Cryoneurolysis

[1][2] Combined with ultrasound imaging, the procedure can be administered using a hand-held device in an office, and appears to provide an expedient, safe, and nonpharmacological option for treating various chronic pain conditions.

[1][2] Nerves treated in this temperature range experience a disruption of the axon, with Wallerian degeneration occurring distal to the site of injury.

[1][2] The axon and myelin sheath are affected, but all of the connective tissues (endoneurium, perineurium, and epineurium) remain intact.

[1][8] Following Wallerian degeneration, the axon regenerates along the original nerve path at a rate of approximately 1–2 mm per day.

Nerves treated in this temperature range experience a disruption of both the axon and the endoneurium connective tissue layer.

[12] Shortly thereafter, in 1967, an ophthalmic surgeon named Amoils used carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide to create a cryoprobe that reached −70 °C.

Mode selection probe, cleaning and freezing can be performed automatically using footswitch or touch screen which allows to keep the site of a procedure under sterile conditions.

Electronic communication (chip system) between the connected probe and device allows recognition of optimal operating parameters and auto-configures to cryoprobe characteristics.

[15] The Myoscience Iovera is a handheld device that uses nitrous oxide as a coolant and can be used with a three-probe configuration with a probe diameter of 0.4 mm (~27 gauge).