APPARATUS FOR MAKING DRY ICE PARTICLES, METHOD FOR OPERATING SAME, MEDICAL DRY ICE PARTICLES, METHOD FOR MAKING SAME AND USES THEREOF

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus (100) for surface treatment of tissue by using dry ice particles (19) comprising a first inlet port (2) for connection to a first source (1) of medical pressurized liquid carbon dioxide and a first agglomeration chamber (4), which is configured for making dry ice snow (5) by delivering pressurized liquid carbon dioxide into said agglomeration chamber (4) and expanding said pressurized liquid carbon dioxide within said agglomeration chamber (4). The first agglomeration chamber (4) is fluid-connectable or fluid-connected to the first inlet port (2). The apparatus (100) further comprises a compressing device (6) being configured for compressing the dry ice snow (5) made in the agglomeration chamber (4) at least partly into compressed dry ice (14), a shredding device (12) being configured for shredding the compressed dry ice (14) at least partly into dry ice particles (19) and an outlet for discharging the dry ice particles (19). The apparatus (100) is configured for making medical, in particular medical clean, dry ice particles (19).

Claims

1. Apparatus (100, 200, 300) for making medical dry ice particles for surface treatment of human and/or animal skin, comprising: at least a first inlet port (2) for connection to a first source (1) of medical pressurized liquid carbon dioxide, at least a first agglomeration chamber (4, 4A, 4B), which is configured for making medical dry ice snow (5, 5A, 5B) by delivering pressurized liquid carbon dioxide into said agglomeration chamber (4, 4A, 4B) and expanding said pressurized liquid carbon dioxide within said agglomeration chamber (4, 4A, 4B), wherein the first agglomeration chamber (4, 4A, 4B) is fluid-connectable or fluid-connected to the first inlet port (2), at least a first compressing device (6, 6) being configured for compressing the medical dry ice snow (5, 5A, 5B) made in the agglomeration chamber (4, 4A, 4B) at least partly into medical compressed dry ice (14, 14A, 14B), at least a first shredding device (12, 12, 12) being configured for shredding the medical compressed dry ice (14, 14A, 14B) at least partly into dry ice particles (19), and an outlet for discharging the medical dry ice particles (19).

2. Apparatus (100, 200, 300) according to claim 1, wherein all surfaces of the apparatus (100, 200, 300) being in contact and/or being configured for being in contact with substances and/or compositions for application to human and/or animal tissue by the apparatus (100, 200, 300) are made of a biocompatible and/or sterilizable material and/or an anti-inflammatory material and/or are coated with a biocompatible and/or sterilizable material and/or an anti-inflammatory material.

3. Apparatus (100, 200, 300) according to claim 1, wherein the at least first shredding device (12, 12, 12) comprises a cutting device (15, 15, 15) for cutting the compressed medical dry ice (14, 14A, 14B) at least partly into medical dry ice particles (19), wherein the cutting device (15, 15, 15) particular comprises at least one cutting blade (16, 16, 16A, 16B).

4. Apparatus (100, 200, 300) according to claim 1, wherein the cutting device (15, 15, 15) comprises at least one cutting roll (59, 59, 59) with at least one cutting blade (16, 16, 16A, 16B), wherein the cutting roll (59, 59, 59) is rotatable around its longitudinal axis (17, 17, 17).

5. Apparatus (100, 200, 300) according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus (100, 200, 300) is further configured for generating a medical particle jet (29) comprising a medical carrier fluid (41) and medical dry ice particles (19), wherein the apparatus (100, 200, 300) comprises a mixing device (21) having a mixing chamber (22), wherein the mixing chamber (22) comprises a fluid inlet (23) for the medical carrier fluid flow, a particle inlet (20) for supply with medical dry ice particles (19), and a particle jet outlet (24) for discharging the particle jet (29) generated.

6. Apparatus (200) according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus (200) further comprises at least a first (1) and a second source (57) for medical pressurized liquid carbon dioxide and/or at least a second agglomeration chamber (4B) and/or at least a second compressing device (6, 6) and/or at least a second shredding device (12, 12, 12).

