METHOD OF CAUTERIZATION WITH A CRYOPROBE
The invention is a method for using a cryoprobe for cryoablating, thawing and/or cauterizing a tissue during a cryosurgical procedure. An embodiment of the cryosurgical system comprises a controller including a cryoprobe with an electrical heating element. The controller operates the electrical heating element for heating a treatment head of the cryoprobe to a temperature sufficient for cauterizing the tissue in the vicinity of the treatment head. Additionally, the controller regulates a supply of a heating gas and a cooling gas, respectively, for thawing and cryoablating the tissue in the vicinity of the treatment head. The controller is configured for operating a plurality of cryoprobes connected thereto.
1 . A method of treating a tissue, comprising
positioning a cryoprobe at a location in the tissue being treated; and
operating the cryoprobe to
cryoablate the tissue;
thaw the cryoablated tissue; and
thermally cauterize the tissue.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein operating the cryoprobe to cryoablate the tissue comprises regulating a flow of a cooling gas to the cryoprobe.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein operating the cryoprobe to
thaw the cryoablated tissue comprises heating the cryoprobe to a temperature sufficient to thaw the cryoablated tissue; and
thermally cauterize the tissue comprises heating the cryoprobe to a temperature sufficient to cauterize the tissue.
4 . The method of claim 3 , comprising maintaining the temperature in the range of 85° C. to 120° C. for thermally cauterizing the tissue.
5 . The method of claim 3 , comprising maintaining the temperature in the range of 20° C. to 50° C. for thawing the cryoablated tissue.
6 . The method of claim 5 , further comprising regulating a flow of a heating gas to the cryoprobe.
7 . The method of claim 3 , wherein heating the cryoprobe comprises supplying electrical power to an electrical heating element located proximate a tip of the cryoprobe.
8 . The method of claim 7 , comprising
applying a predetermined electrical voltage across the electrical heating element;
measuring an electrical current flowing through the electrical heating element;
computing an electrical resistance of the electrical heating element;
computing a temperature of the electrical heating element as represented by the electrical resistance of the electrical heating element; and
maintaining the temperature of the electrical heating element within a predetermined range by regulating the electrical voltage applied across the electrical heating element.
9 . The method of claim 7 , comprising
supplying a predetermined electrical current to the electrical heating element;
measuring an electrical voltage across the electrical heating element;
computing an electrical resistance of the electrical heating element;
computing a temperature of the electrical heating element as represented by the electrical resistance; and
maintaining the temperature of the electrical heating element within a predetermined range by regulating the electrical current supplied to the electrical heating element.
10 . The method of claim 7 , comprising
measuring a temperature proximate the electrical heating element; and
maintaining the temperature within a predetermined range by regulating the electrical power supplied to the electrical heating element.
11 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising regulating said electrical power supplied to said electrical heating element by regulating an electrical voltage applied across said electrical heating element.
12 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising regulating said electrical power supplied to said electrical heating element by regulating a flow of electrical current flowing through said electrical heating element.
13 . A means for treating a tissue, comprising
means for positioning a cryoprobe at a location in the tissue being treated; and
means for operating the cryoprobe to
cryoablate the tissue;
thaw the cryoablated tissue; and
thermally cauterize the tissue.
14 . The means for claim 13 , wherein the means for operating the cryoprobe to cryoablate the tissue comprises means for regulating a flow of a cooling gas to the cryoprobe.
15 . The means for claim 13 , wherein the means for operating the cryoprobe to
thaw the cryoablated tissue comprises means for heating the cryoprobe to a temperature sufficient to thaw the cryoablated tissue; and
thermally cauterize the tissue comprises means for heating the cryoprobe to a temperature sufficient to cauterize the tissue.
16 . The means for claim 15 , comprising means for maintaining the temperature in the range of 85° C. to 120° C. for thermally cauterizing the tissue.
17 . The means for claim 15 , comprising means for maintaining the temperature in the range of 20° C. to 50° C. for thawing the cryoablated tissue.
