Devices for tissue treatments

Abstract

A tissue treatment device (10) comprises a housing (12) connectable to a container (14) with a treatment medium, and an actuatable valve structure to which the container can connect to dispense the treatment medium. The housing comprises one or more buttons (25) moveable from a first position to a second position, an end opening (18) at a first end of the housing for receiving tissue, and one or more side orifices (28) near the end opening. The valve structure is connected to the housing and actuatable by moving the one or more buttons from the first position to the second position. The one or more buttons are located near the end opening.

Description

[0001] DEVICES AND METHODS FOR TISSUE TREATMENTS

[0002] Technical field of the invention

[0003] This invention relates to a device for topical application of a tissue treatment, particularly a topical application of a liquid and or solid treatment of a tissue of a human or animal.

[0004] Background of the invention

[0005] A wart is a non-cancerous viral growth that often occurs on the hands or feet of a person, but can also occur in other locations of the skin. While warts typically resolve without treatment, this can take months or years, and thus it is often desired to treat warts for faster removal.

[0006] Another type of skin growth is called a fibroma, also sometimes called a skin tag, which is a small benign tumor or growth of fibrous or connective tissue that forms primarily in areas where the skin forms creases (or rubs together), such as the neck, armpit and groin. They may also occur on the face, for example on the eyelids. While fibromas are typically not harmful, they may become irritated, for example, by shaving, clothing, jewellery or eczema, and thus many people want to remove such skin tags. Additionally, removal of fibromas and warts is desired for aesthetic reasons as well.

[0007] Removal of is typically done by a dermatologist, general doctor or trained professional who may use cauterization, cryosurgery, excision, laser, or use surgical ligation to remove the fibroma or wart. Additionally, devices such as the one shown in W02016 / 010428 can be used for at-home treatment without the need for a trained professional. The nebulizer disclosed in W02016 / 010428 is able to locally apply a cooling medium to the affected area.

[0008] Summary of the invention

[0009] According to a first aspect, a tissue treatment device comprises a housing connectable to a container with a treatment medium, and an actuatable valve structure to which the container can connect to dispense the treatment medium. The housing comprises one or more buttons moveable from a first position to a second position, an end opening at a first end of the housing for receiving tissue, and one or more orifices near the end opening. The valve structure is connected to the housing and actuatable by moving the one or more buttons from the first position to the second position. The one or more buttons are located near the end opening. Such a device can allow for simple and effective treatment of tissue, allowing a user to hold and control the device precisely. The housing with one or more buttons and one or more orifices near the end opening allow a user to visually see the treatment and control the device and actuation at a location close to treatment. This typically results in a user being able to better control the device and in the device being easily operable to all users no matter their respective hand size and / or strength.

[0010] According to an embodiment, the one or more buttons is two buttons. Optionally, the two buttons are located on opposite sides of the housing and are moved jointly or at the same time for actuation. Such button placement is ideal to allow a user to place a thumb and an index or middle finger on each button for precise control and actuation of the device.

[0011] According to an embodiment, each of the one or more buttons is spring loaded, where each of the one or more buttons rests in the first position, is moveable to the second position by force and returns to the first position when the force is taken away. Thus, the buttons return to a non-actuated position when force is not applied, thereby helping to ensure that the device is not actuated and treatment medium is not expelled when not intended. In addition, making the one or more buttons spring-loaded helps to ensure that treatment stops exactly when desired, as the user simply needs to stop applying force to the one or more buttons. The spring loading could be configured in a number of different way, for example, through a hinge, coil, etc. When configured by a hinge directly in the button or related parts, this can make for a simple device that needs fewer parts but is able to move from the first position to second position and then spring back to the first position when force is removed.

