title: A new closed-loop cryosurgical device for endometrial ablation.
abstract: A new cryosurgical device was developed in an attempt to overcome problems of current systems. It incorporates a mixed-fluid J-T stage, thereby reducing working pressure. This allows incorporation of an oil-free compressor to circulate the mixture and eliminates the need for coolant replenishment. The compressor console is small and portable, with a footprint of 3.5 square feet. Probe surface temperatures of -90 to -110 inverted exclamation mark C are achieved. Working pressures are reduced 3- to 10-fold over existing devices (300-350 p.s.i.). In a live goat study, liver ice balls 3.7 cm in diameter were created in 10 minutes. In an extirpated uterus, in a 37 inverted exclamation mark C water bath, tissue ice balls ranging from 29.1 to 35.4 mm were created in 6 minutes and tissue was destroyed to depths of 6 to 12 mm. This cryosurgical system is suitable for endometrial ablation.
authors.affiliation: 3931 Sorrento Valley Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92121, USA.
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Dobak
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ryba
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kovalcheck
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003452:Cryosurgery / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006041:Goats; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques