Cooling devices, particularly portable devices, for medical, therapeutic or cosmetic purposes.

Abstract

Cooling devices, particularly portable devices for medical, therapeutic or cosmetic purposes, - A base (2) defining at least one housing (3) designed to receive a sphere (4), - A sphere (4) made of a thermally conductive material, particularly steel, is received in the housing (3) and is held within the housing so as to be rotatable about its axis, with at least a portion of the outer surface of the sphere protruding from the housing so as to be in contact with the surface to be cooled, -A cooling means for maintaining the sphere at a low temperature, wherein the cooling means is disposed in the base such that at least a portion of it extends laterally with respect to the sphere, A cooling device (1) comprising, in particular, for cooling the surface of an element of the human body, such as a part of human skin.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooling device, particularly a portable device, especially for medical, therapeutic, or cosmetic purposes, and is intended to apply cool air to a surface, especially a living organism, especially human skin.

[0002] The present invention also relates to an apparatus for applying a product to a surface, in particular to a living organism, in particular to human skin, comprising a cooling device and at least one storage compartment for a fluid, in particular liquid or gel-like product, in particular to a topical product, intended to be applied to the surface. [Background technology]

[0003] Known cooling devices are often bulky and difficult to transport. Ice packs are an example of a conventional cooling system used to relieve pain and inflammation, but they are heavy and require a power source. Other existing devices incorporate ice packs and / or cooling gels, but these products are not designed for continuous use and warm up quickly. Cryolipolysis devices are also known, but these are bulky, expensive, and require careful handling, so they are intended for professional use only.

[0004] European Patent Application Publication No. 1797847 discloses an apparatus for applying a product to the skin, comprising a container containing a cosmetic or dermatological composition and an applicator having an application surface made of a thermally conductive material, wherein the applicator and container are housed together in a package. If the apparatus includes a rotatable sphere, the sphere can be cooled by a eutectic liquid sealed in a cavity inside the sphere. Furthermore, the rotatable sphere does not directly contact the skin, with intermediate elements surrounding the sphere at a distance and functioning as contact points with the user's skin.

[0005] French Patent Application Publication No. 2981639 describes a device for applying either a product or cold air to a portion of human skin, comprising a substrate defining at least one housing designed to receive a sphere, and a metal sphere housed within the housing, the sphere being held within the housing so as to rotate around an axis, with at least a portion of the sphere's outer surface protruding from the housing and in contact with the user's skin surface. Furthermore, a container for holding a refrigerant gas or a topical product to be applied is positioned axially below the sphere, with the outlet of the container communicating with the underside of the sphere's surface. An operating ring is also provided, which, upon user operation, sprays either the product or gas onto the sphere's surface, causing the sphere to roll and apply it to the user's skin.

[0006] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012 / 0109041 discloses a device for applying a substance to a user's skin using a sphere. In a first embodiment, the substance is contained within the porous sphere itself, and the device includes an activation chamber for activating the substance by cold or heat, the activation chamber being located adjacent to the sphere. In another embodiment, the substance is stored in a housing surrounding a portion of the sphere, and the activation chamber activates the substance. The activated substance is picked up by the sphere and applied to the user's skin. However, in either case, the device cannot apply cold air through the sphere because the sphere is not made of a material with good thermal conductivity. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] The present invention aims to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a cooling device that is easy to manufacture and transport and can operate for extended periods. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a cooling device for cooling an element, in particular an element of the human body, such as a part of human skin, is described in claim 1.

[0009] Preferably, the sphere is solid, that is, not hollow and does not contain cavities.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment, the cooling device comprises cooling means for maintaining the sphere at a temperature of less than 10°C, preferably less than 5°C, more preferably less than 0°C, particularly in the range of -20°C to 0°C, for an extended period of time, particularly longer than 1 hour, preferably longer than 2 hours.

[0011] In particular, the cooling means is positioned to be in thermal communication with the portion of the outer surface of the sphere that does not protrude from the housing.

