Abstract: The device of the invention takes the form of a catheter/probe and is a closed loop system in which cryogen is delivered along the length of the catheter/probe to the tip where freezing occurs, and then is recirculated. The device is a tube within a tube and comprises a number of parts including supply and return tubes (internal tubes), outer sheath (external tube) sealed to the inner tubes at one or both ends with a gas filled lumen between the internal and external tubes. The lumen of the external tube is filled with a saturated gas which solidifies upon cooling, thereby creating a vacuum along the length of the catheter and providing for insulation between the inner and outer tubes, and preventing freezing along the length of the probe shaft. Further, the outside surface of the internal tubes is modified to potentiate gas nucleation on the outer surfaces of the internal tubes when cooled.

Abstract: A cryogenic medical device for delivery of subcooled liquid cryogen to various configurations of cryoprobes is designed for the treatment of damaged, diseased, cancerous or other unwanted tissues. The device is a closed or semi-closed system in which the liquid cryogen is contained in both the supply and return stages. The device comprises a number of parts including a vacuum insulated outer dewar, submersible cryogen pump, baffled linear heat exchanger, return chamber, and a series of valves to control the flow of the liquid cryogen. The cryogenic medical device promotes the subcooling to any external cryogenic probe.

Abstract: A cryogenic medical device for delivery of subcooled liquid cryogen to various configurations of cryoprobes is designed for the treatment of damaged, diseased, cancerous or other unwanted tissues. The device is a closed or semi-closed system in which the liquid cryogen is contained in both the supply and return stages. The device is capable of generating cryogen to a supercritical state and may be utilized in any rapid cooling systems. As designed, the device comprises a number of parts including a vacuum insulated outer dewar, submersible cryogen pump, baffled linear heat exchanger, multiple pressurization cartridges, a return chamber, and a series of valves to control the flow of the liquid cryogen. The cryogenic medical device promotes the subcooling to any external cryogenic instrument.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and proteogenomic methods for predicting the success of the transplant of a cell, tissue, or organ by providing a means to determine the quality of the cell, tissue, or organ to be transplanted. In one embodiment, the present invention uses samples from the preservation solution to obtain phenomic fingerprints correlated with transplant pre-operative and post-operative data as a pre-operative tissue diagnostic and procedural success predictive indicator.

Abstract: A cryosurgical system and method for supplying cryogen to a probe. The system including a container filled with cryogen and having bellows of a pump submerged within said cryogen. Conduits fluidly interconnect the bellows and a probe that is outside the container to permit the cryogen to be forced from the bellows to the probe upon activation of pump. A pressure relief valve is fluidly coupled to the conduits and positioned between the bellows and the probe. After initially forcing cryogen to the probe at a pressure that establishes a colligative-based sub-cooling of the liquid cryogen, the pressure relief valve is activated to lower the pressure of the cryogen to a running pressure.

Abstract: A cryosurgical system and method for supplying cryogen to a probe. The system including a container filled with cryogen and having bellows of a pump submerged within said cryogen. Conduits fluidly interconnect the bellows and a probe that is outside the container to permit the cryogen to be forced from the bellows to the probe upon activation of pump. A pressure relief valve is fluidly coupled to the conduits and positioned between the bellows and the probe. After initially forcing cryogen to the probe at a pressure that establishes a colligative-based sub-cooling of the liquid cryogen, the pressure relief valve is activated to lower the pressure of the cryogen to a running pressure.

Abstract: A cryosurgical system and method for supplying cryogen to a probe. The system including a container filled with cryogen and having bellows of a pump submerged within said cryogen. Conduits fluidly interconnect the bellows and a probe that is outside the container to permit the cryogen to be forced from the bellows to the probe upon activation of pump. A pressure relief valve is fluidly coupled to the conduits and positioned between the bellows and the probe. After initially forcing cryogen to the probe at a pressure that establishes a colligative-based sub-cooling of the liquid cryogen, the pressure relief valve is activated to lower the pressure of the cryogen to a running pressure.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for the hypothermic preservation of cells, tissues and organs. In particular, the invention provides methods for the hypothermic preservation or storage of cells, tissues or organs in the vitreous state.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for the hypothermic preservation of cells, tissues and organs. In particular, the invention provides methods for the hypothermic preservation or storage of cells, tissues or organs in the vitreous state.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods for assessing the success of the transplant of a cell, tissue, or organ before and after transplant. Protein array technology is used to obtain a biomarker pattern for the cell, tissue, or organ that is being considered for transplant or that has been transplanted. Samples for the identification of biomarkers and biomarker patterns are obtained from the cell, tissue or organ itself, or from a body fluid of the donor or recipient. Sample biomarker data are compared to reference biomarker data obtained from donors, recipients or cells, tissues or organs that have been transplanted. Correlation of a sample biomarker pattern with the reference biomarker pattern, where transplant outcome for the samples used for the reference biomarkers is known, permits a suggested treatment determination. A computerized system to identify the condition of transplant before or after implantation is also provided.

