Apparatus, probe and method for a cryogenic system

Abstract

An apparatus, probe and method for a cryogenic system are described. According to certain embodiments of the invention there is provided an apparatus for cryosurgery comprising: an exhaust line configured to receive cryogen from a probe; and a vacuum source configured to be in fluid communication with the exhaust line.

1 . A method for effecting cryosurgery on soft tissue tumours, the method comprising providing an apparatus comprising a cryogen source, a delivery tube, a probe, and a vacuum source; locating the probe on or in a target area of soft tissue tumour; and
 drawing cryogen from the cryogen source along the delivery tube to the probe using the vacuum source.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , comprising boiling or evaporating the cryogen within the probe. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , comprising dispersing the cryogen through a dispersive medium in the probe. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , comprising dispersing the cryogen through a porous material and/or a sintered material. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the probe further comprises a thermally conductive tip, the method comprising locating the thermally conductive probe tip on or in the target area of soft tissue tumour to effect cryosurgery. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , comprising forming an ice ball on or in the target area of soft tissue tumour. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , comprising exposing the target area of soft tissue tumour to a temperature of −20° C. or below. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the probe comprises a concentric peripheral insulating conduit, the method further comprising continuously evacuating the insulating conduit using the vacuum source. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further comprises an exhaust tube, the method further comprising drawing cryogen from the cryogen source along the delivery tube, to the probe, and along the exhaust tube using the vacuum source. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising recirculating the cryogen received from the probe to the delivery tube for reuse. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1 , comprising drawing the cryogen from a primary cryogen source to a secondary cryogen source, along the delivery tube, to the probe using the vacuum source. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , comprising drawing the cryogen from the primary cryogen source to the secondary cryogen source prior to locating the probe on the target area of soft tissue tumour. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the cryogen comprises liquid cryogen, the method comprising drawing liquid cryogen from the cryogen source along the delivery tube to the probe using the vacuum source. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , further comprising drawing liquid cryogen from the cryogen source along the delivery tube to the probe at a rate of 5 to 6 litres per minute. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 1 , comprising heating the cryogen for delivery to the probe. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein a source of positive pressure is not provided or required to push cryogen from the cryogen source to the probe. 
     
     
         17 . A method of generating an ice ball within a soft tissue tumour, the method comprising providing an apparatus comprising a cryogen source, a probe comprising a thermally conductive tip; locating the thermally conductive tip of the probe in or on a target area of soft tissue tumour and drawing cryogen from the cryogen source to the probe under the influence of negative pressure so as to generate an ice ball about the periphery of the thermally conductive tip. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , comprising generating an ice ball with a temperature between −20° C. and −196° C. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 17 , comprising dispersing the cryogen through a dispersive medium in the thermally conductive probe tip. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 17 , comprising warming the thermally conductive tip after generation of the ice ball to thaw the ice ball by delivering heated gas to the probe.