[0012] According to an embodiment, the one or more orifices near the end opening are located on one or more sides of the housing and located between the one or more buttons and the end opening. Typically, this would be on the sides of the device immediately adjacent to the first end. Optionally, the one or more orifices comprises a plurality of orifices, for example, 2- 10 orifices, preferably 3-8 orifices. Having a plurality of orifices adjacent to or near the end opening allows for proper venting of treatment medium during a treatment, and additionally allows a user to visually see the treatment while it is happening, providing a user assurance that the device is working as intended.

[0013] According to an embodiment, the housing comprises a top extending from the first end to second end with curvature; an orifice section extending from the first end towards the second end around the sides of the top and comprising the one or more orifices; and a body portion extending from the orifice section to the second end and comprising the one or more buttons. Optionally, the top has a cut-out at the second end, which can be useful for container placement and an aesthetically pleasing housing and container shape. Further optionally, the body has curvature to match a general hand shape of a user holding the device, for example, curvature to comfortably fit in a hand between a thumb and index finger, providing a user a comfortable and secure grip of the device.

[0014] According to an embodiment, the device is adjustable in length to adjust the distance from which treatment medium is applied to the tissue. Optionally, this is through being able to adjust the length of the orifice section (or nozzle), for example, by being moveable or telescoping with respect to the body portion. This could include a spring, button or other configuration to allow a user to adjust the distance from which the treatment medium is applied to the tissue. Such a configuration can also allow for usage of housing with applications of different types of treatments that require application at different distances from the tissue, for example, a cooling or cryogenic treatment versus an acid treatment.

[0015] According to an embodiment, the one or more buttons actuate the valve structure by moving an actuator toward a connected container when the one or more buttons are moved to the second position. Optionally, the movement of the actuator toward the container actuates the expulsion of treatment fluid from the container, directing the treatment fluid toward the end opening. Such a simple mechanical actuation can ensure proper working and expulsion of treatment medium when desired, while minimizing the number of complicated parts needed for the actuation.

[0016] According to an embodiment, the second end receives the container and the one or more buttons secure the container to the housing. This can be, for example, through the one or more buttons with a shoulder which snaps into the housing and around a rim or other part of the container. Using the one or more buttons to secure the container to the housing also ensures that the container is properly positioned for actuation when the one or more buttons are moved from the first to the second position for treatment.

[0017] According to an embodiment, the device further comprises a container of treatment medium connected to the housing and extending out the second end. The treatment medium can be a colloidal mixture formed in the container comprising a dispersed phase of liquid and a continuous phase of propellant gas, which can produce a fine spray which has the properties of a directed liquid stream. The colloidal mixture such as that formed in the container can be of various types, but preferably comprises an aerosol.

[0018] The treatment medium of the device can contain a liquid propellant. Examples of suitable propellants comprise propane, n-butane, 1 ,1 ,1 ,2-tetrafluoroethane, dimethyl ether and combinations thereof.

[0019] In some embodiments, the propellant present in the treatment medium is in a gaseous state at ambient temperature and pressure, and the treatment medium within the container is at a pressure that is sufficiently high to keep at least a part of the propellant in a liquid state. In some embodiments, the treatment medium is a cooling medium for topical application. For this purpose the container is filled with a liquid which cools the skin by evaporation when applied to the skin. In the case of various skin problems, the local withdrawal of heat from the skin can have a remediating or at least an alleviating effect. Examples of skin problems wherein the local cooling of the skin has a remediating or at least an alleviating effect comprise for example (topical) burns, pustules (for example caused by acne), itching (for example nettle rash) and skin irritation due to an insect bite. If very low temperatures can be achieved during the topical application of a cooling medium to the skin, it is also possible to treat skin conditions such as fibromas and warts. The treatment of skin conditions such as fibromas and warts preferably takes place at temperatures below the freezing point.

