Method and apparatus for cryoadhesion

A method for treating an area of target tissue, the method comprising:

• positioning a cryotreatment device including a treatment element defining an expansion chamber proximate the area of target tissue, the expansion chamber being in fluid communication with a fluid flow path, the fluid flow path including:
• a fluid supply containing coolant;
• a fluid injection line in communication with the fluid supply and the expansion chamber, the fluid injection line including a first PID circuit having a first PID controller, a first pressure transducer, and a first proportional valve;
• a fluid return line in communication with the cryotreatment device, the fluid return line including a second PID circuit having a second PID controller, a second pressure transducer, and a second proportional valve;
• and
• a vacuum source in communication with the fluid return line,
• the system being programmable to operate in an inflation phase, an ablation phase, and a warming phase, the first PID circuit and second PID circuit simultaneously operating to control the flow rate of coolant into and out of the expansion chamber during the inflation phase, the ablation phase, and the warming phase;
• and
• continuously delivering coolant to the expansion chamber during the inflation phase, the ablation phase, and the warming phase, the first PID circuit operating to deliver coolant to the expansion chamber at a first flow rate during the inflation phase, a second flow rate during the ablation phase, and a third flow rate during the warming phase.

A continuous flow cryotreatment system, the cryotreatment system comprising:

• a coolant supply;
• a fluid injection line in communication with the fluid supply, the fluid injection line including a subcooler;
• a bypass line in communication with the fluid injection line, the bypass line including a valve, an inlet upstream of the subcooler, and an outlet downstream of the subcooler;
• a cryotreatment device having a treatment element in communication with the fluid injection line;
• a fluid return line in communication with the cryotreatment device;
• and
• a vacuum source in communication with the fluid return line,
• the system being programmable to operate in an inflation phase, a treatment phase, and a warming phase, the coolant continuously flowing through the bypass line during the inflation phase and through the subcooler during the ablation phase.

A method for treating an area of target tissue, the method comprising:

• positioning a cryotreatment device including a treatment element defining an expansion chamber proximate the area of target tissue, the expansion chamber being in fluid communication with a fluid flow path, the fluid flow path including:
• a coolant supply;
• a fluid injection line in communication with the fluid supply and the expansion chamber, the fluid injection line including a subcooler;
• a bypass line in communication with the fluid injection line, the bypass line including a valve, an inlet upstream of the subcooler, and an outlet downstream of the subcooler;
• a fluid return line in communication with the cryotreatment device;
• and
• a vacuum source in communication with the fluid return line,
• the system being programmable to operate in an inflation phase, an ablation phase, and a warming phase, the coolant flowing through the bypass line during the inflation phase and through the subcooler during the ablation phase;
• and
• continuously delivering coolant to the expansion chamber during the inflation phase, the ablation phase, and the warming phase, the bypass line valve being substantially open during the inflation phase and substantially closed during the ablation phase.