Rotatable Cooling Device for Selective Lipid Cell Crystallization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for reducing subcutaneous lipid-rich cells are either invasive, carry risks of thermal damage, or are ineffective in selective fat reduction and collagen remodeling.
Innovation Solution
A cooling device with rotatable cooling elements that use thermoelectric cooling or other technologies to selectively reduce the temperature of subcutaneous lipid-rich cells while minimizing impact on non-lipid-rich cells, thereby promoting collagen compaction and remodeling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If heating is applied to subcutaneous lipid-rich cells to reduce fat, then fat reduction is achieved, but thermal damage to adjacent tissue occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional heating approach by applying cooling instead. The cooling device selectively targets and cools subcutaneous lipid-rich cells to a temperature below 10°C, causing the lipid membrane to crystallize and rupture, while the epidermis and dermis are protected from thermal damage through controlled cooling duration and temperature gradients.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating a temperature gradient where only the subcutaneous lipid-rich cells are cooled to damaging temperatures, while the overlying epidermis and dermis remain at safe temperatures. This is achieved through controlled cooling application and duration, allowing selective destruction of target cells without affecting adjacent healthy tissue.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional non-invasive treatments are used for fat reduction, then safety is improved, but effectiveness in selective fat reduction is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter to achieve selective fat reduction. By cooling the subcutaneous tissue to below 10°C, the lipid membrane undergoes phase change and crystallizes, causing selective cell rupture. This parameter change enables effective fat reduction while maintaining safety, as the epidermis and dermis are not exposed to temperatures that would cause damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent exploits the phase transition of lipid membranes at low temperatures. When subcutaneous tissue is cooled to below 10°C, the lipid membrane transitions from a liquid-crystalline state to a crystalline state, causing the membrane to rupture and the cell to die. This phase transition mechanism provides selective fat reduction while sparing other tissue types that do not undergo the same phase change.
3Quantity of substance
If liposuction is performed to remove body fat, then effective fat removal is achieved, but surgical risks and recovery pain increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical suction system of liposuction with a thermal field system. Instead of mechanically breaking down and suctioning fat cells, the invention uses controlled cooling to induce phase transition and selective rupture of lipid-rich cells, allowing the body's natural immune system to clear the damaged cells. This substitution eliminates surgical risks, anesthesia requirements, and extensive recovery periods.
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 cooling device effectively reduces subcutaneous lipid-rich cells without damaging non-lipid-rich cells, while also inducing collagen remodeling, thus addressing both fat reduction and skin improvement needs.
Implementation Method 1
The cooling device includes a cooling element having a heat exchanging surface configured to contact a subject's skin. The cooling element is capable of reducing a temperature of a region such that lipid-rich cells in the region are affected while non-lipid-rich cells in the epidermis are not generally affected.
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling device for removing heat from subcutaneous lipid-rich cells of a subject having skin is provided. The cooling device includes a support having a first portion and a second portion. A first cooling element having a first heat exchanging surface is located at the first portion of the support. A second cooling element having a second heat exchanging surface is located at the second portion of the support. At least one of the first and second cooling elements is movable along the support and is configured to rotate for adjusting an angle between the first and second heat exchanging surfaces.