Display and interface for cryogenic equipment - Patents.com

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, and, in response to determining that the cryogenic device is in the first state, generate instructions for rendering the first user interface, the first user interface being associated with the first state, and cause the display device to display the first user interface. In this manner, the cryogenic device can have a dynamic user interface configured to respond to the state of the cryogenic device.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 940,985, filed November 27, 2019, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

[0002]

[0002] Devices, systems, and methods for therapeutically cooling tissue, including nerves for the treatment of pain. [Background technology]

[0003]

[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to medical devices, systems, and methods for cryotherapy. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to cryo-devices for cryo-cooling target tissue of a patient to denature, inhibit, remodel, or otherwise affect the target tissue to achieve a desired change in its behavior or composition. Cryo-cooling of nerve 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, cooling nerve tissue has been found to denature or inhibit the nerves that help cause these conditions. Cryo-cooling has also been used to address cosmetic conditions, for example, by inhibiting undesirable and / or unsightly effects on the skin (e.g., lines, wrinkles, or cellulite dimples) or other surrounding tissues.

[0004] In light of the above, cryodevices having needle probes have emerged as one aspect of therapeutically cooling target tissue for treating various indications. The needle probe of such devices is typically inserted into the skin of a patient adjacent to the target tissue. Some cryoprobes may include a coolant that can be injected into the target tissue through an opening in the needle probe such that the target tissue is directly cooled by the coolant. Other cryoprobes may include a closed needle tip, in which case the needle can be cooled (e.g., by a flow of coolant) and thereby the target tissue adjacent the cooled needle can be cooled by conduction. Cryoprobes have proven effective in creating a cryozone in a patient at or around a target tissue with precision, convenience, and reliability. The cryozone may be a volume of tissue (e.g., a volume of tissue near or around a distal portion of a needle) that is cooled by one or more needles of the cryoprobe. For example, the cryozone may be a volume of tissue that is cooled to freeze the tissue within the volume (e.g., the cryozone may be defined by an isotherm of about 0° C. (or other suitable temperature) that can be formed around the needle of the cryoprobe). Summary of the Invention

[0005] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE This disclosure relates to improved medical devices, systems, and methods Many of the devices, systems, and methods described herein will be beneficial in cryotherapy using cryogenic devices.

[0006] In some embodiments, the cryodevice may include a handpiece capable of being held by a user. The handpiece may include a coolant pathway configured to direct coolant toward a needle probe including one or more needles, the coolant configured to deliver cryotherapy to a target tissue via the one or more needles. The cryodevice may include a display configured to display one of a plurality of user interfaces, the plurality of user interfaces being associated with a plurality of cryodevice states. The cryodevice may also include a processor coupled to the display. The processor may be configured to generate an initial user interface for display on the display. The processor may be configured to determine that the cryodevice is in a first state. The processor may be configured to generate instructions for rendering the first user interface in response to determining that the cryodevice is in the first state, the first user interface being associated with the first state. The processor may be configured to cause the display to display the first user interface.

[0007]

[0007] Implementations may include one or more of the following features: The display may be located on a handpiece of the cryostat. The display may be an LCD or OLED screen.

[0008]

[0008] The first user interface may include an icon field including one or more icons indicating information related to the cryodevice or the selected cryotherapy program. The first user interface may further include a status element including a textual description of the status of the cryodevice. The selected cryotherapy program may specify, for example, a desired cryozone volume and / or number of treatment cycles. Additionally, in some cases, the textual description may be divided into smaller messages that are displayed in a scrolling or alternating sequence through the status element.

[0009]

[0009] The plurality of cryodevice states may include a cycle state, which is associated with the cryodevice preparing or performing a particular cryotherapy cycle. The plurality of cryodevice states may also include a charge state, which is associated with the battery of the cryodevice being charged. The plurality of cryodevice states may also include a standard state, which is associated with the cryodevice being on and not in a cycle or charge state.

[0010]

[0010] The cycle state may be associated with a cycle user interface, which may include an enlarged progress element indicating the progress of the treatment cycle. The enlarged progress element may include, for example, a countdown timer (or a countup timer). The cycle user interface may further include a status element. The charging state may be associated with a charging user interface, which may include an enlarged battery indicator element. The standard state may be associated with a standard user interface, which may include one or more of a battery indicator element indicating a battery status, a probe descriptor element indicating information about the needle probe, a coolant status indicator indicating an amount of available coolant in the current coolant cartridge, a cycle counter element indicating the number of treatment cycles remaining or the number of treatment cycles performed with the current coolant cartridge, and a status element for indicating the status of the cryogenic device.

[0011] The plurality of cryogenic device conditions may include an error condition associated with an error user interface, the error user interface may include a first portion including an icon indicating the particular error and a second portion including an enlarged status element indicating the particular error, the first portion and the second portion may be non-overlapping portions of the error user interface.

[0012] The cycle user interface and the standard user interface may be in a first orientation and the charging user interface may be in a second orientation, the first orientation being different from the second orientation. For example, the first orientation may be a 180 degree rotation of the second orientation.

[0013]

[0013] The processor may be further configured to receive data from one or more accelerometers of the cryogenic device. The processor may determine an orientation of the cryogenic device based on the received data. The processor may orient the first user interface to match the determined orientation of the cryogenic device.

[0014] 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, the first state being one of a plurality of cryogenic device states. The processor may generate instructions for rendering the first user interface in response to determining that the cryogenic device is in the first state, the first user interface being associated with the first state and being one of the plurality of user interfaces. The processor may cause the display device to display the first user interface.

[0015] 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 generating instructions for rendering one of a plurality of user interfaces in response to determining that the cryogenic device is in one of the plurality of cryogenic device states, the plurality of user interfaces being associated with the 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]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a cryogenic apparatus including a needle probe having one or more needles. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary needle probe. [Figure 3A] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a cryogenic device docked to a charging device. [Figure 3B] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a cryogenic device docked to a charging device. [Figure 3C] FIG. 1 illustrates a cryogenic device coupled to a display device, the display device being attached or otherwise positioned on the cryogenic device. [Figure 3D] 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary system including a display device. [Figure 4A] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary standard user interface that may be associated with a standard state of a cryogenic device. [Figure 4B] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary standard user interface that may be associated with a standard state of a cryogenic device. [Figure 5A] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary cycle user interface that may be associated with a cycle state of a cryogenic device. [Figure 5B]FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary cycle user interface that may be associated with a cycle state of a cryogenic device. [Figure 6A] FIG. 13 illustrates an example error user interface that may be associated with an error condition of a cryogenic device. [Figure 6B] FIG. 13 illustrates an example error user interface that may be associated with an error condition of a cryogenic device. [Figure 7A] FIG. 1 illustrates an example charging user interface that may be associated with a charging status of a low temperature device. [Figure 7B] FIG. 1 illustrates an example charging user interface that may be associated with a charging status of a low temperature device. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary method for displaying a dynamic user interface on a cryogenic device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017]

[0026] The present disclosure describes a display interface used in conjunction with a cryodevice that may be used to administer cryotherapy to a patient. In some embodiments, the described cryodevice may include a needle for delivering cryotherapy subcutaneously to target specific tissues to treat various conditions. For example, the cryodevice may include a needle configured to be inserted near a peripheral nerve to deliver cryotherapy to the peripheral nerve to treat pain, spasticity, or other such conditions that may be improved by such treatment. Further information regarding the use of cryotherapy for the relief of pain or spasticity can be found in U.S. Patent No. 8,298,216, filed November 14, 2008, U.S. Patent No. 9,610,112, filed March 18, 2014, U.S. Patent No. 10,085,789, filed March 13, 2017, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0038459, filed September 14, 2018, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes. Cryogenic devices may also be used for prophylactic treatments, such as for the destruction or prevention of neuromas, as described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 10,470,813, filed March 14, 2016, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

[0018]

[0027] As cryotherapy becomes more common and its therapeutic benefits are realized for several indications, there is a need for improved cryodevices to facilitate the use of such devices and thereby enhance cryotherapy. In particular, the user interfaces provided by current cryodevices are often lacking in that they do not effectively communicate relevant information to operators of such devices, which can result in suboptimal use by the operator. User interfaces are often non-intuitive and may not present information in an accessible manner, causing even well-trained operators to misinterpret or ignore relevant information that the cryodevice may be attempting to communicate. To address this issue, the present disclosure provides an improved user interface for a cryodevice that effectively and intuitively displays information.

[0019]

[0028] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a cryogenic device 100 including a needle probe 110 having one or more needles 115. As shown in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the cryogenic device 100 may be a self-contained handpiece adapted to be grasped and manipulated by an operator's hand. In other embodiments, the cryogenic device may include physically separated components. For example, the cryogenic device may include a handpiece including a needle probe and a coolant cartridge separate from the handpiece. In some embodiments, the coolant cartridge 130 may be a disposable cartridge filled with a coolant (e.g., nitrous oxide, a fluorocarbon coolant, and / or carbon dioxide). In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, 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 the coolant cartridge via a coolant pathway (not shown).

[0020]

[0029] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary needle probe 110. In some embodiments, the needle probe 110 may include one or more needles 115 suitable for penetrating the patient's skin adjacent to the target tissue (e.g., neural tissue). For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the needle probe 110 may include three needles 115. Each needle of the needle probe 110 may be provided with a needle lumen, not shown. In some embodiments, the needles 115 may have a closed tip without a distal opening so as not to allow for the exit of coolant from the distal end of the needle 115. In these embodiments, the needle 115 itself is cooled, thereby cooling the adjacent tissue by conduction. In some embodiments, the needle probe 110 may include a probe extension 119 configured to be securable to a probe receptacle 170. When the needle probe is secured to the probe receptacle, the probe extension extends proximally toward the proximal end of the cryostat (for illustrative purposes, the proximal and distal directions are shown in FIG. 1). 2, the probe extension 119 can have a probe lumen (not shown) disposed therein, which is an elongated element extending from a proximal end to a distal end. When the needle probe is secured to the probe receptacle, the probe lumen can be fluidly coupled to a coolant path. The probe lumen can also be coupled to the needle lumen of the needle 115 at the distal end of the cryostat such that coolant can pass through the probe lumen and enter the needle lumen (e.g., to cool the needle tip and subsequently cool the target tissue to form a cryozone).

