Devices for tissue treatments

Abstract

A tissue treatment device comprises an upper housing (12) for receiving a container (20) with a treatment medium; an actuatable valve structure (16) to which the container can connect to dispense the treatment medium, the valve structure connected to the upper housing and comprising a channel (24) and an orifice (26) at an end of the channel; and a lower housing (14) extending from the upper housing to a distal end (28), the lower housing comprising an opening (32) at the distal end to receive tissue. The channel and / or lower housing is configured to direct treatment medium toward a side of tissue extending through the opening into the housing.

Description

Technical field of the invention This invention relates to a device for topical application of a tissue treatment, particularly a topical application of a liquid and or solid treatment of a tissue of a human or animal. Background of the invention A fibroma, sometimes called a skin tag, is a small benign tumor or growth of fibrous or connective tissue that forms primarily in areas where the skin forms creases (or rubs together), such as the neck, armpit and groin. They may also occur on the face, for example on the eyelids. The surface of a fibroma may be smooth or irregular in appearance and is often raised from the surface of the skin on a fleshy stalk called a peduncle. While fibromas are typically not harmful, they may become irritated, for example, by shaving, clothing, jewellery or eczema, and thus many people want to remove such skin tags. Additionally, removal is desired for aesthetic reasons as well. Removal is typically done by a dermatologist, general doctor or trained professional who may use cauterization, cryosurgery, excision, laser, or use surgical ligation to remove the fibroma. Additionally, devices such as the one shown in WO2016 / 010428 can be used for at-home treatment of fibromas (as well as other conditions such as warts) without the need for a trained professional. The nebulizer disclosed in WO2016 / 010428 is able to locally apply a cooling medium to the affected area. Summary of the invention According to a first aspect, a tissue treatment device comprises an upper housing for receiving a container with a treatment medium; an actuatable valve structure to which the container can connect to dispense the treatment medium; and a lower housing extending from the upper housing to a distal end. The valve structure is connected to the upper housing and comprises a channel and an orifice at an end of the channel. The lower housing comprises an opening at the distal end to receive tissue. The channel and / or lower housing is configured to direct treatment medium toward a side of tissue extending through the opening into the housing. Such a tissue treatment device can be useful for efficient and effective treatment of tissue such as fibromas or skin tags. The device can be placed such that the tissue extends through the opening into an inside of the lower housing, and the configuration of the valve structure with channel and / or lower housing direct the flowpath of the treatment medium such that the treatment medium contacts the tissue at the most effective part for treatment (e.g., the side, penduncle, stem or base of a fibroma). Thus, the treatment medium is precisely directly where most effective, resulting in needing less treatment time and treatment medium for effective treatment of the tissue as compared to past systems. According to an embodiment, the lower housing comprises a curved shield extending inside the lower housing at or near the distal end. Such a curved shield can be used to direct the flowpath of the treatment medium exiting the orifice of the channel, thereby providing a simple, yet effective method to direct treatment medium to the part of the tissue where it will be most effective. According to an embodiment, the channel splits into first and second channels with first and second orifices, wherein each of the first and second orifices are configured to direct treatment medium toward sides of tissue extending through the opening into the housing. Such first and second channels can be configured to have their orifices directed toward separate sides of the tissue (e.g., directly opposite or alternatively oriented 90 or 120 degrees form each other but oriented toward the same center area). Splitting the channel into first and second channels can further increase the effectiveness and efficiency of treatment with the device as the treatment medium can then be directed at different sides and / or parts of the tissue for treatment. According to an embodiment, the channel connects to a ring to feed the treatment medium into the ring. The orifice and one or more further orifices are located in the ring and directed toward an axis extending through a center of the ring. Thus, the path for treatment medium extends through the channel into the hollow ring and out the plurality of orifices directed toward an axis extending through a center of the ring. Such a configuration can allow for directing treatment medium at a number of different positions around the tissue at the same time, thereby providing a more effective treatment. According to an embodiment, the device further comprises one or more vents in the lower housing. Such one or more vents in the lower housing can allow for sufficient flow of treatment medium and air within and out of the treatment chamber (lower housing) for proper functioning of the device. According to an embodiment, the lower housing extends from the upper housing at an angle. This can mean a central axis of the lower housing extends at an angle from the central axis of the upper housing. In some embodiments, the sides come together creating a conical frustrum shape, though some embodiments could have flat sides or another shape. The lower housing defines an interior volume and treatment medium flow path for the treatment of tissue but can come in many different configurations. An angled or a curved configuration can help to ensure that the treatment device can be properly placed with respect to the tissue to be treated; and actuated by the user, even when the tissue to be treated is located in hard to reach places on the body (e.g., skin folds, under arms). This configuration can help to ensure that the user does not need a second person to align the device and properly treat tissue on their own body. According to an embodiment, the curved shield defines a flowpath for guiding the treatment medium flow within the lower housing. Optionally, the curved shield forms a partial cylinder, preferably extending for between 90 degrees to 270 degrees, more preferably about 180 degrees (i.e, forms a half-cylinder). Further optionally, the curved shield further comprises an additional curve to guide the flow parallel to a plane of the opening of the lower housing. Such a curve can be an inward curve at the lower end of the shield where it connects to an inside surface of the lower housing distal end. Preferably the curve guides flow toward an axis extending through a centre