Cryosurgical probe with adjustable freeze zone

• US 20040073203A1
• Filed: 09/02/2003
• Published: 04/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Endocare Inc. (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Endocare Inc. (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Eum, Jay J., Damasco, Sanford D., Yu, Xiaoyu
• Application Number:
  US10/653,854
• Publication Number:
  US 20040073203A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/21
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/02 by cooling, e.g. cryogenic techniques devices for cooling specific reflex points of the body within cell-life limits A61H39/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00084 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00092 using thermocouples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00243 cardiac
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00041 Heating, e.g. defrosting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00101 low, i.e. thermally insulating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0262 using a circulating cryogenic fluid

Abstract

A cryosurgical probe includes an actuator housing assembly and an actuator assembly. The actuator housing assembly includes an actuator housing having an elongated central opening therethrough. The actuator housing has a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. A delivery system for a cryogenic fluid, includes a first end secured to the proximal end portion of the actuator housing. An insulation layer has a proximal portion securely attached to the proximal end portion of the actuator housing. An actuator assembly includes a rotatable actuator having a portion thereof contained within the actuator housing. The rotatable actuator is rotatable relative to the actuator housing. A cryosurgical shaft assembly is securely attached to the rotatable actuator. The insulation layer extends along an inner surface of the cryosurgical shaft to define insulated portions of the cryosurgical shaft and uninsulated portions. The relative disposition of insulated and uninsulated portions of the cryosurgical shaft assembly defines at least one freeze zone, which is adjustable by relative rotation between the rotatable actuator and the actuator housing.

Claims

1. A cryosurgical probe for providing an adjustable freeze zone, comprising:

an actuator housing assembly, comprising;

a) an actuator housing having an elongated central opening therethrough, said actuator housing having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion;

b) a delivery system for a cryogenic fluid, including a first end secured to said proximal end portion of said actuator housing; and

,

c) an insulation layer having a proximal portion securely attached to said proximal end portion of said actuator housing; and

,

an actuator assembly, comprising;

a) a rotatable actuator having a portion thereof contained within said actuator housing, said rotatable actuator being rotatable relative to said actuator housing; and

,

b) a cryosurgical shaft assembly securely attached to said rotatable actuator, said insulation layer extending along an inner surface of said cryosurgical shaft to define insulated portions of said cryosurgical shaft and uninsulated portions, the relative disposition of insulated and uninsulated portions of said cryosurgical shaft assembly defining at least one freeze zone which is adjustable by relative rotation between said rotatable actuator and said actuator housing.

2. The cryosurgical probe of claim 1, wherein said delivery system comprises:

a) a cryostat assembly comprising a cryostat housing, said cryostat housing including a cryostat housing attachment end secured to said proximal end portion of said actuator housing; and

,

b) a Joule-Thomson tube assembly securely positioned within said actuator housing.

3. A cryosurgical probe for providing an adjustable freeze zone, comprising:

a stationary assembly, comprising;

a) an actuator housing having an elongated central opening therethrough, said actuator housing having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion;

b) a cryostat assembly comprising a cryostat housing, said cryostat housing including a cryostat housing attachment end secured to said proximal end portion of said actuator housing;

c) a stationary cylindrical insulation layer having a proximal portion securely attached to said proximal end portion of said actuator housing; and

,

d) a Joule-Thomson tube assembly securely positioned within said actuator housing; and

,

a positionable assembly, comprising;

a) a rotatable cylindrical actuator having a portion thereof contained within said actuator housing, said cylindrical actuator being rotatable relative to said actuator housing; and

,

b) a cryosurgical shaft assembly securely attached to said rotatable cylindrical actuator, wherein rotation of said rotatable cylindrical actuator provides desired freezing.

4. The cryosurgical probe of claim 3, wherein said rotatable cylindrical actuator is operatively engaged with said actuator housing to provide axial movement therebetween during rotation of said rotatable cylindrical actuator thereby changing the length of said freeze zone.

5. The cryosurgical probe of claim 3, wherein said rotatable cylindrical actuator is operatively engaged with said actuator housing to provide axial movement therebetween during rotation of said rotatable cylindrical actuator, thereby changing the length of said freeze zone, said rotatable cylindrical actuator being threadably engaged with said actuator housing.

6. The cryosurgical probe of claim 3, wherein said cryosurgical shaft assembly comprises insulation formed on a selected portion thereon to provide a rotatable freeze zone upon rotation of said rotatable cylindrical actuator.

7. A cryosurgical probe for providing an adjustable freeze zone, comprising:

an actuator housing assembly, comprising;

a) an actuator housing having an elongated central opening therethrough, said actuator housing having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion;

b) a cryosurgical shaft assembly securely attached to said distal end portion of said actuator housing;

an actuator assembly, comprising;

a) a rotatable actuator having a portion thereof contained within said actuator housing, said rotatable actuator being rotatable relative to said actuator housing, said rotatable actuator having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion;

b) a delivery system for a cryogenic fluid secured to said rotatable actuator; and

,

c) an insulation layer having a proximal portion securely attached to said rotatable actuator, said insulation layer extending along an inner surface of said cryosurgical shaft to define insulated portions of said cryosurgical shaft and uninsulated portions, the relative disposition of insulated and uninsulated portions of said cryosurgical shaft assembly defining a least one freeze zone which is adjustable by relative rotation between said rotatable actuator and said actuator housing.

8. The cryosurgical probe of claim 7, wherein said delivery system comprises:

a) a cryostat assembly comprising a cryostat housing, said cryostat housing including a cryostat housing attachment end secured to said proximal end portion of said actuator housing; and

,

b) a Joule-Thomson tube assembly securely positioned within said actuator housing.

9. A cryosurgical probe for providing an adjustable freeze zone, comprising:

a stationary assembly, comprising;

a) an actuator housing having an elongated central opening therethrough, said actuator housing having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion;

b) a cryosurgical shaft assembly securely attached to said distal end portion of said actuator housing;

a positionable assembly, comprising;

a) a rotatable cylindrical actuator having a portion thereof contained within said actuator housing, said cylindrical actuator being rotatable relative to said actuator housing;

b) a cryostat assembly comprising a cryostat housing, said cryostat housing including a cryostat housing attachment end secured to said rotatable cylindrical actuator;

c) a cylindrical insulation layer having a proximal portion securely attached to said rotatable cylindrical actuator; and

,

d) a Joule-Thomson tube assembly securely positioned within said cylindrical actuator, wherein rotation of said rotatable cylindrical actuator provides desired freezing.

10. The cryosurgical probe of claim 9, wherein said rotatable cylindrical actuator is operatively engaged with said actuator housing to provide axial movement therebetween during rotation of said rotatable cylindrical actuator thereby changing the length of said freeze zone.

11. The cryosurgical probe of claim 9, wherein said rotatable cylindrical actuator is operatively engaged with said actuator housing to provide axial movement therebetween during rotation of said rotatable cylindrical actuator, thereby changing the length of said freeze zone, said rotatable cylindrical actuator being threadably engaged with said actuator housing.

12. The cryosurgical probe of claim 9, wherein said rotatable cylindrical actuator is operatively engaged with said actuator housing to provide axial movement therebetween during rotation of said rotatable cylindrical actuator, thereby changing the length of said freeze zone, said rotatable cylindrical actuator being threadably engaged with said actuator housing.

13. The cryosurgical probe of claim 9, wherein said cryosurgical shaft assembly comprises insulation formed on a selected portion thereon to provide a rotatable freeze zone upon rotation of said rotatable cylindrical actuator.