[0021]

[0030] In some embodiments, one or more needles 115 can be inserted into and beyond the patient's skin such that a 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 submits an input to the cryogenic device 100 (e.g., by activating a user input button, tapping a user interface element on a touch screen, etc.) to cause the controller to open a supply valve, thereby allowing coolant to flow from the coolant cartridge through the coolant pathway and into the lumen of the needle 115. The distal portion of the needle 115 may be cooled by the coolant flow and may form a cooling zone around the target tissue.

[0022]

[0031] In some embodiments, the cryogenic device 100 may be a smart device including a first processor (e.g., located in a handpiece, away from the needle probe 110) to assist the operator in performing the treatment. In some embodiments, the needle probe 110 may be a smart probe. In these embodiments, the needle probe 110 may include a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA). The PCBA of the needle probe 110 may include an on-board processor. In some embodiments, the PCBA may also include memory components. The PCBA may further include one or more connectors (e.g., card edge connectors) that electrically couple the needle probe 110 to the remainder of the cryogenic device 100 (e.g., the handpiece portion). For example, if the needle probe is received by the probe receptacle 170, a portion of the PCBA 118 may be received by a port in the handpiece portion.

[0023]

[0032] When the PCBA 118 of the needle probe 110 is connected to the hand piece portion, the needle probe 110 can transmit and / or receive information to and from the hand piece portion (e.g., via its processor). In some embodiments, the needle probe 110 can transmit a probe descriptor that can identify, among other things, the corresponding probe type of the needle probe. For example, the probe descriptor can identify the number of needles (e.g., single-needle probe, three-needle probe, five-needle probe), the length of the needles, the configuration of the needles (e.g., rectangular array, square array, three-dimensional shape such as oval, circular, triangular, inverted pyramid shape, etc.), or any other suitable characteristic of the needle probe. In these embodiments, the first processor can be further configured to determine that the detachable needle probe is of a particular probe type of 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 can be used to derive treatment-related information.

[0024]

[0033] For example, the probe descriptor information may include an average coolant flow rate of the associated needle probe 110 that may be used to calculate the amount of coolant used by the first processor (e.g., on the handpiece) and / or the amount remaining in the coolant cartridge 130. The first processor may calculate these amounts based on the average coolant flow rate and the amount of time a supply valve is open to release the coolant. As another example, the needle dimensions, number of needles, and other suitable parameters associated with the needle probe 110 may be used to derive the coolant flow rate, the amount of coolant used during a cycle, the amount of coolant remaining in the cartridge, 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 warmer (e.g., a resistive heating element configured near or adjacent to the skin during treatment) configured to apply thermal energy to the skin surface to reduce or prevent concomitant tissue damage. In this example, a particular probe may transmit probe descriptor information that may be used to determine parameters (e.g., power level, heating time, etc.) for operating the skin warmer.

[0025]

[0034] Further information regarding cryo-devices with skin warmers can be found in U.S. Patent No. 10,470,813, filed March 14, 2016, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. Any of this information can be shown (e.g., in real-time as the treatment is being performed) on a user interface of any suitable display device associated with the cryo-device 100 (e.g., an LCD screen of the cryo-device 100). In some embodiments, a treatment recommendation can be determined and displayed on the display device. For example, a particular needle probe 110 can be associated with a particular type of treatment, and thus a treatment recommendation can be displayed based on a determination that a particular needle probe 110 has been inserted. An operator can then perform the treatment based on this recommendation. In some embodiments, the probe descriptor can include "expiration" details of the needle probe 110 (e.g., the needle probe 110 can be configured to expire after a set number of treatment cycles for safety reasons). Further information regarding smart cryostats and smart probes can be found in U.S. Patent No. 10,130,409, filed November 20, 2018, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. As another example, the probe descriptor information may include information regarding parameters of general or different phases of a treatment cycle associated with cryotherapy that may be performed using an associated needle probe 110. An exemplary treatment cycle may include a pre-treatment warming period during which a heating element is warmed, a coolant delivery period during which coolant is delivered to one or more needles of the needle probe 110, and a recovery period following the coolant delivery period during which no coolant is delivered. In this example, the probe descriptor information for a particular needle probe 110 may specify the duration of each of these periods. Further information regarding treatment cycles can be found in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0038459, filed September 14, 2018, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

[0026]

[0035] In some embodiments, the first processor may receive any other suitable information (e.g., from one or more sensors associated with the coolant cartridge 130) such as the amount of coolant (or at least available useful coolant) remaining in the coolant cartridge 130 when placed in the cartridge holder.

