Method and System for Cryoablating Fibroadenomas
A cryosurgical system adapted for treatment of fibroadenomas within the breast of a patient. The system includes cryoprobes and a control system which operates the cryoprobes to accomplish freezing in two stages, including a high power freeze and a low power freeze.
1 . A system for cryoablating a lesion within the breast of a patient comprising:
a cryoprobe adapted for percutaneous insertion through the skin of the breast and into the lesion;
a fluid supply assembly operably connected to the cryoprobe and adapted to provide cooling fluid to the cryoprobe;
a control system for controlling operation of the cryoprobe and fluid supply assembly in response to operator input; and
input means for entry of a size of the lesion by the operator operably coupled to the control system;
wherein the control system is programmed to operate the cryoprobe with a preset freezing cycle based on the size of the lesion and controls the cryoprobe to perform a first high power freezing cycle at a first cryogenic temperature and a second low power freezing cycle at a second cryogenic temperature where the second cryogenic temperature is higher that the first cryogenic freezing temperature.
2 . The system of claim 1 wherein the low power freezing period is followed by a thawing period.
3 . The system of claim 2 wherein the control system is further programmed to perform the thawing period for about 10 minutes or less.
4 . The system of claim 2 wherein the control system is further programmed to perform the low power freezing period for about 5 minutes or less.
5 . The system of claim 2 wherein the control system is further programmed to perform the high power freezing period for about 10 minutes or less.
6 . The system of claim 2 further comprising a warm fluid supply assembly operably connected to the cryoprobe and adapted to provide warm fluid to the cryoprobe;
7 . The system of claim 6 wherein the preset freezing cycle further comprises a warming period.
8 . The system of claim 6 wherein the control system is further programmed to perform the warming period for about 1 minute or less.
9 . The system of claim 6 wherein the control system is further programmed to:
monitor a mode of operation of the cryoprobe and a current temperature of the cryoprobe;
stop the supply of cooling gas based on the mode of the cryoprobe and the current temperature of the cryoprobe; and
supply the warm fluid for a brief period.
10 . The system of claim 2 wherein the control system is further programmed to perform a testing cycle of the cryoprobe.
11 . The system of claim 1 further comprising a display and an input panel operably coupled to the control system.
12 . The system of claim 11 wherein the display comprises a temperature indication window and a procedure time window.