[54] ENTRAINED CRYOGENIC DROPLET TRANSFER METHOD AND CRYOSURGICAL INSTRUMENT
[75] Inventor: Arthur A. Fowle, Brewster, Mass.
[73] Assignee: Arthur A. Fowle, Inc., Brewster, Mass.
[21] Appl. No.: 6,466
[22] Filed: Jan. 21,1993
[51] Int. CI.5 A61B 17/36
[52] U.S. CI 606/23; 606/20
[58] Field of Search 606/20-26;
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OTHER PUBLICATIONS
Abstract from PCT Publications WO 93/04647, International Application No. PCT/US92/07448, filing date Sep. 4, 1992, Cryosurgical Instrument with Vent Holes and Method.
Primary Examiner—Stephen C. Pellegrino
Assistant Examiner—M. Feffley
Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Hamilton, Brook, Smith &
Reynolds
[57] ABSTRACT
A cryogenic apparatus comprises a coolant system and a probe having a cryogenically-cooled cold-tip. The probe is formed of an elongated housing having a distal end closed by the cold-tip and a proximal end connected to the coolant system. The housing is adapted to receive cryogenic droplets entrained in a warm carrier gas stream supplied by the coolant system. The carrier gas stream passes through the housing such that the entrained cryogenic droplets are transported to the distal end of the probe for cooling the cold-tip.
24 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
