Liposome Coupling Media for Controlled Cryotherapy

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing treatments for skin conditions such as acne and hyperhidrosis are often ineffective, non-lasting, and have undesirable side effects.

Innovation Solution

A treatment system and method that uses a cooling device with controllable cooling elements to apply a coupling media containing a freezing point depressant and an ice nucleating agent to the skin, allowing for predictable and controlled freeze events to treat targeted tissues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing treatments for skin conditions are used, then some therapeutic effect may be achieved, but the treatments are ineffective, non-lasting, and have undesirable side effects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness of treatmentVSAvoidside effects

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes phase transition of water in target tissues from liquid to solid state through controlled freezing. The cooling device delivers controlled cooling to freeze target tissues (sebaceous glands, sweat glands) while the coupling media facilitates predictable freeze events. This phase transition approach provides reliable and lasting therapeutic effects by destroying target tissue structure, eliminating the ineffectiveness and non-lasting results of conventional treatments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by using coupling media applied only to specific treatment areas on the skin surface. The cooling device delivers localized cooling to targeted regions, freezing only the intended target tissues (sebaceous or sweat glands) while sparing surrounding healthy tissue. This localized approach reduces harmful side effects compared to systemic or non-selective treatments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Duration of action of stationary object

If conventional treatments are applied, then some therapeutic effect may be achieved, but the results are non-lasting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveduration of treatment effectVSAvoideffectiveness of treatment

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The controlled freezing process induces permanent structural changes in target tissues through phase transition of cellular water. This destroys the functional integrity of sebaceous or sweat glands, providing lasting therapeutic effects that prevent recurrence, unlike conventional treatments that only temporarily suppress symptoms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling media is applied to the skin surface before cooling to prepare the tissue for controlled freezing. This preliminary action ensures predictable freeze events and uniform temperature distribution, enabling reliable destruction of target tissues and ensuring lasting treatment effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If existing treatments are used, then some therapeutic effect may be achieved, but undesirable side effects occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetherapeutic effectVSAvoidundesirable side effects

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling media is applied locally to treatment areas, and the cooling device delivers targeted cooling only to regions containing target tissues. This spatial selectivity ensures that healthy surrounding tissue is spared from freezing, minimizing harmful side effects while maintaining reliable therapeutic effect on the intended targets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling media acts as an intermediary between the cooling device and the target tissues. It facilitates controlled heat transfer, enabling predictable freeze events that selectively affect target tissues while protecting surrounding healthy tissue from excessive cooling, thereby reducing harmful side effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 effectively reduces sebum production in sebaceous glands, treats hyperhidrosis by cooling sweat glands, and provides a cosmetically beneficial alteration of the skin, with minimal side effects and predictable results.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat removal: Cooling

Implementation Method 2

A treatment system and method that uses a cooling device with controllable cooling elements to apply a coupling media containing a freezing point depressant and an ice nucleating agent to the skin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFreezing point depression: Phase Change

Implementation Method 3

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNucleation: Nucleation

Data Source

PatentUS20250120888A1Liposomes, emulsions, and methods for cryotherapy

Publication Date: 2025.04.17 ZELTIQ AESTHETICS INC

AI summary

A method and system in accordance with a particular embodiments of the technology includes applying a substance onto skin of a human subject. The applied substance can include a freezing point depressant and a liposome, an oil-in-water emulsion, a water-in-oil emulsion, or an oil-in-oil emulsion and can be configured to protect or target tissue. The substance and a surface of the skin can be cooled using the applicator to treat acne and other skin conditions.