Apparatus and method for compressing a gas, and cryosurgery system and method utilizing same

Abstract

An apparatus for compressing a gas and its uses are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a fixed-volume container having a hollow and a moveable element subdividing said hollow into a first variable-volume portion and a second variable-volume portion, the second variable-volume portion having an opening for introducing therein a hydraulic and/or pneumatic fluid under pressure, for causing an increase in the volume of said second variable-portion by moving said moveable element, thereby, consequently, decreasing the volume of the first variable-volume portion and compressing a gas contained therein.

1 .- 22 . (canceled) 
   
   
       23 . A method using in situ compression of gas during cryosurgery, comprising:
 (a) using a first in situ gas compressor to compress a gas contained therein, thereby transforming said gas contained therein into a first compressed gas at a first gas pressure;   (b) transferring said first compressed gas at said first gas pressure from said first gas compressor to a cryoablation apparatus utilizing said first compressed gas at said first gas pressure;   (c) using said cryoablation apparatus to perform cryoablation, thereby creating a depressurized gas at a second gas pressure;   (d) transporting said depressurized gas to said first gas compressor for recompression and reuse; and   (e) recompressing and reusing said depressurized gas.   
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said cryoablation apparatus comprises a Joule-Thomson heat exchanger for cooling a portion of said cryoablation apparatus. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said transporting comprises using a mechanism which comprises a second gas compressor. 
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said transporting comprises using a mechanism which comprises a gas reservoir. 
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said first gas compressor comprises a volume which is coupled during a first phase of operation to a mechanism for transporting compressed gas from said volume to said cryoablation apparatus, and which is coupled during a second phase of operation to a mechanism for transporting gas depressurized by use in said cryoablation apparatus to said volume. 
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said first gas compressor comprises a first refillable unit operable to be filled through a first input portal with a gas at one pressure while said first gas compressor supplies gas to said cryoablation apparatus at another pressure. 
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein said first gas compressor comprises a refillable volume which is detachable from said compressor and is portable. 
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein said first gas compressor comprises a second refillable unit. 
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising refilling said first refillable unit with gas at one pressure while providing gas from said second refillable unit to said cryoablation apparatus at another pressure.