Devices, systems and methods for removing heat from subcutaneously disposed lipid-rich cells are disclosed. In selected embodiments, suction and/or heat removal sources are coupled to an applicator. The applicator includes a flexible portion and a rigid portion. The rigid portion includes a thermally conductive plate and a frame coupling the thermally conductive plate and the flexible portion. An interior cavity of the applicator is in fluid communication with the suction source, and the frame maintains contiguous engagement between the heat removal source and the thermally conductive plate.

A cooling device for removing heat from subcutaneous lipid-rich cells of a subject having skin is provided. The cooling device includes a plurality of cooling elements movable relative to each other to conform to the contour's of the subject's skin. The cooling elements have a plurality of controllable thermoelectric coolers. The cooling elements can be controlled to provide a time-varying cooling profile in a predetermined sequence, can be controlled to provide a spatial cooling profile in a selected pattern, or can be adjusted to maintain constant process parameters, or can be controlled to provide a combination thereof.

The cooling system (100, 300, 400, 500, 700, 750) includes an applicator (101, 501, 701) configured to hold a predetermined amount of solid coolant and fluid coolant (117) to cool a targeted area of the body (162, 570) to crystalize the lipid-rich cells underneath the targeted area to reduce the fat cells. The applicator may include a thermoelectric cooler (TEC, 136, 704, 706) where the hot side is cooled by coolant held within the applicator. The cold side of the TEC may be thermally coupled to a cooling plate (138, 560) configured to cool a targeted area of the skin at a predetermined temperature range for a predetermined period of time. The cooling system may also be used to relieve localized pain at certain area of the body and/or utilized for cryotherapy.

Methods are provided for reducing body fat, volume of fat pads, and/or lipoma(s) in a subject. The methods as provided herein may include injecting a fat-sculpting liquid into a treatment region of the subject, wherein the fat-sculpting liquid has a temperature of 25 C. to 10 C. when injected and is substantially free of frozen particulates. The methods for reducing body fat in a subject may further include injecting a fat-sculpting liquid comprising saline and benzyl alcohol into a treatment region of the subject, wherein the fat-sculpting liquid has a temperature of 15 C. to 5 C. when injected and is substantially free of frozen particulates.

In methods for treating a patient, a time varying magnetic field is applied to a patient's body and causes a muscle contraction. The time-varying magnetic field may be monophasic, biphasic, polyphasic and/or static. The method may reduce adipose tissue, improve metabolism, blood and/or lymph circulation. The method may use combinations of treatments to enhance the visual appearance of the patient.

Systems for treating a subject's tissue can include a thermally conductive cup, a sealing member, and/or a liner assembly. The systems can include an applicator capable of being reconfigured for a particular treatment site. Components of the applicator can be replaced to achieve a desired configuration. The replaceable components can include contoured heads, liners, and/or sensors. The applicator can draw a vacuum to install various components and/or draw tissue into the applicator. The applicator can cool and/or heat the tissue to affect targeted tissue.

The cooling system (100, 300, 400, 500, 700, 750) includes an applicator (101, 501, 701) configured to hold a predetermined amount of solid coolant and fluid coolant (117) to cool a targeted area of the body (162, 570) to crystalize the lipid-rich cells underneath the targeted area to reduce the fat cells. The applicator may include a thermoelectric cooler (TEC, 136, 704, 706) where the hot side is cooled by coolant held within the applicator. The cold side of the TEC may be thermally coupled to a cooling plate (138, 560) configured to cool a targeted area of the skin at a predetermined temperature range for a predetermined period of time. The cooling system may also be used to relieve localized pain at certain area of the body and/or utilized for cryotherapy.

Application systems, disposable interface assemblies and methods for cooling subcutaneous lipid-rich tissue. One embodiment of an application system includes a cooling unit, a cryoprotectant vessel, a contact member and an array of selectively addressable heating elements. The cryoprotectant vessel is configured to contain a fluidic cryoprotectant such that at least a portion of the cryoprotectant is cooled by the cooling unit to a desired base temperature. The contact member is attached to the cryoprotectant vessel and includes a backside in contact with the cryoprotectant and a front side opposite the backside. The contact member is configured to allow the cryoprotectant to flow from the backside to the front side. The array of selectively addressable heating elements is carried by the contact member.

A device for exchanging heat with a subject having skin is provided. The device includes a heat exchanging member having a heat transfer surface configured to form a heat conducting interface with the subject's skin. The device further includes a substantially flexible sensing device disposed in the interface between the heat exchanging member and the subject's skin. The sensing device is configured to measure a parameter of the interface without substantially impeding heat transfer between the heat exchanging member and the subject's skin.

A system and method of monitoring, controlling and/or detecting events during the removal of heat from subcutaneous lipid-rich tissue is described. In some examples, the system detects an increase in temperature at a treatment device in contact with the skin of a subject, determines that the increase in temperature is related to a treatment event, and performs an action based on the determination. In some examples, the system shuts off the treatment device, alerts an operator, or reduces the cooling in response to a determined treatment event.