of the opening (perpendicular to the plane of the opening) where the tissue is to be placed or guided to during a treatment. Such a curved shield helps to ensure that the flow of treatment medium is guided to where it will be most effective in treating the tissue. This guided flowpath is particularly effective for treatment of fibromas, ensuring the treatment medium is guided to the peduncle or base to most effectively treat the fibroma for faster removal. According to an embodiment, the distal end of the lower housing comprises a distal end surface surrounding the opening and a rim at least partially surrounding the distal end surface and extending substantially perpendicular to the distal end surface. The rim extends outward from the lower housing and can be, in some embodiments, configured to guide the placement of the distal end with respect to the tissue and / or skin protection means. Such a configuration with a distal end surface and a rim extending at least partially around the surface can help to guide the tissue treatment device into place for treatment, using the configuration of the rim and a skin protection means (e.g., patch) to align around the tissue and guide the device such that the tissue extends into the lower housing through the opening and the rim abuts an edge of the skin protection means. This can be especially useful in hard-to-reach areas, or areas of treatment that the user cannot see on themselves (e.g., back) without the help of mirrors. The tactile feedback from aligning the rim and optional skin protection means can ensure that only the desired tissue is treated. Optionally, the distal end surface extends substantially vertically when the upper housing extends substantially vertically. This can mean that the distal end surface extends along substantially the same direction as the central axis of the upper housing, parallel to a plane tangential to the closest outside wall of the upper housing. In other embodiment, the distal end surface could be angled with respect to this position. In some cases, angling can help with alignment to the skin surface and tissue to be treated. As the distal end surface contacts the skin and / or skin protection means during treatment, the distal end surface helps to ensure that the treatment device is properly positioned for treatment and that the treatment medium has little to no contact with the skin around the tissue to be treated. Thus, the angle at which the distal end surface extends can help facilitate both of these functions. According to an embodiment, the upper housing comprises at least one safety feature to prevent accidental actuation of the valve structure. Optionally, the at least one safety feature comprises first and second shoulders configured to extend higher than a container in the upper housing, preferably where the first and second shoulders are rigid. Further optionally, between the shoulders could be a dip which extends below an top height of the container when connected to the upper housing. As the valve structure is actuated to expel treatment medium through pressing down on the uppermost part of the container, having a safety feature which extends above the height of the container helps to prevent accidental actuation, for example, from something falling on top of the device or dropping the device. With such a safety feature, an impact occurring that would actuate the valve structure unintentionally is minimized or prevented. Having a dip between the shoulders can help a user more easily connect and disconnect a container from the device. According to an embodiment, the device further comprises an actuating member connected to the lower housing for contacting tissue to be treated inside the lower housing. Such an actuating member could take a number of different forms, for example, a projection which is moved toward or away from the area where the tissue to be treated should be positioned. This can be connected at different parts of the lower housing, for example, near the shield. The actuation can be a translational, sliding or other type of movement. Such an actuating member can help to properly position the tissue to be treated within the lower housing such that the flow of treatment medium contacts the desired part of the tissue for most effective treatment. For example, on a fibroma, the most effective place to apply treatment medium is at the peduncle or base such that the fibroma freezes and falls off most quickly. An actuating member can be used to bend the fibroma such that the base or peduncle is more exposed to the flow of treatment medium, thereby making the treatment more effective in less time. According to an embodiment, the lower housing is a curved shape. This can be a smooth curve from the connection to the upper housing to the distal end or could start in one portion with the other portion being straight. Making the lower housing curved can be for aesthetics and / or for functionality of reaching tissue for treatment in different places (e.g., places harder to reach or not easily accessible to a person performing a treatment on themselves). According to an embodiment, the housing is split longitudinally, which can be substantially vertically through the upper housing with a curve or bend in the curved or bent part of the lower housing. In such an embodiment, the housing includes a front part of the upper and lower housing which connects to a back part of the upper and lower housing. In some embodiment, the split can also be somewhat curved in the upper housing as well. The distal end surface with the opening could be connected to the front or the back, or in some embodiments, could be split between the two. The housing could then be connected with a snap connection or any other connecting features to ensure they stay together for treatment. In some embodiments, the front part and back part can be connected and unconnected, for example, for easier replacement, cleaning, maintenance and / or inspection of the housing, valve structure, channel and / or treatment medium. Splitting the housing longitudinally can also make for easier manufacturing. According to a further aspect of the invention, skin protection means configured to be placed around the tissue prior to connecting the opening of the lower housing of the device over the tissue is provided. Optionally the skin protection means is a patch with a central opening for the tissue to be placed through. In some embodiments, the patch could have a slit from the opening to the outside, which can be helpful for placement of the patch particularly around certain configurations of tissue to be treated (e.g., smaller base and lager further from the base). As some of the treatment medium can be harsh or damaging to skin, the skin protection means helps to protect the skin surrounding the tissue to be treated, and additionally helps to align and position the device with respect to the tissue to be treated. The skin protection means or patch could take different configurations, for example round, egg shaped, triangular or diamond shaped. In some embodiments the