A protective assembly for use during laparoscopic surgery, the assembly including: a thin membrane formed from non-toxic material, the membrane being sufficiently thin and maneuverable to be passed through a cannula of a trocar wherein the membrane includes opposed major membrane surfaces separated by thickness of the membrane, each membrane surface including rows of projections and recesses such that any two adjacently located projections are separated by a recess.

The illustrated embodiments include an apparatus to reduce or eliminate full thickness injury in tissue and to deform tissue which includes a probe or mechanism for deforming tissue, and a subsystem for selectively cooling and/or heating tissue while deformation is of the tissue is being performed. The illustrated embodiments of the invention also extend to a method to reduce or eliminate full thickness injury in tissue and to deform tissue including the steps of deforming tissue, and selectively cooling and/or heating tissue while deformation of the tissue is being performed.

A method and system in accordance with a particular embodiments of the technology includes applying a substance onto skin of a human subject. The applied substance can include a freezing point depressant and a liposome, an oil-in-water emulsion, a water-in-oil emulsion, or an oil-in-oil emulsion and can be configured to protect or target tissue. The substance and a surface of the skin can be cooled using the applicator to treat acne and other skin conditions.

A method and system in accordance with a particular embodiments of the technology includes applying a substance onto skin of a human subject. An applicator is then applied to the subject to cool a region of the subject. After cooling the tissue, a nucleation initiator is used to initiate a freeze event in the tissue. The nucleation initiator can be an ice crystal that inoculates the skin upon contact to create a predictable freeze event therein. The time of contact between the ice crystal and the skin can be controlled to achieve desired effects.

A method of inhibiting the growth of a horn or a horn bud in a livestock animal including the steps of applying a cryogenic fluid around the base of the horn or on the horn bud using an apparatus; such that the cryogenic fluid contacts the base of the horn and epidermal skin layers that surrounds the horn or horn bud and induces a freeze in said layers to inhibit or prevent any further growth of the horn or horn bud.

Protective device for the skin and tissues for cold cosmetic treatments including at least a first layer (1) of a cold conducting material, characterized in that it comprises: at least a second layer (2) on said first layer (1) and joined to it (1), defining some inner surfaces (3) between both layers configuring at least one housing (11), being both layers (1, 2) porous and absorbent, and at least one cold conducting antifreeze gel (4), scattered in housing (11), on all the inner surfaces (3), said gel (4) having a freezing point below 12 C., and a viscosity between 2000-90000 cPs at 21 C., enough to pass through the pores of layers (1, 2) and to be removed from housing (11).

A device for monitoring temperature adjacent to an ablation site, the device having an expandable component and a shaft that includes a lumen, at least one fluid port in communication with the lumen, and a plurality of flexible elements having a first end connected to the shaft and a second end having a temperature sensor mounted thereon.

A mask suitable for protecting the face of a patient during surgery comprises a transparent plastic shield which includes a transverse cutout that provides access to the nose and mouth, and a vertical gap which runs from the cutout to the shield's perimeter. Padding affixed to the perimeter of the shield's underside provides a cushion between the shield and face. The padding is preferably arranged such that the mask can be installed or removed without dislodging tubing inserted into the patient's nose or mouth via the transverse cutout. An attachment mechanism secures the shield to the face. A warming hood may be coupled to the protective mask. The hood preferably comprises outer and inner layers, with an access point at which air can be introduced between the layers; perforations on the inner layer permit warm air to be dispersed onto the patient.

Treatment systems, methods, and apparatuses for improving the appearance of skin or other target regions are described. Aspects of the technology are directed to improving the appearance of skin by tightening the skin, improving skin tone or texture, eliminating or reducing wrinkles, increasing skin smoothness, or improving the appearance sites with cellulite. Treatments can include cooling a surface of a patient's skin and detecting freezing in the cooled skin. The tissue can be cooled after the freeze event is detected so to maintain the frozen state of the tissue to improve the appearance of the treatment site.

Treatment systems, methods, and apparatuses for improving the appearance of skin or other target regions are described as well as for providing for other treatments. Aspects of the technology are directed to improving the appearance of skin by tightening the skin, improving skin tone or texture, eliminating or reducing wrinkles, increasing skin smoothness, or improving the appearance of cellulite. Treatments can include cooling a surface of a patient's skin and detecting at least one freeze event in the cooled skin. The treatment system can continue cooling the patient's skin after the freeze event(s) are detected so to maintain at least a partially frozen state of the tissue for a period of time.