Heat exchanger for cryosurgical instruments

A heat exchanger for cryosurgical instruments comprising

• a mantle containing individual layers of a heat exchange substance selected from the group consisting of a heat exchange material and a heat exchange filler,
• an outer jacket surrounding said mantle and said individual layers of heat exchange substance,
• means defining a contact zone within said outer jacket for receiving the cooling fluid of said heat exchanger,
• said mantle further comprising a first heat exchange chamber containing a heat detector,
• said heat exchange chamber and said heat detector both being separated by said mantle from said means defining said contact zone, and wherein
• said heat detector is in thermal contact with said outer jacket, and
• each of said individual layers is positioned within said mantle a spaced distance from every other individual layer, so that said individual layers of said substance are mutually separated from one another.