skin protection means or patch is made of a foam or other material to give some thickness and protection from treatment material and / or cold temperatures associated with the treatment. The thickness and / or shape can be configured to be complementary to the rim of the distal end of the device such that the distal end surface slides over the patch and the rim abuts and / or is stopped by the edge of the patch (if the rim does not fully surround the distal end), or the distal end surface can set on top of the patch with the rim fully surrounding the patch and placed against the skin (if the rim surrounds the distal end). Thus, the thickness and / or shape of a patch can help to guide the tissue treatment device into position for treatment and ensure that it stays in place during the treatment due to the contact between the rim of the distal end of the device and the edge of the patch (with the patch being held in place on the skin by adhesive). For alignment, an egg-shaped configuration for a patch could be especially useful for sliding the treatment device into the desired position and keeping it in place for treatment due to the pointy side on the egg helping to more precisely align the device. Optionally, the bottom surface of the skin protection means has adhesive (e.g., covered until ready for use) and / or the top surface has a fabric or other absorbent material. The fabric or other absorbent material on the top surface of the skin protection means can absorb any treatment medium that exits opening, minimizing any contact with the skin around the tissue to be treated, and thereby preventing damage to the surrounding skin. Additionally, the patch can help to position the tissue in some embodiments, for example, having an additional part extending from the top surface and / or adhesive on the top surface which helps to hold the tissue in a desired position for treatment. According to a further aspect of the invention, a kit comprising the tissue treatment device previously described and one or more skin protection means (also previously described) are provided. Such a kit could provide all components for treatment of a tissue, for example, at home by an individual. Optionally, the kit could come with different lower housings, for example, shaped or angled differently for different treatment areas. Such lower housings could easily connect and / or disconnect from the upper housing (e.g., with threads or a snap fit) to use whichever one is best suited for the treatment. According to an embodiment, one or more containers of treatment medium could also be provided with the kit. The treatment medium can be a colloidal mixture formed in the container comprising a dispersed phase of liquid and a continuous phase of propellant gas, which can produce a fine spray which has the properties of a directed liquid stream. The colloidal mixture such as that formed in the container can be of various types, but preferably comprises an aerosol. In some embodiments, the treatment medium is a cooling medium for topical application. For this purpose the container is filled with a liquid which cools the skin by evaporation when applied to the skin. In the case of various skin problems, the local withdrawal of heat from the skin can have a remediating or at least an alleviating effect. Examples of skin problems wherein the local cooling of the skin has a remediating or at least an alleviating effect comprise for example (topical) burns, pustules (for example caused by acne), itching (for example nettle rash) and skin irritation due to an insect bite. If very low temperatures can be achieved during the topical application of a cooling medium to the skin, it is also possible to treat skin conditions such as fibromas and warts. The treatment of skin conditions such as fibromas and warts preferably takes place at temperatures below the freezing point. The above-described treatment of skin conditions by the application of a cooling medium to the skin of a person or animal is better known as cryotherapy. In cryotherapy use is frequently made of liquid nitrogen (boiling point: -196°C) applied with a cotton swab or a nozzle specially designed for the application of nitrogen. Under the marked change in temperature and / or ambient pressure the nitrogen evaporates on contact with the skin, with the result that the skin cools markedly. In addition to liquid nitrogen, use can also be made of a cooling medium with a considerably higher boiling point, such as dimethyl ether, propane and mixtures thereof (boiling point: -57°C). Mixtures with such boiling points are commercially available. The ability to apply a cooling medium in a directed manner, particularly at the base of a fibroma, prevents the surrounding skin, which does not need to be treated, from coming into contact with the cooling medium. Especially when temperatures below the freezing point are used, it is desirable to prevent contact of the surrounding skin with the cooling medium in order to increase the user's comfort. The skin protection means (e.g., a patch) previously described helps to prevent the cooling (or other) medium from coming into contact with the skin, particularly when a fabric or other absorbent layer is on a top surface of patch. Since freezing of the cooling medium starts as soon as it leaves the nozzle, if the bore of the nozzle is too small, the nozzle will become blocked by frozen cooling medium. By creating a treatment device in which a colloidal mixture is immediately formed, cooling medium can be applied to the tissue to be treated in a directed manner without requiring a nozzle bore size that can result in clogging of the nozzle. The valve structure of the treatment device according to the present invention is preferably designed for the uninterrupted, i.e., continuous, application of cooling medium. Through the uninterrupted, continuous, delivery of the cooling medium a lower temperature can be achieved than is usual at this time. With a metered dose, e.g., a predetermined quantity, limited cooling of the skin is accomplished. This limited cooling generally achieves a temperature of down to -20°C. Through the uninterrupted delivery of the cooling medium a temperature of below -20°C can be achieved. Preferably the temperature achieved is below -30°C. Through the uninterrupted delivery of cooling medium a temperature can be achieved which corresponds to the boiling point of the propellant gas, but it is also possible to reach temperatures that are below the boiling point of the propellant gas, for example by further expansion of the propellant gas. For example a temperature of approximately -50°C can be achieved with 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (R134a, boiling point: -26.3°C) as propellant gas. In one variant embodiment the cooling medium comprises at least one active compound comprising an antiviral agent, terpene and / or essential oil. The advantage of a cooling medium comprising at least one active compound is that in addition to cooling the tissue of the user, the skin is also treated with an active compound that has an additional