Cryoprobe for low pressure systems

[0013]FIG. 1 illustrates a cryoprobe 1. The cryoprobe uses liquid nitrogen cooling to create a cooled region at the distal end 2. This cooled region adheres to a targeted lesion or tumor and creates an ice mass from the targeted tissue. The cryoprobe comprises a long, slender yet rigid outer tube 3. A short rigid penetrating segment 4 extends distally from the distal end of the rigid tube, and a suitable handle 5 is mounted on the proximal end of the tube. The handle is placed in fluid communication with a console 6 and the console is place in electrical communication with a power source 7 and fluid communication with a cryogen source 8. The console has a control system that is able to regulate use of power and the flow of cryogen to the cryoprobe.

[0014]FIG. 2 shows a partial sectional side view of the distal end portion of the cryoprobe 1 while FIG. 3 shows a partial isometric sectional view of the distal end portion of the cryoprobe 1. The cryoprobe 1 comprises a rigid outer tube...