Abstract: A holder apparatus for enabling secure coupling of a variety of medical tool types, having different head member configurations, to a medical device. The apparatus has at least two housing portions that open and close to receive the head member, and an adjustment mechanism that adjusts to the height and/or shape of the head member, such that there is no relative movement between the housing portions and the head member. The adjustment mechanism may be a ratchet mechanism, a semi-flexible fastener, or a moldable material disposed on one or more of the housing portions. There may be a locking mechanism to lock together the housing portions, and a tightening mechanism to secure the grip of the housing portions on the head member. The housing portions may be configured to allow removal of at least a portion of the medical tool from the device.

Abstract: A device for insertion of a flexible needle or other such instrument into a tissue, incorporating a collapsible support guide which supports that part of the needle which has not yet penetrated the tissue, preventing it from buckling, and an arrangement which pulls the needle from its proximal end to provide sufficient force for the penetration process. The collapsible support guide can be a pair of flexible strips connected along their length and enclosing the needle along its uninserted length in order to support it, with a mechanism at the distal end of the device to peel the strips from the needle as it is inserted. Insertion can be achieved by a pair of rollers engaging and advancing the strips distally. Alternatively, a telescopic support tube can be used to support the needle, the tube collapsing telescopically as the needle is inserted, to maintain clearance above the needle.

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 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 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 that is selectively positioned in a patient tissue by rotation. The instrument includes: a manipulation section that permits a user to rotate the instrument; a cryogen supply portion; and a positioning section having a sharp tip at an end and a helical configuration, the positioning section configured to receive cryogen and to permit the received cryogen to cool the positioning section. The positioning section urges the cryosurgical instrument deeper into the patient when the instrument is rotated in a first direction, via the manipulation section, and urges the cryosurgical instrument outward when the instrument is rotated in a second direction that is opposite the first, via the manipulation section.

Abstract: A system for selectively cooling and warming a cryosurgical instrument using a dual phase cryogen, including: two sources of the cryogen, a first source storing liquid phase cryogen and having a first source heater therein that selectively converts at least some of the liquid phase cryogen into gaseous phase cryogen and a second source storing the gaseous phase cryogen; a cryogen delivery control section selectively delivering cryogen to the tip; a cryogen return path from the tip to the first and second sources; a cryogen return control section that includes a pump that pumps the returning cryogen to the second source; and a pressure control section including a first pressure sensor that senses a pressure in the first source, a second pressure sensor that senses a pressure in the second source, and a pressure regulator that regulates the pressure of the first source based on information from the pressure sensors.

Abstract: A system for selectively cooling and warming a cryosurgical instrument using a dual phase cryogen, including: two sources of the cryogen, a first source storing liquid phase cryogen and having a first source heater therein that selectively converts at least some of the liquid phase cryogen into gaseous phase cryogen and a second source storing the gaseous phase cryogen; a cryogen delivery control section selectively delivering cryogen to the tip; a cryogen return path from the tip to the first and second sources; a cryogen return control section that includes a pump that pumps the returning cryogen to the second source; and a pressure control section including a first pressure sensor that senses a pressure in the first source, a second pressure sensor that senses a pressure in the second source, and a pressure regulator that regulates the pressure of the first source based on information from the pressure sensors.

Abstract: Cryosurgical instruments and methods utilizing improved heat transfer characteristics. A cryosurgical device includes: a tubular housing; a cryogen supply passage; a heat exchange enhancing member in the housing, disposed along a longitudinal axis of the housing; an annular cooling passage between the heat exchange enhancing member and the tubular housing; a tip cooling and cryogen flow directing section that transmits a temperature of a cryogen flow to the tip, and an insulation element in the tubular housing.

Abstract: A cryosurgical system featuring both cooling and heating utilizing a single type of cryogen but from two different sources. The liquid cryogen cools the tip of a cryosurgical instrument in the cryosurgical system, such as a cryoprobe or cryocatheter. The gaseous cryogen is further heated by a heating element, preferably an electrical heating element, supplying the heating needed for the thaw and release parts of the cryo treatment procedure. Thus, the cryosurgical system supports the freeze/thaw cycle of the operation of the cryosurgical instrument.