Patent US5702435A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5702435A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fast changing heating-cooling device and method
Assignee: Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd
•
Filing: 1996-02-09
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Granted: 1997-12-30
•
Expires: 2016-02-09
Abstract
Abstract A method for creating a surface having a fast changing temperature, comprises providing a heat exchanger coupled to an orifice opening into a jacket which is in contact with the surface to be heated and cooled, the said jacket forming a reservoir capable of housing a fluid in contact with the surface to be heated and cooled, and providing two gas sources, each gas source being independently connected to the said heat exchanger, one source providing a first gas, which liquefies when it expands through the said orifice, and the other gas source providing a second gas, having an inversion temperature lower than the temperature obtained by the liquefaction of the first gas, and causing the exhaust gas flowing out from the said jacket, to flow through the said heat-exchanger to preheat or precool the inflowing gas, as the case may be, and further causing the said first and the said second gas alternately to flow through the said heat exchanger and orifice, to cool or to heat the said surface; means being provided for allowing and stopping the flow of each gas through the said orifice.
Inventors
- 👤 Ben-Zion Maytal
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 23:21
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25B; F25B29/00; A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/02; F25B9/00; F25B9/02; A61B17/00; A61B2017/00017; A61B2017/00137; A61B2017/00154; A61B2018/00005; A61B2018/00041; A61B2018/0231; A61B2018/0262; A61B2018/0268; A61B2018/0281; A61B2018/0287; A61F; A61F7/00; A61F2007/0059
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 40
Claim 1
Independent Claim
189 words
A surgical probe having a surface to be brought into contact with cells and/or tissue of a living organism, said surface being capable of being cooled and/or heated and being capable of undergoing fast temperature changes, the fast-changing temperature changing from above room temperature to below about -50° C. and vice versa, and the fast-changing temperature changing from above to below about 0° C. and vice versa at a sub-minute speed, said probe comprising: a heat exchanger coupled to an orifice, the orifice opening into a jacket; the jacket being in contact with the surface that is heated and/or cooled, the jacket forming a reservoir capable of housing a fluid in contact with the surface that is heated and/or cooled; two gas sources providing two gases, a first and a second gas, each of the two gas sources being independently connected to the heat exchanger, the first gas liquifying when expanding through the orifice, the second gas having an inversion temperature lower than a temperature obtained by liquification of the first gas; and means for allowing and stopping a flow of each of the two gases through the orifice.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
189 words
A surgical probe having a surface to be brought into contact with cells and/or tissue of a living organism, said surface being capable of being cooled and/or heated and being capable of undergoing fast temperature changes, the fast-changing temperature changing from above room temperature to below about -50° C. and vice versa, and the fast-changing temperature changing from above to below about 0° C. and vice versa at a sub-minute speed, said probe comprising: a heat exchanger coupled to an orifice, the orifice opening into a jacket; the jacket being in contact with the surface that is heated and/or cooled, the jacket forming a reservoir capable of housing a fluid in contact with the surface that is heated and/or cooled; two gas sources providing two gases, a first and a second gas, each of the two gas sources being independently connected to the heat exchanger, the first gas liquifying when expanding through the orifice, the second gas having an inversion temperature lower than a temperature obtained by liquification of the first gas; and means for allowing and stopping a flow of each of the two gases through the orifice.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A surgical probe according to claim 1, wherein the surface to be heated and/or cooled is changeable.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
A surgical probe according to claim 1, wherein the cooling is a cryocooling.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
63 words
A probe according to claim 1, wherein, in operation, in said probe an exhaust gas flows out of the jacket through the heat exchanger to preheat or precool an in-flowing gas from one of said gas sources, and the first gas and the second gas alternatively flow through the heat exchanger and the orifice to cause fast cooling or heating of the surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
A probe according to claim 1, wherein the fast change in temperature is periodic.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A probe according to claim 1, wherein the fast change in temperature is controlled and effected at a time selected by an operator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
A probe according to claim 1, wherein the first gas is selected from a group consisting essentially of argon, nitrogen, air, krypton, CF 4 , xenon, and N 2 O, and the second gas is helium.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A probe according to claim 1, wherein the gas sources are pressurized, the pressurized gas sources being gas reservoirs containing gas under pressure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
A probe according to claim 1, wherein the gas sources comprise one or more compressors, which draw gas from a reservoir containing gas at a lower pressure than desired.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
A probe according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger is a thin tube or a porous matrix heat exchanger.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
A probe according to claim 1, wherein, in operation there is generated a fast cyclical change of temperature, comprising sequentially cooling/heating of the surface by alternate gas supply to a Joule-Thomson liquification device comprising a heat-exchanger wherein an incoming gas exchanges heat with an exhaust gas.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
281 words
A method of selectively destroying a plurality of cells and/or tissue of a living organism, comprising: providing a surgical probe having a surface to be brought into contact with cells and/or tissue of a living organism, said surface being capable of being cooled and/or heated and being capable of undergoing fast temperature changes, the fast-changing temperature changing from above room temperature to below about -50° C. and vice versa, and the fast-changing temperature changing from above to below 0° C. and vice versa at a sub-minute speed, said probe comprising: a heat exchanger coupled to an orifice, the orifice opening into a jacket; the jacket being in contact with the surface that is heated and/or cooled, the jacket forming a reservoir capable of housing a fluid in contact with the surface that is heated and/or cooled; two gas sources providing two gases, a first and a second gas, each of the two gas sources being independently connected to the heat exchanger, the first gas liquifying when expanding through the orifice, the second gas having an inversion temperature lower than a temperature obtained by liquification of the first gas; and means for allowing and stopping a flow of each of the two gases through the orifice; contacting the cells to be destroyed with the surface of the probe; and causing extreme temperature changes to take place at the surface of the probe to cool and/or heat the cells in contact with the surface thereby destroying said cells, said extreme temperature changes being from the initial temperature of the surface down to about -190° C. up to about 205° C. or changes between said extreme temperatures of about -190° C. and 205° C.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
281 words
A method of selectively destroying a plurality of cells and/or tissue of a living organism, comprising: providing a surgical probe having a surface to be brought into contact with cells and/or tissue of a living organism, said surface being capable of being cooled and/or heated and being capable of undergoing fast temperature changes, the fast-changing temperature changing from above room temperature to below about -50° C. and vice versa, and the fast-changing temperature changing from above to below 0° C. and vice versa at a sub-minute speed, said probe comprising: a heat exchanger coupled to an orifice, the orifice opening into a jacket; the jacket being in contact with the surface that is heated and/or cooled, the jacket forming a reservoir capable of housing a fluid in contact with the surface that is heated and/or cooled; two gas sources providing two gases, a first and a second gas, each of the two gas sources being independently connected to the heat exchanger, the first gas liquifying when expanding through the orifice, the second gas having an inversion temperature lower than a temperature obtained by liquification of the first gas; and means for allowing and stopping a flow of each of the two gases through the orifice; contacting the cells to be destroyed with the surface of the probe; and causing extreme temperature changes to take place at the surface of the probe to cool and/or heat the cells in contact with the surface thereby destroying said cells, said extreme temperature changes being from the initial temperature of the surface down to about -190° C. up to about 205° C. or changes between said extreme temperatures of about -190° C. and 205° C.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method according to claim 12, wherein the surface is epidermis.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 12, wherein the surface is a human brain.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 12, wherein the surface is a human eye.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
63 words
A method according to claim 12, wherein in operation in said probe an exhaust gas flows out of the jacket through the heat exchanger to preheat or precool an in-flowing gas from one of said gas sources and the first gas and the second gas alternatively flow through the heat exchanger and the orifice to cause fast cooling or heating of the surface.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method according to claim 12, wherein in operation in said probe there is generated a fast cyclical change of temperature by sequential cooling/heating of the surface by alternate gas supply to a Joule-Thomson liquification device comprising a heat-exchanger wherein an incoming gas exchanges heat with an exhaust gas.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 12, wherein the frequency of the change of temperature is increased by employing less extreme temperatures.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
285 words
A method of accelerating and intensifying cryodestruction of a plurality of cells and/or tissue of a living organism, comprising: providing a surgical probe having a surface to be brought into contact with cells and/or tissue of a living organism, said surface being capable of being cooled and/or heated and being capable of undergoing fast temperature changes, the fast-changing temperature changing from above room temperature to below about -50° C. and vice versa, and the fast-changing temperature changing from above to below about 0° C. and vice versa at a sub-minute speed, said probe comprising: a heat exchanger coupled to an orifice, the orifice opening into a jacket; the jacket being in contact with the surface that is heated and/or cooled, the jacket forming a reservoir capable of housing a fluid in contact with the surface that is heated and/or cooled; two gas sources providing two gases, a first and a second gas, each of the two gas sources being independently connected to the heat exchanger, the first gas liquifying when expanding through the orifice, the second gas having an inversion temperature lower than a temperature obtained by liquification of the first gas; and means for allowing and stopping a flow of each of the two gases through the orifice; contacting the cells to be destroyed with the surface of the probe; and causing extreme temperature changes to take place at the surface of the probe to cool and/or heat the cells in contact with the surface thereby destroying said cells, said extreme temperature changes being from the initial temperature of the surface down to about -190° C. up to about 205° C. or changes between said extreme temperatures of about -190° C. and 205° C.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
285 words
A method of accelerating and intensifying cryodestruction of a plurality of cells and/or tissue of a living organism, comprising: providing a surgical probe having a surface to be brought into contact with cells and/or tissue of a living organism, said surface being capable of being cooled and/or heated and being capable of undergoing fast temperature changes, the fast-changing temperature changing from above room temperature to below about -50° C. and vice versa, and the fast-changing temperature changing from above to below about 0° C. and vice versa at a sub-minute speed, said probe comprising: a heat exchanger coupled to an orifice, the orifice opening into a jacket; the jacket being in contact with the surface that is heated and/or cooled, the jacket forming a reservoir capable of housing a fluid in contact with the surface that is heated and/or cooled; two gas sources providing two gases, a first and a second gas, each of the two gas sources being independently connected to the heat exchanger, the first gas liquifying when expanding through the orifice, the second gas having an inversion temperature lower than a temperature obtained by liquification of the first gas; and means for allowing and stopping a flow of each of the two gases through the orifice; contacting the cells to be destroyed with the surface of the probe; and causing extreme temperature changes to take place at the surface of the probe to cool and/or heat the cells in contact with the surface thereby destroying said cells, said extreme temperature changes being from the initial temperature of the surface down to about -190° C. up to about 205° C. or changes between said extreme temperatures of about -190° C. and 205° C.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method according to claim 19, wherein the surface is epidermis.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 19, wherein the surface is a human brain.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 19, wherein the surface is a human eye.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
