초록 ▼

Biocompatible materials are propelled at the skin with sufficient velocity to cause desired resurfacing of tissue to the desired penetration depth. The materials, such as dry ice or water ice, are harmonious with the human body and thus eliminate foreign body reactions. Various materials may be used

Biocompatible materials are propelled at the skin with sufficient velocity to cause desired resurfacing of tissue to the desired penetration depth. The materials, such as dry ice or water ice, are harmonious with the human body and thus eliminate foreign body reactions. Various materials may be used in combination, including local anesthetics and vasoconstrictors in solid or liquid form. The biocompatible solid or liquid particles are suspended in a cold carrier fluid and propelled through an insulated delivery system to the surface of the skin. The treatment of diseased skin lesions may be accomplished using the present invention as a drug delivery system.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method of treatment, comprising propelling, from a handholdable housing, frozen biocompatible particles with a cold carrier gas directed at a human skin tissue surface, wherein said cold carrier gas has a temperature that is lower than room temperature and at least cold enough to maintain said

1. A method of treatment, comprising propelling, from a handholdable housing, frozen biocompatible particles with a cold carrier gas directed at a human skin tissue surface, wherein said cold carrier gas has a temperature that is lower than room temperature and at least cold enough to maintain said frozen biocompatible particles in a tissue modifying form. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said frozen biocompatible particles are suspended in said cold carrier gas. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said cold carrier gas has a temperature that is at least cold enough to maintain said frozen biocompatible particles in a frozen form. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein said cold carrier gas comprises a compressible fluid. 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising maintaining said frozen biocompatible particles at a temperature above that which will result in unacceptable tissue death. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of propelling frozen biocompatible particles is carried out with sufficient velocity to cause destruction, loosening, or unbinding of tissues to a desired depth. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein said biocompatible materials are non-toxic and harmonious with the human body and thus do not cause foreign body reactions. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein said biocompatible materials comprise materials that do not cause a significant adverse biological host response. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein said biocompatible materials comprise at least one abrasive material. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein said at least one abrasive material is selected from the group consisting of solid carbon dioxide, frozen H 2 O, an organic material, an organic polymer, a carbohydrate, a protein, a nucleic acid and an inorganic salt. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein said organic material is selected from the group consisting of urea, an amine and an amide. 12. The method of claim 10, wherein said inorganic is selected from the group consisting of sugar, carbohydrate and protein. 13. The method of claim 10, wherein said inorganic salt is selected from the group consisting of a phosphate, a sulfate, a carbonate and a nitrate. 14. The method of claim 10, further comprising propelling added biocompatible particles along with said abrasive materials. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein said added biocompatible particles are selected from the group consisting of a steroid, a salt, a buffer, an antifreeze, an antipsoriasis drug, a pigment/coloring agent, a mineral coloring agent, a depigmenter, a tattooing chemical, a skin dye, a fat-soluble vitamin, a water-soluble vitamin, a mineral, a dye, a preservatives, an antioxidant, an anesthetic, a vasoconstrictor, an acid, an irritant, an antibiotics, an antiviral drug, an antifungal compound, a depilatory, a co-enzyme, a proanthrocyanin, tocopheryl acetate, a vitamin A precursor, lactic-glycolic acid, and liposomes. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein said steroid is selected from the group consisting of estrogen, testosterone, betamethasone, flucinonide, hydrocortisone and cortisone derivatives, wherein said salt is selected from the group consisting of sodium chloride and calcium chloride, wherein said buffer is selected from the group consisting of sodium bicarbonate and phosphate, wherein said antifreeze comprises polyethylene glycol, wherein said antipsoriasis drug is selected from the group consisting of dovonex, tazarotene, tar and, a steroid, wherein said pigment/coloring agent is selected from the group consisting of dihydroxyacetone, melanin, hemoglobin and hemosiderin, wherein said mineral coloring agent is selected from the group consisting of iron and copper, wherein said depigmenters is selected from the group consisting of a hydroquinone and a phenolic compound, wherein said tattooing chemical is selected from the group consisting of oil and water-soluble skin dye, wherein said fat-soluble vitamin is a vitamin selected from the group consisting of A, D, E and K, wherei n said water-soluble vitamin is a vitamin selected from the group consisting of B complex and C, wherein said mineral is selected from the group consisting of iron, selenium, calcium and magnesium, wherein said dye is a dye selected from the group consisting of a vegetable dye, a berry dye and a fluorescent dye, wherein said preservative is selected from the group consisting of a benzoate, a paraben and a salicylate, wherein said antioxidant is selected from the group consisting of Coenzyme Q, Vitamin E and salicylic acid, wherein said anesthetic is selected from the group consisting of xylocaine, bupivicane, carbocane, local anesthetic and topical anesthetic, wherein said vasoconstrictor is selected from the group consisting of epinephrine and ephedrine and congeners thereof, wherein said acid is selected from the group consisting of alpha-hydroxy acid, beta-hydroxy acid, halogenated acetic acids and other peeling acid, wherein said irritant is selected from the group consisting of acids, croton oil and soaps, wherein said antibiotic is selected from the group consisting of penicillin, amoxicillin, erythromycin, tetracycline, monocycline, minocycline, mupirocin, flagyl, ciprofloxacin, polymixin, gentamycin and an antibacterial, wherein said antiviral is selected from the group consisting of acyclovir, famciclovir and valtrex, wherein said antifungals is selected from the group consisting of imidazoles, nystatin, griseofulvin, and sporonox, wherein said depilatory comprises eflornithine hydrochloride and wherein said proanthrocyanin comprises maritime pine extract. 17. The method of claim 1, wherein said cold carrier gas comprises dehumidified air. 18. The method of claim 1, wherein said cold carrier gas comprises an inert gas. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein said inert gas is selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, helium and argon. 20. The method of claim 1, further comprising controlling the temperature of said cold carrier gas. 21. The method of claim 1, further comprising controlling the pressure of said cold carrier gas. 22. The method of claims 1 , further comprising controlling the particle density of said frozen biocompatible particles. 23. The method of claim 1, further comprising monitoring the temperature of said tissue surface. 24. The method of claim 23, further comprising automatically turning off the flow of said frozen biocompatible particles if the temperature of said tissue surface drops below a preset limit. 25. The method of claim 1, further comprising monitoring the velocity of said frozen biocompatible particles into the surface of said tissue. 26. The met hod of claim 1, wherein said frozen biocompatible particles are selected from the group consisting of solid carbon dioxide, frozen H 2 O, organic material, organic polymer, carbohydrate, protein, inorganic salt, a nucleic acid, a steroid, a salt, a buffer, an antifreeze, an antipsoriasis drug, a pigmenter/coloring agent, a mineral coloring agent, a depigmenter, a tattooing chemical, a skin dye, a fat-soluble vitamin, a water-soluble vitamin, a mineral, a dye, a preservatives, an antioxidant, an anesthetic, a vasoconstrictor, an acid, an irritant, an antibiotics, an antiviral drug, an antifungal compound, a depilatory, a co-enzyme, a proanthrocyanins, tocopheryl acetate, a vitamin A precursor, lactic-glycolic acid, and liposomes. 27. The method of claim 26, wherein said steroid is selected from the group consisting of betamethasone, estrogen, testosterone, flucinonide, hydrocortisone and cortisone derivatives, wherein said salt is selected from the group consisting of sodium chloride and calcium chloride, wherein said buffer is selected from the group consisting of sodium bicarbonate and phosphate, wherein said antifreeze comprises polyethylene glycol, wherein said antipsoriasis drug is selected from the group consisting of dovonex, tazarotene, tar and, a steroid, wherein said pigmenters/coloring agent is selected from the group consisting of dihydroxyacetone, melanin, hemoglobin and hemosiderin, wherein said mineral coloring agent is selected from the group consisting of iron and copper, wherein said depigmenters is selected from the group consisting of a hydroquinone and a phenolic compound, wherein said tattooing chemical is selected from the group consisting of oil and water-soluble skin dye, wherein said fat-soluble vitamin is a vitamin selected from the group consisting of A, D, E and K, wherein said water-soluble vitamin is a vitamin selected from the group consisting of B complex and C, wherein said mineral is selected from the group consisting of iron, selenium, calcium and magnesium, wherein said dye is a dye selected from the group consisting of a vegetable dye, a berry dye and a fluorescent dye, wherein said preservative is selected from the group consisting of a benzoate, a paraben and a salicylate, wherein said antioxidant is selected from the group consisting of Coenzyme Q, Vitamin E and salicylic acid, wherein said anesthetic is selected from the group consisting of xylocaine, bupivicane, carbocane, local anesthetic and topical anesthetic, wherein said vasoconstrictors is selected from the group consisting of epinephrine and ephedrine and congeners thereo, wherein said acid is selected from the group consisting of alpha-hydroxy acid, beta-hydroxy acid, halogenated acetic acids and other peeling acid, wherein said irritant is selected from the group consisting of acids, croton oil and soaps, wherein said antibiotic is selected from the group consisting of penicillin, amoxicillin, erythromycin, tetracycline, monocycline, minocycline, mupirocin, flagyl, ciprofloxacin, polymixin, gentamycin and an antibacterial, wherein said antiviral is selected from the group consisting of acyclovir, famciclovir and valtrex, wherein said antifungals is selected from the group consisting of imidazoles, nystatin, griseofulvin, and sporonox, wherein said depilatory comprises eflornithine hydrochloride and wherein said proanthrocyanin comprises maritime pine extract. 28. The treatment apparatus of claim 1, further comprising removing excess materials or reaction by-products that build up on the surface of said tissue. 