[0020] Cryotherapy is an example of a treatment of skin conditions by the application of a cooling medium. In cryotherapy use is made of a liquefied low-boiling gas (cryogen) which is applied with a cotton swab or a nozzle specially designed for the application of the cryogen. Under the marked change in temperature and / or ambient pressure the cryogen evaporates on contact with the skin, with the result that the skin cools markedly. Examples of cryogens that may be employed in the cooling medium include: dimethyl ether, propane, isobutane, n- butane, methyl ether ether, 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, 1 ,1 ,1 ,2-tetrafluoroethane, 1 ,1 difluorethane, isopentane and mixtures thereof. The cryogen that is typically used is dimethyl ether.

[0021] The ability to apply a cooling medium in a directed manner, particularly at the wart, prevents the surrounding skin, which does not need to be treated, from coming into contact with the cooling medium. Especially when temperatures well below the freezing point are used, it is desirable to prevent contact of the surrounding skin with the cooling medium in order to increase the user's comfort. In some embodiments, skin protection means (e.g., a patch) can also be used around the wart or fibroma to help to prevent the cooling (or other) medium from coming into contact with the skin, particularly when a fabric or other absorbent layer is on a top surface of the patch.

[0022] The temperature of the cooling medium will drop sharply as soon as it leaves the nozzle and components present in the cooling medium may solidify as a result of the temperature drop. If the bore of the nozzle is too small, the nozzle will become blocked by frozen components of the cooling medium. By creating a treatment device in which a colloidal mixture is immediately formed, cooling medium can be applied to the tissue to be treated in a directed manner without requiring a nozzle bore size that can result in clogging of the nozzle. The valve structure of the treatment device is preferably designed for the uninterrupted, i.e., continuous, application of cooling medium. Through the uninterrupted, continuous, delivery of the cooling medium a lower skin temperature can be achieved than is usual at this time. With a metered dose, e.g., a predetermined quantity, limited cooling of the skin is accomplished. This limited cooling generally achieves a skin temperature of down to - 20°C. Through the uninterrupted delivery of the cooling medium a skin temperature of below -20°C can be achieved. Preferably the skin temperature achieved is below -30°C. Through the uninterrupted delivery of cooling medium a temperature can be achieved which corresponds to the boiling point of the propellant gas, but it is also possible to reach temperatures that are below the boiling point of the propellant gas, for example by further expansion of the propellant gas. For example a temperature of approximately -50°C can be achieved with 1 ,1 ,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (R134a, boiling point: -26.3°C) as propellant gas.

[0023] In one variant embodiment the cooling medium comprises at least one active compound comprising an antiviral agent, terpene and / or essential oil. The advantage of a cooling medium comprising at least one active compound is that in addition to cooling the tissue of the user, the skin is also treated with an active compound that has an additional remediating effect.

[0024] Preferably the terpene and the essential oil are chosen from camphor, menthol, thymol, thyme oil, eucalyptus, eucalyptus citriodora, turpentine, pine oil, Melaleuca alternifolia, menthone, menthyl salicylate, musk oil, bixa orellana, borneol, curcuma oil, peppermint oil, clove oil, fennel oil, basil oil, patchouli oil, alpha-pinene, terpineol, oregano oil, carvacrol and combinations thereof.

[0025] The antiviral agents preferably comprise replication inhibitors, such as cidofovir, acyclovir, pencyclovir and the like. However, other antiviral agents may also be considered.

[0026] Other possible components which may be present in the treatment medium to improve treatment, for example, one or more of: garlic oil, apple cider vinegar, vitamin C oil (infused in a carrier oil), aloe vera oil, basil essential oil, potato extract oil, pineapple enzyme extract (in a carrier oil), dandelion-infused oil, papaya seed oil, tea tree essential oil, castor oil, thuja essential oil, lemon essential oil, lavender essential oil, and blue cypress essential oil.

[0027] In addition, a keratolytic agent (e.g. trichloroacetic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, monochloric acid, formic acid, cantharidin, dichloric acid, citric acid, pyruvic acid, silver nitrate, zinc oxide, flyorouracil, phenol, acetic acid, malic acid, uric acid, carbonic acid, hyrochloric acid, picric acid, sulfuric acid, oxalic acid, retinoic acid, phenol) may suitably be included in the treatment medium, especially if the treatment medium is cooling medium comprising a cryogen. Such keratolytic agents can help to remove unwanted tissue such as warts, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of the tissue treatment medium for wart removal. The configuration of the device is particularly suitable for treatments with a keratolytic agent and cryotherapy (a cooling treatment). For example, in embodiments where the orifice section or nozzle is extendable or retractable, extending the nozzle to its longest length results in a more keratolytic treatment as the cryogenic treatment warms up to be less cold at the extended length. However, when the orifice section or nozzle is shortened, the cryogenic treatment is still strong and effective when it contacts the tissue, making for a dual action treatment. Thus, the user is able to adjust the treatment depending on the nozzle or orifice section length of the device. While it can be useful to have an extendable / retractable device to apply a joint cryogenic and keratolytic treatment, this is not required and a dual keratolytic and cryogenic treatment is effective with a device which does not extend / contract in length.

[0028] According to an embodiment, the container contains a cooling medium comprising a keratolytic agent. For example, the keratolytic agent could be 40% TCA or 17% salicylic acid. Such a keratolytic cooling medium can be particularly useful for the treatment of warts. When combined with the embodiments with an adjustable length at which the treatment medium can be applied, the cooling or keratolytic treatment medium could be applied separately by adjusting the length such that either one or the other (or both) are dominant when the treatment medium contacts the tissue. Thus, the same device and mixture in a container can be used to apply a keratolytic treatment, a cryogenic or cooling treatment or both, making for a very flexible treatment system.

[0029] According to a further aspect, a method of treating tissue comprises placing the end opening of the device previously described over tissue to be treated; applying force on the one or more buttons to move the one or more buttons from the first position to the second position to actuate the valve structure to expel a treatment medium from the container toward the tissue; and venting the treatment medium out of the one or more orifices near the end opening. Such a method effectively applies the treatment medium to the tissue while ensuring easy and precise control and viewing of the treatment by the user. Thus, the method results in a very effective, precise and efficient application of treatment medium to tissue, and particularly in a way that the user is able to easily control and see.

[0030] According to an embodiment, the method further comprises guiding the expelled treatment medium toward the tissue with a channel and / or nozzle. Such a channel and / or nozzle can, for example, be located at a center of the actuator to help guide the treatment medium to the tissue. This can help to ensure that the treatment medium is applied in a way most effective.

[0031] According to an embodiment, the method further comprises removing force on the one or more buttons to allow the one or more buttons to move back to the first position and stop the expelling of treatment medium from the container. Thus, the user can easily stop treatment at the precise time desired, resulting in a straightforwardly controllable device for the user.

[0032] According to an embodiment, the method further comprises adjusting a length of the device prior to applying force on the one or more buttons. This can be, for example, through applying force to push the orifice section at least partially into the body section, or any other method of changing the distance between the orifice from which the treatment medium is expelled and the end opening. Such a method allows for adjustment to the most effective distance for the type of treatment to be applied. Such an adjustment, can be for example, from about 5 mm - 20 mm, or 10 mm to 18 mm from an orifice or nozzle where the treatment medium exits the valve structure to the end opening, preferably 11 mm to 17 mm.

[0033] According to an embodiment, the treatment medium is a combined cryogenic and keratolytic treatment medium. As explained above, this can be especially useful when using with a cryogenic treatment medium and a keratolytic agent, as the adjustment of the length can influence which treatment (cryo- or keratolytic or both) is most dominant and therefore effective.

[0034] According to a further aspect, a method of treatment of tissue comprises: applying one or both of a cryogenic treatment and a keratolytic agent from a tissue treatment device. The tissue treatment device could be that described above, which can be configured to apply one or both treatments to the tissue from the same device, for example, by adjusting the length from the nozzle which the treatment is propelled and the end opening which surrounds the tissue.

