Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to cryogenic systems and methods useful to cool objects, including living tissue, to freezing or cryogenic temperatures by placing the object in thermal communication with sub-cooled supercritical nitrogen.

Abstract: A thermal regulation catheter system and method of use are disclosed, for moderating the temperature and other parameters of tissue surrounding a target tissue for an ablation procedure, or for performing a thermal treatment procedure. In an embodiment, the device includes a catheter having a shaft with a fluid supply line and a fluid return line disposed therein, and an inflatable heat exchange vessel at a distal end of the shaft. The fluid supply line supplies fluid to inflate the heat exchange vessel, and the fluid return line conducts fluid away from the heat exchange vessel.

Abstract: A method of generating a pressurized, sub-cooled mixed-phase cryogen is disclosed, including providing a cryogenic system including a reservoir containing a liquid cryogen; and a heat exchange coil immersed in the liquid cryogen, the heat exchange coil having an input end and an output end not immersed in the liquid cryogen; introducing a pressurized gas cryogen to the input end of the heat exchange coil; cooling the pressurized gas cryogen within the heat exchange coil; and collecting the pressurized gas cryogen at an output end of the heat exchange coil.

Abstract: A cryogenic system as well as a method of generating a pressurized, sub-cooled mixed-phase cryogen and a method of delivering such a cryogen to a cryoprobe are disclosed. In an embodiment, the cryogenic system includes a reservoir containing a liquid cryogen and a sub-cooling coil immersed in the liquid cryogen. The cryogen is supplied to the sub-cooling coil and is cooled under pressure to produce a pressurized mixed phase cryogen within the sub-cooling coil. This pressurized mixed phase cryogen is provided via supply line to a cryo-device for use.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to cryogenic systems and methods useful to cool objects, including living tissue, to freezing or cryogenic temperatures by placing the object in thermal communication with sub-cooled supercritical nitrogen.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to cryogenic systems and methods useful to cool objects, including living tissue, to freezing or cryogenic temperatures by placing the object in thermal communication with sub-cooled supercritical nitrogen.

Abstract: A system for heating or cooling a sample is disclosed, which includes an insulated chamber; at least one of a heater or a cooling pad disposed within the chamber; and at least one compliant, fluid filled pillow. The at least one compliant, fluid-filled pillow is disposed in the chamber and adjacent to the at least one thermal device while being heated or cooled to a desired temperature by the heater or the cooling pad, and upon reaching the desired temperature, the at least one compliant, fluid filled pillow substantially conforms to a container containing the sample.

Abstract: A cryogenic system as well as a method of generating a pressurized, sub-cooled mixed-phase cryogen and a method of delivering such a cryogen to a cryoprobe are disclosed. In an embodiment, the cryogenic system includes a reservoir containing a liquid cryogen and a sub-cooling coil immersed in the liquid cryogen. The cryogen is supplied to the sub-cooling coil and is cooled under pressure to produce a pressurized mixed phase cryogen within the sub-cooling coil. This pressurized mixed phase cryogen is provided via supply line to a cryo-device for use.

Abstract: A cryogenic system as well as a method of generating a pressurized, sub-cooled mixed-phase cryogen and a method of delivering such a cryogen to a cryoprobe are disclosed. In an embodiment, the cryogenic system includes a reservoir containing a liquid cryogen and a sub-cooling coil immersed in the liquid cryogen. The cryogen is supplied to the sub-cooling coil and is cooled under pressure to produce a pressurized mixed phase cryogen within the sub-cooling coil. This pressurized mixed phase cryogen is provided via supply line to a cryo-device for use.

Abstract: Cryogenic medical devices and apparatus are disclosed which are capable of generating cryogen to a supercritical state, specifically supercritical nitrogen. The cryogenic medical devices and apparatus disclosed are useful in methods of treating damaged, diseased, cancerous or other unwanted tissues.

Abstract: A tissue engineered model (TEM) structure, an apparatus and method for making a TEM structure, and methods of using a TEM structure are disclosed. In an embodiment, the TEM structure includes at least one TEM segment. Each TEM segment includes a frame defining a bounded area, the frame having a height, a first edge, and a second edge opposite the first edge, each of the first edge and the second edge defining a perimeter of the bounded area, and the height defining a distance between the first edge and the second edge; a membrane affixed to the first edge about a perimeter of the frame; and a solidified gel and cell matrix disposed within the bounded area within the frame, wherein the solidified gel and cell matrix substantially fills a volume defined by the bounded area and the height of the frame.

