Cryogenic device with quick-connect needle probes
A cryogenic device with a cartridge holder for a cryogen cartridge, cryogen cartridge is coupleable to a cryogen pathway; a probe receptacle for receiving a needle probe, wherein the probe receptacle is configured to couple the needle probe to the cryogen cartridge via the cryogen pathway, and wherein the needle probe comprises: one or more needles having needle lumens disposed therein; a probe extension extending proximally, the probe extension having a probe lumen disposed therein, the probe lumen including an elongate element that extends from a proximal end to a distal end, wherein the probe lumen is coupled to the needle lumens at the distal end, and the cryogen pathway at a first location in between the proximal end and the distal end. Various connection mechanisms for securing needle probes to a handpiece portion are disclosed.
1 . A cryogenic device comprising:
a handpiece comprising:
an elongate housing extending along an axis between a proximal end and a distal end of the handpiece;
a handpiece clip coupled to the elongate housing;
a input element coupled to the handpiece clip for transitioning the handpiece clip between an engaging position and a disengaging position as the input element slides along the axis of the elongate housing;
a cartridge holder for holding a cryogen cartridge comprising a cryogen, wherein the cryogen cartridge is coupleable to a cryogen pathway; and
a probe receptacle configured to receive a probe extension of a needle probe, the probe extension having a proximal end, a distal end, the probe extension housed in a probe housing extending therefrom and having a probe snap configured to engage with the handpiece clip when the probe extension is received within the probe receptable, wherein the probe receptacle is configured to receive the proximal end of the probe extension, and wherein the probe receptacle comprises:
one or more sealing elements for sealing the probe receptacle, wherein the probe receptacle is configured to, when the probe extension is secured to the probe receptacle, couple a lumen of the probe extension to the cryogen pathway and introduce the cryogen into the lumen of the probe extension, wherein the probe receptacle is disposed at a first location between the proximal end and the distal end of the probe extension.
2 . The cryogenic device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more sealing elements comprise a first sealing element at a proximal side of the first location and a second sealing element at a distal side of the first location, wherein the one or more sealing elements are configured to seal the probe receptacle at the proximal and distal sides of the first location, wherein the first and second sealing elements are O-rings.
3 . The cryogenic device of claim 1 , further comprising: a supply valve disposed along the cryogen pathway between the cryogen cartridge and the probe receptacle.
4 . The cryogenic device of claim 3 , wherein the supply valve is configured to transition from an open position to a closed position.
5 . The cryogenic device of claim 4 , wherein the one or more sealing elements do not translate with the supply valve in the open position and the closed position so as to stabilize pressure within the probe receptacle.
6 . The cryogenic device of claim 1 , wherein the cryogen pathway comprises a pathway through an internal chassis, wherein an interior surface of the pathway comprises a metal material configured to reduce formation of bubbles from vaporization of the cryogen.
7 . The cryogenic device of claim 6 , wherein the metal material is aluminum.
8 . The cryogenic device of claim 1 , wherein the cartridge holder and the probe receptacle are housed in a handpiece capable of being held by a user.
9 . The cryogenic device of claim 8 , further comprising a piercing point integrated into the handpiece, wherein the piercing point is configured to pierce the cryogen cartridge when the cryogen cartridge is disposed within the cartridge holder.
10 . The cryogenic device of claim 8 , wherein the elongate housing of the handpiece comprises a movable cartridge door fixed to the elongate housing along the axis of the elongate housing, wherein the cartridge door is configured to move from an open position for allowing the cartridge holder to receive the cryogen cartridge to a closed position for securing the cryogen cartridge within the elongate housing.
11 . The cryogenic device of claim 10 , wherein the cartridge door is fixed to the elongate housing such that it is configured to swivel from the open position to the closed position.
12 . The cryogenic device of claim 8 , wherein the handpiece comprises an elongate housing extending along an axis, and wherein the handpiece is configured to rest substantially horizontally along the axis on a charging cradle to receive charging energy from the charging cradle.
13 . The cryogenic device of claim 1 , further comprising a passageway terminating at a proximal end of the probe extension, wherein the passageway is exposed to ambient air such that the proximal end of the probe extension is exposed to ambient air.
14 . The cryogenic device of claim 1 , wherein the needle probe comprises one or more needles, wherein each needle includes one or more depressions or projections configured to make one or more portions of the needle echogenic so as to allow for visualization of the needle using ultrasound.
15 . The cryogenic device of claim 14 , wherein the depressions or projections have a polygonal design, wherein the polygonal design comprises a star shape or a diamond shape.
16 . The cryogenic device of claim 1 , further comprising two input elements coupled to two handpiece clips on opposing sides of the handpiece housing, wherein compressing the two input elements toward each other transitions the two handpiece clips to the disengaging position.
17 . The cryogenic device of claim 1 , wherein the handpiece clip is an elastic element.
18 . The cryogenic device of claim 17 , wherein the elastic element is a flat spring.
19 . The cryogenic device of claim 1 , wherein the handpiece clip is configured to be deflected when the input element is slid toward the proximal end of the elongate housing.