US3794039A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for cryosurgery
Assignee: Linde GmbH
•
Filing: 1970-10-26
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Granted: 1974-02-26
•
Expires: 1990-10-26
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for cryosurgery wherein the probe includes a grip member having a hollow cryogenic coolant feed line supported by said grip member open at the tip thereof and connected at one end to the cryogenic coolant supply for transmitting coolant to impinge directly upon the tissue to be frozen. A return line open at the tip thereof and concentrically disposed around the feed line forms a space therebetween, with means communicating said space to suction means for returning vaporized coolant from the feed supply line. The open end of the feed supply line is recessed with respect to the corresponding open end of the return line, allowing a cryogenic coolant to impinge directly upon the tissue to be frozen, while vaporized coolant is returned through the return line.
Inventors
- 👤 P Kollner
- 👤 E Duczek
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:07
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/02; A61B18/0218
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 40
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
In an apparatus for cryosurgery having a central unit containing a supply of liquid cryogenic coolant, control and regulating means, and subatmospheric suction means connected to a probe for feezing tissue, the improvement comprising: a. a cryogenic probe including a grip member having a hollow cryogenic coolant feed line supported by said grip member, said line being open at the tip thereof and connected at one end to said cryogenic coolant supply for transmitting liquid coolant to impinge directly upon tissue to be frozen; b. a hollow cryogenic coolant return line open at a transparent end thereof concentrically disposed around said feed line to form a space therebetween; and c. means communicating said space to said subatmospheric suction means for returning vaporized coolant from said feed line, the open end of said feed line being recessed with respect to the corresponding open end of said return line.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
In an apparatus for cryosurgery having a central unit containing a supply of liquid cryogenic coolant, control and regulating means, and subatmospheric suction means connected to a probe for feezing tissue, the improvement comprising: a. a cryogenic probe including a grip member having a hollow cryogenic coolant feed line supported by said grip member, said line being open at the tip thereof and connected at one end to said cryogenic coolant supply for transmitting liquid coolant to impinge directly upon tissue to be frozen; b. a hollow cryogenic coolant return line open at a transparent end thereof concentrically disposed around said feed line to form a space therebetween; and c. means communicating said space to said subatmospheric suction means for returning vaporized coolant from said feed line, the open end of said feed line being recessed with respect to the corresponding open end of said return line.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said return line is provided with a vacuum jacket therearound at least in the portion thereof most proximate said one end of said feed line.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second line comprises two portions telescopically mounted with respect to one another.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the portion of said return line most proximate the free end of said first line is transparent acrylic.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the portions of said return line are sealed with respect to one another by ''''O'''' ring seals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said return line is connected to a detachable portion of said grip member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein heating means are disposed to raise the temperature of returning vaporized coolant.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising thermostatic control means for said heating means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a fluid supply communicates said feed line with said supply of cryogenic coolant and wherein a valve is disposed in said fluid supply to control flow of coolant tHerethrough.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said valve has a valving member formed to meter flow thereby as a function of the displacement thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said valving member is spring loaded to normally block flow therepast and which can be lifted by excess pressure to serve as a pressure release.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said grip member comprises a sectionalized housing which can be readily disassembled.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said grip member is provided with a handle having a trigger thereon.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein a connection line detachably connects said grip member to said central supply unit.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein means are provided to simultaneously operate a valve controlling the coolant supply and said suction means in said central supply unit and to regulate flow through said valve in said feed line by actuation of said trigger.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said connection line comprises plural concentrically arranged corrugated pipes detachably coupled to said central supply unit.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the space between the innermost of said pipes is evacuated, and wherein electric control lines are disposed through the space between the outermost of said pipes.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein heating means are disposed on the end of said return line corresponding to the free end of said first line.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
73 words
In a process for freezing tissue with a cryogenic probe by passing a liquid cryogenic coolant through a hollow feed line open at an end thereof and recessed with respect to a corresponding open end of a hollow return line concentrically surrounding said feed line to vaporize said coolant directly upon tissue to be frozen, the improvement which comprises: returning vaporized coolant by subatmospheric suction from said feed line through said return line.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
73 words
In a process for freezing tissue with a cryogenic probe by passing a liquid cryogenic coolant through a hollow feed line open at an end thereof and recessed with respect to a corresponding open end of a hollow return line concentrically surrounding said feed line to vaporize said coolant directly upon tissue to be frozen, the improvement which comprises: returning vaporized coolant by subatmospheric suction from said feed line through said return line.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
52 words
A process according to claim 17, further characterized by: a. placing a front rim of said return line on the tissue to be frozen; and b. drawing the tissue to be frozen against the rim of said return line by suction prior to passing said coolant onto said tissue to be frozen.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
A process according to claim 19 wherein said return line is transparent, further comprising observing the amount of coolant which is in the liquid phase at the site of application.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process according to claim 21 further comprising regulating said coolant feed responsive to said observation.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a pressure relief safety valve responsive to excess coolant pressure.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said heating means includes an annular heating device around the open end of said return line.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising d. a pressure relief safety valve responsive to excess coolant pressure; and e. an annular heating device around the open end of said return line.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
88 words
A cryosurgical instrument adapted for use in the freezing of tissue comprising: means 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; means for drawing the tissue to be frozen against said means for providing a confined volume; and means for venting vapors of said coolant from said confined volume above said level of liquid.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
88 words
A cryosurgical instrument adapted for use in the freezing of tissue comprising: means 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; means for drawing the tissue to be frozen against said means for providing a confined volume; and means for venting vapors of said coolant from said confined volume above said level of liquid.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
An instrument according to claim 26 wherein said means for venting coolant vapors is a subatmospheric suction means.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
24 words
The instrument according to claim 26 wherein said walled structure comprises a generally cylindrical wall having an axis extending in at least one direction.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
16 words
The instrument according to claim 26 wherein said means for providing a confined volume is transpArent.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
104 words
A cryosurgical instrument for 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; 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; and subatmospheric suction means capable of drawing the tissue to be frozen against a rim of said open walled chamber.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
104 words
A cryosurgical instrument for 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; 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; and subatmospheric suction means capable of drawing the tissue to be frozen against a rim of said open walled chamber.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
18 words
The instrument according to claim 30 wherein said means for venting coolant vapors is a subatmospheric suction means.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
13 words
The instrument according to claim 30 wherein said open walled chamber is transparent.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
33 words
The cryosurgical instrument according to claim 30 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 38
Dependent Claim
82 words
A cryosurgical method which comprises positioning one open end of an annular containment shield against the tissue to be frozen with sufficient subatmospheric suction force to form a hermetic seal thereat; 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 39
Dependent Claim
82 words
A cryosurgical method which comprises positioning one open end of an annular containment shield against the tissue to be frozen with sufficient subatmospheric suction force to form a hermetic seal thereat; 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 40
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 34 wherein said vaporized liquid is vented by subatmospheric suction.
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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) | 1977-02-25 | 1977-08-27 | 1978-02-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-25 | 1981-08-27 | 1982-02-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-25 | 1985-08-27 | 1986-02-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |