Heated catheter used in cryotherapy

Abstract

Disclosed is a cryosurgical catheter which is heated in order to prevent its freezing within the lumen of an endoscope. The catheter is to be used with an endoscope to perform cryoablation on an internal tissue; e.g., the esophagus. Electric conductivity to produce heat employs an electrical conductive coating on the catheter. Also, disclosed is a fitting for use with a catheter comprising both a connection for receiving gas and an electrical connection.

1 . A catheter for cryogenically treating a desired area, the catheter comprising: 
 an elongated, flexible tubular body having a proximal end, a distal end and a tubular passageway extending therethrough for carrying a cryogen from the proximal end to the distal end;    the proximal end being adapted to receive a cryogen;    the distal end being adapted to dispense the cryogen to the desired area at a low temperature and low pressure;    the tubular body having a heating element disposed circumferentially around at least a portion thereof, the heating element extending longitudinally along at least a substantial length of the tubular body.    
     
     
         2 . A catheter for use in a cryosurgical procedure, comprising: 
 an elongated tubular member having a length, an inside for conveying cryogen from a proximal end to a distal end, and an outside, the distal end being open and adapted to spray cryogen at low temperature and low pressure at selected target tissue; and    a heating element disposed longitudinally on at least a portion of the tubular member for heating at least a portion of the length of the catheter.    
     
     
         3 . A cryosurgical apparatus for cryogenic spray ablation, comprising a catheter having an elongated tubular member with a length, an inside for conveying cryogen from a proximal end to a distal end, and an outside, the distal end being open and adapted to spray cryogen at selected target tissue, and a source of cryogen attached to the catheter by a conduit, wherein the apparatus is configured such that, in use, cryogen exits the catheter distal end at low temperature and low pressure, and wherein the distal end of the catheter is adapted to spray cryogen in a radial direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of the catheter.