Provided are systems and methods for reducing pain during an injection or an insertion of an object into the skin of a subject.

A method for anesthetizing a human patient undergoing surgery and/or pain block procedure, the method comprising sterilizing the patient's skin including a target region, the target region including a surgical site including the patient's spine; inserting at least one cryo-needle into a first tissue region, the cryo-needle having a distal end configured to cool surrounding patient tissue, the first tissue region comprising soft tissue superficial to the one or more vertebra and on a first lateral side of the patients spine; cooling the distal end of the cryo-needle to cause cooling of surrounding patient tissue thus inhibiting one or more sensory nerves in the surrounding patient tissue; thereafter, performing spinal surgery on the patient's spine at the surgical site; and, thereafter, performing an erector spinae plane block to further inhibit nerves post-operatively in the target region.

A method for anesthetizing a human patient undergoing surgery and/or pain block procedure, the method comprising sterilizing the patient's skin including a target region, the target region including a surgical site including the patient's spine; inserting at least one cryo-needle into a first tissue region, the cryo-needle having a distal end configured to cool surrounding patient tissue, the first tissue region comprising soft tissue superficial to the one or more vertebra and on a first lateral side of the patients spine; cooling the distal end of the cryo-needle to cause cooling of surrounding patient tissue thus inhibiting one or more sensory nerves in the surrounding patient tissue; thereafter, performing spinal surgery on the patient's spine at the surgical site; and, thereafter, performing an erector spinae plane block to further inhibit nerves post-operatively in the target region.

A smart tourniquet includes a casing having a control unit; a contact area arranged to the casing, configured to contact a patient's skin, and connected to the control unit; a cuff arranged to the casing with an inflatable bladder; an adjustable strap arranged to the cuff for securing the cuff and casing to the patient; a pump contained in the casing, connected to the bladder, and controlled by the control unit; a thermoelectric module contained in the casing, controlled by the control unit, and connected to the contact area; and at least one sensor contained in the casing for detecting blood pulse and controlled by the control unit. The control unit is configured to inflate and deflate the bladder in response to blood pulse for changing a pressure around an arm or leg and to heat the contact area for vasodilating a vein under the patient's skin for visual detection.

A vibrating needle device of the invention includes a needle including a main body portion extending in a direction of a first axis and having a groove formed in an outer circumferential surface over an entire circumference in a circumferential direction around the first axis. A tip portion is provided at one end of the main body portion and tapered in a direction away from the main body portion in the direction of the first axis. A vibrating unit is configured to vibrate the needle along the direction of the first axis and a direction of a second axis that intersects with the direction of the first axis.

Therapeutic agent delivery devices are provided. Aspects of the devices include an active agent composition and an actuator configured to deliver the active agent composition to a target delivery site. In some instances, aspects of the devices include a syringe comprising a viscous active agent composition, a needle operably coupled to the syringe and an actuator configured to deliver viscous active agent composition from the syringe through the needed to a target delivery site, such as an intravitreal site. In some instances, aspects of the devices include a sleeve comprising a solid formulation of the active agent; a needle operably coupled to the sleeve; and an actuator configured to move the solid formulation from the sleeve and through the needle, e.g., to an intravitreal location. In some instances, aspects of the devices include a syringe containing a composition for subcutaneous delivery, a needle operably coupled to the syringe, a motorized actuator configured to deliver the composition from the syringe through the needle to a target subcutaneous site, and a pain mitigation system. Also provided are methods of using the devices.

A means and a method is disclosed to diminish or eliminate the pain associated with a sharp object penetrating the skin, during such procedures as an injection, biopsy, or deriving a blood sample. To this end, repeated tapping, pressing, or rubbing or vibrating is performed over the skin at or near the site of penetration of the sharp object in conjunction with applying electricity on the skin. The invention discloses a method of using a skin-puncturing means, with enhanced features, to provide local anesthesia at the site of penetration of a sharp object.

The laser lancing device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment includes: a main body; a laser resonator located within the main body and configured to generate a laser and output the laser forwards; a beam barrel located in front of the laser resonator and including at least one lens unit fixed therein; a window barrel located in front of the beam barrel and connected to the main body; a cap part connected to the front of the window barrel and brought into contact with an irradiation target area; a fan unit communicating with the cap part and induce flow of air; and a communication pipe of which one end is connected to the fan unit and the other end is connected to the cap part.

A method for anesthetizing a human patient undergoing surgery and/or pain block procedure, the method comprising sterilizing the patient's skin including a target region, the target region including a surgical site including the patient's spine; inserting at least one cryo-needle into a first tissue region, the cryo-needle having a distal end configured to cool surrounding patient tissue, the first tissue region comprising soft tissue superficial to the one or more vertebra and on a first lateral side of the patients spine; cooling the distal end of the cryo-needle to cause cooling of surrounding patient tissue thus inhibiting one or more sensory nerves in the surrounding patient tissue; thereafter, performing spinal surgery on the patient's spine at the surgical site; and, thereafter, performing an erector spinae plane block to further inhibit nerves post-operatively in the target region.

A lightweight, portable, cost-effective skin-cooling device is adapted for use with a coolant spray in an existing canister having a rim surrounding a push-activated spray tube. The apparatus comprises a housing with an inlet end that snaps onto the existing canister, an outlet end with a skin-contacting component, and a pushbutton. A tubular structure, disposed within the housing, includes an inlet end configured to engage with the push-activated spray tube of the canister, and an outlet end directed toward the skin-contacting component supported over the outlet end of the housing. Depressing the pushbutton causes the inlet end of the tubular structure to depress the push-activated spray tube, thereby causing the coolant spray to be carried though the tubular and out the outlet end thereof to cool the skin-contacting component.