Cooling device for locally anesthetizing an area on the surface of the body

A cooling device for locally and superficially anesthetizing an area on the surface of the body comprising a coolant fluid contacting a cooler. The cooler is moistened by a disinfection fluid. The cooling device is held in a refrigerator till use, then allowed to warm up to operation temperature. Then, the cooler is applied to the area on the surface of the body.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the field of medical devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device for local anesthesia by cooling.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many skin treatments are painful, e.g. receiving injections or cosmetic treatments. To reduce pain, there are different anesthetical treatments which usually involve receiving or applying drugs, and cannot usually be applied by the patients on their own.

SUMMARY

The present invention discloses a cooling device for locally and superficially anesthetizing an area on the surface of the body. The cooling device comprises a coolant within a coolant container and a cooler, in contact with the coolant, and made of heat conducting material for delivering coldness from the coolant to the surface of the body. The cooling device further comprises a temperature indicator for indicating the temperature of the coolant and comparing it to the destined operation temperature. The cooling device further comprises a sponge moistened by a disinfection fluid contained within a disinfection fluid container. The sponge moistens the cooler with the disinfection fluid for disinfection and for improving the contact between the cooler and the skin and avoiding coldness injuries. The cooling device is held below a destined operation temperature before application. It then warms to the destined operation temperature and applied to the area on the surface of the body, which is anesthetized by cooling due to the contact with the cooler.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses a cooling device for locally and superficially anesthetizing an area on the surface of the body, before applying a local treatment like an injection. The device allows disinfected and safe home usage.

FIG. 1AandFIG. 1Bare illustrations of a cooling device for locally anesthetizing an area on the surface of the body according to some embodiments of the invention.FIG. 1Ais a cross section of the cooling device, andFIG. 1Bis a side view of the cooling device according to some embodiments of the invention. The cooling device comprises a lower part in a case100, covered by a cap110with an upper plug115. The cap110is fastened upon the case100(e.g. by screwing105). The lower part comprises of a coolant container125holding a coolant120and a float130floating in coolant120. The cooler container125is held in the case100. The coolant container125may be filled through a lower opening sealed with a coolant plug122. A cooler140is attached to the upper end of coolant container125, and the contact between them is sealed with an o-ring145. The cooler140may be made of heat conducting material for delivering coldness from the coolant120to the surface of the body that is to be treated. The cap110comprises a disinfection fluid container160and a sponge150. Disinfection fluid162is held inside container160, and may wet the sponge150through a small hole165. When the cap110is fastened to the case100, the sponge150is held in a squeezed state between the container of the disinfection fluid160and the cooler140, losing a certain volume155.

Case100may comprises gaps170,170A in it for allowing the user to see coolant container125, and cap110may comprise gaps175in it to allow easier holding.

FIG. 2holds additional illustrations of a cooling device for locally anesthetizing an area on the surface of the body according to some embodiments of the invention.FIG. 2shows the lower part and the upper part in a perspective view, and a cross section through the middle of the lower part (180). The upper part comprises cap110with gaps175and an inner thread106(permitting screwing105), upper plug115, and sponge150. The lower part comprises cooler140as well as case100with gaps170, a thread107(permitting screwing105), and thin wings185for holding coolant container125while leaving a heat-insulating air envelope around coolant container125. Coolant container125contains coolant120.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the contact between case100and coolant container125may be minimal, so that coolant container125is in most of its surface area isolated from case100by a layer of air. This may be achieved by case100having inner wings, or invaginations that keep the contact to coolant container125minimal and allow air to move between case100and coolant container125.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the cooling device is held below a destined operation temperature before application. The cooling device may comprise a temperature indicator190for indicating the temperature of the coolant120, for comparing the temperature of the coolant120with the destined operation temperature. The cooler140may be substantially in contact with the coolant120and with the sponge150.

According to some embodiments of the invention, a temperature indicator190for indicating the temperature of the coolant120may be a reversible liquid crystal thermometer. According to some embodiments of the invention, temperature indicator190may be a temperature sensitive thermochromic ink or a thermochromic pigment.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the sponge150may be any material that may absorb the disinfection fluid160and moisten the cooler140with the disinfection fluid160.

According to some embodiments of the invention, disinfection fluid162protects the skin against frost injuries. Disinfection fluid162mediates the contact between cooler140to the skin and reduces the probability of frost injury, as the fluid helps create a larger contact area than the solid cooler140. Disinfection fluid162may have a lower freezing point that coolant120, and be fluid at storing and operation temperatures. The moistening of cooler140with disinfection fluid162disinfects the contact area on the surface of the body, improves the contact between cooler140and the surface of the body and prevents coldness injuries.

FIG. 3is a flowchart of a method for locally and superficially anesthetizing an area on the surface of the body before applying a local treatment, according to some embodiments of the invention. The method comprises the steps:Keeping the cooling device at least below a destined operation temperature, e.g. in a refrigerator before using it (step300). The cooling device is cooled to a temperature at least below 0° C.Letting the cooling device warm up (step310), e.g. by taking the cooling device out of the refrigerator, and waiting until the cooling device warms up and reaches the destined operation temperature (step320).Moistening the cooler140with disinfection fluid160and removing the cap100(with sponge150), thereby exposing the cooler140moistened by the disinfection fluid160(step330).Cooling the area on the surface of the body by applying the cooler140to the skin of the user (step340), at the location on which the treatment is to be applied.Applying treatment (e.g. injection, puncturing, detachment) (step350).Refilling disinfection fluid160if needed, placing back the cap110, placing the cooling device back in the refrigerator (step360).
The cooling (step340) locally anesthetizes the area on the surface of the body before the application of the local treatment. The moistening (step330) of the cooler140with the disinfection fluid160prevents coldness injuries to the skin.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the method further comprises indicating the temperature of the cooling device to assure the cooling device has reached the destined operation temperature.

According to some embodiments of the invention, letting the cooling device warm up and reach the destined operation temperature (step310), is carried out by observing a temperature indicator190. The temperature indicator190may comprise a reversible liquid crystal thermometer, a temperature sensitive liquid crystal, a thermochromic pigment, a temperature sensitive thermochromic ink, or indicator of a change of density of coolant120.

According to some embodiments of the invention operating temperature is between −10° C. and 0° C. Indicating the temperature of the cooling device may take place by any of the following means for indicating the temperature of the coolant120: temperature sensitive liquid crystal, an indicator of a change of state from solid to liquid (e.g. by appearance or by movement of the floater130), an indicator of a change of density (e.g. by movement of the floater130), a change of color of the coolant120or of the coolant container125, an indicator coupled with means for measuring temperature.

According to some embodiments of the invention, disinfection fluid160is an alcohol.

According to some embodiments of the invention, cooler material may comprise aluminum, stainless steel or a combination thereof.

According to some embodiments of the invention, coolant120materials may be anti-freeze liquids (e.g. mixtures comprising ethylene glycol or propylene glycol), oil (e.g. mixtures comprising alkanes from pentane to dodecane), or silicones.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the cooling device may be held (step200) in any cooling apparatus other than a refrigerator.

According to some embodiments of the invention, filling the coolant container125may take place through the coolant plug122. According to some embodiments of the invention, filling the coolant container125may take place before the cooler140is attached to the coolant container125. According to some embodiments of the invention, filling the container of the disinfection fluid160takes place by removing the upper plug115. After filling, the container of the disinfection fluid160is sealed by the upper plug115.

The present invention can be implemented in the testing or practice with methods and materials equivalent or similar to those described herein.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as exemplifications of some of the preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other possible variations, modifications, and applications that are also within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should not be limited by what has thus far been described, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.