US3712306A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cryogenic application chamber and method
Assignee: Brymill Corp
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Filing: 1971-11-09
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Granted: 1973-01-23
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Expires: 1991-11-09
Abstract
Abstract A cryosurgical instrument comprises an open-ended chamber pressed into firm contact with tissue to be necrotized. A stream of liquified gas coolant (such as nitrogen), in substantially the liquid phase, impinges directly on the tissue. In one embodiment, the coolant-delivery instrument provides venting of vapors from the chambers through an applicator vent tube. In another embodiment, the cryogenic application chamber comprises a cylindrical tube connected to a source of pressurized coolant, the distal end of the tube being open and adapted for application to a subject, the proximal end adapted for connection with the source, there being a vent hole through the wall of the tube near the proximal end. The chambers may assume a variety of configurations in order to gain easy access to lesions which are to be necrotized. The chambers may be used to apply a bulk of liquid or to confine a controlled, substantially liquid spray, in accordance with methods disclosed herein.
Inventors
- 👤 M Bryne
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 06:44
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/02; A61B18/0218
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
A cryosurgical instrument adapted for use in the freezing of tissue comprising: means including a walled confinement structure having an open distal end adapted for contact with the tissue to be frozen for providing a confined volume including and surrounding at least a portion of the tissue to be frozen; means for filling said confined volume with liquified gas coolant in liquid form to a level above the level of tissue to be frozen; and means for venting vapors of said coolant from said confined volume above said level of liquid.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
A cryosurgical instrument adapted for use in the freezing of tissue comprising: means including a walled confinement structure having an open distal end adapted for contact with the tissue to be frozen for providing a confined volume including and surrounding at least a portion of the tissue to be frozen; means for filling said confined volume with liquified gas coolant in liquid form to a level above the level of tissue to be frozen; and means for venting vapors of said coolant from said confined volume above said level of liquid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The instrument according to claim 1 wherein said walled structure comprises a generally cylindrical wall having an axis extending in at least one direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The instrument according to claim 2 wherein said walled structure comprises a compound cylindrical wall extending in more than one direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The instrument according to claim 1, wherein said walled structure comprises a generally elongated, bent wall.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
86 words
A cryosurgical instrument for the freezing of tissue comprising: an open walled chamber for providing a confined volume including and surrounding at least a portion of the tissue to be frozen; and means including a vent tube having a coolant delivery tube disposed coaxially therewith for directing a flow of liquified gas coolant toward tissue to be frozen within said confined volume and for venting vapors of said coolant from said confined volume, said open walled chamber being fastened to the outer one of said tubes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
86 words
A cryosurgical instrument for the freezing of tissue comprising: an open walled chamber for providing a confined volume including and surrounding at least a portion of the tissue to be frozen; and means including a vent tube having a coolant delivery tube disposed coaxially therewith for directing a flow of liquified gas coolant toward tissue to be frozen within said confined volume and for venting vapors of said coolant from said confined volume, said open walled chamber being fastened to the outer one of said tubes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The cryosurgical instrument according to claim 5 wherein said outer tube and said chamber are adapted to releasably engage one another, whereby said chamber may be removed from the end of Said tube.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
80 words
A cryosurgical method which comprises positioning one open end of an annular containment shield against the tissue to be frozen with sufficient force to form a hermetic seal therat; directing a flow of cryogenic liquid through the shield toward said one end into contact with the tissue to be frozen and vaporizing liquid thereat; venting the vaporized liquid upstream of said one end; and maintaining the hermetic seal until the tissue has been frozen and the liquid has been vaporized.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
80 words
A cryosurgical method which comprises positioning one open end of an annular containment shield against the tissue to be frozen with sufficient force to form a hermetic seal therat; directing a flow of cryogenic liquid through the shield toward said one end into contact with the tissue to be frozen and vaporizing liquid thereat; venting the vaporized liquid upstream of said one end; and maintaining the hermetic seal until the tissue has been frozen and the liquid has been vaporized.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
172 words
A method of cryosurgically treating living tissue comprising the steps of: providing a walled confinement structure having an open distal end and a proximal end connected to a source of liquified gas coolant, said structure composed, at least at its distal end, of a material having the characteristic of adherence with ice, said source of liquified gas coolant having a boiling point sufficiently low so as to freeze moisture thereby to form ice; cooling said structure, by causing coolant to pass therethrough, until said structure achieves a temperature below that at which ice will form; disposing said distal end of said structure into contact with living tissue to be treated, thereby establishing a confinement about at least a portion of tissue to be treated, said portion of tissue comprising a portion of said confinement, said confinement being sealed with a layer of ice between said structure and said tissue; and flowing said liquified gas coolant in liquid form from said source into said confinement toward said portion of tissue to be treated.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
172 words
A method of cryosurgically treating living tissue comprising the steps of: providing a walled confinement structure having an open distal end and a proximal end connected to a source of liquified gas coolant, said structure composed, at least at its distal end, of a material having the characteristic of adherence with ice, said source of liquified gas coolant having a boiling point sufficiently low so as to freeze moisture thereby to form ice; cooling said structure, by causing coolant to pass therethrough, until said structure achieves a temperature below that at which ice will form; disposing said distal end of said structure into contact with living tissue to be treated, thereby establishing a confinement about at least a portion of tissue to be treated, said portion of tissue comprising a portion of said confinement, said confinement being sealed with a layer of ice between said structure and said tissue; and flowing said liquified gas coolant in liquid form from said source into said confinement toward said portion of tissue to be treated.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3411483A
Cited
US3504674A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-23 | 1976-07-24 | 1977-01-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-23 | 1980-07-24 | 1981-01-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-23 | 1984-07-24 | 1985-01-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |