Devices and methods for treatment of dermatological conditions

Abstract

Embodiments described herein are directed to a system for providing alternating freeze and thaw cycles. The system includes a controller, a vessel for holding a working fluid, a pressure generator, a cooler, a cooler heat exchanger, a heater, a heater heat exchanger, a check valve, and a treatment instrument. In some embodiments, the treatment instrument includes a distal end, a proximal end, a connecting portion adjacent to the proximal end, a needle element adjacent the distal end, a handle portion disposed between the proximal and distal end, and a depth-limiting element to limit an injection depth of the needle element.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for providing alternating freeze and thaw cycles, the system comprising:
 a controller;   a vessel for holding a working fluid;   a pressure generator operatively connected to the vessel for pressurizing the working fluid to a predetermined pressure;   a cooler for cooling a working fluid;   a heater for heating the working fluid, wherein the heater is arranged in parallel with the cooler;   a three-way valve located between the vessel and the cooler and the heater;   a treatment instrument comprising:
 a distal end, 
 a proximal end, 
 a connecting portion adjacent the proximal end, 
 a needle element adjacent the distal end, 
 a handle portion disposed between the proximal and distal end, and 
 a depth-limiting element to limit an injection depth of the needle element; and 
   a check valve in fluid communication with an output of the treatment instrument.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is operatively connected to the vessel, the pressure generator, the cooler, the heater, the three-way valve, the check valve, and the treatment instrument, wherein the pressure generator is operatively connected to the vessel, and wherein the vessel is in fluid communication with the cooler, the heater, the three-way valve, and the check valve. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure generator comprises a piston for raising a pressure of the system. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure generator comprises an external gas pressure source. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a length of the needle element of the treatment instrument extending from the depth limiting element is adjustable. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a working fluid. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the working fluid is selected from the group consisting of alcohol ethanol, octafluoropropane, diethyl ether and propylene glycol. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the treatment instrument includes a proximal section comprising:
 a freeze lumen for delivering cold working fluid to the needle element;   a thaw lumen for delivering warm working fluid to the needle element; and   a return lumen for delivering cold working fluid and warm working fluid from the needle element.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the proximal section of the treatment instrument includes thermal insulation about an exterior thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure generator is operatively connected upstream to the cooler and heater, and wherein the cooler and heater are connected in parallel downstream of the pressure generator and upstream of the treatment instrument. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the three-way valve is downstream of the pressure generator. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the three-way valve is upstream the cooler and heater.