Method and apparatus for cryogenic treatment of skin tissue

Abstract

Cosmetic method and apparatus are provided that can provide cooling and/or freezing of skin tissue proximal to the skin surface to generate an appearance of lightening or reduced pigmentation in the skin. The skin can be cooled to a temperature of less than about -5° C. for a duration of about one minute or less, using a cooled surface that is at least 3 cm in width. A cooling arrangement can be provided to provide controlled heat removal from the skin tissue being treated. A sensor can optionally be provided to detect freezing of tissue proximal to the cooled surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . A hypopigmentation treatment device for freezing a portion of a skin tissue to lighten a pigmentation appearance of the skin tissue, the hypopigmentation treatment device comprising:
 a handle configured to facilitate handling and positioning of the hypopigmentation treatment device;   a cooling plate (i) having a continuous cooling contact surface free of any cooling protrusions on the continuous cooling surface, and (ii) configured for a non-penetrating contact with a surface of the skin tissue; and   a cooling arrangement (i) in thermal communication with the cooling plate, and (ii) configured to cool the continuous cooling contact surface to a temperature between -5 and -20° C. to provide controlled heat removal from the skin tissue so as to locally control freezing of an epidermal layer of the skin tissue in less than two minutes during continuous contact between the skin surface and the continuous cooling contact surface to lighten the pigmentation appearance of the skin tissue.   
     
     
         33 . The device of  claim 32 , wherein the continuous cooling contact surface is 20 mm or more in width. 
     
     
         34 . The device of  claim 33 , wherein the continuous cooling contact surface comprises a square shape. 
     
     
         35 . The device of  claim 32 , wherein the continuous cooling contact surface is substantially flat. 
     
     
         36 . The device of  claim 32 , wherein the continuous cooling contact surface is substantially convex. 
     
     
         37 . The device of  claim 32 , wherein the continuous cooling contact surface is substantially concave. 
     
     
         38 . The device of  claim 32 , wherein the continuous cooling contact surface has a straight edge. 
     
     
         39 . The device of  claim 32 , wherein the continuous cooling skin contact surface is less than 5 cm in width. 
     
     
         40 . The device of  claim 39 , further comprising a sensing arrangement configured to detect an onset of local freezing of the epidermal layer of the skin tissue during a contact between the continuous cooling contact surface and the skin surface. 
     
     
         41 . The device of  claim 40 , further comprising a timing arrangement configured to monitor an elapsed time following the detection of the onset of the local freezing of the epidermis by the sensing arrangement to prevent excessive freezing or tissue damage. 
     
     
         42 . A hypopigmentation treatment device for freezing a portion of a skin tissue to lighten a pigmentation appearance of the skin tissue, the hypopigmentation treatment device comprising:
 a handle configured to facilitate handling and positioning of the hypopigmentation treatment device;   a cooling plate (i) having a continuous cooling contact surface including a substantially flat or contoured surface for a substantial entire extension thereof, and (ii) configured for non-penetrating contact with a surface of the skin tissue;   a cooling arrangement (i) in a thermal communication with the cooling plate, and (ii) configured to cool the continuous cooling contact surface to a temperature between -5 and -20° C. to provide controlled heat removal from the skin tissue so as to locally control freezing of an epidermal layer of the skin tissue in less than two minutes during continuous contact between the skin surface and the continuous cooling contact surface to lighten the pigmentation appearance of the skin tissue.   
     
     
         43 . The device of  claim 42 , wherein the continuous cooling contact surface is 20 mm or more in width. 
     
     
         44 . The device of  claim 43 , wherein the continuous cooling contact surface comprises a square shape. 
     
     
         45 . The device of  claim 42 , wherein the continuous cooling contact surface is substantially flat. 
     
     
         46 . The device of  claim 42 , wherein the continuous cooling contact surface is substantially convex. 
     
     
         47 . The device of  claim 42 , wherein the continuous cooling contact surface is substantially concave. 
     
     
         48 . The device of  claim 42 , wherein the continuous cooling contact surface has a straight edge. 
     
     
         49 . The device of  claim 42 , wherein the continuous cooling skin contact surface is less than 5 cm in width. 
     
     
         50 . The device of  claim 49 , further comprising a sensing arrangement configured to detect an onset of local freezing of the epidermal layer of the skin tissue during a contact between the continuous cooling contact surface and the skin surface. 
     
     
         51 . The device of  claim 50 , further comprising a timing arrangement configured to monitor an elapsed time following the detection of the onset of the local freezing of the epidermis by the sensing arrangement to prevent excessive freezing or tissue damage.