Display devices and interfaces for cryogenic equipment

Abstract

The present disclosure describes a cryogenic device having a display device for displaying one of a plurality of user interfaces associated with a plurality of cryogenic device states. The cryogenic device is configured to: generate an initial user interface for display on the display device; determine that the cryogenic device is in a first state; in response to determining that the cryogenic device is in the first state, generate instructions for presenting a first user interface, wherein the first user interface is associated with the first state; and cause the display device to display the first user interface. In this way, the cryogenic device can have a dynamic user interface configured to respond to the state of the cryogenic device.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 940,985, filed on November 27, 2019; the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

[0003] Related fields

[0004] Devices, systems and methods for cooling tissue for therapeutic purposes, including nerves for the treatment of pain. Background Art

[0005] The present disclosure generally relates to medical devices, systems and methods for cryotherapy. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a cryogenic device for cryogenically cooling a patient's target tissue to degenerate, inhibit, reshape or otherwise affect the target tissue to achieve a desired change in its behavior or combination. Cryogenic cooling of neural tissue has been shown to be effective in treating a variety of indications, including pain (e.g., occipital and other neuralgia, neuromas, osteoarthritis pain), spasticity, and joint stiffness, among others. For example, it has been found that cooling neural tissue degenerates or inhibits nerves that contribute to these conditions. Cryogenic cooling has also been employed to address aesthetic conditions, for example, by inhibiting undesirable and / or unsightly effects on the skin (such as fine lines, wrinkles, or cellulite depressions) or on other surrounding tissues.

[0006] In view of the above, cryogenic devices with needle probes have become a mode of therapeutic cooling of target tissues for treating various indications. The needle probes of such devices are usually inserted into the skin of a patient adjacent to the target tissue. Some cryogenic probes may include a refrigerant that can be injected into the target tissue via an opening in the needle of the needle probe so that the target tissue is directly cooled by the refrigerant. Other cryogenic probes may include a closed needle tip, in which case the needle can be cooled (e.g., by the flow of a refrigerant), and the target tissue adjacent to the cooled needle can thereby be cooled by conduction. Cryogenic probes have been proven to be effective in accurately, conveniently, and reliably creating cryogenic areas in or around target tissues in a patient. A cryogenic area may be a volume of tissue cooled by one or more needles of a cryogenic probe (e.g., a volume of tissue near or around a distal portion of a needle). For example, a cooling area may be a volume of tissue that is cooled so as to freeze the tissue within the volume (e.g., a cooling area may be defined by an isotherm of approximately 0°C (or other suitable temperature) that may be formed around the needle of a cryogenic probe). Summary of the invention

[0007] The present disclosure relates to improved medical devices, systems and methods.Many of the devices, systems and methods described herein would be beneficial for cryotherapy using cryogenic devices.

[0008] In some embodiments, the cryogenic device may include a handpiece that can be held by a user. The handpiece may include a refrigerant path configured to guide a refrigerant toward a needle probe including one or more needles, wherein the refrigerant may be configured to deliver cryotherapy to a target tissue via the one or more needles. The cryogenic device may include a display device configured to display one of a plurality of user interfaces associated with a plurality of cryogenic device states. The cryogenic device may further include a processor coupled to the display device. The processor may be configured to generate an initial user interface for display on the display device. The processor may be configured to determine that the cryogenic device is in a first state. In response to determining that the cryogenic device is in a first state, the processor may be configured to generate instructions for presenting a first user interface, wherein the first user interface is associated with the first state. The processor may be configured to cause the display device to display the first user interface.

[0009] Implementations may include one or more of the following features. A display device may be provided on a handpiece of the cryogenic device. The display device may be an LCD or OLED screen.

[0010] The first user interface may include an icon field including one or more icons indicating information associated with the cryogenic device or the selected cryotherapy program. The first user interface may further include a status element including a text description of the status of the cryogenic device. For example, the selected cryotherapy program may specify the desired cryogenic zone volume and / or the number of treatment cycles. In addition, in some instances, the text description may scroll through the status element or be split into smaller messages that are displayed alternately in sequence.

[0011] The plurality of cryogenic device states may include a cycle state, wherein the cycle state is associated with the cryogenic device preparing for or performing a particular cryotherapy cycle. The plurality of cryogenic device states may also include a charging state, wherein the charging state is associated with the battery of the cryogenic device being charged. The plurality of cryogenic device states may also include a standard state, wherein the standard state is associated with the cryogenic device being turned on and not in a cycle state or a charging state.

[0012] The cycle status may be associated with a cycle user interface, wherein the cycle user interface may include an enlarged progress element indicating the progress of the treatment cycle. For example, the enlarged progress element may include a count-down timer (or a count-up timer). The cycle user interface may further include a status element. The charging status may be associated with a charging user interface, wherein the charging user interface may include an enlarged battery indicator element. The standard status may be associated with a standard user interface, wherein the standard user interface may include one or more battery indicator elements indicating the battery status, a probe descriptor element indicating information about the needle probe, a refrigerant status indicator indicating the amount of refrigerant available in the current refrigerant box, a cycle counter element indicating the number of treatment cycles remaining or the number of treatment cycles performed by the current refrigerant box, and a status element for indicating the status of the cryogenic device.

[0013] The plurality of cryogenic equipment states may include an error state associated with an error user interface, wherein the error user interface may include a first portion and a second portion, the first portion including an icon indicating a specific error, the second portion including an enlarged status element indicating the specific error. The first portion and the second portion may be non-overlapping portions of the error user interface.

[0014] The cycle user interface and the standard user interface can be in a first orientation, and the charging user interface can be in a second orientation, the first orientation being different from the second orientation. For example, the first orientation can be a 180 degree rotation of the second orientation.

[0015] The processor may be further configured to receive data from one or more accelerometers of the cryogenic device. Based on the received data, the processor may determine the orientation of the cryogenic device. The processor may orient the first user interface in a manner consistent with the determined orientation of the cryogenic device.

[0016] In some embodiments, one or more methods may be used to display a dynamic user interface on the described cryogenic device. One such method may include generating, by a processor associated with the cryogenic device, an initial user interface for display on a display device associated with the cryogenic device. The processor may determine that the cryogenic device is in a first state, wherein the first state is one of a plurality of cryogenic device states. In response to determining that the cryogenic device is in the first state, the processor may generate instructions for presenting a first user interface, wherein the first user interface is associated with the first state and is one of a plurality of user interfaces. The processor may cause the display device to display the first user interface.

[0017] Another such method may include displaying an initial user interface on a display device associated with the cryogenic device. The method may further include determining that the cryogenic device is in one of a plurality of cryogenic device states including a cycle state, a charging state, and a standard state. The method may include, in response to determining that the cryogenic device is in one of a plurality of cryogenic states, generating instructions for presenting one of a plurality of user interfaces, the plurality of user interfaces being associated with a plurality of cryogenic device states. The method may include causing the display device to display one of the plurality of user interfaces. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 An example embodiment of a cryogenic device including a needle probe having one or more needles is shown.

[0019] Figure 2 An example needle probe is shown.

[0020] Figure 3A-3B An example embodiment of a cryogenic device docked to a charging device is shown.

[0021] Figure 3C A cryogenic device is shown coupled to a display device, wherein the display device is mounted or otherwise disposed on the cryogenic device.

[0022] Figure 3D A schematic diagram of an example system including a display device is shown.

[0023] Figure 4A-4B Two example standard user interfaces are shown that may be associated with standard states of cryogenic equipment.

[0024] Figure 5A-Figure 5B Two example cycle user interfaces are shown that may be associated with cycle states of a cryogenic device.

[0025] Figure 6A-6B Two example error user interfaces are shown that may be associated with an error state of a cryogenic device.

[0026] Figure 7A-7B Two example charging user interfaces are shown that may be associated with the charging status of a cryogenic device.

[0027] Figure 8 An example method for displaying a dynamic user interface on a cryogenic device is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The present disclosure describes a display interface used in association with a cryogenic device that can be used to deliver cryotherapy to a patient. In some embodiments, the described cryogenic device may include a needle for delivering cryotherapy subcutaneously to targeted specific tissues for treating various conditions. For example, the cryogenic device may include a needle configured to be inserted near a peripheral nerve to deliver cryotherapy to the peripheral nerve to treat pain, spasm, or other such conditions that can be improved by such therapy. More information about using cryotherapy to relieve pain or spasm can be found in U.S. Patent No. 8,298,216 filed on November 14, 2008, U.S. Patent No. 9,610,112 filed on March 18, 2014, U.S. Patent No. 10,085,789 filed on March 13, 2017, and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2019 / 0038459 filed on September 14, 2018, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. Cryogenic devices may also be used for prophylactic treatments (such as destruction or prevention of neuromas), for example, as described in U.S. Patent No. 10,470,813, filed on March 14, 2016, the complete disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

[0029] As cryotherapy becomes more common, and as its therapeutic benefits have been realized in many indications, improvements in cryogenic devices are needed to facilitate the use of such devices and thereby enhance cryotherapy. In particular, user interfaces provided by current cryogenic devices are often limited in that they do not effectively communicate relevant information to operators of such devices and, therefore, may result in suboptimal use by the operator. User interfaces are often not intuitive and may not present information in an accessible manner, sometimes causing even well-trained operators to misunderstand or ignore relevant information that the cryogenic device may be trying to convey. To address this issue, the present disclosure provides an improved user interface for a cryogenic device that effectively and intuitively displays information.

[0030] Figure 1 An example embodiment of a cryogenic device 100 is shown that includes a needle probe 110 having one or more needles 115. As shown in the example embodiment shown, the cryogenic device 100 can be a self-contained handpiece suitable for grasping and manipulating by the hand of an operator. In other embodiments, the cryogenic device can include physically separate components. For example, the cryogenic device can include a handpiece including a needle probe and a cryogen cartridge separate from the handpiece. In some embodiments, the cryogen cartridge 130 can be a disposable cartridge filled with a cryogen (e.g., nitrous oxide, a fluorocarbon refrigerant, and / or carbon dioxide). In some embodiments, as Figure 1As shown in , the cryogenic device 100 may include a probe receptacle 170 configured to receive the needle probe 110. In some embodiments, the probe receptacle 170 may be configured to couple the needle probe 110 to a cryogen cartridge via a cryogen path (not shown).

[0031] Figure 2 An example needle probe 110 is shown. In some embodiments, the needle probe 110 may include one or more needles 115 adapted to penetrate into the patient's skin adjacent to target tissue (e.g., neural tissue). Figure 2 As shown in , needle probe 110 may include three needles 115. Each needle of needle probe 110 may be provided with a needle cavity (not shown). In some embodiments, needles 115 may have closed tips without any distal openings so that they do not allow refrigerant to be ejected from the distal ends of needles 115. In these embodiments, needles 115 themselves are cooled, and adjacent tissues are thereby cooled by conduction. In some embodiments, needle probe 110 may include a probe extension 119 that is configured to be fixed to a probe container 170. When the needle probe is fixed to the probe container, the probe extension is connected to the refrigerant path (for illustration purposes, Figure 1 ) extending toward the proximal end of the cryogenic device. Figure 2 , the probe extension 119 can be provided with a probe cavity (not shown), which is an elongated element extending from the proximal end to the distal end. When the needle probe is fixed to the probe container, the probe cavity can be fluidly coupled to the refrigerant path. The probe cavity can also be coupled to the needle cavity of the needle 115 at the distal end of the cryogenic device so that the refrigerant can be allowed to pass through the probe cavity and into the needle cavity (e.g., to cool the needle tip, which can then cool the target tissue to create a cryogenic area).

[0032] In some embodiments, one or more needles 115 can be inserted and passed through the patient's skin so that the distal portion of the needle 115 can be adjacent to the target tissue (e.g., neural tissue). In some embodiments, once the needle 115 is positioned, the operator can submit an input to the cryogenic device 100 (e.g., by actuating a user input button, tapping a user interface element on a touch screen, etc.) to cause the controller to open a supply valve, thereby enabling refrigerant to flow from the refrigerant cartridge to the cavity of the needle 115 via a refrigerant path. The distal portion of the needle 115 can be cooled by the refrigerant flow, and a cooling zone can be formed around the target tissue.

[0033] In some embodiments, the cryogenic device 100 can be a smart device that includes a first processor (e.g., located in a handpiece and separated from the needle probe 110) to assist an operator in performing treatment. In some embodiments, the needle probe 110 can be a smart probe. In these embodiments, the needle probe 110 can include a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA). The PCBA of the needle probe 110 can include an onboard processor. In some embodiments, the PCBA can also include a memory assembly. The PCBA can further include one or more connectors (e.g., a card edge connector) that electrically couple the needle probe 110 to the remainder of the cryogenic device 100 (e.g., a handpiece portion). For example, when the needle probe is received by the probe receptacle 170, a portion of the PCBA 118 can be received by a port in the handpiece portion.

[0034] Once the PCBA 118 of the needle probe 110 is connected to the handpiece portion, the needle probe 110 may be able to transmit information to the handpiece portion and / or receive information from the handpiece portion (e.g., via its processor). In some embodiments, the needle probe 110 may transmit a probe descriptor, which, among other things, may identify the corresponding probe type of the needle probe. For example, the probe descriptor may identify the number of needles (e.g., a single needle probe, a three-needle probe, a five-needle probe), the length of the needle, the configuration of the needle (e.g., a rectangular array, a square array, an ellipse, a circle, a triangle, a three-dimensional shape (such as an inverted pyramid)), or any other suitable characteristic of the needle probe. In these embodiments, the first processor may be further configured to determine that the detachable needle probe is a specific probe type among a plurality of probe types based on the received probe descriptor information. In some embodiments, the probe descriptor may include information about the needle probe 110 that may be used to derive treatment-related information.

[0035] For example, the probe descriptor information may include an average refrigerant flow rate associated with the needle probe 110, which may be used by the first processor (e.g., on the handpiece) to calculate the amount of refrigerant that has been used and / or the amount remaining in the refrigerant box 130. The first processor may calculate these amounts based on the average refrigerant flow rate and the amount of time that the supply valve for releasing the refrigerant has been opened. As another example, the needle size, the number of needles, and other suitable parameters associated with the needle probe 110 may be used to derive the refrigerant flow rate, the amount of refrigerant during the cycle, the amount of refrigerant remaining in the box, and / or any other suitable treatment-related information. As another example, the probe descriptor information may include information that may be used by other treatment functions, such as a skin heater (e.g., a resistive heating element configured to be near or adjacent to the skin during treatment), the skin heater being configured to provide thermal energy to the skin surface to reduce or prevent incidental tissue damage. In this example, a specific probe may send a probe descriptor information that may be used to determine parameters (e.g., power level, heating duration, etc.) for operating the skin heater.

[0036] More information about cryogenic devices with skin heaters can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 10,470,813, filed on March 14, 2016, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. Any of this information can be displayed on a user interface of any suitable display associated with the cryogenic device 100 (e.g., an LCD screen of the cryogenic device 100) (e.g., displayed in real time while the treatment is being performed). In some embodiments, a treatment recommendation can be determined and displayed on a display. For example, a specific needle probe 110 can be associated with a specific type of treatment, and thus a treatment recommendation can be displayed based on a determination that a specific needle probe 110 has been inserted. The operator can then perform the treatment based on the recommendation. In some embodiments, the probe descriptor can include "expiration" details of the needle probe 110 (e.g., for safety reasons, the needle probe 110 can be configured to expire after a set number of treatment cycles). More information about smart cryogenic devices and smart probes can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 10,130,409, filed on November 20, 2018, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. As another example, the probe descriptor information may generally include information about parameters of a treatment cycle, or about parameters of different phases of a treatment cycle associated with a cryotherapy treatment that may be performed using an associated needle probe 110. Example treatment cycles may include a pre-treatment heating period during which a heating element is heated, a refrigerant delivery period during which refrigerant is delivered to one or more needles of the needle probe 110, and a recovery period after the refrigerant delivery period during which refrigerant is not delivered. In this example, the probe descriptor information for a particular needle probe 110 may specify the duration of each of these periods. More information about treatment cycles may be found in U.S. Patent No. 2019 / 0038459, filed on September 14, 2018, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

[0037] In some embodiments, once the refrigerant cartridge 130 is positioned in the cartridge holder, the first processor may receive any other suitable information (e.g., from one or more sensors associated with the refrigerant cartridge 130), such as the amount of refrigerant remaining (or at least useful refrigerant available) within the refrigerant cartridge 130.

[0038] In some embodiments, the cryogenic device 100 may be rechargeable. For example, the cryogenic device 100 may include one or more rechargeable batteries that may be recharged by coupling the cryogenic device 100 to a charging device. Figure 3A-3BAn example embodiment of a cryogenic device 100 docked on a charging device 330 is shown. As shown, the shape of the charging device 330 and the cryogenic device 100 can be such that the cryogenic device 100 is suitable for being docked on the charging device 330, and the charging device 330 can charge the cryogenic device 100. In the example shown, the handpiece portion of the cryogenic device 100 is configured to rest substantially horizontally (or along the axis along which the cryogenic device extends) on a charging stand formed by the charging 330 to receive charging energy. The charging device 330 can be configured to be plugged into a power source. Alternatively or additionally, the charging device 330 itself may include one or more batteries that can be used to supply energy to the cryogenic device 100. In some embodiments, the charging device can be a wireless charger, and the cryogenic device 100 can be wirelessly charged when it is within range.

[0039] In some embodiments, the cryogenic device 100 may be coupled to a display device. Figure 3C The cryogenic device 100 is shown coupled to a display device 150 (e.g., an LCD screen, an OLED screen, etc.), wherein the display device 150 is mounted or otherwise disposed on the cryogenic device 100. In some embodiments, the display device 150 can display a user interface that can present various relevant information to an operator before, during, and / or after treatment. For example, the display device 150 can present information about the needle probe 110 currently positioned within the probe receptacle 170 (e.g., information derived from a probe descriptor received from the needle probe 110, or any other suitable information described herein). This information can be presented in real time as treatment is performed.

[0040] In some embodiments, the cryogenic device 100 may be associated with a plurality of cryogenic device states. These states may define the mode or state of the cryogenic device 100 at a given time. For example, the cryogenic device 100 may be in a "cycle state". The cycle state may be associated with the cryogenic device 100 preparing for or performing a specific cryotherapy treatment cycle. A cryotherapy treatment may include one or more treatment cycles during which the patient's tissue is cooled to produce a therapeutic effect, wherein each treatment cycle lasts for a specified amount of time. As another example, the cryogenic device 100 may be in a "charging state". The charging state may be associated with the battery of the cryogenic device 100 being charged. As another example, the cryogenic device 100 may be in an "error state". The error state may be associated with a device state in which an error has been identified for the cryogenic device 100, thereby presenting the cryogenic device 100 as unusable or non-optimal. As another example, the cryogenic device 100 may be in a "standby state". The standby state may be associated with a power saving mode in which the cryogenic device 100 may be turned on, but many of its functions are turned off or blocked (e.g., the brightness of the display device 150 may be reduced). As another example, the cryogenic device 100 may be in a "standard state". The standard state may describe a state in which the cryogenic device 100 is turned on and ready for use, but is not associated with any other special state or mode. For example, the standard state may be associated with the cryogenic device 100 being turned on and not in any other state (e.g., a cycle state, a charging state, an error state). Although particular states are described herein, the present disclosure contemplates any suitable number of states associated with any suitable mode or state.

[0041] In some embodiments, the display device 150 can be configured to display one of a plurality of user interfaces. Each of the plurality of user interfaces can be associated with a plurality of cryogenic device states. For example, a particular user interface can be associated with a particular state of the cryogenic device 100. As another example, a particular user interface can be associated with a subset of the states of the cryogenic device 100. Although a particular user interface is described herein, the present disclosure contemplates any suitable number of user interfaces associated with any suitable cryogenic device state. For example, the cryogenic device 100 can have different treatment modes, and these treatment modes can have different associated user interfaces.

[0042] Figure 3D 1 shows a schematic diagram of an example system including a display device 150. In some embodiments, the cryogenic device 100 may include a first processor 310 that may be coupled to the display device. For example, the first processor 310 may be the first processor described above, which may be within a handpiece portion of the cryogenic device 100. In some embodiments, as Figure 3DAs shown, the cryogenic device 100 may also include a second processor 320 coupled to the processor 310 (e.g., the second processor described above, which may be associated with the needle probe 110). The first processor 310 may be configured to generate a user interface that can be displayed on the display device 150. For example, the first processor 310 may generate an initial user interface for display on the display device 150. The initial user interface may or may not be based on the state of the cryogenic device 100. In some embodiments, a display processor (not shown) may be used to handle display-related tasks separately. For example, the display device 150 may include a display processor for processing tasks such as rotation of a displayed user interface, scrolling of a displayed user interface, switching between two or more interfaces, or any other suitable task. Although the present disclosure describes many functions performed by elements described as "processors", the term "processor" used in the present disclosure includes any number of processors.

[0043] In some embodiments, a processor (e.g., processor 310) may be configured to determine a state of the cryogenic device 100. The processor 310 may determine that the cryogenic device 100 is in a first state. Each state may be associated with one or more indicators, and the processor 310 may determine the state of the cryogenic device 100 based on these indicators. For example, the processor 310 may receive or access sensor data (e.g., from one or more accelerometers on the cryogenic device 100) to determine the orientation of the cryogenic device 100, and the processor 310 may use the determined orientation to determine that the cryogenic device 100 is in a particular state. In this example, the processor 310 may determine that the cryogenic device 100 is in a charging state when it is determined that the cryogenic device 100 is in a horizontal orientation (e.g., in an orientation for docking the device to the charging device 330) and the battery of the cryogenic device 100 is charging. Alternatively, the processor 310 may simply determine that the cryogenic device 100 is in a charging state when it is detected that the battery is charging. As another example, the processor 310 may determine that the cryogenic device 100 is in a cycle state when the processor 310 determines that refrigerant is being released from the refrigerant cartridge (e.g., as determined by one or more pressure sensors detecting a change in pressure due to the outflow of refrigerant, one or more temperature sensors detecting a drop in temperature along the refrigerant path due to the flow of refrigerant, one or more sensors detecting actuation of a user input element such as a button for refrigerant release). As another example, the processor 310 may determine that the cryogenic device 100 is in an error state when an error has been determined (e.g., when a connection to a needle probe fails, when there is insufficient power to perform a treatment cycle, etc.).

