Cryoprotectant for use with a treatment device for improved cooling of subcutaneous lipid-rich cells

Abstract

A cryoprotectant for use with a treatment device for improved removal of heat from subcutaneous lipid-rich cells of a subject having skin is provided. The cryoprotectant is a non-freezing liquid, gel, or paste for allowing pre-cooling of the treatment device below 0° C. while preventing the formation of ice thereon. The cryoprotectant may also prevent freezing of the treatment device to the skin or ice from forming from moisture seeping out from the skin. The cryoprotectant may further be hygroscopic, thermally conductive, and biocompatible.

1 - 40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         41 . A method for treating a patient at an anatomical region including skin and subcutaneous lipid-rich tissue, the method comprising:
 positioning an absorbent material and a treatment device relative to the skin such that the absorbent material is located between the skin and the treatment device;   cooling the lipid-rich tissue by transferring heat from the lipid-rich tissue through the skin and through the absorbent material to a cooling element of the treatment device for a period of time while maintaining the cooling element at a temperature within a range from about −20° C. to about 20° C.; and   supplying a bioabsorbable cryoprotectant from the absorbent material to the skin for the period of time while cooling the lipid-rich tissue.   
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41 , further comprising releasably attaching the treatment device to the patient such that the absorbent material is held between the treatment device and the skin. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 41  wherein supplying a cryoprotectant includes supplying a cryoprotectant including polypropylene glycol. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 41  wherein supplying a cryoprotectant includes supplying a hydrogel cryoprotectant. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 41  wherein supplying a cryoprotectant includes supplying a hygroscopic cryoprotectant. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 41 , further comprising preloading the absorbent material with a supply of the cryoprotectant before cooling the lipid-rich tissue. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 41  wherein supplying the cryoprotectant includes supplying the cryoprotectant so as to reduce a freezing point of the skin. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 41  wherein supplying the cryoprotectant includes supplying the cryoprotectant so as to reduce a freezing point of intracellular and/or extracellular fluid of the skin to a freezing point within a range from about −16° C. to about −2° C. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 41  wherein positioning an absorbent material includes positioning an absorbent material including mesh, foam, porous plastic material, porous metal, or a combination thereof configured to at least temporarily carry the cryoprotectant. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 41  wherein cooling the lipid-rich tissue includes cooling the lipid-rich tissue for a selected period of time. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 50  wherein supplying the cryoprotectant includes continuously supplying the cryoprotectant for the selected period of time. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 41  wherein supplying the cryoprotectant includes supplying the cryoprotectant while a film is positioned between the absorbent material and the cooling element. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 41  wherein supplying the cryoprotectant includes supplying the cryoprotectant while a protective layer is positioned between the absorbent material and the cooling element. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53  wherein the protective layer provides a sanitary barrier between the skin and the cooling element. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 41 , further comprising replenishing a cryoprotectant supply carried by the absorbent material while cooling the lipid-rich tissue. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 55  wherein replenishing the cryoprotectant supply includes conveying the cryoprotectant from a supply device to the absorbent material via a conduit. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 55 , further comprising monitoring a pressure of the cryoprotectant supply. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 55  wherein replenishing the cryoprotectant supply includes replenishing the cryoprotectant supply to compensate for bioabsorbtion of the cryoprotectant. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 55  wherein replenishing the cryoprotectant supply includes replenishing the cryoprotectant supply to reduce or eliminate formation of air pockets within the absorbent material. 
     
     
         60 . A method for treating a patient at an anatomical region including skin and subcutaneous lipid-rich tissue, the method comprising:
 supplying a bioabsorbable cryoprotectant from a cryoprotectant reservoir to the skin such that at least a portion of the supplied cryoprotectant is absorbed into the skin;   reducing the lipid-rich tissue by transferring heat from the lipid-rich tissue through the skin and through the cryoprotectant reservoir to a cooling element of a treatment device; and   replenishing the cryoprotectant reservoir while reducing the lipid-rich tissue.   
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 60  wherein replenishing the cryoprotectant reservoir includes conveying the cryoprotectant from a supply device to the cryoprotectant reservoir via a conduit. 
     
     
         62 . A method for treating a patient at an anatomical region including skin and subcutaneous lipid-rich tissue, the method comprising:
 releasing a bioabsorbable cryoprotectant from an absorbent pad toward the lipid-rich tissue through a first side of the absorbent pad such that at least a portion of the released cryoprotectant absorbs into the skin;   removing heat from the lipid-rich tissue via a thermal gradient extending from the lipid-rich tissue through the skin and through the absorbent pad to a cooling element at a second side of the absorbent pad, the second side of the absorbent pad being opposite to the first side of the absorbent pad; and   reducing the lipid-rich tissue by removing heat from the lipid-rich tissue.   
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 62 , further comprising replenishing a cryoprotectant supply carried by the absorbent pad while removing heat from the lipid-rich tissue.