David S Lentz

US Patent:

20060178662, Aug 10, 2006

Filed:

Feb 4, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/050974

Inventors:

Kenneth Ripley - Virginia Beach VA, US
Gregory Ayers - San Diego CA, US
David Lentz - La Jolla CA, US

International Classification:

A61B 18/02

US Classification:

606021000, 606023000

Abstract:

A method for effectively cryoablating tissue cells includes a regimen of selected cooling and warming rates. Specifically, cells are typically ablated by first cooling the cells at a relatively fast cooling rate (e.g. greater than 200 C. per minute) to reduce the cell temperature to below a minimum temperature (e.g. minus 10-15 C.) required to cause the cells to freeze. Next, the cells are thawed using a controlled, relatively slow warming rate (e.g. less than 100 C. per minute). The relatively fast cooling rate can cause intracellular and extra-cellular freezing of the tissue cells and the formation of relatively small ice crystals. Subsequently, during warming at a relatively slow warming rate, the small ice crystals can recrystallize and grow, causing a relatively high rate of cell destruction.