Patent ID: 9554842
Date: 2017-01-31
CPC Classifications: A61B

Claim:
1. A method of performing cryogenic surgery comprising the steps of: providing a cryoprobe comprising: placing the coolant inlet tube in fluid communication with a pressurized liquid nitrogen source by means of an inlet pressure fitting; supplying the liquid nitrogen from the pressurized liquid nitrogen source to the cryoprobe through the inlet pressure fitting, which flows through a fluid supply line, flows through the coolant inlet tube and exits the distal end of the coolant inlet tube; exhausting the liquid nitrogen from the pressurized liquid nitrogen source so that it flows over the outside of the coolant inlet tube and the helical baffle; placing the short rigid penetrating segment against a target tissue to be cooled; and flowing the liquid nitrogen fluid past the outer surface of the coolant inlet tube and placing the coolant inlet tube in contact with the helical-shaped baffle creating a turbulent helical flow path and forcing the liquid nitrogen towards the inner surface of the outer rigid tube.