Patent ID: 6936045

Claim:
A malleable cryosurgical probe, comprising: a) a cryostat assembly, comprising: i) an elongated shaft assembly having at least one malleable segment thereof and a closed distal end, said shaft assembly, including: at least one freezing portion; at least one thermally insulated portion; and a thermally insulating element positioned about said thermally insulated portion, said thermally insulated element being adjustably positionable to control the location, size and shape of said freezing portion, ii) a cryostat operably associated with said elongated shaft assembly, comprising: a cryostat inlet for receiving gas entering said cryostat; a cryostat outlet: and, a heat exchanger having a distal end positioned proximally from said freezing portion, said heat exchanger being positioned between said cryostat outlet and said cryostat inlet, said heat exchanger for receiving gas from said cryostat inlet and providing heat transfer between gas flowing within said cryostat and fluid exterior thereto; and, iii) a plurality of longitudinally spaced Joule-Thomson nozzles in fluid communication with said cryostat outlet, said plurality of Joule-Thomson nozzles for expanding gas expelled therefrom, the expanded cold fluid communicating with said at least one freezing portion to provide cooling thereof; and, b) a cryoprobe assembly, comprising: a handle assembly for supporting said cryostat assembly, said handle assembly having an outer diameter greater than said freezing portion and said thermally insulated portion, said handle assembly, comprising: an anchor securely connected to said cryostat assembly; an o-ring secured to said anchor for preventing fluid from escaping through said handle assembly: and, a handle securely connected to said anchor; and, a fluid supply line assembly connectable to a fluid source at one end and to said cryostat inlet at a second end, wherein said heat exchanger is positioned at a location longitudinally spaced from said at least one freezing portion and inside a volume formed by said handle assembly.