| 摘要 |
<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device and a method suitable for cryoablating exposed tissue having a contoured surface. <P>SOLUTION: The device is made for cryoablating the exposed tissue having a tube-shaped shaft and a flexible, thermally conductive enclosure that is attached to the distal end of the tube-shaped shaft. The enclosure is formed to have an outer surface that contacts the target tissue and an inner surface that establishes and surrounds a cryochamber. A shapeable element is attached to the distal end of the shaft and extends into the cryochamber. The element can be permanently deformed into a pre-selected shape to cause a portion of an enclosure wall to conform to the contour of the target tissue. A high-pressure tube in the shaft passes a refrigerant through the shaft for expansion into the cryochamber. This expansion cools the wall of the enclosure, which in turn, extracts heat from the target tissue resulting in the cryoablation of the target tissue. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI |
