WARMING GRADIENT CONTROL FOR A CRYOABLATION APPLICATOR

摘要

A method for effectively cryoablating tissue cells includes a regimen of selected cooling and warming rates. Specifically, cells are typically ablated by first cooling the cells at a relatively fast cooling rate (e.g. greater than 200ºC per minute) to reduce the cell temperature to below a minimum temperature (e.g. minus 10-15ºC) required to cause the cells to freeze. Next, the cells are thawed using a controlled, relatively slow warming rate (e.g. less than 100ºC per minute). The relatively fast cooling rate can cause intracellular and extra-cellular freezing of the tissue cells and the formation of relatively small ice crystals. Subsequently, during warming at a relatively slow warming rate, the small ice crystals can recrystallize and grow, causing a relatively high rate of cell destruction.