Frigipoint: a new cryosurgical instrument

Frigipoint, a new handheld dipstick cryoprobe, will be introduced. This apparatus has three components: (1) a thermal conductive housing chamber (reservoir) tapered to tips with diameters of 2-10 mm (applicator); (2) a cryogen absorbent member within the housing chamber; and (3) a low-thermal conductivity handle, which is threaded onto the housing chamber. Laboratory experiments employing a gelatin medium showed that the delivery of the cryogen is uniform over the area of application, producing a flat-bottom ice ball. In animal studies, liquid nitrogen spray produced greater depth of destruction and inflammation than Frigipoint. In preliminary clinical studies, 68 lesions, including actinic keratosis, molluscum contagiosum, verruca plana, solar lentigo, seborrheic keratosis, and verruca vulgaris, were treated in 16 patients. All but one resolved after cryosurgery with Frigipoint. Frigipoint is an effective, safe, and easily portable cryosurgical instrument that has a wide spectrum of dermatologic applications. It provides efficient, well-controlled focal cryosurgical treatment of multiple lesions with one immersion of the probe in liquid nitrogen. In addition, its simple operation is met with high patient and physician acceptance.