29. A treatment apparatus, comprising:means for forming frozen biocompatible particles; andmeans for propelling said frozen biocompatible particles with a cold carrier gas at a skin tissue surface, wherein said means for propelling comprises a handholdable housing, wherein said cold carrier gas has a temperature that is lower than room temperature and at least cold enough to maintain said frozen biocompatible particles in a tissue modifying form. 30. The treatment apparatus of claim 29, wherein said means for forming frozen biocompatible particles comprises:a mechanism for holding an integral unit of frozen biocompatible material;a cutting mechanism for separating biocompatible particles from said integral unit of frozen biocompatible material; andmeans for delivering said integral unit of frozen biocompatible material into said cutting mechanism. 31. The treatment apparatus of claim 30, wherein said mechanism for holding an integral unit of biocompatible material comprises packing material. 32. The treatment apparatus of claim 31, wherein said packing material has a low thermal conductivity. 33. The treatment apparatus of claim 30, wherein said cutting mechanism is selected from the group consisting of a rotating grinder wheel, a wire brush, a sharp cutting edge and a rasp. 34. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein said cutting mechanism is driven by a motor selected from the group consisting of an electric motor and a pneumatically driven motor. 35. The treatment apparatus of claim 34, wherein said motor comprises a variable speed control to adjust the particle density of said frozen biocompatible particles. 36. The treatment apparatus of claim 30, wherein said means for delivering said integral unit of frozen biocompatible material into said cutting mecha nism comprises a piston. 37. The treatment apparatus of claim 36, wherein said piston is driven by means selected from the group consisting of an electric motor and a pneumatically driven actuator. 38. The treatment apparatus of claim 29, wherein said means for forming frozen biocompatible particles comprises an atomizing nozzle that sprays a water mist or droplets at an ice forming element contained within a cool container causing ice crystal to form. 39. The treatment apparatus of claim 38, wherein said ice forming element is selected from the group consisting of a sheet of material, a strip of material, a band of material and a plane of material. 40. The treatment apparatus of claim 39, further comprising means for removing ice crystals from said ice forming element. 41. The treatment apparatus of claim 40, wherein said means for removing ice crystals from said ice forming element is selected from the group consisting of a scraper, a brush, means for producing at least one acoustic waves, means for producing at least one sonic wave and means for producing at least one shock wave. 42. The treatment apparatus of claim 29, wherein said means for forming frozen biocompatible particles comprises:a vessel through which said cold carrier gas flows;a temperature controlled water repository;a continuous perforated band;means for moving said continuous perforated band through said temperature controlled water repository and said vessel, wherein said water repository coats said continuous perforated band with a thin water layer, wherein ice crystals form on said continuous perforated band when it enters the cold environment of said vessel; andmeans for removing said ice crystals from said continuous perforated band, wherein said cold carrier gas picks up said ice crystals and delivers them to said tissue. 43. The treatment apparatus of claim 29, wherein said means for propelling said frozen biocompatible particles comprises a control unit connected to a handheld device by a delivery tube and a signal cable. 44. The treatment apparatus of claim 43, wherein said control unit comprises a cooler to cool said carrier gas, wherein said control unit further comprises a compressor to force said carrier gas through said delivery tube to said handheld device for delivery to said tissue surface. 45. The treatment apparatus of claim 43, wherein said control unit comprises means for adjusting the temperature of said carrier gas. 46. The treatment apparatus of claim 43, wherein said control unit comprises means for adjusting the pressure of said carrier gas. 47. The treatment apparatus of claim 43, further comprising a vacuum tube that removes excess materials or reaction byproducts that build up on the surface of said tissue. 48. The treatment apparatus of claim 43, wherein said means for forming said frozen biocompatible particles are located within said handheld device, wherein said handheld device comprises:a handholdable housing;an entrance port to allow entry of said cold carrier gas into said handheld device; andan exit port to allow egress of said carrier gas along with said frozen biocompatible particles. 49. The treatment apparatus of claim 48, wherein said handholdable housing comprises insulation to protect the user. 50. The treatment apparatus of claim 48, further comprising an electric heater integrated into the outside wall of said handholdable housing to improve user comfort. 51. The treatment apparatus of claim 48, wherein said exit port comprises an aperture selected from the group consisting of a slit, a rectangle, a square, a circle and an ellipse. 52. The treatment apparatus of claim 48, wherein said handholdable housing comprises a light source to send a beam of light to illuminate said frozen biocompatible particles as they are propelled onto said tissue, wherein the light scattered by the particles can be seen by the user and provides confirmation that particles are flowing. 53. The treatment apparatus of claim 48, wherein s aid handholdable housing comprises a light source to send a beam of light to illuminate said frozen biocompatible particles as they are propelled onto said tissue and an optical detector that measures the light scattered by the particles. 54. The treatment apparatus of claim 48, further comprising a pressure sensitive sensor located on said handholdable housing, wherein said pressure sensitive sensor allows the operator to sense and alter the pressure delivered according to the amount of hand-pressure exerted, wherein the more pressure the operator applies, the greater the velocity and volume of shooting particles that are delivered to a certain area.