Patent US4217241A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
USRE28657E
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cryosurgical apparatus
Assignee: —
•
Filing: 1974-07-12
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Granted: 1975-12-23
•
Expires: 1994-07-12
Abstract
Abstract Cryosurical apparatus feeds liquid refrigerant to the hollow tip of a cryosurgical probe through a first conduit to freeze the tip, the refrigerant exhausting from the tip through a second conduit. To defrost the tip, refrigerant in the second conduit is heated and then backflushed through the tip so that it exhausts therefrom through the first conduit. To maintain proper fluid flow through the probe during the defrost mode of operation, the probe contains a third conduit which bleeds fluid from the tip during both modes of operation.
Inventors
No inventors recorded.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:25
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/02; A61B2018/00005; A61B2018/00041
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 65
Claim 1
Independent Claim
203 words
Cryosurgical apparatus comprising A. a probe having a hollow probe tip, B. a first tube extending to a point inside the probe tip, C. a second tube extending to a point inside the probe tip, said second tube being sufficiently less restrictive than the first tube that when fluid is supplied to the tip through the first tube sufficient exhaust will pass through the second tube to cool the tip below 0*C, D. means for conducting a fluid refrigerant to the first tube so that it flows into the probe tip and exhausts therefrom through the second tube thereby rapidly cooling the tip (,) to a first temperature sufficiennt to freeze human tissue, and E. second means for conducting (the) refrigerant (to the second) at a temperature higher than said first temperature (tube so that it flows) to the probe tip through the second tube (and) so that it exhausts therefrom through the first tube, (and) thereby warming the tip. (F. means adjacent the second conducting means for heating the refrigerant prior to its introduction into the second tube so that the fluid entering the probe tip through the second tube and exhausting therefrom through the first tube rapidly heats the probe tip.)
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
203 words
Cryosurgical apparatus comprising A. a probe having a hollow probe tip, B. a first tube extending to a point inside the probe tip, C. a second tube extending to a point inside the probe tip, said second tube being sufficiently less restrictive than the first tube that when fluid is supplied to the tip through the first tube sufficient exhaust will pass through the second tube to cool the tip below 0*C, D. means for conducting a fluid refrigerant to the first tube so that it flows into the probe tip and exhausts therefrom through the second tube thereby rapidly cooling the tip (,) to a first temperature sufficiennt to freeze human tissue, and E. second means for conducting (the) refrigerant (to the second) at a temperature higher than said first temperature (tube so that it flows) to the probe tip through the second tube (and) so that it exhausts therefrom through the first tube, (and) thereby warming the tip. (F. means adjacent the second conducting means for heating the refrigerant prior to its introduction into the second tube so that the fluid entering the probe tip through the second tube and exhausting therefrom through the first tube rapidly heats the probe tip.)
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
3 words
a hollow tip,
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
3 words
a hollow tip,
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
when the first tube is connected to receive refrigerant through the first valve, said second tube is connected to exhaust to the atmosphere through the second valve, and
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
when the first tube is connected to receive refrigerant through the first valve, said second tube is connected to exhaust to the atmosphere through the second valve, and
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
said second tube being sufficiently less restrictive than the first tube that when fluid is supplied to the tip through the first tube, sufficient exhaust will pass through the second tube to cool the tip below 0*C, and
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
said second tube being sufficiently less restrictive than the first tube that when fluid is supplied to the tip through the first tube, sufficient exhaust will pass through the second tube to cool the tip below 0*C, and
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
when the first tube is connected to receive refrigerant through the first valve, said second tube is connected to exhaust to the atmosphere through the second valve, and
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
when the first tube is connected to receive refrigerant through the first valve, said second tube is connected to exhaust to the atmosphere through the second valve, and
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
a first port leading to only one of said tubes in the probe,
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
a first port leading to only one of said tubes in the probe,
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
being urged (by gravity) toward the ((bottom of the chamber,)) housing wall opposite the vent passage,
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
being urged (by gravity) toward the ((bottom of the chamber,)) housing wall opposite the vent passage,
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
a first port leading to only one of said tubes in the probe,
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
a first port leading to only one of said tubes in the probe,
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
11 words
a second port for connection to a refrigerant fluid source, and
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
11 words
a second port for connection to a refrigerant fluid source, and
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
65 words
Cryosurgical apparatus defined in claim 1 further including a source of liquid refrigerant for connection alternately to the first and second conducting means so that the refrigerant is conducted to the (proe) probe tip through the first tube as an unheated liquid and is conducted to the probe tip through the second tube (after being heated by the heating means) as a relatively warm fluid.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
being ((lifted)) shifted toward the vent passage only slightly in response to gas entering the housing from the first conducting means so as to allow passage thereof of the vent passage, and
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
being ((lifted)) shifted toward the vent passage only slightly in response to gas entering the housing from the first conducting means so as to allow passage thereof of the vent passage, and
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
when the second tube is connected to receive refrigerant through the second valve, the first tube is connected to exhaust to the atmosphere through the first valve.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
when the second tube is connected to receive refrigerant through the second valve, the first tube is connected to exhaust to the atmosphere through the first valve.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
10 words
a second port for connection ot a refrigerant source, and
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
10 words
a second port for connection ot a refrigerant source, and
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
113 words
said first tube being sufficiently more restrictive than the second tube so that when fluid is supplied to the tip through the second tube and exhausts therefrom through the first tube, the pressure in the tip exceeds the pressure when fluid refrigerant exists as saturated vapor in equilibrium with its liquid at 0*C so that the tip is warmed above 0*C, D. means for flowing refrigerant through the first tube to the inside of the tip so that it exhausts from the second tube, and E. means for reversing the direction of refrigerant flow through the tip so that the refrigerant is supplied to the second tube and exhausts from the first tube.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
113 words
said first tube being sufficiently more restrictive than the second tube so that when fluid is supplied to the tip through the second tube and exhausts therefrom through the first tube, the pressure in the tip exceeds the pressure when fluid refrigerant exists as saturated vapor in equilibrium with its liquid at 0*C so that the tip is warmed above 0*C, D. means for flowing refrigerant through the first tube to the inside of the tip so that it exhausts from the second tube, and E. means for reversing the direction of refrigerant flow through the tip so that the refrigerant is supplied to the second tube and exhausts from the first tube.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
27 words
when the second tube is connected to receive refrigerant through the second valve, the first tube is connected to exhaust to the atmosphere through the first valve.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
when the second tube is connected to receive refrigerant through the second valve, the first tube is connected to exhaust to the atmosphere through the first valve.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
17 words
a first small diameter tube extending through the probe and terminating at a point inside the tip,
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
17 words
a first small diameter tube extending through the probe and terminating at a point inside the tip,
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
18 words
a second small diameter tube extending through the probe and terminating at a point inside the tip, and
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
18 words
a second small diameter tube extending through the probe and terminating at a point inside the tip, and
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
23 words
a third port venting to the atmosphere, and B. means for operating the two valves out of phase with each other so that
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
23 words
a third port venting to the atmosphere, and B. means for operating the two valves out of phase with each other so that
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
29 words
being (moved (up)) floated againt the ((top of the housing)) vent passage when liquid enters the housing from the first conducting means so as to block the vent passage.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
29 words
being (moved (up)) floated againt the ((top of the housing)) vent passage when liquid enters the housing from the first conducting means so as to block the vent passage.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
27 words
a third port venting to the atmosphere, and B. the reversing means comprise means for operating the two valves out of phase with each other so that
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
27 words
a third port venting to the atmosphere, and B. the reversing means comprise means for operating the two valves out of phase with each other so that
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
31 words
Cryosurgical apparatus as defined in claim 2 and further including means connected to said first conducting means for purging the first conducting means of gas without permitting appreciable leakage of fluid.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
50 words
Cryosurgical apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said purging means is comprised of A. a housing extending (up) from the conducting means and communicating therewith, B. a vent passage ((at the top of)) in the housing, and C. a bouyant valve member movable within the housing, said valve member
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
70 words
a third tube extending through the probe and communicating with the interior of the probe tip, B. means for supplying refrigerant to the first tube so that the refrigerant flows to the probe tip and exhausts through both the second and third tubes, thereby rapidly cooling the probe tip, and C. means for conducting any refrigerant exhausting from the tip through the second and third tubes away from the probe.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
70 words
a third tube extending through the probe and communicating with the interior of the probe tip, B. means for supplying refrigerant to the first tube so that the refrigerant flows to the probe tip and exhausts through both the second and third tubes, thereby rapidly cooling the probe tip, and C. means for conducting any refrigerant exhausting from the tip through the second and third tubes away from the probe.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
15 words
Cryosurgical apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein the refrigerant source contains liquid nitrous oxide.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
32 words
Cryosurgical apparatus as defined in claim 1 and including (wherein the heating means include) means for maintaining the refrigerant flowing through the second conducting means at a substantially constant temperature above 0*C.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
52 words
Cryosurgical apparatus as defined in claim 1 and further including a two-ended third tube inside the probe, said third tube having its one end communicating with the inside of the probe tip and its other end venting to the atmosphere, said third tube conducting fluid inside the probe tip (of) to atmosphere.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
28 words
Cryosurgical apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein A. the first tube has a first internal diameter, and B. the second tube has a second larger internal diameter.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
23 words
Cryosurgical apparatus as deffined in claim 8 wherein the internal diameter of the third tube is smaller than that of the first tube.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
69 words
Cryosurgical apparatus as defined in claim 1 and including (wherein the) heating means (is) comprised of A. a heater in intimate thermal exchange relation with the second conducting means so that the conducting means and any fluid flowing therein is heated by the heater, and B. a temperature responsive switch for controlling the energizing of the heater so as to maintain the (hpater) heater at a substantially constant temperature.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
27 words
Cryosurgical apparatus as defined in claim 1 A. wherein the first and second conducting means include first and second three-way solenoid valves, respectively, each said valve having
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
33 words
Cryosurgical apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein the actuating means includes timing means for controlling the length of time the three-way valves are in at least one of their two operative positions.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
7 words
Cryosurgical apparatus comprising A. a probe having
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
7 words
Cryosurgical apparatus comprising A. a probe having
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
33 words
Cryosurgical apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein the third tube is smaller in internal diameter than the first tube and the second tube is larger in internal diameter than the first tube.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
38 words
Cryosurgical apparatus as defined in claim 14 wherein the first tube is 0.028 inch in diameter, the second tube is 0.064 inch in diameter and the third tube is similar (to) in bore size to the first tube.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
42 words
Cryosurgical apparatus as defined in claim 13 and further including means for conducting a relatively warm fluid into the probe tip through the second tube and exhausting it from the tip through the first and third tubes, thereby rapidly warming the tip.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
48 words
Cryosurgical apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein the warm fluid conducting means includes A. a conduct for supplying refrigerant to the second tube, B. means for heating the conduit, and C. means for controlling the heating means so as to maintain the conduit at a selected temperature.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
67 words
Cryosurgical apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein the bore size of the second tube is larger than the combined bore sizes of the first and third tubes so that in the defrost mode, the fluid conducted to the tip through the second tube is maintained at a pressure inside the tip greater than the saturation pressure corresponding to 0*C for the particular working fluid being circulated.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
159 words
Cryosurgical apparatus comprising A. a probe having a hollow thermally conductive tip, B. a single fluid refrigerant path extending through the tip, said path having a relatively restrictive part communicating with the interior of the tip and a less restrictive part communicating with the interior of the tip, C. means for flowing refrigerant at a selected temperature above 0*C along said path so that the refrigerant flows along the more restrictive part of the path into the tip and exhausts from the tip along the less restrictive part of the path so that the refrigerant cools the tip to a first temperature sufficiently low to freeze human tissue, and D. means for subsequently reversing flow of refrigerant so that the refrigerant flows along the less restrictive part of the path into The tip and exhausts from the tip along the more restrictive part of the path so that the refrigerant warms the tip to a second temperature above 0*C.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
159 words
Cryosurgical apparatus comprising A. a probe having a hollow thermally conductive tip, B. a single fluid refrigerant path extending through the tip, said path having a relatively restrictive part communicating with the interior of the tip and a less restrictive part communicating with the interior of the tip, C. means for flowing refrigerant at a selected temperature above 0*C along said path so that the refrigerant flows along the more restrictive part of the path into the tip and exhausts from the tip along the less restrictive part of the path so that the refrigerant cools the tip to a first temperature sufficiently low to freeze human tissue, and D. means for subsequently reversing flow of refrigerant so that the refrigerant flows along the less restrictive part of the path into The tip and exhausts from the tip along the more restrictive part of the path so that the refrigerant warms the tip to a second temperature above 0*C.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
148 words
Cryosurgical apparatus comprising: A. a probe having a hollow probe tip, B. a first tube in communication with the inside of the probe tip, C. a second tube in communication with the inside of the probe tip, said first tube being more restricted than said second tube, D. means for conducting a fluid refrigerant at an initial temperature above 0*C through the first tube into the probe tip so that it exhausts therefrom through the second tube whereby the refrigerant temperature inside the tip drops substantially below 0*C, thereby cooling the tip, and E. means for reversing the direction of refrigerant flow at the initial temperature through the probe tip so that said refrigerant is conducted through the second tube into the probe tip and exhausts therefrom through the first tube whereby the refrigerant temperature inside the tip is above 0*C so that the refrigerant warms the tip.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
148 words
Cryosurgical apparatus comprising: A. a probe having a hollow probe tip, B. a first tube in communication with the inside of the probe tip, C. a second tube in communication with the inside of the probe tip, said first tube being more restricted than said second tube, D. means for conducting a fluid refrigerant at an initial temperature above 0*C through the first tube into the probe tip so that it exhausts therefrom through the second tube whereby the refrigerant temperature inside the tip drops substantially below 0*C, thereby cooling the tip, and E. means for reversing the direction of refrigerant flow at the initial temperature through the probe tip so that said refrigerant is conducted through the second tube into the probe tip and exhausts therefrom through the first tube whereby the refrigerant temperature inside the tip is above 0*C so that the refrigerant warms the tip.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
26 words
Cryosurgical apparatus as defined in claim 20, wherein A. the first and second conducting means include first and second three-way solenoid valves, each said valve having
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
36 words
Cryosurgical apparatus comprising A. a fluid refrigerant probe having a hollow tip, B. a first tube in communication with the inside of the tip, C. a second tube in communication with the inside of the tip,
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
36 words
Cryosurgical apparatus comprising A. a fluid refrigerant probe having a hollow tip, B. a first tube in communication with the inside of the tip, C. a second tube in communication with the inside of the tip,
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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) | 1978-12-22 | 1979-06-23 | 1979-12-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-22 | 1983-06-23 | 1983-12-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-22 | 1987-06-23 | 1987-12-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |