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: 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.