IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,043,284
Granted Patent B2
US 8,043,284 · App. 12/792,376 · Granted Oct 25, 2011

Cryosurgical catheter

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,043,284
App. No.
12/792,376
Granted
Oct 25, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A cryogenic catheter includes an outer flexible member having at least one cryogenic fluid path through the flexible member. The at least one fluid path is defined by a plurality of flexible members disposed within the outer flexible member.

Claims (31)

1. A medical system, comprising:

a cryogenic cooling structure including a tip element having at least two thermally-transmissive segments that are generally cylindrical in shape;

a sensor coupled to the tip element;

a source of cryogenic fluid in fluid communication with the cooling structure; and

a controller in communication with the sensor, the controller programmed to regulate delivery of the cryogenic fluid to the cooling structure in response to a signal from the sensor.

2. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the controller is programmed to increase a pressure of the fluid delivered to the tip element based at least in part on a the signal.

3. The system according to claim 2 , wherein the controller is programmed to increase the pressure by predetermined pressure increments over predetermined time intervals.

4. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the controller is programmed to decrease a pressure of the fluid delivered to the tip element based at least in part on a the signal.

5. The system according to claim 4 , wherein the controller is programmed to decrease the pressure by predetermined pressure increments over predetermined time intervals.

6. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a temperature sensor.

7. The system according to claim 6 , wherein the controller is programmed to increase a pressure of the fluid delivered to the tip element based at least in part on a sensed temperature.

8. The system according to claim 6 , wherein the controller is programmed to decrease a pressure of the fluid delivered to the tip element based at least in part on a sensed temperature.

9. The system according to claim 6 , wherein the controller is programmed to regulate delivery of the cryogenic fluid to the cooling structure in response to a sensed temperature and a predefined target temperature.

10. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the source of cryogenic fluid includes cryogenic fluid in a liquid state.

11. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the source of cryogenic fluid includes cryogenic fluid in a gas state.

12. A medical system, comprising:

an elongate member having a distal portion including a bellows-shaped, thermally-transmissive region and a fluid path defined therein;

a temperature sensor in communication with the fluid path;

a source of refrigerant in fluid communication with the fluid path; and

a controller in communication with the temperature sensor, the controller programmed to regulate delivery of the refrigerant to the thermally-transmissive region in response to a sensed temperature and a predefined target temperature.

13. The system according to claim 12 , wherein the bellows-shaped, thermally-transmissive region is substantially rigid.

14. The system according to claim 12 , wherein the bellows-shaped, thermally-transmissive retains a selected shape after being bent.

15. A medical system, comprising:

an elongate member having a distal portion including a bellows-shaped, thermally-transmissive region and a fluid path defined therein;

a sensor in communication with the fluid path;

a source of refrigerant in fluid communication with the fluid path; and

a controller in communication with the sensor, the controller programmed to regulate delivery of the refrigerant to the thermally-transmissive region in response to a signal from the sensor.

16. The system according to claim 15 , wherein the bellows-shaped, thermally-transmissive region is substantially rigid.

17. The system according to claim 15 , wherein the bellows-shaped, thermally-transmissive retains a selected shape after being bent.

18. The system according to claim 15 , wherein the controller is programmed to increase a pressure of refrigerant by predetermined pressure increments over predetermined time intervals.

19. The system according to claim 15 , wherein the controller is programmed to decrease a pressure of refrigerant by predetermined pressure increments over predetermined time intervals.