[0044] In some embodiments, the processor (e.g., processor 310) may be configured to generate instructions for presenting a user interface based on the determined state of the cryogenic device 100. For example, the processor 310 may determine that the cryogenic device 100 is in a first state, and may then generate instructions for presenting a first user interface associated with the first state. In some embodiments, the user interface may include an icon field and a state element. The icon field may include an icon or other representation that visually indicates information associated with the cryogenic device 100 (e.g., cartridge information, needle probe information, battery information) or information associated with the selected cryotherapy program (e.g., information about the size of the selected cryogenic area to be created, the selected number of cycles to be applied, an icon or label identifying a specific selected cryotherapy program). The state element may include a text description that indicates the current state, recommendations, or other relevant information associated with the cryogenic device 100 (e.g., cartridge information, needle probe information, battery information, error information) or other relevant information associated with the selected cryotherapy program (e.g., information about the size of the selected cryogenic area to be created, the selected number of cycles to be applied, the name of the specific selected cryotherapy program, treatment recommendations).

[0045] Figure 4A-4B Two example standard user interfaces 400 are shown that may be associated with a standard state of the cryogenic device 100. Such user interfaces may be displayed on the display device 150 when it is determined that the cryogenic device 100 is in a standard state. Figure 4A-4B The example standard user interface 400 shown in FIG. 4 includes an icon field 455 and a status element 450. In some embodiments, the standard user interface may include one or more elements indicating the battery status of the cryogenic device 100. For example, referring to FIG. Figure 4A-4B In the example of FIG. 4 , the standard user interface 400 may include an icon or other such representation that visually indicates the current battery level of the cryogenic device 100 (eg, a battery indicator element 420 ). Figure 4A depicts the battery indicator element 420 when the battery level is 10%, Figure 4B A battery indicator element 420 is depicted when the battery level is 100%. Alternatively or additionally, the standard user interface 400 can include a numerical representation (such as a numerical element 425) indicating the current battery level (e.g., using a percentage, a decimal point, an absolute number). In some embodiments, the standard user interface 400 can include one or more probe descriptors indicating information about the needle probe. For example, referring to Figure 4A, the standard user interface 400 may include a probe descriptor element 410, which may be an icon or other such representation that may visually indicate that the needle probe 110 may be coupled (e.g., inserted) to the cryogenic device 100 and may further indicate information about the needle probe 110 (e.g., visually indicate that the needle probe 110 is a five-needle probe). In some embodiments, an icon probe descriptor element (such as the probe descriptor element 410) in

[0046] Figure 4A Numerical descriptors may also be included (e.g. Figure 4A ), which can indicate the amount of time that a cycle will take (e.g., 60 seconds). In some embodiments, when a needle probe is not coupled to the cryogenic device 100, a sub-area of ​​the user interface where a probe descriptor element (e.g., probe descriptor element 410, probe descriptor element 440) appears can be blank (alternatively, the probe descriptor element can be presented as a dashed outline or a flashing icon). In some embodiments, the standard user interface 400 can include a probe descriptor element 440 that describes the probe in text form (e.g., "5x 9mm" describes a five-needle probe with a needle that can be 9 mm long). In some embodiments, the standard interface 400 can include a refrigerant status indicator. The refrigerant status indicator can indicate the amount of refrigerant that has been used in the refrigerant cartridge or the amount of refrigerant remaining in the refrigerant cartridge (available refrigerant). For example, referring to Figure 4A-4B In the example of , the refrigerant status indicator 430 can be an icon or other such representation that can visually indicate the amount of refrigerant used in the refrigerant cartridge or the amount of available refrigerant remaining in the refrigerant cartridge. As another example (not shown), the refrigerant status indicator can be a numerical indicator that numerically indicates the amount of refrigerant used or the amount of refrigerant available for use (e.g., in an absolute value, as a percentage, etc.). In some embodiments, the user interface can include a cycle counter element that indicates the number of remaining treatment cycles for the current refrigerant cartridge (e.g., in which case the cycle counter element can count down), or alternatively, indicates the number of treatment cycles performed using the current refrigerant cartridge (e.g., in which case the cycle counter element can count up). For example, referring to Figure 4A-4B , the cycle counter element 435 may display the number "3" to indicate that three therapy cycles may remain for the particular refrigerant cartridge (or that three therapy cycles may have been performed using the current refrigerant cartridge). In some embodiments, the refrigerant status indicator 430 (and / or the cycle counter element 435) may appear empty (or, for example, read "0") and / or flash to indicate that the refrigerant cartridge has been depleted, or when the refrigerant cartridge does not have enough refrigerant for a therapy cycle.

[0047] In some embodiments, the standard user interface 400 may include a status element. Figure 4A , state element 450 recommends recharging the battery. As another example, refer to Figure 4B , the status element 450 indicates that the cryogenic device 100 is ready to perform a treatment cycle. As another example, if it is determined that the cryogenic device 100 is in the wrong orientation for performing treatment, the status element 450 may indicate as much information as possible with appropriate text (e.g., "wrong orientation"). In some embodiments, the amount of text to be displayed in the status element 450 may exceed the number of characters that can reasonably fit in the status element at a given time. For example, a minimum font size requirement or resolution limitation of the display may require that the text content repeatedly scrolls through the status element 450, or that the text content be split into smaller messages that can be displayed alternately in sequence.