remediating effect. Preferably the terpene and the essential oil are chosen from camphor, menthol, thymol, thyme oil, eucalyptus, eucalyptus citriodora, turpentine, pine oil, Melaleuca alternifolia, menthone, menthyl salicylate, musk oil, bixa orellana, borneol, curcuma oil, peppermint oil, clove oil, fennel oil, basil oil, patchouli oil, alpha-pinene, terpineol, oregano oil, carvacrol and combinations thereof. The antiviral agents preferably comprise replication inhibitors, such as cidofovir, acyclovir, pencyclovir and the like. However, other antiviral agents may also be considered. The cooling medium of the device can contain a propellant gas which comprises a mixture of hydrocarbons. In one embodiment the propellant gas comprises a cooling agent, in particular a cooling agent with a boiling point below -10°C. Examples of suitable cooling agents of this type comprise propane, n-butane, 1,1,1 ,2-tetrafluoroethane, dimethyl ether, dimethyl ether / propane mixtures and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the contents of the container are preferably kept under a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure in order to achieve rapid evaporation of the propellant gas upon application of the cooling medium to the tissue. According to a further aspect of the invention, a method of treating tissue comprises placing a distal end of a lower housing of a tissue treatment device over the tissue such that the tissue extends into an opening of the lower housing; actuating a valve structure to expel a treatment medium from a container through an orifice at an end of a channel in the valve structure; guiding the treatment composition toward a side and / or base of the tissue; and venting the propelled treatment composition out one or more vents in the lower housing. The tissue can be, for example, a wart or fibroma. Such a method effectively applies the treatment medium to the tissue at the desired (e.g., most effective) place through the configuration of the device, and particularly the flow path formed. Thus, the method results in a very effective, precise and efficient application of treatment medium to tissue, and particularly to the desired contact point of the tissue. Past treatment systems typically required about 40 seconds of spray for an effective treatment, whereas the method and device of the current system, through its ability to direct the treatment medium precisely can provide an effective treatment much faster, for example, in only 5-10 seconds. According to an embodiment, the step of guiding the treatment composition toward a side and / or base of the tissue comprises guiding the treatment composition toward a side and / or base of the tissue with a curved shield extending inside the lower housing. Such a shield can provide a simple yet effective way of properly directing the treatment medium toward the most effective area for more efficient treatment. According to an embodiment, the channel splits into a first channel with the orifice and a second channel with a second orifice, and the step of guiding the treatment composition toward a side and / or base of the tissue comprises guiding the treatment composition through the first and second channels and out the orifices directed toward the side and / or base of the tissue. Such first and second channels can be configured to have their orifices directed toward separate sides of the tissue (e.g., directly opposite at 180 degrees or, for example oriented 90 or 120 degrees form each other but oriented toward the same center area). Splitting the channel into first and second channels can further increase the effectiveness and efficiency of treatment with the device as the treatment medium can then be directed at different sides and / or parts of the tissue for treatment from various sides simultaneously. According to an embodiment, the channel connects to a ring with the orifice and one or more further orifices directed at a central axis which extends perpendicularly through a center of the ring. The step of guiding the treatment composition toward a side and / or base of the tissue comprises guiding the treatment composition through the ring and out the orifices directed toward the side and / or base of the tissue. Such a configuration can allow for treatment from a number of different sides (e.g., 2-8) at the same time by directing the treatment medium through the hollow ring and through the orifices. This can result in a very effective treatment, ensuring that all sides of the tissue receive treatment medium. Such a configuration can also ensure that the treatment continues even if, for example, one orifice was blocked, the treatment medium would continue to be expelled out the other orifices. According to an embodiment, the method further comprises adhering skin protection means at least partially around the tissue prior to placing the lower end of the lower housing over the tissue. The skin protection means can be a patch or other protection means as described above, and can adhere through adhesive on a back side. Such skin protection means help to protect the skin around the tissue from the treatment medium (which can be damaging to skin), and help to align the tissue treatment device with the tissue to be treated. According to an embodiment, the step of placing a lower end of a lower housing of a tissue treatment device over the tissue such that the tissue extends into an opening of the lower housing comprises guiding the tissue treatment device with skin protection means connecting to complementary features on the distal end of the lower housing to align the tissue with the opening in the lower housing and securing the tissue treatment device in place for treatment. This securing can mean that the tissue treatment device contacts or abuts at least one part of the skin protection means such that it does not (easily) move with respect to the skin protection means and thereby remains in that position until moved away from the skin and tissue after the treatment has ended. The various aspects and features described and shown in the specification can be applied, individually, wherever possible. These individual aspects, in particular the aspects and features described in the attached dependent claims, can be made subject of divisional patent applications. Brief description of the Drawings The invention will be described further with respect to embodiments shown in the drawings. FIG 1A shows a perspective front view of a tissue treatment device; FIG 1B shows a perspective back view of the tissue treatment device of Fig. 1 A; FIG. 10 shows a side view of the tissue treatment device of Fig. 1A; FIG. 1D shows a back view of the tissue treatment device of Fig. 1 A; FIG. 1E shows a front view of the tissue treatment device of Fig. 1 A; FIG. 1F shows a cross-sectional view of the tissue treatment device along line E-E; FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a patch for use with a tissue treatment device; FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of a skin treatment device in use; FIG. 3B shows a cross-sectional