Cold slurry containment

Abstract

The present invention provides methods and devices for controlling a cold slurry that is delivered to a target tissue and for limiting heat transferring from surrounding tissue to the target tissue. In particular, a balloon structure is deployed at or near a point of delivery to act as a physical and/or thermal barrier. In some instances, the balloon structure can act as a pressure device obstructing the flow of warm blood into a treatment area, which can melt the cold slurry.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A device for controlling tissue temperature, the device comprising:
 a fenestrated cannula for delivering a cold slurry directly to a target tissue underneath a patient's skin, thereby directly contacting and cooling the target tissue, the cannula comprising a plurality of openings at a distal end and a proximal end in fluid communication with a source of cold slurry; and   a plurality of balloons, each disposed in one of the plurality of openings and configured to expand when exposed to cold slurry from the source of cold slurry and thereby provide an increase in surface area for thermal transfer from the target tissue to the cold slurry at the distal end of the cannula.   
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein one or more of the plurality of openings is configured to impart a shape the plurality of balloons disposed therein when expanded. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein the shape comprises a plurality of expanded members. 
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein the shape comprises an ovoid. 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein the shape comprises a sphere. 
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein one or more of the plurality of balloons comprise two or more areas of differing elasticity. 
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 21 , comprising an array of fenestrated cannulas.