[0027]

[0036] In some embodiments, the cryogenic device 100 may be rechargeable. For example, the cryogenic device 100 may include one or more rechargeable batteries that can be recharged by coupling the cryogenic device 100 to a charging device. FIGS. 3A-3B show an exemplary embodiment of the cryogenic device 100 docked on a charging device 330. As shown, the charging device 330 and the cryogenic device 100 may be shaped such that the cryogenic device 100 is adapted to be docked to the charging device 330, and the cryogenic device 100 may be charged. In the illustrated example, the handpiece portion of the cryogenic device 100 is configured to rest substantially horizontally (or along an axis along which the cryogenic device extends) on a charging cradle formed by the charging device 330 to receive charging energy. The charging device 330 may 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 provide energy to the cryogenic device 100. In some embodiments, the charging device may be a wireless charger, and the cryogenic device 100 may be wirelessly charged when in range.

[0028]

[0037] In some embodiments, the cryostat 100 may be coupled to a display device. FIG. 3C illustrates the cryostat 100 coupled to a display device 150 (e.g., an LCD screen, an OLED screen, etc.), where the display device 150 is attached to or otherwise disposed on the cryostat 100. In some embodiments, the display device 150 may display a user interface that may present various relevant information to the operator before, during, and / or after treatment. For example, the display device 150 may 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 may be presented in real-time as the procedure is being performed.

[0029]

[0038] In some embodiments, the cryogenic device 100 may be associated with multiple cryogenic device states. These states may define the mode or condition of the cryogenic device 100 at a given time. For example, the cryogenic device 100 may be in a "cycle state." A cycle state may be associated with the cryogenic device 100 preparing or performing a particular cryotherapy treatment cycle. A cryotherapy treatment may include one or more treatment cycles that cool the patient's tissue to provide a therapeutic benefit, with each treatment cycle lasting a predetermined time. As another example, the cryogenic device 100 may be in a "charge state." A charge state may be associated with the cryogenic device 100's battery being charged. As another example, the cryogenic device 100 may be in an "error state." An error state may be associated with a device state in which an error has been identified for the cryogenic device 100, rendering the cryogenic device 100 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 on, but many of its functions are turned off or throttled (e.g., the brightness of the display 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 on and ready for use without being 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 of the other states (e.g., a cycling state, a charging state, an error state). Although specific states are described herein, this disclosure contemplates any suitable number of states associated with any suitable mode or state.

[0030]

[0039] In some embodiments, the display device 150 may be configured to display one of a plurality of user interfaces. Each of the plurality of user interfaces may be associated with a plurality of cryostat states. For example, a particular user interface may be associated with a particular state of the cryostat 100. As another example, a particular user interface may be associated with a subset of the states of the cryostat 100. Although particular user interfaces are described herein, this disclosure contemplates any suitable number of user interfaces associated with any suitable cryostat state. For example, the cryostat 100 may have different treatment modes, and these treatment modes may have different associated user interfaces.

[0031]

[0040] FIG. 3D shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary 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 that may be in a handpiece portion of the cryogenic device 100. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3D, the cryogenic device 100 may also include a second processor 320 (e.g., the second processor described above that may be associated with the needle probe 110) that may be coupled to the processor 310. The first processor 310 may be configured to generate a user interface that may 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. This 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 separately handle display-related tasks. For example, the display device 150 may include a display processor for handling tasks such as rotating a displayed user interface, scrolling a displayed user interface, switching between two or more interfaces, or any other suitable task. Although this disclosure describes many of the functions as being performed by an element described as a "processor," the term "processor" as used in this disclosure encompasses any number of processors.

[0032]

[0041] 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 an orientation of the cryogenic device 100, and the processor 310 may use this 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., an orientation for docking the device in the charging device 330) and when a battery of the cryogenic device 100 is being charged. Alternatively, the processor 310 may determine that the cryogenic device 100 is in a charging state simply upon detecting that a battery is being charged. As another example, the processor 310 may determine that the cryogenic device 100 is in a cycle state if it determines that coolant is being released from the coolant cartridge (e.g., as determined by one or more pressure sensors detecting a pressure change from the coolant outflow, one or more temperature sensors detecting a temperature drop along the coolant path from the coolant flow, one or more sensors detecting actuation of a user input element such as a button for releasing coolant, etc.). As another example, the processor 310 may determine that the cryogenic device 100 is in an error state if an error is determined (e.g., a poor connection to the needle probe, insufficient charge to perform a treatment cycle, etc.).

[0033]

[0042] In some embodiments, a processor (e.g., processor 310) may be configured to generate instructions for rendering a user interface based on a determined state of the cryodevice 100. For example, the processor 310 may determine that the cryodevice 100 is in a first state and then generate instructions for rendering a first user interface associated with the first state. In some embodiments, the user interface may include an icon field and a status element. The icon field may include an icon or other representation visually indicating information related to the cryodevice 100 (e.g., cartridge information, needle probe information, battery information) or information related to the selected cryotherapy program (e.g., information regarding the size of the selected cryozone to be created, the selected number of cycles to be applied, an icon or label identifying the particular selected cryotherapy program). The status element may include a textual description indicating a current status, recommendation, or other relevant information related to the cryodevice 100 (e.g., cartridge information, needle probe information, battery information, error information) or the selected cryotherapy program (e.g., information regarding the size of the selected cryozone to be created, the selected number of cycles to be applied, the name of the particular selected cryotherapy program, treatment recommendation).

[0034]

[0043] 4A-4B show two exemplary standard user interfaces 400 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 the cryogenic device 100 is determined to be in a standard state. The exemplary standard user interface 400 shown in FIGS. 4A-4B includes an icon field 455 and a status element 450. In some embodiments, the standard user interface may include one or more elements that indicate a battery status of the cryogenic device 100. For example, referring to the example of FIGS. 4A-4B, the standard user interface 400 may include an icon or other such representation (e.g., a battery indicator element 420) that visually indicates a current battery level of the cryogenic device 100. FIG. 4A shows the battery indicator element 420 when the battery level is 10%, and FIG. 4B shows the battery indicator element 420 when the battery level is 100%. Alternatively or additionally, the standard user interface 400 may include a numerical representation (e.g., using a percent, fraction, decimal, absolute number), such as a numerical element 425 indicating a current battery level. In some embodiments, the standard user interface 400 may include one or more probe descriptor elements that indicate information about the needle probe. For example, with reference to FIG. 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) into the cryogenic device 100 and may further indicate information about the needle probe 110 (e.g., visually indicating that the needle probe 110 is a five-needle probe).

[0035]

[0044] FIG. 4A may also include a numeric descriptor (e.g., the number "60" in FIG. 4A) that can indicate the amount of time that the cycle will take (e.g., 60 seconds). In some embodiments, when a needle probe is not coupled to the cryogenic device 100, the subregion of the user interface in which the probe descriptor elements (e.g., probe descriptor element 410, probe descriptor element 440) appear may be blank (alternatively, the probe descriptor elements may be displayed as a dashed outline or as a flashing icon). In some embodiments, the standard user interface 400 may include a probe descriptor element 440 that can textually describe the probe (e.g., "5x9mm" represents a 5-needle probe with needles that may be 9mm in length). In some embodiments, the standard interface 400 may include a coolant status indicator. The coolant status indicator can indicate the amount of coolant from the coolant cartridge that has been used or the amount of coolant (e.g., available coolant) remaining in the coolant cartridge. For example, with reference to the example of FIGS. 4A-4B, the coolant status indicator 430 may be an icon or other such representation that may visually indicate the amount of coolant from the coolant cartridge that has been used or the amount of available coolant remaining in the coolant cartridge. As another example (not shown), the coolant status indicator may be a numerical indicator (e.g., absolute value, percentage, etc.) that numerically indicates the amount of coolant that has been used or the amount of available coolant. In some embodiments, the user interface may include a cycle counter element that indicates the number of treatment cycles remaining for the current coolant cartridge (e.g., in which case the cycle counter element may count down) or the number of treatment cycles that have been performed with the current coolant cartridge (e.g., in which case the cycle counter element may count up). For example, with reference to FIGS. 4A-4B, the cycle counter element 435 may display the number "3" to indicate that three treatment cycles may remain for the particular coolant cartridge (or that three treatment cycles may have been performed with the coolant cartridge).In some embodiments, the coolant status indicator 430 (and / or cycle counter element 435) may appear empty (or, for example, read “0”) and / or flash to indicate that the coolant cartridge is depleted or when the coolant cartridge does not have enough coolant for a treatment cycle.

[0036]

[0045] In some embodiments, the standard user interface 400 may include a status element. For example, referring to FIG. 4A, the status element 450 recommends recharging the battery. As another example, referring to FIG. 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 a treatment, the status element 450 may indicate so with appropriate text (e.g., "Incorrect Orientation"). In some embodiments, the amount of text displayed in the status element 450 may exceed the number of characters that can reasonably fit within the status element at a given time. For example, minimum font size requirements or resolution limitations of a display device may require that the text content be repeatedly scrolled through the status element 450 or split into smaller messages that are displayed in alternating order.

[0037]

[0046] 5A-5B show two exemplary cycle user interfaces 500 that may be associated with a cycle status of the cryogenic device 100. The exemplary standard user interface 500 shown in FIGS. 5A-5B includes an icon field 555 and a status element 550. In some embodiments, the cycle user interface may include an enlarged progress element that indicates the progress of the treatment cycle. For example, with reference to FIGS. 5A-5B, the progress element 560 may be a visual representation of the progress of a current treatment cycle that may be in progress. In the illustrated example, the progress element 560 includes a number (e.g., with reference to FIGS. 5A-5B, the number "60") that may be a countdown or countup timer indicating seconds, minutes, or other suitable time measurement. For example, an operator may initiate a 60 second treatment cycle with the cryogenic device 100, in which case the exemplary user interface 500 of FIGS. 5A-5B may be presented with the progress element 560 indicating 60 seconds. In this example, the number in the progress element 560 may count down from 60 to 0 (e.g., at which point the treatment cycle may be terminated). Once a treatment cycle is completed, the cycle user interface 500 may be updated (e.g., via status element 550) to indicate that the treatment cycle is completed. Alternatively, once a treatment cycle is completed, the cycle user interface 500 may automatically transition to a different user interface (e.g., standard user interface 400). The countdown or countup may alternatively or additionally be indicated by a visual representation.

[0038]

[0047] For example, the progress element 560 shown in FIGS. 5A-5B may include a clock hand modeled on a traditional analog timer that moves to indicate remaining or elapsed time as the treatment cycle progresses. As another example, the cycle user interface 500 may include a linear progress bar, a circular progress bar, or other similar representations to visually indicate the progress of the treatment cycle. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5B, the cycle user interface 500 may also include other icons or representations that indicate other relevant information regarding the cryostat 100 or the selected cryotherapy program. 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 FIG. 5B, these other elements may be reduced in size relative to the progress element 560 when in the cycle user interface 500. Displaying certain elements more prominently than others may be advantageous, consistent with the objectives of this disclosure, because the most relevant information is displayed most prominently for a given cryostat condition, and this information is most effectively communicated to the operator. For example, while a particular treatment cycle is in progress, the most relevant information may be the time remaining or elapsed for a particular treatment cycle. While the interface shown in FIGS. 5A-5B displays progress elements corresponding to an entire treatment cycle, the present disclosure contemplates that similar interfaces may be shown for different phases of a treatment cycle. For example, an interface may show a progress element corresponding to a pretreatment warming phase during a pretreatment warming period, a progress element corresponding to a cooling phase during a coolant delivery period, and a progress element corresponding to a recovery phase during a recovery period following a coolant delivery period. In some embodiments, multiple progress elements for each phase of a treatment cycle (e.g., three progress elements for each of the three phases described in the previous example) may be shown simultaneously on a single interface.

[0039]

[0048] 6A-6B illustrate two exemplary error user interfaces 600 that may be associated with an error condition of the cryogenic device 100. The exemplary standard user interface 600 illustrated in FIGS. 6A-6B includes an icon field 655 and a status element 650. In some embodiments, the error user interface may be similar to a standard user interface (e.g., the exemplary standard user interface 400 of FIGS. 4A-4B). For example, with reference to 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 illustrated, the status element 650 may include text that describes the error and / or recommends an action to correct the error (e.g., "System Fault: Check Probe"). Additionally or alternatively, one or more elements in the icon field 655 may indicate an error. For example, with reference to FIG. 6A, the probe descriptor element 610 has a bleed-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 fully inserted into the cryogenic device 100). In other embodiments, the error user interface may have an enlarged status element. For example, with reference to FIG. 6B, the status element 650 in the error user interface 600 is enlarged. In this example, enlarging the status element 650 makes it more noticeable and may also be used to convey detailed information for correcting the error. The status element 650 in FIG. 6B includes an error code ("Error 123") and detailed recommendations for correcting the error ("Check the probe to ensure proper connection"). As shown in FIG. 6B, in some embodiments, a reduced size icon field 655 may be displayed (e.g., in a portion or area 652 of the error user interface that does not overlap with the portion or area of ​​the error user interface dedicated to the status element 550).In some embodiments, the error user interface may not include an icon field (eg, the error user interface may include only a large status element 650 that occupies the entire display screen or nearly the entire display screen).

[0040]

[0049] 7A-7B show two exemplary charging user interfaces 700 that may be associated with the charging status of the cryogenic device 100. As shown in FIGS. 7A-7B, the charging user interfaces 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 (e.g., using a percentage, fraction, decimal, absolute number), such as a numeric element 725, indicating the current battery level. Because the battery status information is prominently featured in the charging user interface 700 (e.g., by the battery status indicator 720 and / or the numeric element 725), an operator may quickly determine the most relevant information while the device is charging, i.e., the battery level. The icon field may include an icon or other representation that visually indicates information related to the cryodevice 100 (e.g., cartridge information, needle probe information, battery information) or a selected cryotherapy program (e.g., information regarding the size of a selected cryozone to be created, the selected number of cycles to be applied, and an icon or label that identifies the particular selected cryotherapy program). In some embodiments, the status element 750 may include a textual description indicating the current battery level (e.g., a percentage) or status (e.g., the statuses "charging" and "charged" as shown in FIGS. 7A-7B).

