Hydrogel Cryotherapy With Ice Nucleating Agent
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for skin conditions such as acne and hyperhidrosis are often ineffective, non-lasting, and have undesirable side effects due to the difficulty in controlling freeze-thaw parameters and targeting specific tissue without damaging non-targeted areas.
Innovation Solution
A treatment system that uses a hydrogel with an ice nucleating agent encapsulated in a polymer structure, applied to the skin with a cooling applicator to control the temperature and initiate a predictable freeze event, minimizing damage to non-targeted tissue and achieving therapeutic or cosmetic effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional cooling methods are used to treat skin conditions, then cooling effect is achieved, but control over freeze-thaw parameters is difficult and non-targeted tissue is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the cooling medium into discrete ice crystals of controlled size and temperature, rather than using bulk cooling. This segmentation allows precise control over the freeze-thaw parameters affecting only targeted tissue while sparing non-targeted areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The ice crystals are applied locally to specific treatment sites on the skin, creating localized freeze-thaw effects. This ensures that only the targeted tissue undergoes freezing while surrounding non-targeted tissue remains unaffected, resolving the contradiction between treatment efficacy and tissue safety.
2Reliability
If conventional treatments are applied to treat acne and hyperhidrosis, then some therapeutic effect is achieved, but the treatments are ineffective and non-lasting
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes phase transitions of water in the ice crystals (freezing and thawing) to create controlled thermal injury to targeted glands. This phase change mechanism delivers reliable therapeutic effects that reduce sebaceous gland activity for acne and sweat gland activity for hyperhidrosis, with results that are both effective and long-lasting.
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment employs periodic application of ice crystals to the skin, creating repeated freeze-thaw cycles. This periodic action enhances treatment efficacy by progressively reducing glandular activity over multiple sessions, providing both immediate and sustained therapeutic benefits.
3Temperature
If ice crystals are applied directly to skin for cryotherapy, then freezing effect is achieved, but side effects increase due to lack of control
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment system incorporates monitoring of skin temperature and ice crystal application parameters, allowing real-time adjustment to maintain optimal freezing conditions. This feedback control ensures the skin reaches the desired freezing temperature without excessive cooling that would cause side effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention controls multiple parameters including ice crystal size, temperature, concentration, and application duration. By precisely adjusting these parameters, the treatment achieves effective freezing at controlled temperatures that minimize harmful side effects while maximizing therapeutic benefit.
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 system allows for precise and controlled freezing of targeted tissue, reducing sebum production for acne and sweat gland activity for hyperhidrosis, with minimal side effects and improved treatment efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
The hydrogel includes an ice nucleating agent capable of forming ice crystals in the presence of water
Implementation Method 2
The subject's skin and the hydrogel are cooled with a cooling applicator so as to arrive at a cooling treatment temperature for the skin
Implementation Method 3
freezing the skin via the hydrogel
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system in accordance with particular embodiments includes applying a substance onto skin of a human subject. A method for treating a subject's skin includes applying a hydrogel to the skin which contains the substance. The hydrogel and the skin are cooled using a cooling applicator to treat tissue via the cooling treatment by either freezing or not freezing tissue.