Cryosurgical complex consists of three automated cryogenic systems — mobile, portable and stationary. Each system has the unified unit of joining with removable cryoinstruments and applicators number of which is not restricted.

fig. 4

“Cryo-Pulse” mobile cryosurgical unit (Fig. 4) is made as compact stand with cryogenic block with capacity of 10 l. Liquefied cryoagent arrives with given rate through heat-insulated flexible cryopipeline through joining unit to cryoinstrument or applicator and in gaseous form realized into atmosphere through main backflow cryopipeline. On the top of the stand, rotary control unit is placed and all information important for cryosurgeon is disposed on its panel about current parameters of cryoexposure. Orientation of cryopipeline and time of continuous operation of mobile unit with one filling is not less than 180 minutes and they determine predominating application of this unit with horizontal position of cryoinstrument and its possible use in outpatient facilities, i.e. in gynecology, proctology, urology, etc. Today, more than 70 mobile cryosurgical “Cryo-Pulse” units are successfully used in medical institutions in Ukraine, Russia, Austria, and Jordan.

Portable cryosurgical system (Fig. 5) consists of two blocks: cryogenic and control unit connected with electric cable. Cryoblock represents heat-insulated cryostate with capacity of 400 g with hardly fastened solid handle cryoprobe.

fig. 5

In cryoprobe and cryostate hollow, basic cryogenic parts of the unit such as heater, valves, sensors, etc. In cryoprobe exit, unit for joining of removable cryoinstruments and applicators are placed. The quantity of cryoagent allows making cryodestruction of biological tissue in volume up to 50 cm3, therefore main application of portable cryosurgical unit is cryodestruction of small volumes, processing with vapor-liquid fraction of cryoagent of burned surfaces and bleeding surfaces, stopping of stomach bleedings even in ambulance cars immediately during transportation of the patient to stationary clinic.

fig. 6

Stationary cryosurgical unit (Fig. 6) is a new word in cryosurgical technics. In the near future, stationary cryosurgical unit will be obligatory attribute of the up-to-date modern operating-room. Cryoblock and control unit are placed on the mobile controlled support attached directly to ceiling in operating-room. Necessary cryoinstrument is rigidly fastened to cryoblock by means of a fastening part and with the use of a support is brought to the organ targeted for cryodestruction and is fixed in this position.

Such construction allows taking out completely a load from surgeon’s hand during cryosurgery. Besides, location of cryounit immediately above the surgery field in constant readiness allows making cryointervention at any moment of surgical intervention. In all three types of devices, automatic control units work on uniform algorithm.

The portable and stationary cryosurgical units are at stage of development of the working documentation. “Pulse” SPC plans the beginning of commercial manufacture of the above units in 2007.

Such construction of cryosurgical complex allows constant increase of the number of removable cryoinstruments and applicators, to diversify their shapes and technological methods of cryodestruction (application, penetrative, “clamp”, “catch”, in a combination with endoscopic and laparoscopic equipment, etc.) and thus to extend fields of cryosurgical method application. Equipping of medical institutions with aforesaid universal cryosurgical complex will allow to increase efficiency of cryosurgical method, considerably extend ranges of its application, to systematize and standardize techniques of practical application of cryosurgical method of treatment in practical health protection.

ZHARKOV YAROSLAV VASYLEVICH
Director of “Pulse” Scientific and Production Company,
a Member of the Board of Directors of International and
European Association of Cryosurgeons