Galil Medical Ltd.

Mordechai Bliweis

Uri Amir

Gideon Even Sturlesi

Roni Zvuloni

Nir Berzak

Doris Schechter

Ron Hillely

James McGlone

Yura Leybin

Glinka Ofer

Rony Ammar

Ben-Zion Maytal

Shimon Livneh

The present invention relates to devices and methods for measuring tissue temperature during thermal treatment of a body. More particularly, the present invention relates to a thermal probe comprising a plurality of thermal sensors operable to measure tissue temperatures during thermal treatments such as cryosurgery. Embodiments of the invention enable simultaneous measurements, using a single probe, of temperatures at a plurality of positions within body tissues. A preferred embodiment enables movement of sensors with respect to tissues while the probe is immobilized by being embedded in frozen tissue.

Multiple sensor device for measuring tissue temperature during thermal treatment

The present invention is of systems and methods for MRI-guided cryosurgery. The systems enable a surgeon positioned next to a patient and within an MRI magnetic environment both to monitor progress of a cryosurgical intervention by observing MRI images of the intervention in real time, and to fully control aspects of operation of a cryosurgery apparatus by remotely controlling a fluid supply source positioned external to that magnetic environment, which fluid supply source supplies cryogenic fluids to cryoprobes operable within that magnetic environment, thereby enabling real-time MRI-guided control of a cryoablation process. A preferred embodiment enables calculation and display of borders of an ablation volume surrounding a cooled cryoprobe in real time, and further enables automatic control of elements of a cryoablation procedure, which elements are triggered when shape and position of that calculated ablation volume are found to bear a predefined relationship to the shape and position of a predefined treatment target.

Systems for MRI-guided cryosurgery

The present invention is of device, system, and method for cooling and heating an operating tip of a cryoprobe using a single source of compressed gas. Cooling of the operating tip is effected by Joule-Thomson expansion of a high-pressure cooling gas through a Joule-Thomson orifice into an expansion chamber. Heating of the operating tip is effected by electrical resistance heating. In preferred embodiments, heating of the operating tip is effected by electrical resistance heating of low-pressure gas flowing towards the operating tip. Preferably, gas from a single gas source is supplied to the probe during both cooling and heating phases, a cooling gas being supplied at high pressure when used for cooling and at low pressure when used for heating. Low-pressure gas supplied during the heating phase is heated as it flows towards the operating tip, preferably by electrical resistance heating within the body of the probe. A single gas input lumen is used during both cooling and heating phases to transport gas into the probe, and a single gas exhaust lumen is used during both cooling and heating phases to conduct gas out of the probe.

Gas-heated gas-cooled cryoprobe utilizing electrical heating and a single gas source

The present invention relates to apparatus, systems, and methods utilizing cryogenic cooling in an angioplasty balloon catheter for treatment of arterial stenosis and prevention of restenosis. More particularly, the present invention relates to an angioplasty balloon catheter utilizing expansion of compressed gas to effect Joule-Thomson cooling of an angioplasty balloon, and optionally further incorporating external temperature sensors utilizable to identify a locus for treatment of arterial stenosis. The present invention further relates to angioplasty treatment systems incorporating such a catheter, and to cryogenic angioplasty methods for treating arterial stenosis and discouraging restenosis.

Method of controlling the temperature of gasses passing through a Joule-Thomson orifice

Cryoplasty apparatus and method

A method for treating benign prostate hyperplasia is provided. The method is effected by (a) inserting a cystoscope into a prostatic urethra portion of a urethra of a patient having benign prostate hyperplasia; (b) guiding a probe of a cryoprobe having an operating tip through a channel of the cystoscope to an portion of the prostatic urethra; (c) navigating the operating tip through a wall of the prostatic urethra into at least one location at a time of a prostate of the patient; and (d) operating the cryoprobe thereby cooling the operating tip and producing an ice-ball of prostate tissue around the operating tip, so as to locally freeze a portion of the prostate, yet substantially avoid freezing the prostatic urethra.

Method of cryoablating benign prostate hyperplasia

Cryosurgery method and device for performing trans myocardial revascularization are provided. The method includes: forming trans myocardial channels by cryoablating selected portions of the myocardial tissue. The cryosurgery device includes: (a) an operating member having an operating surface and a hollow, and a housing member connected thereto; (b) a first passageway extending along the device for providing high pressure gas to the operating member, the first passageway including a primary Joule Thomson heat exchanger in the form of a primary orifice located on the first passageway for enabling expansion of gas within the hollow of the operating member, thereby providing a desired temperature to the surface of the operating member; (c) a second passageway extending through the length of the housing member for evacuating gas from the operating tip to atmosphere; (d) a third passageway extending along a portion of the device and including a secondary Joule Thomson heat exchanger for providing a desired temperature to gas flowing through the first passageway. Method and device according to the present invention enable the formation of durable transmyocardial channels without causing considerable trauma to the myocardial tissue.

Method and device for trans myocardial cryo revascularization

System and method for performing MRI-guided cryosurgery are provided. The system includes: (a) an MRI magnet for accommodating a patient, the MRI magnet having at least one opening for enabling access of a surgeon to the patient, the MRI magnet including at least one channel extending therethrough for receiving a line member of a surgical device; (b) a surgical device, including: (i) an operating member for operating the patient; (ii) a control member for controlling the operating member, the control member being positioned externally to the MRI room; (iii) a line member having a first end connectable to the operating member and a second end connectable to said control member, wherein at least a portion of the line member is received within the channel of the MRI magnet. Preferably, the line member includes an underground portion extending through an underground channel. The MRI magnet may include an interface member for connecting the operating member thereto. Preferably, the operating member is a cryogenic probe including a Joule-Thomson heat exchanger, the line member is a gas tube, and the control member includes a gas container for providing high pressure gas to the cryogenic probe via the gas tube. Preferably, the control member includes a microprocessor for controlling the operation of said surgical device.

System and method for MRI-guided cryosurgery

Cryosurgery method and device for performing trans myocardial revascularization are provided. The method includes: forming trans myocardial channels by cryoablating selected portions of the myocardial tissue. The cryosurgery device includes:(a) an operating member having an operating surface and a hollow; and a housing member connected thereto; (b) a first passageway extending along the device for providing high pressure gas to the operating member, the first passageway including a primary Joule Thomson heat exchanger in the form of a primary orifice located on the first passageway for enabling expansion of gas within the hollow of the operating member, thereby providing a desired temperature to the surface of the operating member; (c) a second passageway extending through the length of the housing member for evacuating gas from the operating tip to atmosphere; (d) a third passageway extending along a portion of the device and including a secondary Joule Thomson heat exchanger for providing a desired temperature to gas flowing through the first passageway. Method and device according to the present invention enable to form durable transmyocardial channels without causing considerable trauma to the myocardial tissue.

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Haifa, Israel

Mordechai Bliweis