Multi-Applicator Body Contouring System with Selective Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-invasive treatments for reducing adipose tissue are often ineffective, particularly for selectively targeting specific regions of adiposity, and may not be suitable for individuals who are physically injured or ill.
Innovation Solution
A treatment system comprising a plurality of applicators that can be rapidly connected and disconnected, featuring a cooling unit for efficient tissue cooling, vacuum units for rapid tissue draw, and a control unit for monitoring and controlling the treatment procedure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional non-invasive treatments are used to reduce adipose tissue, then the treatment is safe for physically injured or ill individuals, but the treatments are ineffective for selectively targeting specific regions of adiposity
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment system is divided into multiple independent applicators, each capable of being applied to different body regions. Each applicator contains its own cooling elements and control systems, allowing selective treatment of specific adipose tissue regions while leaving other areas untreated. This segmentation enables targeted therapy that adapts to different anatomical locations and injury conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by providing different cooling parameters, temperatures, and treatment intensities to different body regions through individually controlled applicators. Each applicator can be customized with specific cooling elements (such as cryoprobes or cooling plates) tailored to the local tissue characteristics and treatment goals, allowing selective reduction of adipose tissue in targeted areas while preserving surrounding tissues.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple applicators are used to treat different body regions, then selective treatment capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment system employs a universal control unit that can manage multiple applicators through standardized interfaces and communication protocols. The control system is designed to accommodate different applicator types (vacuum-based, non-vacuum, various cooling mechanisms) through a unified control architecture, allowing the system to treat multiple body regions without proportionally increasing operational complexity. The applicators share common control functions, power supply interfaces, and safety monitoring systems.
3Reliability
If rapid cooling is applied to reduce adipose tissue effectively, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but damage to non-lipid-rich cells increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes parameter changes by dynamically adjusting cooling temperatures, cooling rates, and treatment durations based on real-time tissue response monitoring. The control system modifies thermal parameters to maintain cooling intensities that are effective for adipose tissue reduction while staying below thresholds that would damage non-lipid-rich cells. This includes using temperature gradients, pulsed cooling cycles, and adaptive feedback control to optimize the therapeutic window.
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor tissue temperature, cooling rate, and treatment effects in real-time. Sensors detect thermal changes and tissue response, feeding this information back to the control unit which automatically adjusts cooling parameters to maintain effective adipose tissue reduction while preventing damage to surrounding healthy cells. This closed-loop control ensures treatment remains within safe and effective parameters throughout the procedure.
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 enables efficient and selective reduction of subcutaneous lipid-rich cells with minimal damage to non-lipid-rich cells, providing a cosmetically beneficial alteration of target regions without significant therapeutic effects.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling unit for efficient tissue cooling
Implementation Method 2
vacuum units for rapid tissue draw
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and devices for treating a subject are described herein. In some embodiments, an applicator for selectively affecting a subject's subcutaneous tissue is provided. The applicator can include: a housing; a treatment cup mounted in the housing, wherein the treatment cup defines a tissue-receiving cavity and includes a temperature-controlled surface; at least one thermal device coupled to the treatment cup and configured to receive energy via a flexible connector coupled to the applicator and to cool the temperature-controlled surface; an at least one vacuum port coupled to the treatment cup and configured to provide a vacuum to draw the subject's tissue into the tissue-receiving cavity and against at least a portion of a treatment area of the temperature-controlled surface to selectively damage and/or reduce the subject's subcutaneous tissue.