7. Apparatus (100, 200, 300) according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus (100, 200, 300) further comprises an application device (31, 31, 50) with at least a first application nozzle (32), wherein the application device (31, 31, 50) is fluid-connectable or fluid-connected to the particle jet outlet (24) of the mixing device (21) and comprises a first outlet for discharging a particle jet (29) and/or a carrier fluid flow (41) and at least a second outlet (54) for discharging at least a carrier fluid flow (41), wherein the application device (31, 31, 50) further comprises a switching device (55) for switching between the first (32) and second outlet (54) of the application device (31, 31, 50) the carrier fluid flow (41) is discharged by.

8. Apparatus (300) according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus (300) is further configured for local cryotherapy treatment of human and/or animal tissue by direct application of medical carbon dioxide and/or medical nitrogen to the tissue, wherein the apparatus comprises at least one supply line (3, 45, 47, 53, 49) in particular a bypass line (3, 45, 53, 49), for direct fluid-connection from a source (1, 57, 48) of medical liquid carbon dioxide and/or medical liquid nitrogen to the application device (31, 31, 50) to at least one application nozzle (32, 51).

9. Method for operating an apparatus (100, 200, 300) according to claim 1, comprising the steps: providing medical pressurized liquid carbon dioxide, delivering said medical pressurized liquid carbon dioxide into at least one agglomeration chamber (4, 4A, 4B) of the apparatus (100, 200, 300) and expanding said pressurized liquid carbon dioxide within the agglomeration chamber (4, 4A, 4B) for making medical dry ice snow (5, 5A, 5B), compressing said medical dry ice snow (5, 5A, 5B) at least partly to medical dry ice (14, 14A, 14B), and shredding said compressed medical dry ice (14, 14A, 14B) at least partly into medical dry ice particles (19).

10. Method according to claim 9, further comprising the steps: generating a particle jet (29) comprising a carrier fluid (41) and medical dry ice particles (19) by adding the medical dry ice particles (19) made at least partly to said carrier fluid flow (41), and discharging the particle jet (29) generated by the outlet of the apparatus (100, 200, 300).

11. Method for making medical dry ice particles (19) for surface treatment of human and/or animal tissue, comprising the steps: providing medical pressurized liquid carbon dioxide, delivering said medical pressurized carbon dioxide into an agglomeration chamber (4, 4A, 4B) and expanding the pressurized carbon dioxide for producing medical dry ice snow (5, 5A, 5B), compressing said medical dry ice snow (5, 5A, 5B) made at least partly to medical dry ice (14, 14A, 14B), and shredding said compressed medical dry ice (14, 14A, 14B) at least partly into medical dry ice particles (19).

12. Method according to claim 11, further comprising the steps: adding said manufactured medical dry ice particles (19) at least partly into a medical carrier fluid flow (41) to generate a particle jet (29) for surface treatment of human and/or animal tissue, and discharging by the outlet of the apparatus (100, 200, 300) the particle jet (29) generated.

13. Use of an apparatus (100, 200, 300) according to claim 1 for surface treatment of human and/or animal tissue.

14. Use of a method according to claim 12 for surface treatment of human and/or animal tissue, wherein the medical dry ice particles (19) manufactured and/or the particle jet (29) generated by using said method are used for the surface treatment.

15. Medical dry ice particles (19) comprising medical carbon dioxide manufactured according to the method of claim 11, for use in a method for the treatment of human and/or animal tissue.

16. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured for making medical clean dry ice particles (19).

17. Method according to claim 11, wherein compressing said medical dry ice snow comprises compressing said medical dry ice snow (5, 5A, 5B) made at least partly to a medical dry ice block (14, 14A, 14B).

18. Method according to claim 11, further comprising surface treating human and/or animal tissue with the medical dry ice particles.