[0012] Preferably, the cooling means is arranged to be in thermal communication with the entire outer surface of the sphere that does not protrude outside the housing.

[0013] In particular, the cooling means includes at least one cooling block formed by a sealed envelope, preferably having sufficient rigidity to stand on its own, and defining a sealed compartment filled with a cryogenic fluid.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, at least one cooling block is positioned within the substrate so as to be in direct contact with the sphere, particularly by defining a housing in which the sphere is received.

[0015] Preferably, an insulating means, particularly a sheet of insulating material, is provided around the cooling means. This allows the device to be held by hand at the cooling means portion. Furthermore, the autonomous operating time of the device is extended.

[0016] Preferably, the device includes a removable top cap that covers at least a portion of the sphere protruding from the housing.

[0017] Preferably, the auxiliary cooling block is housed within the cap and positioned to be in contact with the surface of the sphere protruding outward from the housing, particularly the entire surface of the sphere protruding outward from the housing.

[0018] Preferably, a magnet is incorporated in the top cap, especially fixed thereto, interacting with the metal sphere to ensure a detachable closure of the cap.

[0019] Preferably, the fluid contained in the compartment or each of its compartments is in liquid or gel form, preferably a so-called eutectic liquid or gel, i.e., having a lower melting point (or freezing point) than other liquids of the same chemical composition.

[0020] These eutectic liquids and / or gels are frequently used as cold storage materials for the storage and transportation of temperature-sensitive products, generally composed of water, a gelling agent (such as sodium polyacrylate or cellulose), and specific salts or alcohols that lower the melting point. This type of liquid or gel is particularly suitable for cooling applications because it can maintain a constant temperature for a relatively long time, for example, longer than 1 hour, especially longer than 2 hours, particularly over a temperature range from -5°C to -20°C.

[0021] Another aspect of the present invention relates to an apparatus for applying a product to a surface, especially a biological surface, especially the skin of a human, comprising: - a substrate defining at least one housing designed to receive a sphere; - a sphere made of a heat-conductive material, especially steel, housed within the housing and rotatably held within the housing about its axis, with at least a part of the outer surface of the sphere protruding outside the housing so as to be able to contact the surface to be cooled; - cooling means for maintaining the sphere at a low temperature, especially below 0°C, especially in the range from -20°C to 0°C, for a long time, especially longer than 1 hour, preferably longer than 2 hours; - a cooling device for cooling a surface, especially an element of the human body, such as a part of the human skin, and - A storage unit intended to be placed on a surface to be cooled by a sphere, especially for products in liquid or gel-like fluid forms, especially for external use products, which is especially detachably attached to a cooling device, has an opening facing the sphere, and at least a part of the sphere can come into contact with the product accommodated in the storage unit.

[0022] The present invention also relates to the use of the cooling device and / or the device for applying the product according to the present invention in cryolipolysis or cryotherapy.

[0023] The present invention also relates to an assembly including a sarcophagus defining an internal space and the device according to the present invention accommodated in the internal space of the sarcophagus. Further, the sarcophagus further includes sarcophagus cooling means for maintaining the temperature of the internal space of the sarcophagus at a temperature corresponding to the cooling means of the device accommodated in the sarcophagus, especially at a temperature corresponding to one or more blocks of the eutectic liquid identical to the cooling means of the device.

[0024] Therefore, when the cooling device and the sarcophagus are arranged in a freezer / refrigerator having a temperature lower than the temperature corresponding to the eutectic liquid of the sarcophagus and the cooling device, the sphere taken out of the freezer during use maintains a temperature in the range of -8°C to -10°C corresponding to a temperature suitable for contact with the user's skin, especially the temperature of the eutectic liquid of the cooling device, rather than the temperature of the freezer which is too low for skin contact (typically -18°C or lower).

[0025] Referring to the drawings, exemplary preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an embodiment of a cooling and / or product application device according to the present invention.

[0027] [Figure 2] Figure 2 is an exploded view of various components constituting the device of Figure 1.