[0041]

[0050] In some embodiments, one or more elements of the user interface may be color coded based on the information they convey. For example, a status element colored green may indicate that the cryogenic device 100 is ready and does not require further attention by the operator (e.g., if the status element indicates that the cryogenic device is ready for treatment, the battery is charged, etc.). A status element colored yellow may indicate an alert that requires attention by the operator (e.g., if the status element indicates that the battery needs to be recharged). A status element colored red may indicate that there is a system fault (e.g., not working when the needle probe is broken or when the battery is far below the device's threshold). As another example, a battery status indicator may be color coded based on the battery level. For example, the battery status indicator may be normally gray, flash yellow for a low battery condition, and flash only the battery outline for a depleted battery condition. As another example, the battery status indicator may be normally green, yellow for a low battery condition, and red for a dead battery condition. In some embodiments, the entire background may be color coded (e.g., green, yellow, and red, as with the status elements).

[0042]

[0051] In some embodiments, the user interface may be configured such that the contents are readable from 20 inches with viewing angles up to 45°, and light levels ranging from, for example, 150 lux to 1500 lux (for an operator with vision corrected to 20 / 20). Display device 150 may be of any suitable size and quality. For example, display device 150 may be a 1.8 inch screen having a resolution of 128x160 pixels and a color palette of 4K or 64K colors.

[0043]

[0052] In some embodiments, a processor such as processor 310 can render a particular user interface (e.g., one of the user interfaces described herein) for display on display device 150. Display device 150 can display a particular user interface (e.g., a standard user interface, a cycle user interface, a billing user interface, an error user interface). As will be apparent from this disclosure, processor 310 can dynamically change the user interface displayed on display device 150 based on a determined state of cryogenic device 100 by transitioning between user interfaces as needed.

[0044]

[0053] 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 use this sensor data to determine the orientation of the cryogenic device 100. The cryogenic device 100 can, for example, orient the user interface based on the determined orientation such that the user interface is always displayed in the correct orientation. In other embodiments, the orientation of a user interface displayed on the display device 150 can be fixed such 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). This fixed orientation can encourage use of the device in a particular (e.g., optimal) orientation by indicating to the operator what the "correct" orientation for using the cryogenic device 100 is. In some embodiments, a particular user interface may have a particular orientation (again, regardless of the determined orientation of the cryogenic device 100). For example, the standard user interface 400, the cycle user interface 500, and the error user interface 600 may always be in a first orientation relative to the display device 150, and the charging user interface 700 may always be in a second orientation (e.g., 180 degrees rotation of the first orientation). As illustrated by this example, some user interfaces may have a different optimal orientation than other user interfaces. This may be due to conditions associated with the cold device state that corresponds to the user interface. Based on the previous example, when the cold device 100 is properly docked to the charging device 330 (as shown in Figures 3A-3B), the display device 150 may be in an upside-down orientation compared to the orientation of the display device 150 during use.Thus, by orienting the charging user interface 700 in a different orientation (e.g., rotated 180 degrees from the orientation of other user interfaces, such as the standard user interface 400), when an operator looks at the display device 150 during charging, the charging user interface 700 will match the orientation of the low temperature device 100, such that the interface appears to be right-side up.

[0045]

[0054] FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary method 800 for displaying a dynamic user interface on a cryogenic device. 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. In step 820, the processor may determine that the cryogenic device is in a first state, the first state being one of a plurality of cryogenic device states. In step 830, the processor may generate instructions for rendering a first user interface in response to determining that the cryogenic device is in the first state, the first user interface being associated with the first state and being one of the plurality of user interfaces. In step 840, the processor may cause the display device to display the first user interface. Particular embodiments may repeat one or more steps of the method of FIG. 8, where appropriate. Although this disclosure has described and illustrated certain steps of the method of FIG. 8 as occurring in a particular order, this disclosure contemplates any suitable steps of the method of FIG. 8 occurring in any suitable order. Additionally, although this disclosure describes and illustrates an exemplary method for displaying a dynamic user interface on a cryogenic device that includes certain steps of the method of Figure 8, this disclosure contemplates any suitable method for displaying a dynamic user interface on a cryogenic device that includes any suitable steps, including all, some, or none of the method steps of Figure 8, as appropriate. Additionally, although this disclosure describes and illustrates certain components, devices, or systems that perform certain steps of the method of Figure 8, this disclosure contemplates any suitable combination of any suitable components, devices, or systems that perform any suitable steps of the method of Figure 8.

[0046]

[0055] Although the exemplary embodiments have been described in some detail for clarity of understanding and by way of example, certain modifications, changes and adaptations may be implemented and / or will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. 1. A cryogenic device comprising: a handpiece capable of being held by a user, the handpiece including a coolant pathway configured to direct a coolant toward a needle probe including one or more needles configured to be inserted into a patient's skin, the coolant configured to deliver cryotherapy to a target tissue through the one or more needles for the treatment of pain; a display device configured to dynamically display one of a plurality of user interfaces, the plurality of user interfaces being associated with a plurality of cryogenic device conditions; and a processor coupled to the display device, the processor comprising: determining that the cryogenic device is in a standard state; generating instructions for rendering a standard user interface in response to determining that the cryogenic device is in the standard state, the standard user interface being associated with the standard state; causing said display device to display said standard user interface It is configured as follows: The standard user interface includes an icon field indicating information related to the cryogenic device, the icon field including a coolant status icon indicating the amount of coolant available in the current coolant cartridge, a battery icon indicating battery status, a probe descriptor icon indicating information about the needle probe, and a status element indicating the status of the cryogenic device.

