US Patent 10390871 Cryoneedle

A cryoneedle comprises an outer tube having a distal section with a generally central gas supply line placed within the outer tube. The gas supply line supplies a cryogas for forming an iceball on an outer surface of the outer tube over the distal section. The gas supply line terminates in an expansion chamber placed within the distal section. The cryoneedle comprises a heat exchange helix contacting the inner surface of the outer tube. The heat exchange helix has an increasing surface area per unit distance of the distal section such that the iceball has a generally symmetric shape.