19. Method according to claim 11, further comprising surface treating human and/or animal skin with the medical dry ice particles.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0162] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate schematically preferred embodiments of the invention described above, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles and at least partly, preferably completely, the features of the described invention. The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of a few exemplary schematically figures, wherein for same parts same reference signs are used. It is illustrated in:

[0163] FIG. 1 a schematic illustration of a first embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention,

[0164] FIG. 2 a schematic illustration of the agglomeration chamber of the apparatus of FIG. 1a with a second embodiment of a compressing device,

[0165] FIG. 3 a schematic illustration of a second embodiment of shredding device,

[0166] FIG. 4a a schematic illustration of an embodiment for an arrangement of two agglomeration chambers and two shredding devices for a further embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention in a first state of use,

[0167] FIG. 4b a schematic illustration of the arrangement of FIG. 4a in a second state of use,

[0168] FIG. 5 a schematic illustration of a second embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention,

[0169] FIG. 6 a schematic illustration of third embodiment of an apparatus according to the present the invention

[0170] FIG. 7a a schematic illustration of a second embodiment of an application device in a first state of use and

[0171] FIG. 7b a schematic illustration of the second embodiment of the application device of FIG. 7a in a second state of use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0172] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of an apparatus 100 according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the apparatus 100 is configured for making dry ice particles 19, in particular for making dry ice particles for surface treatment of human and/or animal skin, preferably for cosmetic and/or aesthetic skin surface treatment, e.g. for micro peeling and/or micro dermabrasion.

[0173] The apparatus 100 comprises a first inlet port 2, which is fluid-connected in a sterile manner to a first source 1 of medical (here: admitted for medical use) pressurized liquid carbon dioxide (CO2), stored in a common pressure gas bottle having a storage volume of 25 liters.

[0174] The apparatus 100 further comprises an agglomeration chamber 4 which is fluid-connected by supply line 3 via check valve 28 with the first inlet port 2. The agglomeration chamber 4 comprises an orifice not visualized in this illustration at its bottom, which can be opened and closed by a hydraulic actuated slider 11, which is movable in horizontal direction, related to the state of use of the apparatus 100.

[0175] If the check valve 28 is open, via supply line 3 medical pressurized liquid CO2 can be delivered into that first agglomeration chamber 4, wherein as illustrated in FIG. 1, preferably slider 11 is in the closed position during insertion of medical pressurized CO2 into the agglomeration chamber 4.

[0176] By entering the agglomeration chamber 4 the medical pressurized liquid CO2 expands and phase transformation of the CO2 occurs from liquid to solid. Thereby, dry ice snow 5 is formed. How to make dry ice snow 5 from pressurized liquid CO2 is generally known from prior art.

[0177] After some dry ice snow 5 has made, in particular after a defined amount of dry ice snow 5 has been made, the compressing device 6 can be activated for compression of the dry ice snow 5 for making compressed dry ice, wherein preferably a dry ice block 14 can be formed as illustrated symbolically in FIG. 1.

[0178] Compressing device 6 comprises a hydraulic cylinder 7, an axially movable, hydraulic piston 8 and a hydraulic drive unit 10 for actuating the piston 8 contrary to a reset force caused by spring 9. In this embodiment of an apparatus 100 the compressing device is configured and arranged that piston 8 is movable horizontally. This arrangement offers the benefit for an easy supply with the pressurized liquid CO2 into the agglomeration chamber 4 from its top.

[0179] In this embodiment, hydraulic unit 10 is configured for compressing the dry ice snow 5 with a defined compression ratio to achieve defined hardness of the compressed dry ice block 14 respectively of the dry ice particles 19 made from the compressed dry ice 14, wherein the apparatus, in particular the compressing device 6, is configured for compressing the dry ice snow 5 in that way, that the compressed dry ice 14 and/or the shredded dry ice particles 19 as a result have a hardness of at least 2 Mohs up to maximum 3 Mohs.

[0180] This embodiment of an apparatus 100 is configured for compressing the dry ice snow 5 within the agglomeration chamber 4, i.e. dry ice snow 5 can be compressed within the agglomeration chamber 4 to dry ice 14 by the compressing device 6.

[0181] In another embodiment, an apparatus according to the present invention may comprise a compressing chamber, which is separated from the agglomeration chamber 4, wherein in this case, the compressing chamber is preferably arranged below the agglomeration chamber for conveying the dry ice snow 5 made in the agglomeration chamber 4 at least partly by gravity into the compressing chamber.

