CRYOABLATION APPARATUS WITH ENHANCED HEAT EXCHANGE AREA AND RELATED METHOD

摘要

A cryoablation apparatus includes a distal energy delivery section to facilitate energy transfer to the tissue, resulting in faster achievement of tissue target temperatures. The energy delivery section includes a first heat exchange region and a second heat exchange region having a different heat exchange efficiency than the first heat exchange region. The first heat exchange region may comprise an increased surface area along a radial portion or length of the cryoprobe in contact with surrounding tissue. The heat exchange region may include ridges, texture, threads, and microtubes which serve to increase the thermal-contacting surface area and provide enhanced cryoenergy to the tissue.