Automated Cryogenic Skin Treatment

Abstract

An apparatus and methods for treating lesions on skin are presented. The apparatus collects information about a lesion and can automatically determine a course of treatment for the lesion. The device can include a controller that positions the nozzle proximate to a surface region of the lesion and automatically dispenses a pulse of the cryogenic fluid from the nozzle. The controller then positions the nozzle proximate to another surface region of the lesion and automatically dispenses a pulse of the cryogenic fluid from the nozzle.

1 . An apparatus for treating a lesion of an area of skin using a cryogenic fluid, comprising:
 a dispensing nozzle configured to dispense the cryogenic fluid;   a valve that regulates flow of the cryogenic fluid to the nozzle;   a positioner disposed to move the nozzle;   an electronic image acquisition system that examines the skin to acquire information about the lesion; and   a controller that uses the information to automatically dispense a first pulse of the cryogenic fluid at a first surface region of the lesion, redirect the nozzle, and dispense a second pulse of the cryogenic fluid at a second surface region of the lesion, wherein centers of the regions are separated by no more than 5 mm, and the first and second pulses are separated by no more than 30 seconds.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic image acquisition system is configured to identify as the lesion at least one of an age spot, a wart, and a melasma. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the centers of the regions are separated by no more than 2 mm. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the centers of the regions are separated by no more than 1 mm. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second pulses are separated by no more than 15 seconds. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second pulses are separated by no more than 1 second. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a spacer that passively maintains a nearly constant distance between the nozzle and the lesion. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising first and second optical beams that operate in conjunction with a proximity sensor to provide the controller with z-axis information relative to the first and second surfaces of the lesion. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the positioner comprises an arm that provides for three-dimensional movement of the nozzle. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the controller analyzes a change in at least one of a coloration and a temperature of at least one of the first and second surface regions of the lesion. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a mechanism that rotates the lesion. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a second nozzle configured to dispense the cryogenic fluid at a third surface region of the lesion. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a sensor configured to move the nozzle in response to a movement of the lesion. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the cryogenic fluid is selected from the list consisting of liquid carbon dioxide, difluoroethane, dichloro difluoro methane, and tetrafluoroethane. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , where the first and second surface regions of the lesion overlap. 
   
   
       16 . A method of treating a lesion of an area of skin with a machine using a cryogenic fluid to allow achievement of a lasting treatment of the lesion by the cryogenic fluid, comprising:
 using the machine to locate the lesion; and   using the machine to automatically dispense a pulse of the cryogenic fluid having a duration of no more than 200 milliseconds.   
   
   
       17 . A method of treating an age spot with a machine, comprising:
 using the machine to locate the age spot; and   using the machine to automatically dispense pulses of a cryogenic fluid to each of at least three different regions of the age spot, wherein the regions are separated by no more than 5 mm, and the pulses are separated by no more than 30 seconds.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising using the machine to automatically position a nozzle at a center of one of the at least three regions. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising using the machine to detect motion of the regions, and triggering an alteration in the dispensing of the cryogenic fluid. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising at least partially differentiating among at least two of lentigo, skin tag, mole, wart, keratosis, acne, and leukoplakia.