous delivery of said pressurized cryogen to said heat exchanger and through to said one or more cryoprobes.