Precooling system for Joule-Thomson probe
US6530234B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 7, 1998 |
| Grant date | Mar 11, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 10, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25B2400/12
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A miniature refrigeration system and method of operation. A primary refrigerant is pressurized by a compressor to a relatively low pressure, for safety reasons. The compressed primary refrigerant is passed through a primary-to-secondary heat exchanger, to precool the gas mixture. The secondary side of the primary-to-secondary heat exchanger is cooled by a secondary refrigeration system. The primary refrigerant exiting the primary outlet of the primary-to-secondary heat exchanger passes to a primary Joule-Thomson expansion element where the high pressure gas is expanded to a lower temperature. This low temperature gas cools a heat transfer element mounted in the outer wall of the catheter or cryoprobe, to cool surrounding tissue. Return gas can flow back through a distal primary-to-primary heat exchanger to further cool the incoming high pressure gas mixture. A proximal primary-to-primary heat exchanger can be added between the primary-to-secondary heat exchanger and the primary compressor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.