[0048] Figure 5A-Figure 5B Two example cycle user interfaces 500 are shown that may be associated with a cycle state of a cryogenic device 100 . Figure 5A-Figure 5B The example standard user interface 500 shown in FIG. 5 includes an icon field 555 and a status element 550. In some embodiments, the cycle user interface may include an enlarged progress element indicating the progress of the treatment cycle. For example, referring to FIG. Figure 5A-Figure 5B , progress element 560 can be a visual representation of the progress of the current treatment cycle in progress. In the example shown, progress element 560 includes a number (e.g., reference Figure 5A-5B , the number "60"), which may be a count-down or count-up timer indicating seconds, minutes, or other suitable time measurement. For example, an operator may use the cryogenic device 100 to start a 60 second treatment cycle, in which case, Figure 5A-5B An example user interface 500 in FIG. 5 may be presented, where a progress element 560 indicates 60 seconds. In this example, the number of the progress element 560 may count down from 60 to 0 (e.g., at which point the treatment cycle may end). Once the treatment cycle has been completed, the cycle user interface 500 may be updated to indicate (e.g., via the status element 550) that the treatment cycle has been completed. Alternatively, once the treatment cycle has been completed, the cycle user interface 500 may automatically transition to a different user interface (e.g., the standard user interface 400). The count down or count up may alternatively or additionally be represented by a visual representation.

[0049] For example, Figure 5A-Figure 5BThe progress element 560 shown in FIG. 5 may include a clock hand modeled after a traditional analog timer that moves as the treatment cycle progresses to indicate the remaining time or the elapsed time. As another example, the cycle user interface 500 may include a linear progress bar, a circular progress bar, or other similar representations for visually displaying the progress of the treatment cycle. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. Figure 5B As shown in , the cycle user interface 500 may also include other icons or representations that show other relevant information about the cryogenic device 100 or the selected cryotherapy procedure. For example, the icon field 555 may include a probe descriptor element 510, a battery status indicator 520, and a cycle counter element 530. In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 5B As shown in , when in the cycle user interface 500, these other elements can be reduced in size relative to the progress element 560. Displaying certain elements more prominently than other elements can be advantageous because, consistent with the objectives of the present disclosure, the most relevant information for a given cryogenic device state can be displayed most prominently so that the information can be most effectively communicated to the operator. For example, when a particular treatment cycle is ongoing, the most relevant information may be the time remaining or the time elapsed for that particular treatment cycle. Although in Figure 5A-Figure 5B The interface shown in shows progress elements corresponding to the entire treatment cycle, but the present disclosure contemplates that similar interfaces may be shown for different stages of the treatment cycle. For example, the interface may show progress elements corresponding to the pre-treatment heating phase during the pre-treatment heating cycle, progress elements corresponding to the cooling phase during the refrigerant delivery cycle, and progress elements corresponding to the recovery phase during the recovery cycle following the refrigerant delivery cycle. In some embodiments, multiple progress elements for each stage of the treatment cycle (e.g., three progress elements for each of the three stages described in the previous examples) may be shown simultaneously on a single interface.

[0050] Figure 6A-6B Two example error user interfaces 600 are shown that may be associated with an error state of the cryogenic device 100 . Figure 6A-6B The example standard user interface 600 shown in FIG. 6 includes an icon field 655 and a status element 650. In some embodiments, the error user interface can be similar to the standard user interface (e.g., Figure 4A-4B For example, refer to the example standard user interface 400 in FIG. Fig. 6A, the error user interface 600 may include a battery status indicator 620, a probe descriptor element 610, a cycle counter element 630, and a status element 650. As shown, the status element 650 may include text describing the error and / or recommended actions for correcting the error (e.g., "System Failure: Check Probes"). Additionally or alternatively, one or more elements in the icon field 655 may indicate an error. For example, referring to Fig. 6A , the probe descriptor element 610 has a strike-through line through it, which may indicate that there is a problem with the needle probe connection (e.g., the needle probe may not be inserted all the way into the cryogenic device 100). In other embodiments, the error user interface may have an enlarged status element. For example, referring to Figure 6B , the status element 650 in the error user interface 600 has been enlarged. In this example, enlarging the status element 650 makes it more prominent and also allows it to be used to convey detailed information for correcting the error. Figure 6B The status element 650 in includes an error code ("Error 123") and detailed recommendations for correcting the error ("Check the probes to ensure proper connection"). Figure 6B As shown in , in some embodiments, a reduced-size icon field 655 can be displayed (e.g., within a portion or region 652 of the error user interface that does not overlap with a portion or region of the error user interface dedicated to status element 550). In some embodiments, the error user interface may not include an icon field (e.g., the error user interface may include only a larger status element 650 that takes up the entire display screen or nearly the entire display screen).

[0051] Figure 7A-7B Two example charging user interfaces 700 are shown that may be associated with the charging status of the cryogenic device 100. Figure 7A-7BAs shown in the figure, the charging user interface may include an icon field 755 and a status element 750. As shown, the icon field 755 may include an enlarged battery status indicator 720. Also as shown, the icon field 755 may include an enlarged numerical representation (such as a numerical element 725) indicating the current battery level (e.g., using a percentage, a decimal point, an absolute number). The battery status information is highlighted in the charging user interface 700 (e.g., using the battery status indicator 720 and / or the numerical element 725) to enable the operator to quickly determine the battery level of what may be the most relevant information while the device is charging. The icon field may include an icon or other representation that visually indicates information associated with the cryogenic device 100 (e.g., box information, needle probe information, battery information), or information associated with a selected cryotherapy procedure (e.g., information about the size of the selected cryogenic area to be created, and an icon or label identifying the specific selected cryotherapy procedure). In some embodiments, the status element 750 may include an indication of the current battery level (e.g., a percentage) or status (e.g., as Figure 7A-7B ) in the “Charging” and “Charged” states shown in the .

