HAND-HELD, HEAT SINK CRYOPROBE, SYSTEM FOR HEAT EXTRACTION THEREOF, AND METHOD THEREFORE

摘要

A cryoprobe system utilizing a monolithic, insulated, hand-held thermal mass (1) having an exposed tip (3) for cryosurgical applications and the like, as well as a heat extraction base (4) configured to interface with the thermal mass to quickly and efficiently reduce the heat of the thermal mass to cryogenic temperatures. The heat extraction base of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is configured to interface with the tip (17) of the thermal mass, such that the tip plugs in securely to the base, to permit an efficient thermal transfer of heat from the thermal mass through the base vi a a heat exchange system communicating with the base which employs a low temperature cryo-refrigeration unit (20). Also claimed is the method of cryosurgery employing the device(s) of the present invention.