| abstract |
The present invention relates to devices and methods for cryosurgery. More particularly, the present invention relates to a cryoprobe which does not form strong adhesive or mechanical bonds with body tissues when such tissues are frozen by cooling action of the probe. Embodiments of the present invention include a cryoprobe having a distal cooling module with an outer surface layer of non-polar molecules, a probe having a distal cooling module with a microscopically smooth outer surface, and a cryoprobe comprising a mechanism for coating a distal cooling module thereof with non-polar lubricant during movement of the cryoprobe within body tissues of a patient. Also presented are methods utilizing disclosed cryoprobes to facilitate cryosurgery and to enhance accuracy of cryoablation of user-selected cryoablation targets. |