Cryosurgical probe assembly with multiple deployable cryoprobes

Abstract

The cryosurgical probe assembly with multiple deployable cryoprobes includes a) a housing assembly; b) a plurality of elongated structural support elements, each securely connected at a first end to the housing assembly; c) a tip member securely connected to second ends of the plurality of elongated structural support elements, the tip member including a plurality of cryoprobe openings; and, d) a plurality of cryoprobes each having a shaft thereon, each shaft being deployable through a respective cryoprobe opening during operation to a deployed position used for ablating tissue. In an alternate embodiment, a cylindrical housing is utilized rather than elongated structural support elements.

1 . A cryosurgical probe assembly with multiple deployable cryoprobes, comprising:
 a) a cryoprobe subassembly, comprising:
 i. a housing assembly; and, 
 ii. a plurality of cryoprobes secured within said housing assembly, each cryoprobe including a shaft extending therefrom, each cryoprobe being connectable to a source of working fluid; 
   b) a support structure subassembly, comprising:
 i. an elongated handle; 
 ii. a cylindrical housing securely connected at a first end to said handle; and, 
 iii. a tip member securely connected to a second end of said cylindrical housing, said tip member including a plurality of cryoprobe openings, wherein 1) in a stowed position ends of said shafts of said cryoprobes do not extend beyond said tip member, and 2) during deployment said shafts are each directed through a respective cryoprobe opening to a deployed position used for ablating tissue. 
   
     
     
         2 . The cryosurgical probe system of  claim 1 , wherein in said deployed position said cryoprobes are directed radially outwardly at a desired angle. 
     
     
         3 . The cryosurgical probe system of  claim 1 , wherein said cryoprobe openings comprise channels being angled outwardly at a desired angle such that in said deployed position said cryoprobes are directed radially outwardly at said desired angle. 
     
     
         4 . The cryosurgical probe system of  claim 1 , wherein said housing assembly comprises a main housing and a housing extension extending from said main housing. 
     
     
         5 . The cryosurgical probe system of  claim 1 , wherein said housing assembly comprises a main housing and a housing extension extending from said main housing, an outer surface of said housing extension being slideable within an inner surface of said elongated handle to provide deployment of said cryoprobes. 
     
     
         6 . The cryosurgical probe system of  claim 1 , wherein said housing assembly comprises a main housing and a housing extension extending from said main housing, said main housing being L-shaped. 
     
     
         7 . The cryosurgical probe system of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of cryoprobes comprises four radially spaced cryoprobes.