US6306129B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cryosurgical system and method
Assignee: Ethicon Inc
•
Filing: 1999-08-19
•
Granted: 2001-10-23
•
Expires: 2019-08-19
Abstract
Abstract A cryosurgical system comprises a compressor unit and a probe assembly. A secondary refrigerant stream from the compressor unit pre-cools a heat exchanger within the probe assembly in a standby mode of operation. After the heat exchange is pre-cooled, a primary refrigerant stream can be passed through the cooled heat exchanger and thereafter expanded within a tissue-contacting portion of the probe assembly to achieve very low temperatures, typically minus 100° C. or lower. After cooling, the refrigerant stream may be passed through the probe assembly with no or partial expansion to warm the tissue-contacting surface of the probe. A probe sheath can be used to provide sterility.
Inventors
- 👤 William A. Little
- 👤 Igor Sapozhnikov
- 👤 Todd Thompson
- 👤 George M. Savage
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:27
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/02; F; F25; F25B; F25B40/00; F25B47/00; F25B47/02; F25B47/022; F25B9/00; F25B9/002; F25B9/006; A61B2018/00005; A61B2018/00041; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S128/00; Y10S128/27
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
A cryosurgical instrument comprising: a) a vacuum enclosure comprising a helical coil heat exchanger; b) a probe of smaller diameter than the vacuum enclosure extending from the heat exchanger and terminating at its distal end with a closed tip providing a freezing zone effective during operation of the instrument to freeze living tissue when in contact therewith; c) a vacuum enclosure extension enclosing a portion of the probe; and d) a compressor for supplying a refrigerant to the heat exchanger.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
80 words
A cryosurgical instrument comprising: a) a vacuum enclosure comprising a helical coil heat exchanger; b) a probe of smaller diameter than the vacuum enclosure extending from the heat exchanger and terminating at its distal end with a closed tip providing a freezing zone effective during operation of the instrument to freeze living tissue when in contact therewith; c) a vacuum enclosure extension enclosing a portion of the probe; and d) a compressor for supplying a refrigerant to the heat exchanger.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The cryosurgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the vacuum enclosure and probe are present in a hand-held assembly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The cryosurgical instrument of claim 1 further comprising a sheath adapted for removal placement over the probe and vacuum enclosure extension.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The cryosurgical instrument of claim 3 , wherein the sheath is composed of metal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The cryosurgical instrument of claim 4 , further comprising a heat conductive material between an exterior surface of the probe and an interior surface of the sheath.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The cryosurgical instrument of claim 4 , wherein the heat conductive material comprises a heat conductive powder suspended in a liquid carrier.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The cryosurgical instrument of claim 1 wherein the vacuum enclosure connects to the compressor through a flexible connector.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The cryosurgical instrument of claim 1 wherein the heat exchanger comprises an outer coiled tube with at least one coiled tube disposed within the outer coiled tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
97 words
A cryosurgical instrument for ablating the endometrial lining of the uterus comprising: a) A hand-held assembly comprising a vacuum enclosure and a helical coil heat exchanger disposed within the vacuum enclosure; b) a probe of smaller diameter than the vacuum enclosure extending from the heat exchanger and terminating at its distal end with a closed tip providing a freezing zone effective during operation of the instrument to freeze living tissue when in contact therewith; c) a vacuum enclosure extension enclosing a portion of the probe; and d) a compressor for supplying a refrigerant to the heat exchanger.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
97 words
A cryosurgical instrument for ablating the endometrial lining of the uterus comprising: a) A hand-held assembly comprising a vacuum enclosure and a helical coil heat exchanger disposed within the vacuum enclosure; b) a probe of smaller diameter than the vacuum enclosure extending from the heat exchanger and terminating at its distal end with a closed tip providing a freezing zone effective during operation of the instrument to freeze living tissue when in contact therewith; c) a vacuum enclosure extension enclosing a portion of the probe; and d) a compressor for supplying a refrigerant to the heat exchanger.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of ablating the endometrial lining of the uterus comprising: a) providing a hand-held assembly comprising a vacuum enclosure and a helical coil heat exchanger disposed within the vacuum enclosure and a probe of smaller diameter than the vacuum enclosure and extending from the heat exchanger and terminating at the distal end of the probe a closed tip providing a freezing zone; b) providing a vacuum enclosure extension enclosing a portion of the probe; c) inserting a portion of the probe within the uterus; and d) compressing a refrigerant and supplying the refrigerant to the freezing zone.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of ablating the endometrial lining of the uterus comprising: a) providing a hand-held assembly comprising a vacuum enclosure and a helical coil heat exchanger disposed within the vacuum enclosure and a probe of smaller diameter than the vacuum enclosure and extending from the heat exchanger and terminating at the distal end of the probe a closed tip providing a freezing zone; b) providing a vacuum enclosure extension enclosing a portion of the probe; c) inserting a portion of the probe within the uterus; and d) compressing a refrigerant and supplying the refrigerant to the freezing zone.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-10-22 | 2005-04-23 | 2005-10-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-10-22 | 2009-04-23 | 2009-10-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-10-22 | 2013-04-23 | 2013-10-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |