METHOD OF CRYOSURGERY AND APPARATUS FOR USE THEREIN

摘要

A bath for use in cryosurgery comprises a reservoir containing a coolant medium (2), and an ultrasonic source (1) adapted to transmit ultrasound to target tissue in the bath. The bath is suitable for use in a method of cryosurgery in which the temperature of the target tissue is reduced to below its melting point and the target tissue is subjected to ultrasound so as to induce nucleation in the target tissue undergoing freezing. The invention also provides a cryogenic-ultrasonic surgical probe (11) comprising a housing (14), an ultrasonic source (12) accommodated in said housing (14) and means for admitting a coolant medium in and withdrawing it from the housing (14), which probe (11) has a deformable end tip portion (6) containing a coolant fluid or gel. The probe is also adapted for use in a method of cryosurgery in which the ultrasonic energy induces nucleation in the target tissue undergoing freezing.