[0028] [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a cooling and / or product application device according to the present invention.

[0029] [Figure 4] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment shown in Figure 3.

[0030] [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a drawing similar to Figure 3, but showing the dimensions of the device in millimeters.

[0031] [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a front view of an embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention, which includes a temperature sensor and a temperature display means.

[0032] [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus shown in Figure 6.

[0033] [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the assembly according to the present invention, which includes the cooling device shown in Figures 9 and 10 and a sarcophagus-forming element in which the cooling device is housed.

[0034] [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a perspective view of the assembly shown in Figure 8.

[0035] [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the upper portion of another embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0036] In the drawing, the cooling device 1 has a cylindrical base 2, and a substantially hemispherical housing 3 is defined within the base 2. A sphere 4 made of a material with a high coefficient of thermal expansion, such as stainless steel, glass, or ceramic (especially zirconium oxide), is fitted into this housing 3. The base 2 also defines a torus-shaped chamber 40 with an open bottom inside. This torus-shaped chamber 40 extends around the sphere in a latitude range from a few degrees north (1° to 10° from the center of the sphere) to 90 degrees south (corresponding to the pole of the sphere located at the bottom of the housing).

[0037] The sphere 4 is housed within the housing 3 in a complementary shape, allowing it to rotate on its own with its upper part protruding outside the housing. The housing is hemispherical in shape but has an angle slightly greater than 0° North latitude (e.g., between 1° and 20°, especially between 5° and 10°), so that the center C of the sphere is located below the upper edge of the housing, preventing the sphere from falling out of the housing. During manufacturing, the relative flexibility of the material forming the housing 3 allows the sphere to be pushed into the housing.

[0038] The bottle-shaped storage section 5 has a threaded neck 6 that is screwed into a threaded conduit 17 extending from the bottom of the housing 3. The bottom of the housing 3 is provided with an opening 8 corresponding to the neck 6, so that the product intended to be contained in the storage section 5 and applied to a surface cooled by the sphere 4 can come into contact with the sphere 4 when the sphere 4 is housed in the housing 3.

[0039] The removable upper cap 9 covers the base 2 from above, and this cap is screwed onto a screw 31 extending from the outer surface of the base 2 by an internal screw 30. This cap covers the upper surface of a sphere that protrudes from the housing 7. This sphere is intended to be rolled over a surface to be cooled, particularly human skin, and at the same time, products stored in the storage section 5 can be applied to it. As the sphere rolls within the housing 7, the portion of its surface facing the lower opening 8 picks up the product. This lower opening 8 is positioned opposite the opening of the neck section 6.

[0040] Furthermore, the apparatus includes a cooling means comprising a cooling block 10 with a sealed torus-shaped casing 11. These cooling means are housed within a torus-shaped chamber 40, thereby forming a cooling chamber. The cooling means substantially surrounds the spherical portion housed within the housing 3. Thus, the cooling means extends partially laterally to the sphere and at approximately the same horizontal position (height) as the sphere. The casing 11 defines a sealed compartment within which a fluid, in particular a liquid L, preferably a eutectic liquid, i.e., a liquid with a lower melting point than other liquids of the same chemical composition, is contained. These liquids are frequently used as cold storage containers for the storage and transport of temperature-sensitive products. This liquid (or eutectic gel) generally consists of water, a gelling agent (such as sodium polyacrylate or cellulose), and certain salts or alcohols that lower the melting point. This type of liquid is extremely suitable for cooling applications because it can maintain a constant temperature for relatively long periods, especially in the temperature range of -5°C to -20°C.

[0041] The casing 11 can be made from various materials that conduct heat / cold well, such as plastic, glass, and metal (especially high-density polyethylene (HDPE)). The casing 11 forms a so-called rigid element, that is, an element that maintains its shape on its own.