[0182] By opening the orifice of the agglomeration chamber 4 at its bottom due to gravity the dry ice snow 5 respectively the compressed dry ice, in particular the compressed dry ice block 14, will be fall of the agglomeration chamber 4 downwards into shredding device 12, in particular into subsequent arranged shredding chamber 13.

[0183] This embodiment of an apparatus 100 is configured for conveying the dry ice snow 5 respectively the compressed dry ice, in particular the compressed dry ice block 14, from the agglomeration chamber 4 by gravity only. In another embodiment, an apparatus according to the present invention may comprise one or more conveying device for conveying the dry ice, e.g. a real device.

[0184] Shredding device 12, which is configured for shredding the compressed dry ice respectively the compressed dry ice block 14, at least partly, preferably completely, into dry ice particles 19, comprises a cutting device 15 with a cutting roll 59 having radial extending cutting blades 16, which are arranged at regular intervals in circumferential direction of cutting roll 59. In this embodiment, cutting roll 59 is cylinder-shaped and rotatable around its longitudinal axis 17, which is arranged horizontally. The cutting roll 59 is coupled to a cutting device drive unit 18 and can be driven by that, wherein rotational speed of the cutting roll 59 can be adjusted. The compressed dry ice to be shredded, in particular dry ice block 14, is fed from above, in particular in vertical direction, to the cutting blades 16. With apparatus 100 the compressed medical dry ice 14 can be shredded to medical dry ice particles 19 with a size in a defined range, wherein apparatus 100 is in particular configured for shredding compressed dry ice into dry ice particles 19 with a median particle size in a range from 500 m up to 700 m.

[0185] For surface treatment of human and/or animal tissue, in particular for surface treatment of human and/or animal skin, this embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention, i.e. apparatus 100, is further configured for generating a particle jet 29, in particular a medical particle jet 29, comprising a carrier fluid 41, in particular a medical carrier fluid 41, and medical dry ice particles 19. For discharging that particle jet 19, this apparatus 100 comprises an application device 31 with an application nozzle 32 having an outlet.

[0186] By applying a particle jet 29 comprising a carrier fluid and dry ice particles to human and/or animal tissue of cells on the tissue surface can be removed by ablation and/or abrasion. Depending on the properties of the particle jet less or more cells can be removed.

[0187] By using an apparatus according to the present invention, e.g. by using apparatus 100, and/or by performing and/or using a method according to the invention and/or by using medical dry ice particles 19 according to the invention, a medical particle jet 29 can be generated.

[0188] By using a medical particle jet 29, in particular by using an apparatus according to the present invention, e.g. by using apparatus 100, and/or by performing and/or using a method according to the invention and/or by using medical dry ice particles 19 according to the invention, for surface treatment for human and/or animal tissue, in particular for surface treatment of human and/or animal skin, the risk of infection after surface treatment of human and/or animal skin can be reduced significantly and better surface treatment results can be achieved.

[0189] For generating a particle jet 29 comprising a medical carrier fluid flow 41 and medical dry ice particles 19, the apparatus 100 comprises a mixing device 21, wherein the mixing device 21 is configured for adding medical dry ice particles 19 to a carrier fluid 41, in particular for adding medical dry ice particles 19 to a carrier fluid flow 41.

[0190] For supply of said mixing device 21 with medical dry ice particles 19, apparatus 100, in particular cutting device 15 with cutting roll 59 and cutting blades 16, is configured in such a way that the shredded dry ice particles 19 for conveying to the mixing device 21 can fall downwards by gravity into that mixing device 21. Therefore, mixing device 21 is arranged subsequent and below the shredding device 12. Thereby, in an easy manner, conveying of the shredded dry ice particles 19 from the shredding device 12 to the mixing device 21, can be realized.

[0191] In this embodiment, mixing device 21 comprises a mixing chamber 22, which comprises a first particle inlet 20 for supply with shredded medical dry ice particles 19, a carrier fluid flow inlet 23 for supply with a carrier fluid flow 41 and a particle jet outlet 24 for discharging a generated particle jet 29 from the mixing device 21.

[0192] In particular, apparatus 100 is configured such that the shredded dry ice particles 19 can fall directly into the mixing device through the particle inlet 20 of the mixing device 21. The mixing chamber 22 is configured for being partly flown through by the carrier fluid flow 41 from the inlet 23 to the particle jet outlet 24, wherein medical dry ice particles 19 can be added to the carrier fluid flow 41 in the mixing chamber 22.

[0193] For adding said medical dry ice particles 19 to the carrier fluid flow 41, in particular for adding a defined amount of particles 19 per time, the apparatus 100, in particular the mixing device 21, comprises a dosing device with a cylinder-shaped dosing roll 25 being arranged with its longitudinal axis horizontally, wherein said dosing roll 25 is rotatable around rotation axis 33 and can be driven by drive unit 34.

[0194] Medical dry ice particles 19, falling down by gravity from the shredding device 12, in particular from cutting device 15, into mixing chamber 22 through particle inlet 20 will at least partly be collected by the dosing roll 25, which comprises at its lateral surface several dosing deepenings 26. For effective collecting of the medical dry ice particles 19 by dosing roll 25 and/or for adding a defined amount of medical dry ice particles 19 precisely, in particular to avoid swirling of the medical dry ice particles 19 inserted into the mixing chamber 22 before being added to the carrier fluid flow, mixing chamber 22 is divided into two parts, in particular an upper part and a lower part, separated by dosing roll 25 and sealing means 27. Only the lower part can be flown through by the carrier fluid 41.

[0195] By rotating dosing roll 25, the medical dry ice particles 19 collected in the dosing deepenings 26 will be conveyed from the upper part of the mixing chamber 22 to the lower part of the mixing chamber 22. In particular, the medical dry ice particles will fall off the dosing deepenings 26 by gravity into the carrier fluid flow 41 flowing through the lower part of the mixing chamber 22. Thereby, the medical dry ice particles 19 are mixed with the carrier fluid flow 41 and a particle jet 29 is generated.

[0196] Apparatus 100 is further configured for generating a carrier fluid flow 41, which is necessary for generating the particle jet 29, wherein this apparatus 100 is configured for generating a carrier fluid flow 41 from ambient air. Therefore, apparatus 100 comprises a flow generating device 35 within an inlet 36 for sucking in ambient air 37. By cleaning means 38, in particular by at least one filter device 38, the ambient air 37 sucked in can be cleaned, in particular to medical clean, sterile air. By means in form of a compressor 40 the cleaned ambient air 39 can be pressurized to generate the carrier fluid flow 41. Via supply line 42 the carrier fluid, respectively the carrier fluid flow 41 can be delivered from the flow generating device 35 to the mixing device 21.

[0197] Via particle jet outlet 24 and application hose 30, which is fluid-connected to application device 31, the generated particle jet 29 can be guided from the mixing device 21 to the application device 31 with application nozzle 32. From there the particle jet can be forwarded to the outlet of the apparatus 100 for discharging of the apparatus and for surface treatment of human and/or animal tissue.

[0198] In another embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention the apparatus may further comprise a further outlet for discharging dry ice particles. Therefore, an apparatus according to the present invention may in particular comprise an outlet for discharging dry ice particles immediately from the shredding device 12, in particular from the cutting device 15.

[0199] According to the present invention, the apparatus 100 is configured for making medical, in particular medical clean, preferably sterile dry ice particles 19. Hence, by using medical CO2, with an apparatus according to the invention medical dry ice particles 19 can be made.

[0200] All surfaces of the apparatus 100 being in contact and/or being configured for being in contact with the CO2, the dry ice snow 5, the compressed dry ice 14 and dry ice particles 19 are made of biocompatible and sterilizable material and are medical clean, in particular sterile.

[0201] Furthermore, apparatus 100 is configured for generating a medical particle jet 29 of a medical carrier fluid and medical dry ice particles 19. Therefore, also all surfaces of the apparatus 100 being in contact and/or being configured for being in contact with the carrier fluid are made of biocompatible and sterilizable material and are medical clean, in particular sterile.