view of part of the tissue treatment device of FIG. 3A in use; FIGS. 4A-4B show views of a tissue treatment device aligning with a patch; FIG. 5A shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a tissue treatment device with patches; FIG. 5B shows a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the tissue treatment device; FIG. 6A shows a perspective front view of a further embodiment of a tissue treatment device; FIG. 6B shows a perspective back view of the tissue treatment device of Fig. 6A; FIG. 6C shows an exploded side view of the tissue treatment device of FIG. 6A; FIG. 6D shows an exploded front view of the tissue treatment device of FIG. 6A; FIG. 6E shows an exploded back view of the tissue treatment device of FIG. 6A; FIG. 7A shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of a tissue treatment device, shown from a back side with the back housing removed for viewing purposes; and FIG. 7B shows a cross-sectional view of a ring of the tissue treatment device of FIG. 7A. Detailed description FIG 1A shows a perspective front view of a tissue treatment device 10; FIG 1B shows a perspective back view of tissue treatment device 10; FIG. 10 shows a side view of the tissue treatment device 10; FIG. 1D shows a back side view of the tissue treatment device 10; FIG. 1E shows a front side view of the tissue treatment device 10; and FIG. 1F shows a crosssectional view of tissue treatment 10 device along line 1F-1F. Tissue treatment device 10 includes upper housing 12 with shoulders 13, lower housing 14 and valve structure 16. An upper end of lower housing 14 is connected to a lower end of upper housing 12. This can be through a removable connection (e.g., threads or snap-fit coupling) or through a permanent connection. In some embodiment, upper housing 12 and lower housing 14 could be formed integrally, for example, moulded or printed as one. Upper housing 12 is typically cylindrical in shape, extending substantially vertically, though can take different shapes. Upper housing 12 is shaped to receive a container 20 of a treatment medium. A top end 18 of upper housing 12 includes shoulders 13, which are located on opposite sides of upper housing 12 and which extend above an end 22 of container 20 when container 20 is connected to device 10. Between shoulders 13, upper housing 12 dips below the end of container 20 when connected to device 10. Shoulders 13 act as a safety mechanism, helping to reduce the risk of accidental actuation of device 10, for example, if something should fall on device 10 or if device 10 were dropped, shoulders 13 would take the impact and reduce the likelihood of force being applied to the end 22 of container 20, thereby actuating the valve structure and releasing treatment medium unintentionally. The dips between shoulders 13 on the end 18 of upper housing 12 allow for easier placement and removal of container 20. Valve structure 16 is located at a lower end of upper housing 12 and includes container connection part 23 and channel 24 extending into lower housing 14 ending at orifice 26, as can be seen in Fig. 1F. Valve structure 16 is actuatable, and container 20 connects an outlet 21 of container 20 to container connection part 23 of valve structure 16, which abuts a stiff rigid part or surface for the actuation. Valve structure 16 is actuated by applying force on end 22 of container 20. This allows for the treatment medium inside container 20 to move through outlet 21 into channel 24, which guides the treatment medium at an angle through the lower housing and out through orifice 26. Typically container 20 includes a treatment medium under pressure and a propellant gas or compressed air, and actuation expels the medium to produce a directed spray of treatment medium exiting orifice 26. Orifice 26 can in some embodiments be configured to help direct spray, or can simply be an opening in the end of channel 24. Orifice 26 can be different sizes depending on the spray desired and / or treatment medium, for example 0.18 mm. Further details of valve structure 16 and the actuation of container 20 for application of the treatment medium can be found in WO application number 2016 / 010428, titled “Nebulizer and spacer for the topical application of a liquid and / or solid to a surface,” filed on 15 July 2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference. Lower housing 14 includes distal end 28 with distal end surface 30 with opening 32, rim 34, vents 36 and curved shield 38. Lower housing 14 can be formed integrally as one part (e.g., injection moulding) or formed as multiple parts and connected together. Distal end 28 is typically a planar surface which defines opening 32. Opening 32 receives tissue for treatment inside lower housing 14, as will be discussed in more detail in relation to FIGS. 3A-3B. Extending outwards from distal end surface 30 in this embodiment is rim 34, though some embodiments could have a different configuration for rim 34 or no rim at all. In this case, rim 34 extends fully around distal end surface 30, which is recessed with respect to rim. In other embodiments (e.g., see Figs. 4A-4B), rim 34extends only partway around distal end surface 30 to help guide device 10 (in combination with skin protection means) into the correct positioning for treatment. As seen in Figs. 1C and 1F, distal end surface 30 extends substantially vertically when the upper housing extends substantially vertically. However, in other embodiments, the distal end surface 30 may be at an angle when the upper housing extends substantially vertically, and in some embodiments, different lower housings 14 and / or distal end surfaces 30 could be connected to adjust the angle as needed for treatment. Curved shield 38 extends inside lower housing 14 from at or near distal end surface 30 toward orifice 26. Curved shield 38 typically extends in a partially cylindrical shape (with a partial circle cross-section), extending about 90 degrees or 25% of the full cylinder up to about 270 degrees or 75% of the full cylinder, for example, 180 degrees or a half-cylinder. In other embodiments, the shape could differ, for example, being a partial oval or other arc shape. Curved shield 38 also includes curvature 39 near end surface 30 to guide flow in a direction parallel to the distal end surface 30 and in some embodiments toward an axis extending perpendicular to the distal end surface and running through a centre of opening 32. Thus, curved shield 38 is curved to direct flow from orifice 26 toward the tissue (extending through opening) for treatment, in particular a base of the tissue being treated. FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of skin protection means in the form of patch 40 for use with a tissue treatment device 10. Patch 40 is shown in circular form, but could be another shape, for example, egg-shaped (see FIGS. 4A-4B), in other embodiments. Patch 40 includes center opening 44, slit 46 and notch 48 formed of beveled outside edges surrounding slit 46. Patch 40 is generally formed of a foam material or another material to give thickness (e.g., 0.1-3 mm), and can be