Cooling system

Abstract

A cryogenic medical system includes a medical device and a console connectable to the medical device at a connection point. The console controls the temperature of the medical device. The console includes a first cooling system directing coolant to the medical device at a first temperature along a coolant supply line and a second cooling system chilling the coolant within the coolant supply line to a temperature below the first temperature before the coolant reaches the connection point.

1. A cryogenic medical system comprising:
 a medical probe; and 
 a console external to the medical probe, being connectable to the medical device probe at a connection point, the console controlling temperature of the medical device probe, and the console including
 a first cooling system comprising a substantially closed loop having a coolant supply line leading to the medical probe and a coolant return line leading from the medical probe, the first cooling system directing coolant to the medical probe at a first temperature along the coolant supply line; 
 a first compressor in fluid communication with a first condenser outputting coolant into the coolant supply line; and 
 a vacuum pump in fluid communication with the first compressor and the medical probe; and 
 a second cooling system chilling the coolant within the coolant supply line to a temperature below the first temperature before the coolant reaches the connection point. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the medical probe includes a catheter. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the vacuum pump establishes a pressure within the coolant return line and the medical probe that is below ambient atmospheric pressure. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second cooling system includes an enclosure having an inlet and an outlet; the enclosure defining a fluid path from the inlet to the outlet, the fluid path of the enclosure defining a chamber enveloping a portion of the coolant supply line. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 4 , further comprising a second compressor in fluid communication with a second condenser outputting coolant to the inlet of the enclosure and receiving coolant from the outlet of the enclosure and second compressor. 
     
     
       6. A cryogenic medical system comprising:
 a medical device;   a console, the console being connectable to the medical device at a connection point, the console controlling temperature of the medical device, and the console including
 a first cooling system directing coolant to the medical device at a first temperature along a coolant supply line; and 
 a second cooling system chilling the coolant within the coolant supply line to a temperature below the first temperature before the coolant reaches the connection point, 
   wherein the first cooling system includes a coolant return line leading from the catheter to a coolant scavenging system, and wherein the first cooling system and the catheter comprise a substantially open-loop.   
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 6 , wherein the first cooling system includes:
 a coolant reservoir in fluid communication with the fluid supply line; and   a vacuum pump interposed between the catheter and the coolant collection tank.   
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 7 , wherein the vacuum pump creates a pressure within the catheter that is below ambient atmospheric pressure. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 6 , wherein the second cooling system includes an enclosure having an inlet and an outlet; the enclosure defining a fluid path from the inlet to the outlet, and the enclosure enveloping a portion of the coolant supply line. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 9 , further comprising a compressor in fluid communication with a condenser outputting coolant to the inlet of the enclosure and receiving coolant from the outlet of the enclosure. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 9 , further A cryogenic medical system comprising:
 a medical device, wherein the medical device is a catheter; 
 a console, the console being connectable to the medical device at a connection point, 
 the console controlling temperature of the medical device, and 
 the console including a first cooling system directing coolant to the medical device at a first temperature along a coolant supply line; 
 a second cooling system chilling the coolant within the coolant supply line to a temperature below the first temperature before the coolant reaches the connection point, 
 wherein the first cooling system includes a coolant return line leading from the catheter to a coolant scavenging system, and wherein the second cooling system includes an enclosure having an inlet and an outlet; 
 the enclosure defining a fluid path from the inlet to the outlet; 
 the enclosure enveloping a portion of the coolant supply line; 
 wherein the first cooling system and the catheter comprise a substantially open-loop;  
 a coolant reservoir in fluid communication with the fluid coolant supply line; and  
 a second fluid coolant supply line in fluid communication with the coolant reservoir and the inlet of the enclosure. 
 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature within the enclosure; and 
 a coolant flow regulator responsive to the temperature sensor for controlling fluid flow from the second fluid coolant supply line into the enclosure. 
 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature within the fluid coolant supply line; and
 a coolant flow regulator responsive to the temperature sensor for controlling fluid flow from the second fluid coolant supply line into the enclosure. 
 
     
     
       14. A cryogenic medical system comprising:
 a catheter; 
 a console, the console being connectable to the catheter at a connection point, the console controlling temperature of the catheter, and the console including
 a first cooling system including
 a coolant supply line leading to the catheter, 
 a coolant return line leading from the catheter, 
 a first compressor in fluid communication with a first condenser outputting coolant into the coolant supply line, and 
 a vacuum pump in fluid communication with the first compressor that establishes a pressure within the coolant return line that is below ambient atmospheric pressure; and 
 
 a second cooling system including
 an enclosure having an inlet and an outlet, wherein the enclosure defines a fluid path from the inlet to the outlet, the fluid path of the enclosure defining a chamber that completely envelops a portion of the coolant supply line of the first cooling system; and 
 a second compressor in fluid communication with a second condenser outputting coolant to the inlet of the enclosure and receiving coolant from the outlet of the enclosure. 
 
 
 
     
     
       15. A cryogenic medical system comprising:
 a catheter; 
 a console, the console being connectable to the catheter at a connection point, the console controlling temperature of the catheter, and the console including
 a first cooling system including
 a coolant supply line leading to the catheter, 
 a coolant return line leading from the catheter, 
 a coolant reservoir in fluid communication with the fluid coolant supply line, 
 a coolant collection tank in fluid communication with the coolant return line, and 
 a vacuum pump interposed between the catheter and the coolant collection tank that establishes a pressure within the coolant return line below ambient atmospheric pressure; and 
 
 a second cooling system including
 an enclosure having an inlet and an outlet, wherein the enclosure defines a fluid path from the inlet to the outlet, the fluid path of the enclosure defining a chamber that completely envelops a portion of the coolant supply line of the first cooling system; and 
 a second fluid coolant supply line in fluid communication with the coolant reservoir and the inlet of the enclosure. 
 
 
 
     
     
       16. A cryogenic medical system comprising:
 a medical device; 
 a console connectable to the medical device at a connection point, the console controlling temperature of the medical device, and the console including
 a first system directing coolant in a mixed gas and liquid state to the medical device along a coolant supply line; and 
 a second system decreasing the percentage of gas in the coolant before the coolant reaches the connection point 
 
 wherein the second system decreases the percentage of gas in the coolant by reducing the temperature of the coolant, and wherein the system further comprises 
 a chamber having an inlet and an outlet, wherein the enclosure defines a fluid path from the inlet to the outlet, and the enclosure envelops a portion of the coolant supply line; and 
 a controller for controlling coolant flow into the chamber; 
 wherein the controller establishes a duty cycle for cyclically allowing and denying entry of coolant into the chamber at a rate responsive to sensed temperature within the chamber to selectively raise, lower, and maintain temperature of coolant within the coolant supply line. 
 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 one or more accessories coupled between the medical probe and console, the accessories being selected from a group consisting of a connection box, an electrical extension cable, and an electrical umbilical cable.