Abstract: Objective To explore the feasibility of a new cryoprobe for cryobiopsy. Methods A new type of cryoprobe and two types of traditional cryoprobe were used for in vitro transbronchial cryobiopsy. The size of biopsy tissues obtained by different specifications of cryoprobes was measured and compared. Results In most cases, the size of biopsy tissues was positively correlated with the freezing time, and the diameter of cryoprobe was positively correlated with the size of tissues over the same freezing time. There was no significant difference in the mass and diameter of biopsy tissues with or without adoptor. At different freezing time, the tissue size by the new cryoprobe was similar to that by the traditional cryoprobes. Conclusion The significant advantages of the new type of cryoprobe are its smaller diameter and flexibility which allow it easily to reach the upper lobe of the lung and other lesions which are difficult by conventional cryoprobes, and at the same time reduce the occurrence of bleeding; although the size of tissues obtained in a single time by the new cryoprobe is not comparable with the traditional types, it can still achieve the similar amount through adjusting freezing time as appropriate.

Key words: Cryoprobe, Cryobiopsy, Transbronchial cryobiopsy, Interstitial lung diseases, Cryosurgery