[0202] In particular, apparatus 100 is configured for avoiding contamination of any of the substances or compositions appliable by the apparatus. to human and/or animal tissue. In particular, the first inlet port 2 and the pressure bottle 1 are fluid-connected such that contamination of the CO2 with pathogens within apparatus 100 can be avoided. Furthermore, the first the agglomeration chamber 4, the compressing device 6 and the shredding device 12 are also connected such that contamination of the CO2 with pathogens during making of dry ice particles 19 and/or generating particle jet 29 can be avoided, in particular excluded.

[0203] Due to the fact that results of surface treatment of human and/or animal tissue depend inter alia on the properties of the particle jet, apparatus 100 is configured for varying several particle jet properties, wherein particle jet properties among others are, e.g. particle flow rate, particle size, particle shape and carrier fluid flow rate. By varying any one of these properties, surface treatment results may be influenced, in particular tissue damage in general, ablation and/or abrasion depth and/or exactitude of particle jet application.

[0204] For precise surface treatment of human and/or animal tissue, in particular for precise surface treatment of human and/or animal skin, and/or for various applications thereof apparatus 100 is configured for varying particle flow rate, particle size and carrier fluid flow rate.

[0205] With apparatus 100, particle flow rate can be varied in particular by varying rotational speed of dosing roller 25 by varying rotational speed of dosing drive unit 34. Furthermore, particle flow rate can be influenced by varying cutting speed, by varying amount of dry ice particles 19 shredded per time and by varying size of dry ice particles 19 shredded.

[0206] For varying particle size, shredding device 12, in particular cutting device 15, is configured for varying several cutting parameters, in particular for varying cutting speed and number, geometry and arrangement of the cutting blades 16. Cutting speed can be varied by varying rotational speed of cutting drive unit 18. Number, geometry and arrangement of the cutting blades can for example being varied by using another cutting device and/or by disassembling one or more cutting blades respectively by assembling additional cutting blades with same and/or different blade geometry.

[0207] In another embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention, cutting feed rate may also be varied and/or the cutting device may comprise, for example, one or more cutting blades configured for being activated and/or deactivated, in particular configured for being folded in and/or folded out, preferably automatically.

[0208] For varying carrier fluid flow rate, the pressure, which is applied to the cleaned carrier fluid 39 by compressor 40 for generating the carrier fluid flow 41, can be varied.

[0209] FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of a second embodiment of a compressing device 6 also being configured for compressing dry ice snow 5 arranged in an agglomeration chamber 4, wherein agglomeration chamber 4 is the same as agglomeration chamber for from apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 1. Contrary to compression device 6 illustrated in FIG. 1, this embodiment of a compressing device 6 is configured for vertical arrangement of piston 8.

[0210] Compressing device 6 also comprises a hydraulic cylinder 7, an axially movable, hydraulic piston 8 and a hydraulic drive unit 10 for actuating the piston 8 against a reset force caused by spring 9. However, piston 8 is movable vertically. For an advantageously supply of the agglomeration chamber 4 with the pressurized liquid CO2, supply line 3 is at least partly arranged within piston 8 respectively runs through piston 8.

[0211] FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of a second embodiment of a shredding device 12. This embodiment of a shredding device 12 comprises a cutting device 15, which is, contrary to cutting device 15 illustrated in FIG. 1, configured for vertical arrangement.

[0212] Cutting device 15 also comprises a cutting roll 59 having radial extending cutting blades 16, which are arranged at regular intervals in circumferential direction of cutting roll 59. Cutting roll 59 is also cylinder-shaped and rotatable around its longitudinal axis 17. However, cutting roll 59 is arranged vertically. Cutting roll 59 is also coupled to a cutting device drive unit 18 and can be driven by that, wherein rotational speed of the cutting roll 59 can also be adjusted. The compressed dry ice, in particular dry ice block 14, can also be fed from above.

[0213] FIGS. 4a and 4b show a schematic illustration of an embodiment for an arrangement of two agglomeration chambers and two shredding devices for a further embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention, wherein FIG. 4a shows the arrangement in a first state of use and FIG. 4b in a second state.

