US3575176A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rechargeable cryosurgical instrument
Assignee: Frigitronics Inc
•
Filing: 1968-10-21
•
Granted: 1971-04-20
•
Expires: 1988-10-21
Abstract
Abstract This disclosure relates to a rechargeable cryosurgical instrument having operating mechanism located at one end and a refrigerant cartridge-receiving chamber opening to the atmosphere at its other end. A removable end cap closes the open end of the instrument and is selectively positionable to locate a housed refrigerant cartridge in a dispensing or conserving position. In the dispensing position of the end cap, the pressurized refrigerant is dispensed from the cartridge through a delivery tube to a boiler valve located adjacent a cooling tip to reduce the temperature of the tip. The spent refrigerant is exhausted from the housing through an opening in the removable end cap. A selectively operable finger-actuable lever located at the exterior of the housing operates the boiler valve to either cool or warm the cooling tip.
Inventors
- 👤 Ralph E Crump
- 👤 Victor A Thyberg
- 👤 Frank L Reynolds
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 00:11
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
A rechargeable cryosurgical instrument comprising a body defining a refrigerant cartridge-receiving chamber, opening to the atmosphere, at one end and a cooling tip at the other end; boiler valve means in said body adjacent said cooling tip; a reciprocable member in said body located between said chamber and said cooling tip, carrying a delivery tube at one end and having an opening in its opposite end to receive the dispensing tube of a refrigerant cartridge; control means connected to said reciprocable member and extending to the exterior of said body, being selectively operable to move said boiler valve means for cooling or warming said cooling tip; means for exhausting spent refrigerant from said cooling tip to said chamber; a removable end cap seated in the open end of said body; and positioning means on said end cap and said body cooperating to selectively locate said end cap in a first position for retaining a refrigerant cartridge in said chamber in a nondispensing condition and a second position forcing the dispensing tube of said cartridge against said reciprocable member to release refrigerant into said delivery tube.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
185 words
A rechargeable cryosurgical instrument comprising a body defining a refrigerant cartridge-receiving chamber, opening to the atmosphere, at one end and a cooling tip at the other end; boiler valve means in said body adjacent said cooling tip; a reciprocable member in said body located between said chamber and said cooling tip, carrying a delivery tube at one end and having an opening in its opposite end to receive the dispensing tube of a refrigerant cartridge; control means connected to said reciprocable member and extending to the exterior of said body, being selectively operable to move said boiler valve means for cooling or warming said cooling tip; means for exhausting spent refrigerant from said cooling tip to said chamber; a removable end cap seated in the open end of said body; and positioning means on said end cap and said body cooperating to selectively locate said end cap in a first position for retaining a refrigerant cartridge in said chamber in a nondispensing condition and a second position forcing the dispensing tube of said cartridge against said reciprocable member to release refrigerant into said delivery tube.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The rechargeable cryosurgical instrument defined in claim 1 wherein said positioning means linearly guides said end cap between said first and second positions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The rechargeable cryosurgical instrument defined in claim 1 wherein said positioning means includes a positioning slot defined in the wall of said body adjacent said open end, and a radial positioning pin located on said end cap.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The rechargeable cryosurgical instrument defined in claim 3 wherein said positioning slot has a first pin-receiving seat to position said end cap to urge a housed replaceable refrigerant cartridge into a refrigerant conserving position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The rechargeable cryosurgical instrument defined in claim 3 wherein said positioning slot has a second pin receiving seat to position said end cap to urge a housed refrigerant cartridge into a refrigerant-dispensing position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The rechargeable cryosurgical instrument defined in claim 1 wherein said end cap defines a vent therethrough.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
91 words
The rechargeable cryosurgical instrument defined in claim 1 wherein said positioning means includes a positioning slot defined in the wall of said body adjacent said open end and a radial positioning pin located on said end cap, said positioning slot having a first pin-receiving seat to position said end cap relative to said body to urge a housed refrigerant cartridge into a refrigerant-conserving position and a second pin-receiving seat to position said end cap to urge a refrigerant cartridge into a refrigerant-dispensing position, and said end cap defines a vent therethrough.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The rechargeable cryosurgical instrument defined in claim 1 wherein support means are provided on said reciprocable member to maintain said reciprocable member in position to receive the dispensing tube of a refrigerant cartridge.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
65 words
The rechargeable cryosurgical instrument defined in claim 1 wherein said control means comprises a pivotable lever; said reciprocable member includes a seat formed therein to receive one end of said lever; and said body defines an opening therein through which said lever passes, positioned to be in substantial alignment with said seat, the rim of said opening forming a fulcrum about which said lever pivots.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-04-19 | 1974-10-19 | 1975-04-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-04-19 | 1978-10-19 | 1979-04-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-04-19 | 1982-10-19 | 1983-04-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |