Clamp based low temperature lesion formation apparatus, systems and methods

1. A clamp, comprising:

first and second clamp members;

an inflatable cryogenic apparatus carried by the first clamp member, the inflatable cryogenic apparatus comprising a base member including a groove configured to receive an inflatable cryogenic element, the inflatable cryogenic element adapted to receive a cryogenic fluid, the inflatable cryogenic element being impermeable to the cryogenic fluid; and

a temperature sensor apparatus carried by the second clamp member.

2. A clamp as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the inflatable cryogenic apparatus is configured to operate at an internal pressure of less than about 100 mm Hg.

3. A clamp as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the inflatable cryogenic element defines first and second longitudinal ends, an inlet associated with the first longitudinal end and an outlet associated with the second longitudinal end.

4. A clamp as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the inflatable cryogenic apparatus includes an infusion lumen defining a first cross-sectional area and a ventilation lumen defining a second cross-sectional area and the second cross-sectional area is greater than the first cross-sectional area.

5. A clamp as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the inflatable cryogenic apparatus includes an inflatable cryogenic element defining a longitudinal axis and a non-circular shape in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

6. A clamp as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the temperature sensor apparatus includes a plurality of temperature sensors.

7. A clamp, comprising:

first and second clamp members; and

a cryogenic apparatus, carried by at least one of the first and second clamp members, including a base member having a groove configured for receiving an inflatable cryogenic element adapted to receive a cryogenic fluid, the inflatable cryogenic element being impermeable to the cryogenic fluid, the inflatable cryogenic element further defining a longitudinal axis and a non-circular inflated shape in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

8. A clamp as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the inflatable cryogenic element defines a substantially ellipsoidal inflated shape in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

9. A clamp as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the inflatable cryogenic element defines an inflated height and width in the cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and the inflated width to height ratio is about 2 to 1.

10. A clamp as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the inflatable cryogenic element is configured to operate at an internal pressure of less than about 100 mm Hg.

11. A clamp as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the inflatable cryogenic element is configured to be resilient when inflated.

12. A clamp as claimed in claim 7 , further comprising:

an infusion lumen, operably connected to the inflatable cryogenic element, defining a first cross-sectional area, and a ventilation lumen, operably connected to the inflatable cryogenic element, defining a second cross-sectional area, the second cross-sectional area being greater than the first cross-sectional area.

13. A clamp as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the cryogenic apparatus is carried by the first clamp member, the apparatus further comprising:

a temperature sensor carried by the second clamp member.

14. A clamp as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the cryogenic apparatus includes a support device configured to be removably secured to at least one of the first and second clamp members.

15. A system, comprising:

a source of cryogenic fluid;

a clamp having first and second clamp members;

an inflatable cryogenic apparatus configured to be removably secured to the first clamp member, the inflatable cryogenic apparatus comprising a base member including a groove configured to receive an inflatable cryogenic element, the inflatable cryogenic element adapted to receive the cryogenic fluid, the inflatable cryogenic element being impermeable to the cryogenic fluid, and

a temperature sensor apparatus configured to be removably secured to the second clamp member.

16. A system as claimed in claim 15 , further comprising:

the clamp.

17. A system as claimed in claim 15 , wherein the inflatable cryogenic apparatus is configured to operate at an internal pressure of less than about 100 mm Hg.

18. A system as claimed in claim 15 , wherein the source of cryogenic fluid is adapted to stop supplying cryogenic fluid when a predetermined temperature is measured by the temperature sensor apparatus.

19. A system, comprising:

a source of cryogenic fluid;

a clamp having first and second clamp members;

a base member including a connector portion configured to be removably secured to one of the first and second clamp members and a groove configured to receive a resilient inflatable cryogenic element, the resilient inflatable cryogenic element adapted to be operably connected to the source of cryogenic fluid, the inflatable cryogenic element being impermeable to the cryogenic fluid;

wherein pressure within the resilient inflatable cryogenic element is maintained below about 100 mm Hg when the source of cryogenic fluid supplies the cryogenic fluid to the resilient inflatable cryogenic element.

20. A system as claimed in claim 19 , further comprising:

an infusion lumen, operably connected to the resilient inflatable cryogenic element, defining a first cross-sectional area, and a ventilation lumen, operably connected to the inflatable cryogenic element, defining a second cross-sectional area, the second cross-sectional area being greater than the first cross-sectional area.

21. A system as claimed in claim 19 , wherein the resilient inflatable cryogenic element defines a substantially non-circular inflated shape in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

22. An apparatus, comprising:

a clamp including first and second clamp members; and

a resilient inflatable cryogenic apparatus including a base member having a groove configured to receive an inflatable cryogenic element, the resilient inflatable cryogenic element adapted to receive a cryogenic fluid, the resilient inflatable cryogenic element being impermeable to the cryogenic fluid and carried by the at least one of the first and second clamp members and configured to operate at a maximum internal pressure of about 100 mm Hg.

23. An apparatus as claimed in claim 22 , wherein the resilient inflatable cryogenic apparatus includes an infusion lumen operably connected to the resilient inflatable cryogenic element defining a first cross-sectional area, and a ventilation lumen operably connected to the inflatable cryogenic element defining a second cross-sectional area, the second cross-sectional area being greater than the first cross-sectional area.