[0214] With apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 1, making of compressed dry ice is possible only batch wise. For this reason, the shredding device 12 may not be supplied continuously with compressed dry ice 14 for shredding. As a consequence, the cutting process may be interrupted and as a further consequence maybe not as many dry ice particles 19 as necessary can be provided for particle jet generation. As a result, the particle jet flow rate of the particle jet 29 generated may be to low or maybe no particle jet is generated. In view of the fact, that changing particle jet properties can affect surface treatment results, this is undesired. Interruption of surface treatment until new dry ice particles have been made is also undesired.

[0215] To overcome this advantage, the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 4a comprises two agglomeration chambers 4A and 4B each supplied with pressurized liquid CO2 by supply line 3A respectively 3B. The agglomeration chambers 4A and 4B are arranged next to each other, wherein the agglomeration chambers 4A and 4B each are configured as agglomeration chamber 4 of apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0216] Furthermore, the arrangement comprises a shredding device 12 comprising a cutting device 15, with cutting blades 16A and 16B coupled by a common cutting roll 59 and driven by a common cutting drive unit 18. Cutting device 15 is generally configured as cutting device 15 of apparatus 100 of FIG. 1 with the difference that cutting device 15 is configured for cutting two dry ice blocks 14.

[0217] With this arrangement illustrated in FIGS. 4a and 4b, dry ice snow 5A and 5B can be made alternately and/or simultaneously in agglomeration chamber 4A and 4B and the compressed dry ice snow 14A and 14B can be shredded alternately and/or simultaneously by cutting blades 16A and 16B. This allows continuous making of dry ice particles 19. This further enables a continuous surface treatment, although dry ice snow and compressed dry ice are made batch wise. The risk of interruption of the cutting process due to lack of dry ice particles can be reduced and surface treatment can be improved.

[0218] FIG. 5 shows a schematic illustration of a second embodiment of an apparatus 200 according to the present invention, wherein this apparatus 200 compared to apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 in addition comprises a second pressure gas bottle 57 as second source for medical pressurized liquid CO2, having also a storage volume of 25 liters. For fluid-connection of the second pressure gas bottle 57 to agglomeration chamber 4, the apparatus 200 comprises a second inlet port 43.

[0219] The apparatus 200 further comprises a switching valve 46 for selective supply of agglomeration chamber 4 with medical pressurized liquid carbon dioxide from the first source 1 and/or the second source 57. Agglomeration chamber 4 can be supplied with medical pressurized liquid carbon dioxide via supply line 3, check valve 28, switching valve 46 and supply line 47 and/or via supply line 45, check valve 44, switching valve 46 and supply line 47, if the corresponding check valve 28 respectively 44 is open.

[0220] Thereby, in an easy manner, the apparatus 200 is configured for continuous manufacturing of medical dry ice particles 19 and interrupting of making medical dry ice particles 19 during exchange or refilling of the first pressure gas bottle 1 can be avoided.

[0221] FIG. 6 shows a schematic illustration of a third embodiment of an apparatus 300 according to the present the invention, wherein this apparatus 300 compared to apparatus 200 illustrated in FIG. 5 in addition comprises a third pressure gas bottle 48 as source for medical pressurized liquid nitrogen having a storage volume of 10 liters.

[0222] Furthermore, apparatus 300 comprises a different application device 50, which comprises a further application nozzle 51 with a further outlet, wherein application device 50, in particular application nozzle 51, is configured for local cryotherapy by using medical nitrogen and/or medical carbon dioxide.

[0223] For supply of application device 50 with said medical nitrogen for local cryotherapy, the application device 50 is immediately fluid-connected to pressure gas bottle 48 by supply line 49. For supply of application device 50 with medical carbon dioxide for local cryotherapy apparatus 300 further comprises a bypass line 53, which is for bypassing the agglomeration chamber 4, the compressing device 6, the shredding device 12, the mixing device 21 and the application hose 30.

[0224] FIGS. 7a and 7b show a schematic illustration of a second embodiment of an application device 31, wherein FIG. 7a shows the application device 31 in a first state of use and FIG. 7b in a second state.