2. 10. The cryogenic device of claim 1, wherein the display is located on the handpiece, the display being an LCD or OLED screen.

3. the icon field of the standard user interface indicates information related to a selected cryotherapy program; 3. The cryostat of claim 1 or 2, wherein the selected cryotherapy program specifies a desired cryozone volume or number of treatment cycles.

4. The plurality of cryogenic device states include: a cycle state associated with the cryostat that is preparing or performing a particular cryotherapy cycle; a state of charge associated with a battery of the low temperature device being charged; and a standard state associated with the low temperature device being turned on and not being in the cycling state or the charging state; 4. The cryogenic device of claim 1 , comprising:

5. the cycle state is associated with a cycle user interface, the cycle user interface including an enlarged progress element indicating a progress of a treatment cycle; The cryogenic device of claim 4 , wherein the charging status is associated with a charging user interface, the charging user interface including an enlarged battery indicator element.

6. The cryogenic device of claim 5 , wherein the cycle user interface further includes the status element.

7. The cryogenic device of claim 5 , wherein the expanded progression element includes a countdown timer or a countup timer.

8. 6. The cryogenic device of claim 5, wherein the cycle user interface and the standard user interface are in a first orientation and the charging user interface is in a second orientation, the first orientation being different from the second orientation, and the first orientation comprising a 180 degree rotation of the second orientation.

9. The processor, receiving data from one or more accelerometers of the cryogenic device; determining an orientation of the cryogenic device based on the received data; orienting the standard user interface to coincide with the orientation of the cryogenic device. The cryogenic device of claim 5 further configured as follows:

10. 10. The cryogenic device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of cryogenic device conditions includes an error condition associated with an error user interface, the error user interface including a first portion including an icon indicating a particular error and a second portion including an enlarged status element indicating the particular error, the first portion and the second portion being non-overlapping portions of the error user interface.

11. 10. The cryogenic device of claim 1, wherein the coolant status icon further includes a cycle counter element thereon indicating a number of cryotherapy treatment cycles remaining for or that have been performed.

12. The cryogenic device of claim 1 , wherein the coolant status icon, the battery icon, the probe descriptor icon and the status element are displayed simultaneously on the standard user interface.

13. 11. A method for displaying a dynamic user interface on a cryo-device including a coolant pathway configured to direct a coolant towards a needle probe including one or more needles, the coolant configured to deliver cryotherapy to a target tissue through the one or more needles, the method comprising: determining that the cryogenic device is at a standard condition, the standard condition being one of a plurality of cryogenic device conditions; generating instructions for rendering a standard user interface in response to determining that the cryogenic device is in the standard state, the standard user interface being one of a plurality of user interfaces associated with the standard state, the standard user interface including an icon field indicating information related to the cryogenic device, the icon field including a coolant status icon indicating an amount of coolant available in a current coolant cartridge, a battery icon indicating a battery status, a probe descriptor icon indicating information related to the needle probe, and a status element indicating a status of the cryogenic device; causing a display device to display said standard user interface; A method comprising:

14. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the display is located on a handpiece of the cryogenic device, the display being an LCD or OLED screen.

15. the icon field of the standard user interface indicates information related to a selected cryotherapy program; 15. The method of claim 13 or 14, wherein the selected cryotherapy program specifies a desired cold zone volume or number of treatment cycles.

16. 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of scrolling a text description through the status element or dividing the text description into smaller messages that are displayed in alternating sequence.

17. The plurality of cryogenic device states include: a cycle state associated with the cryostat that is preparing or performing a particular cryotherapy cycle; a state of charge associated with a battery of the low temperature device being charged; and a standard state associated with the low temperature device being turned on and not being in the cycling state or the charging state; 17. The method of any one of claims 13 to 16, comprising:

18. The plurality of user interfaces include: a cycle user interface including an enlarged progress element associated with the cycle state and indicating a progress of the treatment cycle; and a charging user interface associated with the charging status and including an enlarged battery indicator element.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the cycle user interface further includes the status element.

20. The method of claim 18 , wherein the expanded progression element comprises a countdown timer or a countup timer.

21. the cycle user interface and the standard user interface are in a first orientation and the charging user interface is in a second orientation, the first orientation being different from the second orientation; The method of claim 18 , wherein the first orientation comprises a 180 degree rotation of the second orientation.

22. receiving data from one or more accelerometers of the cryogenic device; determining an orientation of the cryogenic device based on the received data; and orienting the standard user interface to coincide with the determined orientation of the cryogenic device; 20. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

23. 23. The method of any one of claims 13 to 22, wherein the plurality of cryogenic device conditions includes an error condition associated with an error user interface, the error user interface including a first portion including an icon indicating a particular error and a second portion including an enlarged status element indicating the particular error, the first portion and the second portion being non-overlapping portions of the error user interface.

Images