covered with a fabric on top surface 50. Bottom surface (not shown) could have adhesive, which could be covered before use with the covering being removable for use. In some embodiments, all or part of upper surface could have adhesive as well and / or an additional part with adhesive to hold the tissue in a certain position. Patch 40 is placed on the skin of a user, with a fibroma or other tissue extending through centre opening 44 (see Fig. 3B). Adhesive on a back side of patch 40 allows patch to stay in place with respect to the skin, around the fibroma or other tissue, and to not shift during treatment. Slit 46 allows for opening up the patch 40 for easier placement and / or removal, which can be especially useful when the tissue is large and / or wide with a smaller base. Patch 40 then helps to protect the (non-fibroma) skin of a user during treatment and also to help align the treatment device with the tissue for more effective treatment. Patch 40 can also help to ensure the tissue is placed correctly for the treatment, for example, helping the tissue to stand up or bend so the base or peduncle can be accessed for treatment. FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of a skin treatment device 10 in use; and FIG. 3B shows a cross-sectional view of a skin treatment device 10 in use. As described with respect to Fig. 2, patch 40 can be adhered to the skin of a patient around the tissue, for example, by removing a cover over the back, aligning around the tissue such that the tissue 60 extends through opening 44, and opening slit 46 as needed for placement. Once aligned, the adhesive on the back side of patch 40 can make contact with the skin to ensure that patch 40 does not move with respect to the skin during treatment. Treatment device 10 is then aligned with respect to patch 40, with rim 34 fitting around patch 40 to contact the skin, and upper surface 50 of patch 40 comes into contact with the outer side of distal end surface 30. Tissue 60 then extends through opening 32 of distal end surface 30 into an interior of lower housing 14. In some embodiments, an actuation mechanism could be used to adjust the position of fibroma 60 for treatment (shown and discussed in more detail in relation to Figs. 5A-5B). Once positioned properly and aligned with patch 40, treatment device 10 can be used to perform a treatment on tissue 60. Specifically, a user pushes on end 22 of container 20, typically with an index finger. This actuates valve structure 16, expelling treatment medium out of container 20 through channel 24 and out orifice 26. Shield 38 then guides the flow of treatment medium to the base of tissue 60, as shown by flow arrows F in Fig. 3B. Vents 36 allow for venting out of lower housing 14. Treatment typically last for 3-60 seconds, preferably 3-30 seconds, more preferably 5-20 seconds, most preferably 5-10 seconds, after which the user stops pressing down on the container 20, and the valve structure returns to a nonactuated position where treatment medium remains inside container 20 and is blocked from exiting through valve structure 16. In some embodiments, device 10 could include a locking mechanism (e.g., blocking component which prevents movement of container 20 and / or actuation of valve structure 16) which prevents unintended actuation when device 10 is not in use. Treatment device 10 with valve structure and curved shield 38 allow for very effective treatment of tissue, particularly fibromas, ensuring that the treatment medium is guided toward the side and / or base or peduncle of the tissue for more effective and efficient treatment and removal of the tissue. It was found that treatment of the side and / or base or peduncle of a fibroma resulted in faster overall treatment and eventual removal. Past treatment systems typically required about 40 seconds of spray for an effective treatment, whereas the device of the current system, through its ability to direct the treatment medium precisely can provide an effective treatment much faster, for example, in only 5-10 seconds. Patch 40 and distal end of lower housing 14 help to align treatment device 10 properly with respect to tissue 60, and valve structure 16 and shield 38 help to guide the treatment medium to the area where it will be most effective. This allows for shorter overall treatment times with similar effectiveness, thereby using less treatment product and subjecting the skin around the tissue to less (sometimes harsh) treatments. Additionally, the ability to have the distal end surface 30 angled in different directions can help to more effectively treat tissue even in hard to reach areas, such as at skin folds or under arms. The ability to use an index finger to press on container 20 for actuation of valve structure 16 typically allows a user more control than past systems which required depressing with a thumb. Skin protection means 40 can also help protect the skin around tissue 60, particularly when covered with fabric or another absorbent material. Thus, treatment device 10 allows for an overall more effective and efficient treatment system for applying a treatment medium to tissue, and particularly to a fibroma. FIGS. 4A-4B show views of a tissue treatment device aligning with a patch. In this embodiment, rim 34 of the distal end 28 of lower housing 14 only extends partially around the outer edge of distal end surface 30. Additionally, patch 40’ is egg-shaped. In some embodiments, rim 34 could also be egg-shaped for helping to precisely align tissue treatment device 10 with patch 40’ and the tissue to be treated. FIG. 4A illustrates how in this embodiment tissue treatment device 10 distal end 28 is able to slide over skin into the correct position, being stopped by patch 40’ when opening 32 is aligned with the tissue to be treated. The complementary shape of patch 40’ and rim 34, as well as the removal of rim 34 at the bottom half of distal end surface 30 in the embodiment shown helps the user to easily align treatment device 10, even in areas which are hard to reach and or / see. FIG. 5A shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of a tissue treatment device 10’ with patches 40, which could be part of a kit. FIG. 5B shows a cross-sectional view of the further embodiment of the tissue treatment device 10’. Tissue treatment device 10’ has similar parts and functions in a similar manner to tissue treatment device 10 and skin protection means 40 discussed in relation to FIGS. 1A-3B and therefore only differences will be discussed. Similar reference numbers are used for similar features. In tissue treatment device 10’, lower housing 14 has a more curved shape, extending from the end of upper housing 12, and then curving toward distal end 28 (as opposed to the angled configuration of FIGS. 1A-3B). Such a curved shape can be more aesthetically pleasing and help in placing the treatment device 10’ in harder to reach locations for use on a person’s body. Lower housing 14 also includes actuating member 70, which is shown schematically in FIG. 5B. Actuating member 70 extends from lower housing and is actuatable, for