63 words
A method according to claim 19, wherein in operation in said probe an exhaust gas flows out of the jacket through the heat exchanger to preheat or precool an in-flowing gas from one of said gas sources and the first gas and the second gas alternatively flow through the heat exchanger and the orifice to cause fast cooling or heating of the surface.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method according to claim 19, wherein in operation in said probe there is generated a fast cyclical change of temperature by sequential cooling/heating of the surface by alternate gas supply to a Joule-Thomson liquification device comprising a heat-exchanger wherein an incoming gas exchanges heat with an exhaust gas.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 19, wherein the frequency of the change of temperature is increased by employing less extreme temperatures.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
205 words
A probe for industrial, non-medical use for cooling and/or heating another surface other than a human body, said probe having a probe surface to be brought into contact with said other surface, said probe surface being capable of being cooled and/or heated and being capable of undergoing fast temperature changes, the fast-changing temperature changing from above room temperature to below about -50° C. and vice versa, and the fast-changing temperature changing from above to below about 0° C. and vice versa at a sub-minute speed, said probe comprising: a heat exchanger coupled to an orifice, the orifice opening into a jacket; the jacket being in contact with the probe surface that is heated and/or cooled, the jacket forming a reservoir capable of housing a fluid in contact with the probe surface that is heated and/or cooled; two gas sources providing two gases, a first and a second gas, each of the two gas sources being independently connected to the heat exchanger, the first gas liquifying when expanding through the orifice, the second gas having an inversion temperature lower than a temperature obtained by liquification of the first gas; and means for allowing and stopping a flow of each of the two gases through the orifice.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
205 words
A probe for industrial, non-medical use for cooling and/or heating another surface other than a human body, said probe having a probe surface to be brought into contact with said other surface, said probe surface being capable of being cooled and/or heated and being capable of undergoing fast temperature changes, the fast-changing temperature changing from above room temperature to below about -50° C. and vice versa, and the fast-changing temperature changing from above to below about 0° C. and vice versa at a sub-minute speed, said probe comprising: a heat exchanger coupled to an orifice, the orifice opening into a jacket; the jacket being in contact with the probe surface that is heated and/or cooled, the jacket forming a reservoir capable of housing a fluid in contact with the probe surface that is heated and/or cooled; two gas sources providing two gases, a first and a second gas, each of the two gas sources being independently connected to the heat exchanger, the first gas liquifying when expanding through the orifice, the second gas having an inversion temperature lower than a temperature obtained by liquification of the first gas; and means for allowing and stopping a flow of each of the two gases through the orifice.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
64 words
A probe according to claim 26, wherein, in operation, in said probe an exhaust gas flows out of the jacket through the heat exchanger to preheat or precool an in-flowing gas from one of said gas sources, and the first gas and the second gas alternatively flow through the heat exchanger and the orifice to cause fast cooling or heating of the probe surface.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
14 words
A probe according to claim 26, wherein the fast change in temperature is periodic.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
23 words
A probe according to claim 26, wherein the fast change in temperature is controlled and effected at a time selected by an operator.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
36 words
A probe according to claim 26, wherein the first gas is selected from a group consisting essentially of argon, nitrogen, air, krypton, CF 4 , xenon, and N 2 O, and the second gas is helium.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
23 words
A probe according to claim 26, wherein the gas sources are pressurized, the pressurized gas sources being gas reservoirs containing gas under pressure.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
29 words
A probe according to claim 26, wherein the gas sources comprise one or more compressors, which draw gas from a reservoir containing gas at a lower pressure than desired.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
20 words
A probe according to claim 26, wherein the heat exchanger is a thin tube or a porous matrix heat exchanger.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
47 words
A probe according to claim 26, wherein, in operation there is generated a fast cyclical change of temperature, comprising sequentially cooling/heating of the probe surface by alternate gas supply to a Joule-Thomson liquification device comprising a heat-exchanger wherein an incoming gas exchanges heat with an exhaust gas.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
12 words
A probe according to claim 26, wherein the cooling is a cryo-cooling.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
17 words
A probe according to claim 26, wherein the probe surface to be heated and/or cooled is changeable.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-12-29 | 2001-06-30 | 2001-12-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-12-29 | 2005-06-30 | 2005-12-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-12-29 | 2009-06-30 | 2009-12-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |