Abstract: Cryogenic apparatus, consisting of a connector that has a connector base plate configured for connection to a conduit carrying a cryogen, and a slot extending across the base plate. The apparatus has a plug, which is configured for insertion into an opening in the base plate. The apparatus also has a latch plate that is configured to slide within the slot between a first position, in which the plug is inserted through an aperture in the latch plate into the opening, and a second position, in which a cryogenic probe is inserted through the aperture and brought into fluid communication with the opening. There is a sensor, which is coupled to control a flow of the cryogen through the conduit by detecting whether the latch plate is in the first position or the second position.

Abstract: Apparatus, consisting of a single insulated container, configured to contain a cryogen. The apparatus also has a first pump and a second pump, both disposed in the single insulated container and configured to pump the cryogen from the single insulated container while immersed in the cryogen. A first probe and a second probe, having respective first and second proximal ends, are coupled to receive concurrently the cryogen pumped by the first pump and the second pump, respectively. The probes have respective first and second distal ends, which are chilled by the cryogen received through the first and second proximal ends and which are configured to be inserted into a body of a living subject.

Abstract: Apparatus, including a probe, containing a first lumen and a second lumen and having a distal end that contacts tissue of a living subject. A fluid supply delivers a cryogenic fluid through the first lumen to the distal end and receives cryogenic fluid returning via the second lumen. A temperature sensor is located at the distal end. A pressure sensor located at a proximal end of the first lumen measures a pressure of the cryogenic fluid. A processor controls a delivery rate of the cryogenic fluid from the fluid supply, so that, when a temperature measured by the temperature sensor is less than a preset guard temperature, the delivery sate is a preset low rate, and when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor is greater than or equal to the preset guard temperature, the delivery rate is set in response to a pressure measured by the pressure sensor.

Abstract: Apparatus, consisting of a probe, containing a lumen and having a distal end configured to contact tissue of a living subject. A temperature sensor is located at the distal end, and a pump, having a pump motor, is coupled to deliver a cryogenic fluid through the lumen to the distal end of the probe and to receive the cryogenic fluid returning from the probe. There is a separator, coupled to separate the returning cryogenic fluid into a returning cryogenic liquid and a returning cryogenic gas, and a flow meter, coupled to measure a rate of flow of the returning cryogenic gas. A processor is configured to control a rate of pumping of the pump motor in response to a temperature measured by the temperature sensor and the rate of flow of the returning cryogenic gas.

Abstract: Apparatus, consisting of a probe, containing a lumen and having a distal end configured to contact tissue of a living subject. A temperature sensor is located at the distal end, and a pump, having a pump motor, is coupled to deliver a cryogenic fluid through the lumen to the distal end of the probe and to receive the cryogenic fluid returning from the probe. There is a separator, coupled to separate the returning cryogenic fluid into a returning cryogenic liquid and a returning cryogenic gas, and a flow meter, coupled to measure a rate of flow of the returning cryogenic gas. A processor is configured to control a rate of pumping of the pump motor in response to a temperature measured by the temperature sensor and the rate of flow of the returning cryogenic gas.

Abstract: Apparatus, consisting of a probe, containing a lumen and having a distal end configured to contact tissue of a living subject. A temperature sensor is located at the distal end, and a pump, having a pump motor, is coupled to deliver a cryogenic fluid through the lumen to the distal end of the probe and to receive the cryogenic fluid returning from the probe. There is a separator, coupled to separate the returning cryogenic fluid into a returning cryogenic liquid and a returning cryogenic gas, and a flow meter, coupled to measure a rate of flow of the returning cryogenic gas. A processor is configured to control a rate of pumping of the pump motor in response to a temperature measured by the temperature sensor and the rate of flow of the returning cryogenic gas.

Abstract: A cryosurgical instrument including: a shaft having a closed distal end defining an expansion chamber and a proximal end that receives an inflow of cryogen and to exhaust a flow of expanded cryogen; and a heat exchanger with a cryogen delivery tube that spirals around a core disposed along a longitudinal axis thereof. The cryogen delivery tube, where it spirals, is in fluid tight contact with the inner surface of the shaft so as to form spiraling cryogen exhaust pathways that extend along a portion of a length of the cryosurgical instrument from the distal end of the shaft. The cryogen delivery tube forces a two-phase flow of cryogen to undergo phase separation by centrifugal forces and urges the liquid phase against the external walls of the spiral coil and the outer surface of the spiral gap. Heat exchanging occurs close to the external wall of the instrument.

Abstract: A cryosurgical instrument including: a shaft having a closed distal end defining an expansion chamber and a proximal end that receives an inflow of cryogen and to exhaust a flow of expanded cryogen; and a heat exchanger with a cryogen delivery tube that spirals around a core disposed along a longitudinal axis thereof. The cryogen delivery tube, where it spirals, is in fluid tight contact with the inner surface of the shaft so as to form spiraling cryogen exhaust pathways that extend along a portion of a length of the cryosurgical instrument from the distal end of the shaft The cryogen delivery tube forces a two-phase flow of cryogen to undergo phase separation by centrifugal forces and urges the liquid phase against the external walls of the spiral coil and the outer surface of the spiral gap. Heat exchanging occurs close to the external wall of the instrument.

Abstract: A cryogen pump, including: a pump section that includes: a bellow with an inlet opening at a first end and an exit opening, the inlet opening in direct fluid communication with a volume of a cryogen, the exit opening at least in fluid communication with a second end of the bellow opposing the first end, a pair of plugs configured to sealingly close the opposing ends of the bellow, the pair of plugs cooperating so that when one plug sealingly closes one of the ends, the other end of the bellow is open; and a drive section configured to drive the pump section in a reciprocating manner so as to move the plugs.

Abstract: A cryosurgical instrument including: a shaft having a closed distal end defining an expansion chamber and an open proximal end adapted and configured to receive an inflow of cryogen and to exhaust a flow of expanded cryogen; and a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger includes: a plurality of cryogen delivery tubes that spiral around a longitudinal axis thereof; and a diffuser having a plurality of branches, each of the branches supplying received cryogen to a respective one of the delivery tubes. The cryogen delivery tubes, where they spiral, are spaced from each other and in fluid tight contact with the inner surface of the shaft so as to form spiraling cryogen exhaust pathways that extend along a portion of a length of the cryosurgical instrument from the distal end of the shaft.

Abstract: A cryosurgical instrument including: a core, a cryogen delivery tube, a cryogen return tube, and a shaft surrounding the core and the tubes. The shaft has a pointed distal end and a proximal end adapted and configured to receive an inflow of cryogen and to exhaust a flow of expanded cryogen. The cryogen delivery tube and the cryogen return tube both have respective helical portions that spiral around the core. The helical portions of the tubes are in fluid tight contact with the core and an inner surface of the shaft. The helical portions of the tubes spiral about the core in an alternating arrangement such that they alternate along a length of the core. The core and the helical portions of the delivery tube and the return tube comprise centrifugal phase separators.

Abstract: A cryosurgical instrument including: a core, a cryogen delivery tube, a cryogen return tube, and a shaft surrounding the core and the tubes. The shaft has a pointed distal end and a proximal end adapted and configured to receive an inflow of cryogen and to exhaust a flow of expanded cryogen. The cryogen delivery tube and the cryogen return tube both have respective helical portions that spiral around the core. The helical portions of the tubes are in fluid tight contact with the core and an inner surface of the shaft. The helical portions of the tubes spiral about the core in an alternating arrangement such that they alternate along a length of the core. The core and the helical portions of the delivery tube and the return tube comprise centrifugal phase separators.

Abstract: A cryogen pump, including: a pump section that includes: a bellow with an inlet opening at a first end and an exit opening, the inlet opening in direct fluid communication with a volume of a cryogen, the exit opening at least in fluid communication with a second end of the bellow opposing the first end, a pair of plugs configured to sealingly close the opposing ends of the bellow, the pair of plugs cooperating so that when one plug sealingly closes one of the ends, the other end of the bellow is open; and a drive section configured to drive the pump section in a reciprocating manner so as to move the plugs.

Abstract: A cryosurgical instrument including: a shaft having a closed distal end defining an expansion chamber and an open proximal end that receives an inflow of cryogen and to exhaust a flow of expanded cryogen; and a heat exchanger with a cryogen delivery tube that spirals around a core disposed along longitudinal axis thereof. The cryogen delivery tube, at least where it spirals, is in fluid tight contact with the inner surface of the shaft so as to form spiraling cryogen exhaust pathways that extend along a portion of a length of the cryosurgical instrument from the distal end of the shaft. The cryogen delivery tube forces a two-phase flow of cryogen to undergo phase separation by centrifugal forces and urges the liquid phase against the external walls of the spiral coil and the outer surface of the spiral gap. Heat exchanging, through boiling, occurs close to the external wall of the instrument.

Abstract: A cryosurgical instrument including: a shaft having a closed distal end defining an expansion chamber and an open proximal end that receives an inflow of cryogen and to exhaust a flow of expanded cryogen; and a heat exchanger with a cryogen delivery tube that spirals around a core disposed along longitudinal axis thereof. The cryogen delivery tube, at least where it spirals, is in fluid tight contact with the inner surface of the shaft so as to form spiraling cryogen exhaust pathways that extend along a portion of a length of the cryosurgical instrument from the distal end of the shaft. The cryogen delivery tube forces a two-phase flow of cryogen to undergo phase separation by centrifugal forces and urges the liquid phase against the external walls of the spiral coil and the outer surface of the spiral gap. Heat exchanging, through boiling, occurs close to the external wall of the instrument.

Abstract: A cryogen pump, including: a pump section that includes: a bellow with an inlet opening at a first end and an exit opening, the inlet opening in direct fluid communication with a volume of a cryogen, the exit opening at least in fluid communication with a second end of the bellow opposing the first end, a pair of plugs configured to sealingly close the opposing ends of the bellow, the pair of plugs cooperating so that when one plug sealingly closes one of the ends, the other end of the bellow is open; and a drive section configured to drive the pump section in a reciprocating manner so as to move the plugs.

Abstract: A cryosurgical instrument including: a shaft having a closed distal end defining an expansion chamber and an open proximal end adapted and configured to receive an inflow of cryogen and to exhaust a flow of expanded cryogen; and a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger includes: a plurality of cryogen delivery tubes that spiral around a longitudinal axis thereof; and a diffuser having a plurality of branches, each of the branches supplying received cryogen to a respective one of the delivery tubes. The cryogen delivery tubes, where they spiral, are spaced from each other and in fluid tight contact with the inner surface of the shaft so as to form spiraling cryogen exhaust pathways that extend along a portion of a length of the cryosurgical instrument from the distal end of the shaft.

Abstract: A cryosurgical instrument including: a shaft having a closed distal end defining an expansion chamber and an open proximal end adapted and configured to receive an inflow of cryogen and to exhaust a flow of expanded cryogen; and a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger includes: a plurality of cryogen delivery tubes that spiral around a longitudinal axis thereof; and a diffuser having a plurality of branches, each of the branches supplying received cryogen to a respective one of the delivery tubes. The cryogen delivery tubes, where they spiral, are spaced from each other and in fluid tight contact with the inner surface of the shaft so as to form spiraling cryogen exhaust pathways that extend along a portion of a length of the cryosurgical instrument from the distal end of the shaft.

Abstract: A cryosurgical instrument that includes: an external shaft with a cryotip; a heat exchanger that cools a portion of the external shaft and the tip when cryogen is received thereby; and a flow diverter that receives a flow of cryogen, that splits the received flow of cryogen into two or more split cryogen flows, and that delivers the split cryogen flows to the heat exchanger, the flow diverter including a first passage with one or more inlet ports at an upstream side of the diverter that receive the flow of cryogen and two or more outlet ports at a downstream side of the diverter and in fluid communication with the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A cryosurgical instrument including: a shaft having a closed distal end defining an expansion chamber and an open proximal end adapted and configured to receive an inflow of cryogen and to exhaust a flow of expanded cryogen; and a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger includes: a plurality of cryogen delivery tubes that spiral around a longitudinal axis thereof; and a diffuser having a plurality of branches, each of the branches supplying received cryogen to a respective one of the delivery tubes. The cryogen delivery tubes, where they spiral, are spaced from each other and in fluid tight contact with the inner surface of the shaft so as to form spiraling cryogen exhaust pathways that extend along a portion of a length of the cryosurgical instrument from the distal end of the shaft.