Handheld Cryogen Cooling With Temperature Feedback for Skin Treatments

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooling devices for medical treatments cause discomfort and skin issues like bruising, swelling, and hyperpigmentation due to uncontrolled cooling, and there is a need for methods to provide precise and comfortable cooling experiences while minimizing workflow disruption.

Innovation Solution

A handheld cooling device with a controlled cryogen spray element and real-time temperature sensing, along with user alerts, is used to precisely cool skin areas before, during, or after treatments, maintaining target temperatures and durations to minimize discomfort and skin reactions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If conventional cooling devices are used to provide analgesic or surgical applications, then cooling effect is achieved, but skin issues such as bruising, swelling, and hyperpigmentation occur due to uncontrolled cooling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling effectVSAvoidskin issues (bruising, swelling,hyperpigmentation)

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device incorporates real-time temperature sensing that provides feedback to the control system, which automatically adjusts the cryogen spray to maintain the skin temperature within a safe range (e.g., 0°C to 10°C), preventing harmful effects from excessive cooling while ensuring adequate analgesic effect

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes cooling parameters (spray duration, cryogen flow rate, application time) based on real-time temperature measurements, transitioning from fixed-parameter conventional cooling to adaptive parameter control that prevents skin damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If controlled cooling devices are used to minimize skin reactions, then skin safety is improved, but device complexity increases due to real-time temperature sensing and control systems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveskin reactionsVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling device performs self-regulation by using its own real-time temperature sensors to monitor skin temperature and automatically adjust the cryogen spray parameters, eliminating the need for external monitoring equipment or complex manual control protocols

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system combines the cooling delivery mechanism, real-time temperature sensing, and automated control algorithms into a single integrated handheld device, simplifying the overall system architecture compared to separate components approach

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If precise temperature control is implemented to reduce discomfort, then patient comfort is improved, but workflow disruption increases due to additional monitoring and control procedures

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovediscomfortVSAvoidworkflow efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The real-time temperature monitoring and automated control operate continuously during the cooling application without requiring intermittent checks or interruptions, allowing the provider to maintain continuous workflow while ensuring patient comfort through automated parameter adjustment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Speed

If uncontrolled cooling is applied to achieve rapid cooling effect, then cooling speed is improved, but skin damage occurs due to excessive cooling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling speedVSAvoidskin damage

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies cooling in controlled periodic cycles with real-time temperature monitoring, using pulsed or intermittent cryogen spray patterns that allow the skin to remain within safe temperature ranges while achieving rapid overall cooling effect through repeated application cycles

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The device provides rapid and precise cooling, reducing discomfort and minimizing skin reactions such as swelling and hyperpigmentation, while allowing for seamless integration with various treatments like injections and surgeries.

Implementation Method 1

spraying controlled cryogen onto the skin area

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCryogen spray cooling: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a real-time temperature sensor configured to detect the real-time temperature of the skin area

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature sensing:

Implementation Method 3

maintaining target temperatures and durations to minimize discomfort and skin reactions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal equilibrium maintenance:

Data Source

PatentUS20250281323A1Methods of use of precision and controlled cooling devices in combination with other treatments

Publication Date: 2025.09.11 RECENSMEDICAL INC

AI summary

Proposed is a method of rapidly and precisely cooling a skin area of a subject in combination with a treatment of the skin area. The method may include providing a handheld cooling device. The device may include an applicator tip, and a controlled cryogen spray element configured to spray controlled cryogen. The method may also include contacting the tip on the skin area, spraying the controlled cryogen onto the skin area, and applying the treatment to the skin area.