Patent ID: 7104984

Claim:
A method for cryoablating tissue, said method comprising the steps of: providing a device including a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, said device further including a flexible enclosure attached to the distal end of said shaft, said enclosure having an outer surface and an inner surface, with the inner surface thereof forming a cryochamber wherein the cryochamber has a length, said device further including a shapeable rod attached to the distal end of said shaft and extending therefrom into the cryochamber substantially along and through the length thereof; exposing the tissue; manually deforming said shapeable rod to selectively establish a configuration for said enclosure to conform said enclosure to the exposed tissue; contacting the tissue with said outer surface of said enclosure; preconditioning a cryo-fluid to approximately 400 psia and −40° C.; and passing said preconditioned cryo-fluid through a flow restricting device and into said enclosure to flow to said enclosure unimpeded by said rod to cool said enclosure and cryoablate the tissue.