cryoprobes

A cryoprobe is a medical instrument used to deliver extreme cold to body tissue in order to achieve cryoablation, the destruction of unwanted tissue through freezing. The device typically consists of a slender shaft with a cooled tip that is connected to a cryogenic source. Cooling is achieved by circulating a cryogenic gas (commonly argon or helium) or a liquid refrigerant through the probe, drawing heat from the tissue at the tip. Depending on the system, the tip temperature can reach well below -100 degrees Celsius, enabling rapid ice formation within and around cells. The probe is inserted to the target site under imaging guidance, such as ultrasound, CT, or MRI, and one or more freeze-thaw cycles are performed to maximize tissue destruction.

Cryoprobes are widely used for cryoablation of solid tumors and certain benign lesions. The most common clinical application is cryoablation of prostate cancer, but the technology is also employed for liver, kidney, lung, breast, and bone lesions, among others. In addition to oncology, cryoprobes are used in experimental and some minimally invasive procedures where precise tissue necrosis is desired.

Safety and technique rely on careful planning and monitoring. Temperature sensors, hydrodissection, and imaging guidance help protect surrounding structures and minimize collateral injury. Potential adverse effects include localized pain, swelling, urinary symptoms in genitourinary applications, frost injury to non-target tissues, and system-related risks such as gas leaks or instrument failure, which are mitigated by trained operators and strict procedural protocols.

Cryoprobe technology encompasses single-use sterile probes and reusable systems, with designs tailored to specific organs, lesion characteristics, and imaging modalities.