[0042] Preferably, the portion of the base forming the sphere-receiving housing 3 is made of a material with excellent thermal / cold conductivity, so that the sphere and the block 10 are in thermal communication with each other. As shown in the figure, it is also possible to provide through windows 18 uniformly distributed along the periphery of the housing, which further improves heat transfer between the block 10 and the sphere 4 through the wall of the housing 3.

[0043] On the other hand, the remaining parts of the base, particularly the side casing and cap, are preferably made of an insulating material such as polypropylene (PP).

[0044] In another embodiment, the casing 11 has self-supporting rigidity and is fixedly positioned within the base 2, thereby defining a housing that itself receives a sphere.

[0045] The cooling means may further include an auxiliary cooling block 20 housed inside the cap. The auxiliary block 20 has a sealed casing 21 that substantially surrounds the portion of the spherical protruding from the housing 3, i.e., the spherical surface extending from 90 degrees north latitude to approximately 10 degrees north latitude, so that when the cap is attached, the entire surface of the sphere is substantially surrounded by the main cooling means and the auxiliary cooling means, thereby keeping the sphere at a low temperature, and exposing the sphere when the cap is removed. The casing 21 defines a sealed compartment in which a fluid, in particular a liquid of the same type as the liquid L in the casing 11, especially the same liquid L, is contained.

[0046] In particular, the two casings 11 and 21 are secured by fitting their respective peripheral ribs 12 and 22 into grooves 13 and 23 formed in the inner walls of the base and the cap, respectively. According to other embodiments, the two casings can be secured using clips, screws, seals, suction cups, or other suitable mounting means, thereby allowing the user to quickly and easily replace the block, especially when the block has become hot. However, without departing from the scope of the present invention, it is also possible to secure the block in a way that makes it impossible to remove.

[0047] The device consists of at least two parts: an upper part having a cooling chamber with a coolant and a rotating sphere (and a cap, if applicable), and a lower part having a storage section for topical products and topical solutions P to be applied to the skin. These two parts are independent of each other to prevent the topical products from freezing when the part containing the coolant L and the rotating sphere is cooled (for example, when the upper part of the device is placed in a freezer, especially after being housed in the sarcophagus-like container described later). After the upper part reaches the required temperature, it is connected to the other lower part by screwing a screw-in neck into a screw-in conduit before using the device.

[0048] The liquid is preferably a eutectic liquid and is pre-cooled to a predetermined temperature, particularly below 0°C, preferably between -20°C and 0°C, by, for example, placing the cooling chamber in a freezer for an appropriate amount of time.

[0049] Figures 3 and 4 illustrate another embodiment of the present invention. The cooling device 1' comprises a cylindrical base 2', the base 2' comprising a substantially hemispherical housing 3'. A sphere 4' made of a material with a high coefficient of thermal expansion, such as stainless steel, glass, or ceramic (particularly zirconium oxide), is fitted into the housing 3'. The base 2' further comprises an open-bottomed torus-shaped chamber 40'. This torus-shaped (or toric) chamber 40' extends around the sphere in a latitude range from B° North latitude (a position beyond the center of the sphere) to 90° South latitude (corresponding to the pole of the sphere located at the bottom of the housing). B° North latitude ranges from 1° to 10°.

[0050] The opening at the bottom of the toric chamber 40' is closed by a perforated disc-shaped plug 41'. The toric chamber 40', closed by the plug 40', stores the eutectic liquid L.

[0051] The sphere 4' is housed in a complementary shape within the housing 3' and is self-rotatable with its upper part protruding outside the housing. The housing is hemispherical in shape but has an angle A slightly greater than 0° North latitude (e.g., 5° to 20°, especially 10° to 15°), so that the center C of the sphere is located below the upper periphery 42' of the housing, preventing the sphere from falling out of the housing. The relative flexibility of the material forming the base 2' allows the sphere to be pressed into the housing during manufacturing.

[0052] The bottle-shaped storage section 5' has a screw-in neck 6' which is screwed onto the screw-in lower end of a conduit 17' extending from the bottom of the housing 3. The bottom of the housing 3 has an opening 8' that leads to the conduit 17', located opposite the neck 6', so that the product to be applied to the surface, which is housed in the storage section 5' and cooled by the sphere 4', can come into contact with the sphere 4' housed in the housing 3'.

[0053] The cap 9' covers the base 2' from above and is screwed by an internal screw 30' onto a screw 31' extending from the outer surface of the base. This cap specifically covers the top surface of a sphere protruding from the housing. This sphere is intended to roll over a surface to be cooled (particularly human skin) and simultaneously allow for the application of products stored in the storage section 5'. As the sphere rolls within the housing 7', it picks up products with the portion of its surface facing the lower opening 8'. This lower opening 8' is positioned opposite the opening of the neck section 6'.

[0054] The apparatus comprises a cooling means in the form of a eutectic liquid L contained in a toric chamber 40' that forms a cooling chamber. The eutectic liquid substantially surrounds the spherical portion contained in the housing 3'.

[0055] Preferably, the substrate 2' can be formed from a variety of materials that are excellent conductors of heat / cold, such as plastics, glass, metals, and especially high-density polyethylene (HDPE).

[0056] On the other hand, an outer casing 50' is provided substantially around the substrate 2', particularly positioned at the height of the chamber 40' containing the eutectic liquid, and this is preferably made of an insulating material such as polypropylene (PP).

[0057] The cooling means also includes an auxiliary cooling chamber 20' housed within the upper cap 9'. The chamber 20' contains the eutectic liquid L and substantially surrounds the portion of the sphere protruding from the housing 3'. That is, it is positioned to surround the surface of the sphere extending from 90 degrees north latitude to approximately 10 degrees north latitude. As a result, when the cap is attached, the entire surface of the sphere is substantially surrounded by the main cooling means and the auxiliary cooling means, maintaining a low temperature. On the other hand, when the cap is removed, the sphere is exposed. The upper opening of the auxiliary chamber 20' is closed by the cap 42'.

[0058] The present invention can be implemented in any application where it is necessary to apply intense cold to a surface, especially the skin of a living organism (especially human), particularly in cryotherapy and other treatments that require prolonged cold massage to the body (e.g., cryolipolysis to reduce fat deposits in treatment areas such as the abdomen, thighs, and arms, and the treatment and improvement of varicose veins). The low temperature of the outer surface of the sphere, maintained for a long period by the cooling liquid, causes fat cells to crystallize, which are then naturally eliminated by the body.

[0059] In addition to the conventional applications of cryolipolysis described above, the cooling system of the present invention can also be used for highly localized cryolipolysis in smaller areas, and is particularly suitable for removing sagging under the eyes, which is mainly composed of fat.

[0060] The present invention can also be used for cryotherapy, particularly for the treatment of bruises, hematomas, rheumatism, and similar conditions.

[0061] In this case, the size of the rotating sphere can be adjusted to suit the small area to be treated (from a few centimeters in diameter to a maximum of several tens of centimeters), and it is usually used under constant low temperatures for 20 to 30 minutes. Applying cryolipolysis with a rotating sphere to this area under the eyes offers two advantages: firstly, its sac-like shape, which is essentially a fatty swelling, eliminates the need for excision or aspirate to concentrate the fat area, which is required in conventional cryolipolysis (which is extremely dangerous in this area); and secondly, the skin structure in this area of ​​the body is very thin, making it easy to reach the fat cells.

[0062] The rotating sphere described in the present invention can also be used for the treatment of bruises, migraines, rheumatism, and osteoarthritis, and is helpful for reducing inflammation and pain.

[0063] The device equipped with the rotating sphere of the present invention is easy to operate, excellent in portability, lightweight, does not require a power source, and can be used for applying cosmetics, medical products, and therapeutic products to the skin.

