ARRANGEMENT FOR COOLED PROBES

摘要

A cryosurgical catheter probe and method of operation are described. The pro be comprises a Joule Thompson probe tip (20) joined to a catheter (10) which includes an inner supply conduit (12) and an outer exhaust conduit (14). A pump (26) is coupled to the downstream end of the exhaust conduit (14) to dr aw exhaust cryogen through the exhaust conduit. The pump (26) produces a negati ve pressure at the pump sufficiently great to produce a negative pressure in th e exhaust path adjacent to the tip (20). The negative pressure reduces the chances of a leak, and also reduces the chances of cryogen escaping from the catheter into the patient's blood vessel if a leak does occur.