Thermally conductive surgical probe

Abstract

A surgical apparatus and process for freezing or cauterizing a particular infected body area employing a transparent sleeve insertable through a small slit in the flesh of a patient and wherein the inserted end of the sleeve is provided with a cone-shaped tip having a plurality of segments normally self biased to close to define a dull pointed end susceptible for expansion when a solid, rigid probe is inserted through the sleeve. The end of the probe includes a conical or cone-shaped tip with a small extension or projection that causes expansion of the flaps on the tip of the sleeve. The extension on the end of the probe is placed in alignment position to locate the infected organ or area to be removed. Monitoring of the sleeve and probe insertion and location of the infected area is achieved by video camera. After removing the solid and rigid probe, a fiber optic tube is inserted into the sleeve whereby ambient light is conducted through the tube to the advancing end of the sleeve. A carbon rod is inserted through the fiber optic tube so as to have its pointed end in contact with the tumor, body organ or infected area. The carbon rod is connected to a source of cold or heat. In a cold application, the infected area or tumor is frozen so that when the carbon rod is removed and replaced by a suction device, the frozen infected area or tumor can be fragmented and the particles removed.