[0035] The various aspects and features described and shown in the specification can be applied, individually, wherever possible. These individual aspects, in particular the aspects and features described in the attached dependent claims, can be made subject of divisional patent applications.

[0036] Brief description of the Drawings

[0037] The invention will be described further with respect to embodiments shown in the drawings.

[0038] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a tissue treatment device;

[0039] FIG. 2A shows a perspective side view of a housing of the tissue treatment device of Fig. 1 ;

[0040] FIG. 2B shows a cross-sectional view of the housing of Fig. 2A;

[0041] FIG. 20 shows an end view of the housing of Fig. 2A;

[0042] FIG. 2D shows an interior view of the housing of Fig. 2A;

[0043] FIG. 3A-3B show perspective views of a button from the housing of Fig. 2A;

[0044] FIG. 4 shows a side view of the housing without buttons;

[0045] FIG. 5A shows a side view of a first end of a tissue treatment device fully extended; and

[0046] FIG. 5B shows a side view of the first end of the tissue treatment device partially retracted.

[0047] Detailed description FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a tissue treatment device 10 with housing 12 and container 14 for dispensing treatment medium to treat tissue (e.g., a wart). FIG. 2A shows a perspective side view of housing 12; FIG. 2B shows a cross-sectional view of housing 12; FIG. 20 shows an end view of housing 12; and FIG. 2D shows an interior view of housing 12.

[0048] Housing 12 includes first end 16 with end opening 18, second end 20, top 22, body portion 24 and orifice section 26. Body portion 24 includes buttons 25 (in this embodiment two, though other embodiment could have only one button), and orifice section 26 includes orifices 28. Housing 12 can be formed integrally as one part (e.g., injection moulding) or formed as multiple parts (e.g., buttons formed separately) and connected together. End opening 18 is typically a planar surface. End opening 18 receives tissue for treatment inside housing 12. In some embodiments, end opening 18 could include a rim or partial rim to help guide device 10 into the correct positioning for a treatment. In some embodiments, first end 16, and particularly the surface around end opening 18 may be at an angle to allow for easier viewing during a treatment. In other embodiments, as shown and discussed in relation to Figs. 5A-5B, orifice section 26 can be moveable or able to change in length (e.g., telescope or move at least partially into body portion 24) to allow different lengths of device 10 and particularly to allow for the treatment medium to be applied closer to or further away from the tissue to be treated. This can be especially useful when using with a cryogenic and keratolytic acid treatment medium.

[0049] Top 22 of housing 12 extends from first end 16 to second end 20 with a cut-out 29 (e.g., semi-circular or oval in shape) at second end 20. Cut-out 29 can help in proper positioning of container 14 with respect to housing 12, particularly to promote a smooth transition from housing 12 to container 14, making the device more visually appealing. Top 22 is somewhat planar, curving in a longitudinal direction from the first end 16 to the second end 20, but curving much less (if at all) in the circumferential direction than orifice section 26 and body portion 24 of housing 12.

[0050] Orifice section 26 extends from first end 16 towards second end 20, but terminates well before second end 20, transitioning into body portion 24 (surrounding top 22) from orifice section 26 to the second end 20. Each of orifice section 26 and body portion 24 form housing 12 from sides of top 22 to surround container 14 sides and outlet end, as well as a flowpath for the treatment medium. As can be seen in Figs. 2A-2B, orifice section 26 extends relatively straight with a small amount of expansion from first end 16, with body portion 24 expanding further and having curvature to be easily held in a hand, e.g., in a palm between the thumb and index fingers. In the embodiment shown, orifice section 16 length LOF is about 11 mm, with buttons 24 length LB extending about 26 mm, and body portion 24 length LBP being about 60 mm. These are example dimensions only, and other dimensions could vary.