18 . The means for claim 17 , further comprising means for regulating a flow of a heating gas to the cryoprobe.
19 . The means for claim 15 , wherein the means for heating the cryoprobe comprises means for supplying electrical power to an electrical heating element located proximate a tip of the cryoprobe.
20 . The means for claim 19 , comprising
means for applying a predetermined electrical voltage across the electrical heating element;
means for measuring an electrical current flowing through the electrical heating element;
means for computing an electrical resistance of the electrical heating element;
means for computing a temperature of the electrical heating element as represented by the electrical resistance; and
means for maintaining the temperature of the electrical heating element within a predetermined range by regulating the electrical voltage applied across the electrical heating element.
21 . The means for claim 19 , comprising
means for supplying a predetermined electrical current to the electrical heating element;
means for measuring an electrical voltage across the electrical heating element;
means for computing an electrical resistance of the electrical heating element;
means for computing a temperature of the electrical heating element as represented by the electrical resistance; and
means for maintaining the temperature of the electrical heating element within a predetermined range by regulating the electrical current supplied to the electrical heating element.
22 . The means for claim 19 , comprising
means for measuring a temperature proximate the electrical heating element; and
means for maintaining the temperature within a predetermined range by regulating the electrical power supplied to the electrical heating element.
23 . The means for claim 19 , comprising means for regulating said electrical power supplied to said electrical heating element using means for regulating an electrical voltage applied across said electrical heating element.
24 . The means for claim 19 , comprising means for regulating said electrical power supplied to said electrical heating element using means for regulating a flow of electrical current flowing through said electrical heating element.
25 . A cryosurgical system, comprising
a cryoprobe including an electrical heating element at a distal end thereof, said cryoprobe configured for
cryoablating a tissue;
thawing the cryoablated tissue; and
cauterizing the tissue; and
a controller configured for maintaining a temperature proximate the distal end within a predetermined range.
26 . The cryosurgical system of claim 25 , further comprising a cryogas source, wherein the controller is configured for regulating a flow of the cryogas from the cryogas source to the cryoprobe.
27 . The cryosurgical system of claim 26 , wherein the cryogas is a cooling gas.
28 . The cryosurgical system of claim 26 , wherein the cryogas is a heating gas.
29 . The cryosurgical system of claim 26 , wherein the controller is configured for supplying electrical power to the electrical heating element.
30 . The cryosurgical system of claim 29 , wherein the controller
applies an electrical voltage across the electrical heating element;
receives a signal indicative of an electrical current flowing through the electrical heating element;
computes an electrical resistance of the electrical heating element;
computes a temperature of the electrical heating element as represented by the electrical resistance of the electrical heating element; and
maintains the temperature of the electrical heating element within a predetermined range by regulating the electrical voltage applied across the electrical heating element.
31 . The cryosurgical system of claim 29 , wherein the controller supplies an electrical current to the electrical heating element;
receives a signal indicative of an electrical voltage across the electrical heating element;
computes an electrical resistance of the electrical heating element;
computes a temperature of the electrical heating element as represented by the electrical resistance of the electrical heating element; and
maintains the temperature of the electrical heating element within a predetermined range by regulating the electrical current supplied to the electrical heating element.
32 . The cryosurgical system of claim 29 , wherein the controller
receives a signal indicative of the temperature proximate the distal end; and
maintains the temperature within a predetermined range by regulating the electrical power supplied to the electrical heating element.
33 . The cryosurgical system of claim 29 , wherein the controller regulates said electrical power supplied to said electrical heating element by regulating an electrical voltage applied across said electrical heating element.
34 . The cryosurgical system of claim 29 , wherein the controller regulates said electrical power supplied to said electrical heating element by regulating a flow of electrical current flowing through said electrical heating element.
35 . The cryosurgical system of claim 26 , wherein the controller maintains the temperature in the range of 85° C. to 120° C. for thermally cauterizing the tissue.
36 . The cryosurgical system of claim 26 , wherein the controller maintains the temperature in the range of 20° C. to 50° C. for thawing the cryoablated tissue.