Abstract: A tissue engineered model (TEM) structure, an apparatus and method for making a TEM structure, and methods of using a TEM structure are disclosed. In an embodiment, the TEM structure includes at least one TEM segment. Each TEM segment includes a frame defining a bounded area, the frame having a height, a first edge, and a second edge opposite the first edge, each of the first edge and the second edge defining a perimeter of the bounded area, and the height defining a distance between the first edge and the second edge; a membrane affixed to the first edge about a perimeter of the frame; and a solidified gel and cell matrix disposed within the bounded area within the frame, wherein the solidified gel and cell matrix substantially fills a volume defined by the bounded area and the height of the frame.

Abstract: A tissue engineered model (TEM) structure, an apparatus and method for making a TEM structure, and methods of using a TEM structure are disclosed. In an embodiment, the TEM structure includes at least one TEM segment. Each TEM segment includes a frame defining a bounded area, the frame having a height, a first edge, and a second edge opposite the first edge, each of the first edge and the second edge defining a perimeter of the bounded area, and the height defining a distance between the first edge and the second edge; a membrane affixed to the first edge about a perimeter of the frame; and a solidified gel and cell matrix disposed within the bounded area within the frame, wherein the solidified gel and cell matrix substantially fills a volume defined by the bounded area and the height of the frame.

Abstract: A system for heating or cooling a sample is disclosed, which includes an insulated chamber; at least one of a heater or a cooling pad disposed within the chamber; and at least one compliant, fluid filled pillow. The at least one compliant, fluid-filled pillow is disposed in the chamber and adjacent to the at least one thermal device while being heated or cooled to a desired temperature by the heater or the cooling pad, and upon reaching the desired temperature, the at least one compliant, fluid filled pillow substantially conforms to a container containing the sample.

Abstract: A tissue engineered model (TEM) structure, an apparatus and method for making a TEM structure, and methods of using a TEM structure are disclosed. In an embodiment, the TEM structure includes at least one TEM segment. Each TEM segment includes a frame defining a bounded area, the frame having a height, a first edge, and a second edge opposite the first edge, each of the first edge and the second edge defining a perimeter of the bounded area, and the height defining a distance between the first edge and the second edge; a membrane affixed to the first edge about a perimeter of the frame; and a solidified gel and cell matrix disposed within the bounded area within the frame, wherein the solidified gel and cell matrix substantially fills a volume defined by the bounded area and the height of the frame.

Abstract: Cryogenic medical devices and apparatus are disclosed which are capable of generating cryogen to a supercritical state, specifically supercritical nitrogen. The cryogenic medical devices and apparatus disclosed are useful in methods of treating damaged, diseased, cancerous or other unwanted tissues.

Abstract: A tissue engineered model (TEM) structure, an apparatus and method for making a TEM structure, and methods of using a TEM structure are disclosed. In an embodiment, the TEM structure includes at least one TEM segment. Each TEM segment includes a frame defining a bounded area, the frame having a height, a first edge, and a second edge opposite the first edge, each of the first edge and the second edge defining a perimeter of the bounded area, and the height defining a distance between the first edge and the second edge; a membrane affixed to the first edge about a perimeter of the frame; and a solidified gel and cell matrix disposed within the bounded area within the frame, wherein the solidified gel and cell matrix substantially fills a volume defined by the bounded area and the height of the frame.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is a cryo-connector, a connector that allows for the delivery and return of a cryogen in an axial configuration. In one embodiment, the connector is a tri-axial configuration allowing for the delivery and return of pressurized cryogen as well as the application of an independent vacuum in the third lumen. Various configurations, however, may accommodate any number of luminary spaces such that cryogen (or other fluids) and/or vacuum spaces may be created in a fashion complementary to the components that the connector will affix to and interconnect with. The connectors can be utilized with any low temperature, cryogenic device and at varying pressures.

Abstract: A cryogenic system as well as a method of generating a pressurized, sub-cooled mixed-phase cryogen and a method of delivering such a cryogen to a cryoprobe are disclosed. In an embodiment, the cryogenic system includes a reservoir containing a liquid cryogen and a sub-cooling coil immersed in the liquid cryogen. The cryogen is supplied to the sub-cooling coil and is cooled under pressure to produce a pressurized mixed phase cryogen within the sub-cooling coil. This pressurized mixed phase cryogen is provided via supply line to a cryo-device for use.

Abstract: A thermal regulation catheter system and method of use are disclosed, for moderating the temperature and other parameters of tissue surrounding a target tissue for an ablation procedure, or for performing a thermal treatment procedure. In an embodiment, the device includes a catheter having a shaft with a fluid supply line and a fluid return line disposed therein, and an inflatable heat exchange vessel at a distal end of the shaft. The fluid supply line supplies fluid to inflate the heat exchange vessel, and the fluid return line conducts fluid away from the heat exchange vessel.