[0052] In some embodiments, one or more elements of the user interface can be color-coded based on the information they convey. For example, a status element with a green color can indicate that the cryogenic device 100 is ready and does not require any further attention from the operator (e.g., when the status element indicates that the cryogenic device is ready for treatment, when the battery is charged, etc.). A status element with a yellow color can indicate an alarm that needs to be noticed by the operator (e.g., when the status element indicates that the battery needs to be recharged). A status element with a red color can indicate that there is a system failure (e.g., when the needle probe fails, or when the battery is far below the threshold of the device being inoperable). As another example, a battery status indicator can be color-coded based on the battery level. For example, the battery status indicator can be generally gray, flashing yellow if it is in a low battery state, and only flashing the outline of the battery if it is in a depleted battery state. As another example, the battery status indicator can be generally green, yellow if it is in a low battery state, and red if it is in a depleted battery state. In some embodiments, the entire background can be color-coded (e.g., similar to the status element, green, yellow and red).

[0053] In some embodiments, the user interface can be configured so that the content can be recognized within a range of 20 feet with a viewing angle of up to 45°, and the brightness level ranges from, for example, 150 to 1500 lux (for an operator with 20 / 20 vision correction). Display device 150 can have any suitable size and quality. For example, display device 150 can be a 1.8 foot screen with a resolution of 128 x 160 pixels and a 4K or 64K color palette.

[0054] In some embodiments, a processor (such as processor 310) may present a specific user interface (e.g., one of the user interfaces described herein) for display on display 150. Display device 150 may display a specific user interface (e.g., a standard user interface, a cycle user interface, a charging user interface, an error user interface). As will be apparent from this disclosure, processor 310 may dynamically change the user interface displayed on display device 150 by appropriately switching between user interfaces based on the determined state of cryogenic device 100.

[0055] In some embodiments, the orientation of a particular user interface displayed on the display device 150 can be dynamically changed based on the determined orientation of the cryogenic device 100. For example, as described elsewhere herein, the processor 310 can receive sensor data from an accelerometer and can use the sensor data to determine the orientation of the cryogenic device 100. The cryogenic device 100 can orient the user interface based on the determined orientation, for example, so that the user interface is always displayed in the correct orientation. In other embodiments, the orientation of the user interface displayed on the display device 150 can be fixed so that the user interface always has the same orientation relative to the display device 150 (regardless of the determined orientation of the cryogenic device 100). By indicating to the operator what the "correct" orientation is for using the cryogenic device 100, the fixed orientation can encourage the use of the device in a specific (e.g., optimal) orientation. In some embodiments, a particular user interface can have a specific orientation (again, regardless of the determined orientation of the cryogenic device 100). For example, relative to the display device 150, the standard user interface 400, the cycle user interface 500, and the error user interface 600 can always be in a first orientation, while the charging user interface can always be in a second orientation (e.g., a 180-degree rotation of the first orientation). As shown in this example, some user interfaces may have different optimal orientations than other user interfaces. This may be due to the state associated with the cryogenic device state corresponding to the user interface. Building on the previous example, when the cryogenic device 100 is properly docked to the charging device 330 (e.g., Figure 3A-3B), the display device 150 can be in an inverted orientation compared to the display device 150 during use. Thus, by orienting the charging user interface 700 differently (e.g., having an orientation that is 180 degrees rotated from the orientation of other user interfaces (such as the standard user interface 400)), when an operator views the display device 150 while the display device 150 is charging, the charging user interface 700 will be in a manner consistent with the orientation of the cryogenic device 100 so that the interface appears to be right side up.

[0056] Figure 8 An example method 800 for displaying a dynamic user interface on a cryogenic device is shown. The method may begin at step 810, where a processor associated with the cryogenic device may generate an initial user interface for display on a display device associated with the cryogenic device. At 820, the processor may determine that the cryogenic device is in a first state, where the first state is one of a plurality of cryogenic device states. At step 830, in response to determining that the cryogenic device is in the first state, the processor may generate instructions for presenting a first user interface, where the first user interface is associated with the first state and is one of a plurality of user interfaces. At step 840, the processor may cause the display device to display the first user interface. Specific embodiments may be repeated where appropriate. Figure 8 Although the present disclosure will Figure 8 Specific steps of the method are described and shown as occurring in a particular order, but the present disclosure contemplates Figure 8 Any suitable steps of the method may occur in any suitable order. In addition, where appropriate, although the present disclosure describes and illustrates example methods (including Figure 8 ), but the present disclosure contemplates any suitable method for displaying a dynamic user interface on a cryogenic device (including any suitable steps, which may include Figure 8 All, part or none of the methods Figure 8 In addition, although the present disclosure describes and illustrates the implementation Figure 8 specific components, devices or systems for specific steps of the method, but the present disclosure contemplates performing Figure 8 Any suitable combination of any suitable components, devices, or systems of any suitable steps of the method.

[0057] Although exemplary embodiments have been described in some detail for purposes of clarity of understanding and illustration, many modifications, changes, and adaptations may be implemented and / or will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A cryogenic device comprising: a handpiece capable of being held by a user, the handpiece comprising a refrigerant path configured for directing a refrigerant toward a needle probe comprising one or more needles configured for insertion into the skin of a patient, wherein the refrigerant is configured for delivering cryotherapy to a target tissue via the one or more needles; a display device configured to display one of a plurality of user interfaces associated with a plurality of cryogenic device states; as well as a processor coupled to the display device, wherein the processor is configured to: generating an initial user interface for displaying on the display device; Determining that the cryogenic equipment is in a standard state; In response to determining that the cryogenic device is in the standard state, generating instructions for presenting a standard user interface, wherein the standard user interface is associated with the standard state; as well as Cause the display device to display the standard user interface, wherein the standard user interface includes an icon field, the icon field including one or more icons indicating information associated with the cryogenic device, wherein the icon field includes a refrigerant status icon indicating the amount of available refrigerant currently in the refrigerant box, a battery icon indicating battery status, a probe descriptor icon indicating information about the needle probe, and a status element for indicating the status of the cryogenic device.