[0051] Orifices 28 are located around the orifice section 26, and extend lengthwise along the orifice section 26. In this embodiment, orifices 28 are rectangular or trapezoidal shape, but could be other shapes in other embodiments. Additionally, six orifices are shown but other embodiments could have more or fewer orifices 28. Orifices 28 are shaped and positioned to allow for venting of treatment medium after it has been expelled from container 14 and has come into contact with the tissue for treatment. Orifices can also provide a user a view of the treatment of tissue during treatment.

[0052] Buttons 25 are located on opposite sides of body portion 24 and near the end opening 18, just on the other side of orifice section 26, and generally where a thumb and index or middle finger of a user’s hand can easily rest and apply force to buttons 25 when ready for treatment. Buttons 25 are generally separate pieces from the rest of housing 12, and can fit or snap into openings 32 (see Fig. 4) on the sides of housing 12. As can be seen in Figs. 3A- 3B, each button 25 generally includes a shoulder 34, hinge 36, grip 38, valve connection 40 and actuation ramp 42.

[0053] When button 25 is snapped into body portion 24, shoulder 34 extends around a part of container 14 (e.g., a rim or neck of container) to secure container 14 to housing 12. Valve connection 40 secures under a rim portion 43 of actuator 44, as can be seen in Fig. 2B. When buttons 24 are depressed or moved into a second (inward position) by force on grips 38 pushing the lower portion of buttons inward around hinge 36, actuator 44 is moved upward along actuation ramp 42. Actuator 44 then comes into contact with an outlet of container 14, causing treatment medium to be expelled from container 14 and propelled through channel 46 toward end opening 18 (where tissue to be treated will be located). Thus, the movement of buttons 24 by force actuates valve structure to release treatment medium from container 14 toward end opening 18.

[0054] This allows for the treatment medium inside container 14 to move through an outlet of container 14 into channel 46, which guides the treatment medium toward end opening 18. Typically, container 14 includes a treatment medium under pressure and a propellant gas or compressed air, and actuation expels the medium to produce a directed spray of treatment medium exiting container 14 and nozzle 48 at an end of channel 46. Nozzle 48 can in some embodiments be configured to help direct spray, or can simply be an opening in the end of channel 46. Nozzle 48 can be different sizes depending on the spray desired and / or treatment medium, for example 0.18 mm. Further details of the valve structure and the actuation of container 14 for application of the treatment medium can be found in WO application number 2016 / 010428, titled “Nebulizer and spacer for the topical application of a liquid and / or solid to a surface,” filed on 15 July 2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0055] In use, treatment device 10 is aligned with respect to a tissue to be treated, with end opening 18 fitting around the tissue to have first end 16 contact the skin. The tissue then extends through end opening 18 and can be at least partially seen through orifices 28.

[0056] Once positioned properly and aligned with the tissue, treatment device 10 can be used to perform a treatment on the tissue. Specifically, a user puts force on grips 38 of buttons 25, pushing a lower part of buttons 25 radially inward with respect to body portion 24 of housing 12. This force is typically applied with a thumb and an index or middle finger. This actuates the valve structure, pushing actuator 44 upward along ramps 42 to trigger container 14 to expel treatment medium out of container 14 through channel 46 and out nozzle 48. Orifices 28 allow for venting of treatment medium out of housing 12. Treatment typically lasts for 3-60 seconds, preferably 3-30 seconds, more preferably 5-20 seconds, most preferably 5-10 seconds, after which the user stops pressing down buttons 25, allowing buttons 25 to return to their normal condition, thereby allowing actuator 44 to move downward to a non-actuated position where treatment medium remains inside container 14 and is blocked from exiting through valve structure. In some embodiments, device 10 could include a locking mechanism (e.g., blocking component which prevents movement of buttons 24 or actuation of the valve structure) which prevents unintended actuation when device 10 is not in use.