Abstract: Gel-based medium compositions and a method of use thereof in normothermic, hypothermic or cryopreservative storage and transport of cell samples are described. These gel-based compositions contain a cell maintenance and preservation medium together with a gelling agent. Such gel-based medium compositions protect various cell samples, such as animal or plant organs, tissues and cells, from the mechanical, physiological and biochemical stresses inherently associated with liquid preservation techniques.

Abstract: Gel-based medium compositions and a method of use thereof in normothermic, hypothermic or cryopreservative storage and transport of cell samples are described. These gel-based compositions contain a cell maintenance and preservation medium together with a gelling agent. Such gel-based medium compositions protect various cell samples, such as animal or plant organs, tissues and cells, from the mechanical, physiological and biochemical stresses inherently associated with liquid preservation techniques.

Abstract: Gel-based medium compositions and a method of use thereof in normothermic, hypothermic or cryopreservative storage and transport of cell samples are described. These gel-based compositions contain a cell maintenance and preservation medium together with a gelling agent. Such gel-based medium compositions protect various cell samples, such as animal or plant organs, tissues and cells, from the mechanical, physiological and biochemical stresses inherently associated with liquid preservation techniques.

Abstract: Cell-free solution compositions for hypothermic cell storage supplemented with agents inhibiting apoptotic induced cell death are provided for chill preservation of cells at about 0.degree. C. to about 10.degree. C. Additionally, solutions for cell storage at hypothermic temperatures supplemented with cell death inhibitors for cryopreservation are disclosed. Methods for use of these solutions are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable, hand held, self-contained cryosurgical probe system. In particular, the present invention relates to an improved portable, hand held cryosurgical probe system having easily changeable probes and cryogen sources wherein the cryogen can be provided in precharged cylinders mountable on the hand held unit and/or supplied from remote sources and which is capable of serving a plurality of probes via a multiprobe adapter. The present invention provides the flexibility of easily changeable probes and cryogen sources in a lightweight hand unit whereby different cryogens may be employed at different stages within a procedure or the cryogens may be mixed to vary the effective freeze capacity of the device.

Abstract: A cryoprobe instrument for endoscopic use has been provided that permits the delivery of liquid or gaseous cryogens in the form of a spray. In an embodiment, the cryoprobe instrument includes an elongated, flexible tube having a fluid passage defined therethrough; a proximal connector portion provided at the proximal end of the tube for coupling the tube to a pressurized source of cryogenic refrigerant; and a nozzle tip mounted to the distal end of the tube. The nozzle tip has an outlet orifice constructed and arranged such that through the Joule-Thompson effect, cryogenic refrigerant exiting through the outlet orifice rapidly and substantially expands and cools.

Abstract: A closed end surgical cryoprobe instrument may have a probe shaft diameter of 3 millimeters or less and can achieve and maintain freezing zone temperatures close to that of the liquid cryogenic refrigerant. Using sub-cooled liquid nitrogen at approximately -208.degree. C. freezing zone temperatures as low as -206.degree. C. can be achieved in under 1 minute. The liquid nitrogen supply tube is provided with a plurality of small vent holes to vent gas formed or present in the refrigerant supply tube to the return refrigerant flow channel. The vent holes also allow small amount of liquid nitrogen to vent into the return flow channel to further reduce the temperature differential between the sub-cooled liquid nitrogen supply and the counter current flowing return refrigerant. Heat transfer is maintained through nucleate boiling. In place of vent holes, narrow slits may be provided in the supply tube. Alternatively, a sintered porous metal supply tube can be used as the vent means.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a closed circulation tissue warming apparatus for use during surgery to maintain the temperature of tissues at a desired level and to a method of using the apparatus in prostate surgery particularly during transperineal cryoablation of the prostate gland in human males to maintain the temperature of the urethral tissues and thereby prevent urethral sloughing. It may also have utility where it is desired to lower the temperature of surrounding tissues, such as during laser ablation. The apparatus includes a multi-lumen catheter inserted into the urethra and connected to a fluid warming and circulation control means whereby warmed water is circulated through the lumens at a controlled flow rate and temperature. The concentric lumen structure of the catheter provides improved flow and even temperature maintenance along the length of the catheter and the urethra.