[0225] This application device 31 comprises an application nozzle 32 and is for example, fluid-connectable to the particle jet outlet 24 of the mixing device 21 of apparatus 100 and/or the apparatus 200. The application device 31 comprises a first outlet 32 and a second outlet 54 each for discharging a particle jet 29 and/or a carrier fluid flow 41.

[0226] The application device 31 further comprises a switching device 55 for switching between the first and second outlet 32, 54 to select the outlet, the particle jet 29 and/or the carrier fluid flow 41 is discharged by. Therefore, the switching device 55 further comprises a switching valve 56.

[0227] Due to the fact, that a practitioner is usually not able to realize that moment from that on the particle jet required for surface treatment is built up finally and has now the desired properties, better surface treatment results can be achieved, if the carrier fluid flow is kept away from the surface as long as the particle jet has not build up as defined and can be applied only after it is as defined.

[0228] This advantage can be overcome by an application device 31 as illustrated in FIGS. 7a and 7b, wherein FIG. 7a shows the application device 31 in a first state, in which no particle jet has been generated already and the application device 31 is supplied with carrier fluid 41 only. In this state the first outlet 32 is closed by the switching valve 56 and the carrier fluid flow 54 is discharged by the second outlet 54.

[0229] Has the defined particle jet been built up as illustrated in FIG. 7b, the first outlet 32 can be opened by switching valve 53 and the particle jet 29 can be discharged by outlet 32 for application to the surface to be treated precisely, in particular precise for a defined time.

[0230] With an application device configured as application device 31, in a very easy manner a very precise application of the particle jet can be achieved, because with this application device, as long as the particle jet is not built up as required, the carrier fluid flow and/or the particle jet can be kept away from the surface to be treated. In particular, the carrier fluid flow can be kept away from the surface to be treated until the particle jet is built up as required. As a consequence, no dry ice particles will be applied to the surface and no surface treatment will be done for that time.

[0231] Of course, a variety of modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0232] 100, 200, 300 apparatus according to the invention [0233] 1 first storage volume for medical pressurized liquid CO2 [0234] 2 first inlet port for supply with CO2 [0235] 3, 3A, 3B supply line for CO2 [0236] 4, 4A, 4B agglomeration chamber [0237] 5, 5A, 5B dry ice and snow [0238] 6, 6 compressing device [0239] 7, 7 hydraulic cylinder [0240] 8, 8 piston [0241] 9, 9 spring [0242] 10, 10 hydraulic driving unit [0243] 11, 11A, 11B slider [0244] 12, 12, 12 shredding device [0245] 13 shredding chamber [0246] 14, 14A, 14B compressed dry ice [0247] 15, 15, 15 cutting device [0248] 16, 16, 16A, 16B cutting blades [0249] 17, 17, 17 rotation axis of the cutting roll [0250] 18 drive unit for cutting device [0251] 19 medical dry ice particles [0252] 20 particle inlet of the mixing device [0253] 21 mixing device [0254] 22 mixing chamber [0255] 23 carrier fluid flow inlet [0256] 24 particle jet outlet [0257] 25 dosing roll [0258] 26 dosing deepening [0259] 27 seal [0260] 28 check valve [0261] 29 particle jet [0262] 30 application hose [0263] 31, 31 application device [0264] 32 first application nozzle [0265] 33 rotation axis of the dosing roll [0266] 34 drive unit for dosing device [0267] 35 flow generating device [0268] 36 inlet of flow generating device [0269] 37 ambient air [0270] 38 filter device [0271] 39 compressor [0272] 40 medical clean ambient air [0273] 41 medical clean compressed-air [0274] 42 supply line for carrier fluid [0275] 43 second inlet port for supply with CO2 [0276] 44 check valve [0277] 45 supply line for CO2 [0278] 46 switching valve [0279] 47 line for CO2 [0280] 48 storage volume for medical pressurized liquid nitrogen [0281] 49 supply line for nitrogen [0282] 50 application device [0283] 51 second application nozzle [0284] 52 switching valve [0285] 53 bypass line for CO2 [0286] 54 second outlet of the application device [0287] 55 switching device [0288] 56 switching valve [0289] 57 second storage volume for medical pressurized liquid CO2 [0290] 58 check valve [0291] 59, 59, 59 cutting roll