[0057] Figs. 5A-5B show a further embodiment where an overall length of device 10 can be adjustable to be able to adjust the distance between nozzle 48 and the tissue to be treated.

[0058] As shown in Figs. 5A-5B, an example embodiment is where orifice section 26 is moveable or able to change length. This can be through a number of different structures, for example, telescoping under spring force, through a button system on housing 12 allowing for movement, or any other method which allows for controllably changing the length of orifice section or specifically the length between nozzle 48 (from which treatment medium is sprayed) and end opening 18 where tissue to be treated is located. In such a system, orifice section 26 would typically be formed as a separate part from housing body portion 24 such that the parts can move with respect to each other. As shown, in such an embodiment, part of top 22 would be formed with and movable with orifice section 26.

[0059] This is especially useful when a cryogenic and keratolytic treatment medium are being applied, allowing a user to adjust the length of device 10 to make the cryogenic or keratolytic treatment more dominant dependent on the length between nozzle 48 and the end opening 18 where tissue will be located. With a longer orifice section length, for example, 14-18 mm, the keratolytic treatment would be more dominant as the cryogenic treatment would heat up and exhaust through orifices 28 during the longer travel path from nozzle 48 to end opening 18. When orifice section 26 is moved to have a shorter length, for example, 10-15 mm, the cryogenic treatment would be effective with the keratolytic agent, making for a combination treatment.

[0060] By allowing orifice section 26 to move with respect to body portion 24 and change the overall length of device 10, nozzle 48 from which the treatment medium exits can be placed closer to (or further from) the tissue to be treated when desired. This can allow for a more effective treatment by applying the treatment medium to be applied closer to the tissue to be treated, which can be especially effective with cryogenic treatments. This could be used to apply different treatments which would be most effective at different positions from the same housing 12 and / or container 14. For example, when applying a freezing and / or cryogenic treatment from the same container, the reduced length orifice section 26 (Fig. 5B) would be best to help ensure that the cryogenic treatment does not heat up and exhaust through orifices 28 before coming into contact with the tissue. However, if the user only wanted to apply an acid or keratolytic treatment, the extended position shown in Fig. 5A could be used for application as some or all of the cryogenic treatment medium would heat up and exhaust out orifices 28, leaving the acid treatment to contact the tissue. The range of length from nozzle 48 to end opening in this moveable embodiment could be, for example, about 1 mm - 25 mm, preferably about 5 mm - 20 mm, 10 mm - 18 mm, or 11 mm - 17 mm. Such treatment lengths would ensure an effective range of possibilities for applying the treatment medium. This would typically mean that the movement could be somewhere in the range of 2 mm - 10 mm, for example, 3 mm - 6 mm.

[0061] In summary, treatment device 10 with one or more buttons 24 and orifices 28 located near the treatment area allow for very effective treatment of tissue, particularly warts, while allowing for precise control and better visualisation of the treatment for a user. Orifices 28 allow for a visual of the tissue to be treated, even after placement of the treatment device 10, helping to ensure that the user is able to accurately place end opening 18 with respect to the tissue to be treated and maintain proper positioning even during treatment. One or more buttons 24 located near the treatment area help the user to have better control of device 10 as well as actuation, thereby allowing for more precise placement and treatment. The curvature of housing 12, and particularly body portion 24 ensures that device 10 rests nicely in a user’s hand for comfortable and easy handling. The ability to use a thumb and / or finger for actuation of treatment helps to ensure that the user does not struggle with actuation and treatment, no matter their strength and / or hand size.

[0062] In embodiments with an adjustable length and / or orifice section, the user is able to adjust the length between nozzle 48 and the tissue to be treated (end opening 18), allowing for more effective treatment depending on the type of treatment. This is especially useful in treatments which involve cryogenic and keratolytic treatment mediums, adjusting the length to make one more dominant if desired. Thus, treatment device 10 allows for more user control and ease in handling and using device 10, thereby resulting in a more precise and effective treatment system for applying a treatment medium to tissue, and particularly to a wart and / or fibroma.

