Patent · US Expired

Cryosurgical probe with bellows shaft

US6767346B2 · kind B2 · utility

71Cited by
21References
13Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 23, 2002
Grant dateJul 27, 2004
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 23, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B2018/0262
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

The malleable cryosurgical probe includes a cryostat assembly and a cryoprobe assembly. The cryostat assembly includes an elongated shaft assembly having a bellows portion thereof and a closed distal end. The shaft assembly includes at least one freezing portion comprising the bellows portion, at least one thermally insulated portion and a thermally insulating element positioned about the thermally insulated portion. A cryostat is operably associated with the elongated shaft assembly. It includes a cryostat inlet for receiving gas entering the cryostat, a cryostat outlet and a heat exchanger positioned between the cryostat outlet and the cryostat inlet. The heat exchanger receives gas from the cryostat inlet and provides heat transfer between gas flowing within the cryostat and fluid exterior thereto. At least one Joule-Thomson nozzle is in fluid communication with the cryostat outlet. The at least one Joule-Thomson nozzle expands gas expelled therefrom. The expanded cold fluid communicates with the freezing portion to provide cooling thereof. The cryoprobe assembly includes a handle assembly for supporting the cryostat assembly and a fluid supply line assembly connectable to a flu…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.