Focused treatment tip design and method to optimize heat transfer through low temperature fluids and gases

Abstract

A focused treatment tip (FTT) for controlling the evaporation rate and providing targeted delivery of low temperature liquified gases for contact with living tissue includes a contoured body. When filled with liquified gas, the device insulates the gas from waste heat sources, such as the surrounding environment. The device can control the evaporation rate of the liquified gas at the treatment site. The controlled evaporation rate affects the rate of heat transfer from the treated tissue allowing for controlled exposure times and desired outcomes. The device can be used with various application tips to further define the target tissue area to be treated while minimizing collateral damage to surrounding tissue and isolating the gas within the contoured body and focusing heat transfer to the desired treatment area. The device may use transparent materials that make the treatment visible to the operator while the liquified gas is evaporating.

The claimed invention is: 
     
         1 . A focused treatment tip (FTT) device to interface with a cryosurgical device for evaporation rate control of liquified gas in contact with a patient, comprising:
 an evaporation control section that receives the cryosurgical device;   a boiling section in fluid communication with and between the evaporation control section and an application tip, the boiling section including a determined space for evaporation of the liquified gas while treating a targeted tissue treatment site of the patient; and   an application tip skin interface to cover the targeted tissue treatment site of the patient and seal the FTT device to the tissue treatment site of the patient.   
     
     
         2 . The FTT device of  claim 1 , wherein the FTT device includes a clear or opaque material to observe boiling of the liquified gas. 
     
     
         3 . The FTT device of  claim 1 , wherein the FTT device includes at least one selected from the group of a polymer, elastomer, metal, and silica. 
     
     
         4 . The FTT device of  claim 1 , wherein the FTT device includes a contoured elongated body. 
     
     
         5 . The FTT device of  claim 1 , wherein the volume of the boiling section is proportional to the evaporation rate of the liquified gas. 
     
     
         6 . The FTT device of  claim 1 , wherein the surface area of the evaporation section is proportional to the evaporation rate of the liquified gas. 
     
     
         7 . The FTT device of  claim 1 , wherein the liquified gas includes at least one material selected from the group of a hydrocarbon, fluorocarbon, hydrofluoro-olefin, and hydrofluorocarbon blend. 
     
     
         8 . The FTT device of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one material includes at least one material selected from the group of propane, butane, dimethylether, 1,1,1,-trifluoroethane, pentafluoroethane, difluoromethanene, trifluoromethane, chlorodifluoromethane, 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, and nitrous oxide. 
     
     
         9 . The FTT device of  claim 1 , wherein the application tip is sized and shaped to approximate the size and shape of the targeted tissue treatment site in an oval, square, rounded square, diamond, rounded diamond, triangle, rounded triangle or other geometric shape. 
     
     
         10 . A cryosurgical system, comprising:
 a liquified gas delivery device; and   a focused treatment tip (FTT) device, comprising:
 an evaporation control section that receives the liquified gas; 
 a boiling section in fluid communication with and between the evaporation control section and an application tip, the boiling section including a determined space for evaporation of the liquified gas while treating a targeted tissue treatment site of a patient; and 
 an application tip to cover the targeted tissue treatment site and seal the FTT device to the tissue treatment site of the patient. 
   
     
     
         11 . The cryosurgical system of  claim 10 , wherein the FTT includes a clear or opaque material to observe boiling of the liquified gas. 
     
     
         12 . The cryosurgical system of  claim 10 , wherein the FTT device includes at least one selected from the group of a polymer, elastomer, metal, or silica. 
     
     
         13 . The cryosurgical system of  claim 9 , wherein the FTT device includes a contoured elongated body. 
     
     
         14 . The cryosurgical system of  claim 10 , wherein the volume of the boiling section is proportional to the evaporation rate of the liquified gas. 
     
     
         15 . The cryosurgical system of  claim 1 , wherein the surface area of the evaporation section is proportional to the evaporation rate of the liquified gas. 
     
     
         16 . The cryosurgical system of  claim 10 , wherein the liquified gas includes at least one material selected from the group of a hydrocarbon, fluorocarbon, hydrofluoro-olefin, and hydrofluorocarbon blend. 
     
     
         17 . The cryosurgical system of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one material includes at least one material selected from the group of propane, butane, dimethylether, 1,1,1,-trifluoroethane, pentafluoroethane, difluoromethanene, trifluoromethane, chlorodifluoromethane, 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, and nitrous oxide. 
     
     
         18 . The cryosurgical system of  claim 10 , wherein the application tip is sized and shaped to approximate the size and shape of the targeted tissue treatment site in an oval, square, rounded square, diamond, rounded diamond, triangle, rounded triangle or other geometric shape. 
     
     
         19 . A method for treating a skin lesion as described above using a cryosurgical device with a focused treatment tip (FTT) device, comprising:
 positioning the FTT device against a targeted tissue treatment site;   receiving liquified gas into the FTT device; and   maintaining the FTT device against the targeted tissue treatment site while the liquified gas is evaporating.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 dispensing the liquified gas against the targeted tissue treatment site when an additional application is indicated.