[0063] While both of buttons 25 are typically pushed together for actuation of device 10 (as shown and described), some embodiments could also function if only one button 25 were moved or pushed.

[0064] The present invention embodiments have been described above with reference to a number of exemplary embodiments as shown in and described with reference to the drawings. Modifications and alternative implementations of some parts or elements are possible, and are included in the scope of protection. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A tissue treatment device (10) comprising: a housing (12) connectable to a container with a treatment medium, the housing (12) comprising one or more buttons (25) moveable from a first position to a second position, an end opening (18) at a first end (16) of the housing for receiving tissue, and one or more side orifices (28) near the end opening (18); an actuatable valve structure to which the container (14) can connect to dispense the treatment medium, the valve structure connected to the housing and actuatable by moving of the one or more buttons (25) from the first position to the second position; wherein the one or more buttons (25) are located near the end opening (28).

2. The device (10) of claim 1 , wherein the one or more buttons (25) is two buttons.

3. The device (10) of claim 2, wherein the two buttons (25) are located on opposite sides of the housing (12).

4. The device (10) of any of the preceding claims, wherein each of the one or more buttons (25) is spring loaded, and wherein each of the one or more buttons (25) rests in the first position, is moveable to the second position by force and returns to the first position when the force is taken away.

5. The device (10) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more orifices (28) near the end opening (18) are located on one or more sides of the housing (12) and located between the one or more buttons (25) and the end opening (18).

6. The device (10) of claim 5, wherein the one or more orifices (28) comprises a plurality of orifices (28).

7. The device (10) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (12) comprises a top (22) extending from the first end (16) to second end (20) with curvature; an orifice section (26) extending from the first end (16) towards the second end (20) around the sides of the top (22) and comprising the one or more orifices (28); and a body portion (24) extending from the orifice section (26) to the second end (20) and comprising the one or more buttons (25).

8. The device (10) of claim 7, wherein the top (22) has a cut-out (29) at the second end.

9. The device (10) of any of claims 7-8, wherein the body portion (24) has curvature to match a general hand shape of a user holding the device (10).

10. The device (10) of any of claims 7-9, wherein the orifice section (26) is adjustable in length, preferably by being moveable with respect to the body portion.11 . The device (10) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more buttons (25) actuate the valve structure by moving an actuator (44) toward a connected container (14) when the one or more buttons (25) are moved to the second position.

12. The device (10) of claim 11 , wherein the movement of the actuator (44) toward the container (14) actuates the expulsion of treatment fluid from the container (14), directing the treatment fluid toward the end opening (18).

13. The device (10) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the second end (20) receives the container (14) and the one or more buttons (25) secure the container to the housing (12).

14. The device (10) of any of the preceding claims, and further comprising a container (14) of treatment medium connected to the housing (12) and extending out the second end (20).

15. The device (10) of claim 14, wherein the container (14) contains a cooling medium comprising a keratolytic agent.

16. A method of treating tissue, the method comprising: placing the end opening of the device (10) of claim 14 over tissue to be treated; applying force on of the one or more buttons to move the one or more buttons (25) from the first position to the second position to actuate the valve structure to expel a treatment medium from the container (14) toward the tissue; and venting the treatment medium out of the one or more orifices (28) near the end opening (18).

17. The method of claim 16, and further comprising guiding the expelled treatment medium toward the tissue with a channel (46) and / or nozzle (48).

18. The method of any of claims 16-17, and further comprising removing force on the one or more buttons (25) to allow the one or more buttons (25) to move back to the first position and stop the expelling of treatment medium from the container (14).

19. The method of any of claims 16-18, and further comprising adjusting a length of the device (10) prior to applying force on the one or more buttons (25).

20. The method of any of claims 16-19, wherein the treatment medium and a cooling medium and keratolytic agent.15

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