Apparatuses and methods for asymmetric ice formation during cryoablation treatments

A cryoablation probe comprising:

• an outer shell comprising a distal end;
• a cryogen supply positioned inside the outer shell, the cryogen supply configured to deliver a cryogen to form ice around the distal end of the outer shell to perform a cryoablation treatment;
• a plurality of heating portions positioned on or in the outer shell, each heating portion of the plurality of heating portions individually controllable to operate in an energized state and a de-energized state;
• wherein the plurality of heating portions comprises:
• a first array of heating portions positioned at a first longitudinal position from the distal end of the cryoablation probe;
• and
• a second array of heating portions located at a second longitudinal position from the distal end of the cryoablation probe;
• and
• at least one computing device coupled to the plurality of heating portions, the at least one computing device configured to:
• obtain ice formation data characterizing a size and shape of ice forming at a target tissue in a patient, wherein the ice formation data comprises data characterizing rates of ice growth along different directions from a first predetermined location on the cryoprobe;
• compare the ice formation data to a predetermined ice formation profile;
• and
• automatically energize a heating portion of the plurality of heating portions based on the comparison of the ice formation data to the predetermined ice formation profile to limit growth of ice in a first direction relative to a second predetermined location on the cryoablation probe while cryogen flows to a tip of the cryoprobe.