example, by a button or slide to move a projection within lower housing 14. The projection is positioned such that when it is actuated, it will contact the fibroma 60 (or other tissue) being treated to help ensure the flow of treatment medium contacts the desired part of the fibroma 60 (e.g., the base or peduncle). The projection and / or actuation system for moving the projection can take many different forms, but functions to bend, position and / or adjust the fibroma or tissue for better contact between a desired contact point of the tissue and the treatment medium expelled from orifice 26 and guided by shield 38. In some embodiments, the projection could have a hole in the middle so as not to interrupt the flow of treatment material during a treatment. In addition or alternatively, skin protection means 40 could have adhesive on or another part (e.g., layer or partial layer) extending from the upper surface 50 which helps to hold the tissue or fibroma in place for treatment. FIGS. 6A-6E show a further embodiment of treatment device 50. FIG. 6A shows a perspective front view tissue treatment device 50; FIG. 6B shows a perspective back view of the tissue treatment device 50; FIG. 6C shows an exploded side view of the tissue treatment device 50;FIG. 6D shows an exploded front view of the tissue treatment device 50; and FIG. 6E shows an exploded back view of the tissue treatment device 50. Similar part will have similar numbering and only differences with respect to tissue treatment devices 10, 10’ will be discussed. In tissue treatment device 50, upper housing 12 and lower housing 14 are split longitudinally into front housing 52 with distal end face 54 and back housing 56. Connection features 58 (e.g., snapping connection features such as protrusions in front housing which engage a lip or depressions in back housing) connect and secure front housing 52 to back housing 56. Front housing 52 further includes shoulder 13, and back housing 56 includes dip 57, each of which function similar to that described above, with shoulder 13 forming a protective function against accidental actuation, and dip 57 helping for easier container 20 access. Container 20 and valve structure 16 are configured and oriented the same with respect to upper and lower housing 12, 14 as in devices 10, 10’ described above. As can be seen in FIGS. 6C-6D, channel 24 splits into first channel 60 with first orifice 26 and second channel 62 with second orifice 64. First channel 60 and second channel 62 curve around such that orifices 26, 64 are oriented to direct treatment medium at a central point - where tissue would extend inside lower housing 14 when placed through opening 32. in the embodiment shown, orifices are generally opposite from each other such that they would direct treatment medium on opposite sides of the tissue. In other embodiments, channels 60, 62 and / or orifices 26, 64 could be oriented differently, for example approximately 90 degrees from each other but still directed at the position tissue would be when extending through opening 32. In use, container 20 is depressed to actuate valve structure 16, and treatment medium flows out of container through valve structure into channel 24. At the split of channel 24 into channels 60, 62; part of the treatment medium flows through channel 60 and part of the treatment medium flows through channel 62. The treatment medium then flows out of orifices 26, 64 to contact the tissue from two different sides at the side and / or base of the tissue. Thus, the splitting of channel 24 into two separate channels 60, 62 with respective orifices allows for simultaneous treatment of multiple sides of the tissue, thereby making for a more effective and efficient treatment. FIG. 7A shows a further embodiment of treatment device 70 with ring 72, and FIG. 7B shows a cross-section of ring 72. Treatment device 70 has many of the same parts and functions in much of the same manner as treatment device 50 shown and described in FIGS. 6A-6D. Thus, only the differences will be discussed here. In tissue treatment device 70, instead of splitting into first and second channels (as in treatment device 50), treatment device 70 channel 24 feeds into hollow ring 72 with multiple orifices 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d, 26e and 26f. Each of the orifices 26a-26f is directed toward a central axis extending through a center of ring 72. This aligns with where the tissue is placed for treatment. Thus, in use, treatment medium flows through channel 24 into ring 72 and is then directed toward the tissue from multiple directions at the same time through each of orifices 26a-26f, resulting in a more effective treatment of the tissue. Additionally, in such an embodiment, if one or more orifices were to clog, the treatment medium would still be expelled toward the tissue from the remaining (unclogged) orifices ensuring that the treatment continues. While ring 72 shows six orifices equally spaced around ring 72, other embodiments could include more or fewer orifices, which could be equally spaced or not around the ring. Additionally, in some embodiment, the ring could be separated or interrupted fully or partially. In summary, treatment device 10, 10’, 50, 70 functions as a simple way to more efficiently and effectively treat fibromas or other tissue with a treatment medium. The configuration allows for control of actuation with an index finger (or thumb), and the distal end 28, and particularly rim 34 of lower housing helps the device 10, 10’, 50, 70 to properly and easily align with the tissue to be treated. Inside the lower housing, shield 38 and / or actuation member 70 and / or a split channel and / or ring with multiple orifices help to guide the flow of treatment medium to the desired part of the tissue to be treated (e.g., a peduncle on a fibroma or side of a wart) for maximum effectiveness within a short period of time. Patch 40, 40’ helps to protect the skin around the tissue to be treated, as well as guide and keep the tissue treatment device 10, 10’, 50, 70 in position during the treatment. The present invention embodiments have been described above with reference to a number of exemplary embodiments as shown in and described with reference to the drawings. Modifications and alternative implementations of some parts or elements are possible, and are included in the scope of protection. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A tissue treatment device (10, 10’, 50, 70) comprising:an upper housing (12) for receiving a container with a treatment medium;an actuatable valve structure (16) to which the container can connect to dispense the treatment medium, the valve structure connected to the upper housing and comprising a channel (24) and an orifice (26) at an end of the channel; anda lower housing (14) extending from the upper housing to a distal end (28), the lower housing comprising an opening (32) at the distal end to receive tissue;wherein the channel and / or lower housing is configured to direct treatment medium toward a side of tissue extending through the opening into the housing.

