EP0584930A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Cryosurgical ablation
Assignee: Spembly Medical Ltd
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Filing: 1993-07-20
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2013-07-20
Abstract
Abstract A cryosurgical probe, insertable into a bodily cavity for performing cryosurgical ablation on the interior of the cavity, comprises a channel (85) for introducing a heat-conducting liquid into the cavity, and a cooling element (30) for cooling the heat-conducting liquid in the cavity. Application: removing of the lining of the uterus (endometrium).
Inventors
- 👤 Richard Bryan Coleman
- 👤 Rudiger Ulrich Josef Pittrof
- 👤 Simon Richard Reeves
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 04:33
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/02; A61B18/0218; A61B17/00; A61B17/42; A61B2017/00017; A61B2017/00022; A61B2017/00084; A61B2017/4216; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00059; A61B2018/00089; A61B2018/00095; A61B2218/00; A61B2218/001; A61B2218/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
45 words
A cryosurgical probe insertable into a bodily cavity for performing cryosurgical ablation on the interior of the cavity, the probe comprising: a channel (85) for introducing a heat-conducting liquid into the cavity; and a cooling element (30) for cooling the heat-conducting liquid in the cavity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
37 words
A probe according to claim 1, in which the cooling element comprises a hollow chamber (140) connectable to an exhaust vent (320), and a gas nozzle connectable to a supply of gas at greater than atmospheric pressure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A probe according to claim 2, comprising a valve (340) for selectively blocking the exhaust vent (320).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A probe according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the heat-conducting liquid comprises an aqueous isotonic solution, the cooling element (30) being operable to freeze the aqueous isotonic solution.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A probe according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising means (150) for detecting the temperature of the cooling element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A probe according to claim 5, in which the means for detecting temperature comprises a thermocouple sensor (150) in the cooling element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
A probe according to any one of the preceding claims, in which: the probe comprises a substantially cylindrical elongate body (20), and the cooling element comprises an elongate cooling tip (30) attached to one end of the elongate body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
A probe according to claim 7, in which the principal axes of the elongate body (20) and the cooling tip (30) are not parallel, and in which the cooling tip is joined to the elongate body by a smoothly curved transition.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A probe according to claim 7 or claim 8, in which the distal end of the cooling tip (30) has a rounded shape.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A probe according to any one of claims 7 to 9, in which the cooling tip (30) is tapered and has a flattened cross section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A probe according to any one of claims 7 to 10, in which the elongate body (20) has a double-walled structure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
A probe according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a syringe (60), connected to the channel, for supplying the heat-conducting liquid to the channel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
Cryosurgical ablation apparatus comprising: a probe according to claim 2 and any one of claims 3 to 12; and means (300) for supplying gas to the probe at greater than atmospheric pressure.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
A probe according to claim 3, comprising a handle portion (410), the handle portion comprising the valve for selectively blocking the exhaust vent.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
50 words
A probe according to claim 14, comprising: an inlet gas tube (470) for supplying gas at greater than atmospheric pressure to the gas nozzle; and an outlet gas tube (490) for receiving gas from the exhaust vent; the inlet gas tube having a narrower bore than the outlet gas tube.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
A probe according to claim 14 or claim 15, in which the valve is a pressure-balancing valve.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
A probe according to any one of claims 14 to 16, comprising a detent mechanism for maintaining the valve in a blocking position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3369549A
Cited
US3924628A
Cited
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