Subdermal cryogenic remodeling of muscles, nerves, connective tissue, and/or adipose tissue (fat)

摘要

Devices, systems, and methods treat cosmetic defects, and often apply cooling with at least one tissue-penetrating probe inserted through of the skin of a patient. The cooling may remodel one or more target tissue so as to effect a desired change in a composition of the target tissue and/or a change in its behavior. Exemplary embodiments of the cooling treatments will interfere with the nerve/muscle contractile function chain so as to mitigate wrinkles of the skin. Related treatments may be used therapeutically for treatment of back and other muscle spasms, chronic pain, and the like. Some embodiments may remodel subcutaneous adipose tissue so as to alter a shape or appearance of the skin surface.

主权项

1. A system for treating a target tissue of a patient, said system comprising:
a handpiece having a size and a shape suitable for being supported in a hand of an operator, and at least one cooling fluid supply path disposed in the handpiece; a probe detachably coupled to the handpiece so as to be replaceable with respect to the handpiece, the probe comprising a probe body and an array of tissue penetrating needles extending distally from the probe body, wherein each tissue penetrating needle of the array of tissue penetrating needles comprises a proximal portion, a distal portion, a lumen extending distally from the probe body, a supply tube extending distally from the probe body within the lumen, the supply tube being detachably and fluidly coupled to the at least one cooling fluid supply path, and comprising a sealed and sharpened distal end insertable into the target tissue of the patient through a skin surface, wherein each tissue penetrating needle of the array of tissue penetrating needles has a size suitable for insertion through the skin surface without leaving a visible scar following removal thereof; and a cooling fluid source coupled to the at least one cooling fluid supply path, such that when cooling is initiated, cooling fluid flows into the lumens of the array of tissue penetrating needles so as to cool the target tissue below the skin surface to remodel the target tissue, wherein the supply tube comprises a fused silica supply tube.