2. The device (10, 10’) of claim 1, wherein the lower housing comprises a curved shield (38) extending inside the lower housing at or near the distal end (32) to help direct treatment medium exiting the orifice.

3. The device (50) of claim 1, wherein the channel splits into first and second channels with first and second orifices, wherein each of the first and second orifices are configured to direct treatment medium toward sides of tissue extending through the opening (32) into the housing.

4. The device (70) of claim 1, wherein the channel connects to a ring to feed the treatment medium into the ring, and wherein the orifice and one or more further orifices are located in the ring and directed toward an axis extending through a center of the ring.

5. The device of any of the preceding claims, and further comprising one or more vents (34) in the lower housing (14).

6. The device of any of the preceding claims, wherein the lower housing (14) extends from the upper housing (12) at an angle.

7. The device of claim 2, wherein the curved shield (38) defines a flowpath for guiding the treatment medium flow within the lower housing (12).

8. The device of any of claims 2 or 7, wherein the curved shield (38) forms a partial cylinder, preferably extending for between 90 degrees to 270 degrees.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the curved shield (38) further comprises a curve (39) to guide the flow parallel to a plane of the opening (32) of the lower housing.

10. The device of any of the preceding claims, wherein the distal end (28) of the lower housing (14) comprises a distal end surface (30) surrounding the opening and a rim (34) at least partially surrounding the distal end surface (30) extending substantially perpendicular to the distal end surface (30).

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the rim (34) is configured to guide the placement of the distal end (28) with respect to the tissue and / or skin protection means (40, 40’).

12. The device of any of claims 10-11, wherein the distal end surface (30) extends substantially vertically when the upper housing (14) extends substantially vertically.

13. The device of any of the preceding claims, wherein the upper housing (12) comprises at least one safety feature (13) to prevent accidental actuation of the valve structure.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the at least one safety feature comprises first and second shoulders (13) configured to extend higher than a container (20) in the upper housing.

15. The device of any of the preceding claims, and further comprising an actuating member (70) connected to the lower housing (14) for contacting tissue to be treated inside the lower housing.

16. The device of any of the preceding claims, wherein the lower housing (14) is a curved shape.

17. The device of any of the preceding claims, and further comprising:skin protection means (40,40’) configured to be place around the tissue prior to connecting the opening of the lower housing over the tissue.

18. The device of any of the preceding claims, wherein the housing is split longitudinally with a front part of the upper and lower housing connecting to a back part of the upper and lower housing.

19. Skin protection means (40, 40’) for use with the device (10, 10’, 50, 70) of any of the preceding claims, preferably wherein the skin protection means is a patch with a central opening.

20. A kit comprising the skin protection means of claim 18 and the device of any of claims 117.

21. The kit of claim 20, and further comprising a container of treatment medium connectable to the device of any of claims 1-18.

22. A method of treating tissue, the method comprising:placing a distal end of a lower housing of a tissue treatment device over a tissue such that the tissue extends into an opening of the lower housing;actuating a valve structure to expel a treatment medium from a container through an orifice at the end of a channel in the valve structure;guiding the treatment composition toward a side and / or base of the tissue; and venting the propelled treatment composition out one or more vents in the lower housing.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the step of guiding the treatment composition toward a side and / or base of the tissue comprises guiding the treatment composition toward a side and / or base of the tissue with a curved shield extending inside the lower housing.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the channel splits into a first channel with the orifice and a second channel with a second orifice, and the step of guiding the treatment composition toward a side and / or base of the tissue comprises guiding the treatment composition through the first and second channels and out the orifices directed toward the side and / or base of the tissue.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein the channel connects to a ring with the orifice and one or more further orifices directed at a central axis through the ring, and the step of guiding the treatment composition toward a side and / or base of the tissue comprises guiding the treatment composition through the ring and out the orifices directed toward the side and / or base of the tissue.

26. The method of any of claims 22-25, and further comprising: adhering skin protection means at least partially around the tissue prior to placing the lower end of the lower housing over the tissue.

27. The method of any of claims 22-26, wherein the step of placing a lower end of a lower housing of a tissue treatment device over tissue such that the tissue extends into an opening of the lower housing comprises guiding the tissue treatment device with the skin5 protection means connecting to complementary features on the distal end of the lower housing to align the tissue with the opening in the lower housing and securing the tissue treatment device in place for treatment.10

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