[0064] In the present invention, thermal conductivity means a material having a thermal conductivity higher than -1 1 Wm -1 / K or more, preferably 40 Wm -1 / K or more, and more preferably 180 Wm -1 / K or more. -1 K -1

[0065] Preferably, the thermally conductive material according to the present invention has at least 1000 Jm -2 / K -1 ·s, preferably at least 5,000 Jm -1 / 2 / K -2 ·s, more preferably at least 10,000 Jm -1 / K -1 / 2 ·s, and even more preferably at least 20,000 Jm -2 / K -1 ·s -1 / 2 and even more preferably has a thermal inertia of at least 20,000 Jm -2 / K -1 ·s. -1 / 2

[0066] According to a preferred improvement, sensor means for detecting the temperature of the sphere 4 or 4' and means for displaying data related to the temperature detected by the sensor means can be provided.

[0067] Therefore, according to one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the sphere may be covered with a layer of thermochromic material, and this layer changes color, for example, from green to red when the temperature of the sphere rises above 0°C.

[0068] ​​Figures 6 and 7 show a device 1'' that is substantially identical to those in Figures 3 to 5. In this device, the sensor means consists of a probe wire 500, and the display means consists of an LED screen 501 housed in a recess formed in the outer casing 51'' so as to be visible from outside the device. The probe wire 500 extends from the LED screen 501 and extends until it is flush with the inner surface of the housing 3'', thereby making thermal contact with the sphere 4''. The probe wire 500 extends vertically within a channel 502 formed in the cooling chamber 40''. Thus, unlike the cooling chamber 40'' in the embodiments of Figures 3 to 5, the cooling chamber 40'' is not a perfect torus shape, but is designed with a smaller radius over a portion of the circumference (by a few degrees). This forms the vertical channel 502, allowing the probe wire to reach the sphere.

[0069] Figure 10 shows the top of another embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention. Except for a slight difference in geometric shape, the main difference is the presence of a magnet 606 fixed (by adhesive, clipping, or similar means) to the top cap, which provides a removable closure of the top cap through magnetization between the metal sphere 4'' and the magnet. Furthermore, the removable top cap covering the sphere does not incorporate an auxiliary cooling block. Of course, as with the other embodiments, it is possible to incorporate one or more auxiliary cooling blocks into this top cap. Similarly, in these other embodiments, it is possible to incorporate a magnet such as the magnet 606 in the embodiment of Figure 10.

[0070] Figure 8 shows an example of an assembly comprising, on the one hand, the apparatus 1'' (without the external liquid storage section P) according to the invention of Figure 10, and on the other hand, the sarcophagus 700.

[0071] The cooling device 1'' (without a storage section for the external product P) is housed in a sarcophagus 700, i.e., two halves 701 and 702. These halves define an internal space between them with dimensions suitable for receiving the cooling device. Each half comprises an outer casing and an inner casing, and the enclosed space they define preferably receives the same eutectic fluid as that housed in chamber 40''. This ensures that when the cooling device and sarcophagus are placed in a freezer / refrigerator at a temperature lower than the temperature corresponding to the eutectic fluid in the sarcophagus and cooling device, the sphere, after being removed from the freezer and used, will be at a temperature suitable for contact with the user's skin, particularly a temperature suitable for cryolipolysis, i.e., a temperature in the range of -8°C to -10°C, which corresponds to the temperature of the eutectic fluid in the cooling device, rather than the freezer temperature (usually below -18°C) which is too low for skin contact. Furthermore, when the device is placed in the sarcophagus, a cap 704 can be provided instead of a pipette 600.

[0072] Naturally, in the sarcophagus 700, the device 1'' in Figure 10 can be replaced with any of the cooling devices 1, 1', or 1'' shown in the other figures.

[0073] According to the present invention, the cooling means, in particular the cooling fluid, is stationary within the apparatus, and the fluid, for example, the eutectic liquid L, is not subjected to any displacement and is not sprayed onto a sphere.

[0074] This specification describes various embodiments having common features and features unique to each embodiment. Naturally, these unique features can be implemented in combination with, or by replacing some or all of, those features in other embodiments, and this specification intends to describe these combined embodiments as well.

