Patent ID: 6648880
Filing Date: 2003-11-18
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A method for treating a target region of brain tissue, comprising the steps of:providing a catheter having a flexible body having at least one lumen, proximal and distal end portions, said distal end portion enclosing a thermally transmissive cryochamber in fluid communication with said at least one lumen, positioning said catheter to dispose said cryochamber proximate said target region of brain tissue, injecting a refrigerant fluid flow into the at least one lumen in said catheter body, and expanding said refrigerant fluid flow inside said cryochamber, wherein the step of positioning said catheter to dispose said cryochamber proximate said target region of brain tissue comprises: percutaneously inserting said distal end portion of said catheter in a vascular pathway connected to said target region of brain tissue, and advancing said catheter through said pathway to dispose said cryochamber proximate said target region of brain tissue.