Cryotherapy, thermal therapy, temperature modulation therapy, and probe apparatus therefor

A variable length interstitial probe apparatus for effecting treatment to a tissue, comprising:

• a probe portion for effecting at least one of thermal therapy and cryotherapy to the tissue;
• a flexible umbilical sheath portion permanently affixed to the probe portion, wherein the flexible umbilical sheath portion includes a plurality of interfaces for supplying at least two of energy, cooling fluid, cooling gas, heating fluid, and heating gas to the probe portion,
• wherein at least two of the plurality of interfaces are separated by internal respective lumens, and
• the flexible umbilical sheath portion is reinforced to provide torque strength and kink resistance during probe rotation;
• a transitional junction disposed between the probe portion and the flexible umbilical sheath portion, the transitional junction being configured to permanently affix the probe portion to the flexible umbilical sheath portion, wherein the transitional junction has an outer housing configured for grasping, thereby enabling manual manipulation of the variable length interstitial probe apparatus;
• and
• an adjustable depth stop comprising
• a first portion and a second portion,
• a plurality of clamping elements,
• wherein at least one of the first portion and the second portion is configured to slideably move along a length of a shaft region of the probe portion to a selected position, and
• the first portion is configured for manual manipulation relative to the second portion to cause the plurality of clamping elements to releasably clamp down against the shaft region of the probe portion at the selected position, and
• a releasably engageable fastener configured to releasably engage a probe driver to automatically rotate the probe portion about its longitudinal axis.