2. The cryogenic device according to claim 1, characterized in that The display device is disposed on the handpiece.

3. The cryogenic device according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that: The display device is an LCD or OLED screen.

4. The cryogenic device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The one or more icons of the icon field of the standard user interface indicate information associated with the selected cryotherapy procedure.

5. The cryogenic device according to claim 4, characterized in that The selected cryotherapy program specifies the desired cryozone volume or number of treatment cycles.

6. The cryogenic device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The plurality of cryogenic equipment states include: a cycle state, wherein the cycle state is associated with the cryogenic device preparing for or performing a particular cryotherapy cycle; a charging status, wherein the charging status is associated with a battery of the cryogenic device being charged; and The standard state is associated with the cryogenic device being turned on and not being in the cycle state or the charging state.

7. The cryogenic device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The cycle status is associated with a cycle user interface, wherein the cycle user interface includes an enlarged progress element indicating the progress of the treatment cycle; and The charging status is associated with a charging user interface, wherein the charging user interface includes an enlarged battery indicator element.

8. The cryogenic device according to claim 7, characterized in that The periodic user interface also includes the status element.

9. The cryogenic device according to claim 7, characterized in that The amplified progress element includes a count-down timer or a count-up timer.

10. The cryogenic device according to claim 7, characterized in that The cycle user interface and the standard user interface are in a first orientation, and wherein the charging user interface is in a second orientation, the first orientation being different from the second orientation.

11. The cryogenic device according to claim 10, characterized in that The first orientation comprises a 180 degree rotation of the second orientation.

12. The cryogenic device according to claim 7, characterized in that The processor is further configured to: receiving data from one or more accelerometers of the cryogenic device; determining an orientation of the cryogenic device based on the received data; and The standard user interface is oriented in a manner consistent with the orientation of the cryogenic device.

13. The cryogenic device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that: The multiple cryogenic equipment states include an error state associated with an error user interface, wherein the error user interface includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion including an icon indicating a specific error, the second portion including an enlarged status element indicating the specific error, wherein the first portion and the second portion are non-overlapping portions of the error user interface.

14. The cryogenic device according to claim 1, characterized in that The refrigerant status icon also includes a cycle counter element thereon that indicates the number of cryotherapy treatment cycles remaining or performed for the cryotherapy treatment.

15. A method of displaying a dynamic user interface on a cryogenic device, the cryogenic device comprising a refrigerant path configured to direct a refrigerant toward a needle probe comprising one or more needles configured for insertion into the skin of a patient, wherein the refrigerant is configured to deliver cryotherapy to a target tissue via the one or more needles, the method comprising, by a processor associated with the cryogenic device: generating an initial user interface for display on a display device disposed on a handpiece of the cryogenic device; determining that the cryogenic device is in a standard state, wherein the standard state is one of a plurality of cryogenic device states; generating, in response to determining that the cryogenic device is in the standard state, instructions for presenting a standard user interface, wherein the standard user interface is associated with the standard state and is one of a plurality of user interfaces, wherein the standard user interface includes an icon field, the icon field including one or more icons indicating information associated with the cryogenic device, wherein the icon field includes a refrigerant status icon indicating an amount of available refrigerant in a current refrigerant cartridge, a battery icon indicating a battery status, a probe descriptor icon indicating information about the needle probe, and a status element for indicating a status of the cryogenic device; as well as The display device is caused to display the standard user interface.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The display device is arranged on a handpiece of the cryogenic device.

17. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 16, characterized in that The display device is an LCD or OLED screen.

18. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that The one or more icons of the icon field of the standard user interface indicate information associated with the selected cryotherapy procedure.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that The selected cryotherapy program specifies the desired cryozone volume or number of treatment cycles.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising scrolling the text description through the status element, or splitting the text description into smaller messages that are displayed alternately in sequence.

21. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 20, characterized in that The plurality of cryogenic equipment states include: a cycle state, wherein the cycle state is associated with the cryogenic device preparing for or performing a particular cryotherapy cycle; a charging status, wherein the charging status is associated with a battery of the cryogenic device being charged; and The standard state is associated with the cryogenic device being turned on and not being in the cycle state or the charging state.

22. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that The plurality of user interfaces include: a cycle user interface associated with the cycle status, wherein the cycle user interface includes an enlarged progress element indicating the progress of the treatment cycle; and A charging user interface is associated with the charging status, wherein the charging user interface includes an enlarged battery indicator element.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein: The periodic user interface also includes the status element.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein: The amplified progress element includes a count-down timer or a count-up timer.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein: The cycle user interface and the standard user interface are in a first orientation, and wherein the charging user interface is in a second orientation, the first orientation being different from the second orientation.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein: The first orientation comprises a 180 degree rotation of the second orientation.

27. The method of claim 22, further comprising: receiving data from one or more accelerometers of the cryogenic device; determining an orientation of the cryogenic device based on the received data; as well as The standard user interface is oriented in a manner consistent with the determined orientation of the cryogenic device.

28. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 27, characterized in that The multiple cryogenic equipment states include an error state associated with an error user interface, wherein the error user interface includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion including an icon indicating a specific error, the second portion including an enlarged status element indicating the specific error, wherein the first portion and the second portion are non-overlapping portions of the error user interface.

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