In general, solenoid Valves are used in chemical processing, biotechnology, gas analyzing and medical applications. That is because solenoid valves convert electric energy into mechanical energy, shutting off, opening up, dosing or distributing whatever gas or fluid is running through the tubes or pipes it is installed within. Cryogenic solenoid valves are specifically designed for extreme temperature environments, which is why laser surgical equipment utilizes them. Other medical tools, such as portable medical dosing devices for monitoring hearts, cancer treatment and diabetes treatment also utilize solenoid valves, though not always cryogenic solenoid valves. However, most medical applications do require miniature solenoid valves.

The cryogenic solenoid valves used in laser surgical equipment are also miniature solenoid valves, ones that are often made from stainless steel and PTFE plastic, both of which are heavy duty materials unaffected by extreme temperatures. In surgical equipment applications as well as most other applications, solenoid valves work by way of a couple simple but vital parts, the solenoid coil and a Valve. The simplicity of solenoid valves such as cryogenic solenoid valves is partly why they are utilized in such intense and high pressure environments such as surgery. They are precise and dependable.