Abstract: A cryoneedle comprises an outer tube having a distal section with a generally central gas supply line placed within the outer tube. The gas supply line supplies a cryogas for forming an iceball on an outer surface of the outer tube over the distal section. The gas supply line terminates in an expansion chamber placed within the distal section. The cryoneedle comprises a heat exchange helix contacting the inner surface of the outer tube. The heat exchange helix has an increasing surface area per unit distance of the distal section such that the iceball has a generally symmetric shape.

Abstract: A closed-loop system for cryosurgery includes a cryofluid at cryogenic temperatures flowing through a closed-loop flow path. A pump, configured for operating at cryogenic temperatures, circulates the cryofluid in the closed-loop flow path. The closed-loop flow path includes a heat exchanger coupled to a heat sink configured for cooling the cryofluid in the closed-loop flow path to cryogenic temperatures. The closed-loop system includes one or more cryoneedles configured for providing cryotherapy, and one or more flow control devices, wherein each flow control device is configured for operating at cryogenic temperature and for selectively flow connecting or flow disconnecting at least one of the cryoneedles to the closed-loop flow path.

Abstract: A closed-loop system for cryosurgery includes a cryofluid at cryogenic temperatures flowing through a closed-loop flow path. A pump, configured for operating at cryogenic temperatures, circulates the cryofluid in the closed-loop flow path. The closed-loop flow path includes a heat exchanger coupled to a heat sink configured for cooling the cryofluid in the closed-loop flow path to cryogenic temperatures. The closed-loop system includes one or more cryoneedles configured for providing cryotherapy, and one or more flow control devices, wherein each flow control device is configured for operating at cryogenic temperature and for selectively flow connecting or flow disconnecting at least one of the cryoneedles to the closed-loop flow path.

Abstract: A flexible cryoneedle usable within a medical scope that is both substantially flexible for maneuvering and positioning a distal end thereof proximate to a soft tissue and substantially rigid for penetrating the tissue. A generally concentric cryogas supply tube within the flexible cryoneedle comprises a helical heat exchange surface on an outside surface thereof, wherein the helical heat exchange surface defines a helical exhaust passage for the cryogas entering the cryogas supply tube and expanding through a Joule-Thomson orifice into an expansion chamber at the distal end of the flexible cryoneedle.

Abstract: A method for concurrently displaying on an interactive user interface the various operating parameters and status of the components of a cryosurgical system during a cryosurgical procedure. The interactive user interface enables a cryosurgical system operator to manipulate the operating parameters and reconfigure the display.

Abstract: The invention is a method for monitoring an amount of gas available in a cryosurgical system used for conducting a cryosurgical procedure. Based on information pertaining to a planned cryosurgical procedure, cryoprobe-specific information for each cryoprobe connected to the cryosurgical system, the specified volumetric capacity of a cryogas source, and measured pressure of the gas in the cryogas source, the method determines the mass flow rates of gas flowing through each cryoprobe, the total mass flow rate of the gas through the cryosurgical system, and the mass of the gas in the cryogas source at standard atmospheric conditions. The amount of time available for completing the cryosurgical procedure before the cryogas source is expended is determined as the arithmetic ratio of the mass of the gas in the cryogas source to the total mass flow rate of the gas through the cryosurgical system.

Abstract: The invention is a method for using a cryoprobe for cryoablating, thawing and/or cauterizing a tissue during a cryosurgical procedure. An embodiment of the cryosurgical system comprises a controller including a cryoprobe with an electrical heating element. The controller operates the electrical heating element for heating a treatment head of the cryoprobe to a temperature sufficient for cauterizing the tissue in the vicinity of the treatment head. Additionally, the controller regulates a supply of a heating gas and a cooling gas, respectively, for thawing and cryoablating the tissue in the vicinity of the treatment head. The controller is configured for operating a plurality of cryoprobes connected thereto.