Gas-heated gas-cooled cryoprobe utilizing electrical heating and a single gas source
US7846154B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 6, 2004 |
| Grant date | Dec 7, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 13, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2018/048
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention is of device, system, and method for cooling and heating an operating tip of a cryoprobe using a single source of compressed gas. Cooling of the operating tip is effected by Joule-Thomson expansion of a high-pressure cooling gas through a Joule-Thomson orifice into an expansion chamber. Heating of the operating tip is effected by electrical resistance heating. In preferred embodiments, heating of the operating tip is effected by electrical resistance heating of low-pressure gas flowing towards the operating tip. Preferably, gas from a single gas source is supplied to the probe during both cooling and heating phases, a cooling gas being supplied at high pressure when used for cooling and at low pressure when used for heating. Low-pressure gas supplied during the heating phase is heated as it flows towards the operating tip, preferably by electrical resistance heating within the body of the probe. A single gas input lumen is used during both cooling and heating phases to transport gas into the probe, and a single gas exhaust lumen is used during both cooling and heating phases to conduct gas out of the probe.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.