Claims

1. A cooling device (1;1';1'';1''') for cooling an element, particularly an element of the human body, such as a part of human skin, - A base (2) having defined at its top a housing (3) designed to receive a sphere (4), - A sphere (4) made of a thermally conductive material, particularly steel, is received in the housing (3) and is held within the housing so as to be rotatable about its axis, and at least a portion of the outer surface of the sphere protrudes outward from the housing at its top so as to be in contact with the surface to be cooled, - A cooling means for maintaining the sphere at a low temperature, wherein the cooling means is disposed in the base such that at least a portion of it extends laterally with respect to the sphere, preferably at least a portion of it extends to the height of the sphere, The cooling device comprising the following:

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the cooling means is housed in one or more cooling chambers (40) that extend laterally with respect to the sphere.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cooling chamber (40) extends laterally with respect to the sphere from the lower pole of the sphere to at least the height of the center (C) of the sphere.

4. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the cooling chamber extends along the entire circumference of the sphere, particularly along at least one line of latitude, and over the entire latitude range from at least 0 degrees (altitude of the center of the sphere) to 90 degrees south latitude (lower pole of the sphere at the bottom surface of the housing).

5. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cooling means (10, 11; 20, 21; 10, 11, 20, 21) comprises at least one cooling block (10; 20; 10, 20), the cooling block being formed by a waterproof casing (11; 21; 11, 21) defining a sealed compartment filled with a low-temperature fluid, and the waterproof casing preferably having sufficient rigidity to stand on its own.

6. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the cooling means (10, 11; 20, 21; 10, 11, 20, 21) contains a low-temperature fluid, particularly a eutectic liquid, and the low-temperature fluid is contained in the cooling chamber which defines one or more sealed compartments filled with the fluid.

7. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a sheet of insulating material is provided to surround at least a part of the cooling means, particularly at least a part of the cooling chamber.

8. The device is equipped with a removable upper cap (9), Inside the cap (9) are auxiliary cooling means, in particular at least one auxiliary cooling block (20), The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the cap is housed so as to extend laterally with respect to the sphere when the cap is closed.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the auxiliary cooling means extends around the entire circumference of the sphere along at least one line of latitude between 90 degrees north latitude (the upper pole of the sphere outside the housing) and 0 degrees north latitude (the height of the center of the sphere).

10. The apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the auxiliary cooling means extends over the latitude region of the sphere not covered by the cooling means, so that when the cap is closed, the sphere is completely surrounded by the cooling means and the auxiliary cooling means. As a result, when the cap is closed, the sphere is completely surrounded by the cooling means and the auxiliary cooling means.

11. The apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that a magnet is incorporated into the upper cap, and in particular is fixed thereto, thereby interacting with the metal sphere to ensure the cap can be detachably closed.

12. Apparatus for applying a product to a surface, especially to living organisms, especially human skin (1, 5; 1', 5'; 1'', 5''; 1'''', 600), - A substrate comprising at least one housing designed to receive a sphere, - A sphere, which is received in the housing and made of a thermally conductive material, particularly steel, is held within the housing so as to be rotatable about its axis, and at least a portion of the outer surface of the sphere protrudes from the housing so as to be in contact with the surface to be cooled, - Cooling means for maintaining the sphere at a low temperature and A cooling device for cooling the surface of an element, particularly an element of the human body, such as a part of human skin, and, A storage compartment intended to be placed on a surface to be cooled by the aforementioned sphere, particularly for products in liquid or gel-like fluid forms, especially for external use products. Equipped with, The apparatus for application, wherein the storage section is detachably attached to the cooling device and has an opening facing the sphere, so that at least a portion of the sphere can come into contact with the product contained in the storage section.

13. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized by comprising a sensor means capable of measuring the temperature of the sphere and a display means capable of displaying one or more data related to the temperature of the sphere.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that the sphere is covered with a layer of thermochromic material, and when the temperature of the sphere exceeds 0°C, the layer changes color, for example, from green to red.

15. Use of the apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14 for cryolipolysis and / or cryotherapy.

Images