METHOD AND DEVICE FOR COSMETICALLY TREATING DARK SPOTS ON THE SKIN BY MEANS OF CRYO-CYTO-SELECTIVE CRYOGENICS

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for cosmetically treating dark spots on the skin, wherein said method is intended for eliminating at least one of said dark spots located in a region of the hand, the face, the limbs or the chest area of a person suffering from such skin hyperpigmentation, characterised in that said method includes a step of applying a spray of cryogenic fluid to said region, which brings the skin temperature to a temperature of between −4° C. and −15° C. for a consecutive application period of from 2 to 10 seconds, in order to selectively act on the melanocytes, and to a device for carrying out said method.

Claims

1. A method for the treatment of dark spots on the skin, designed to eliminate at least one of the said dark spots located on the hands, face, limbs or chest of a subject with such skin hyperpigmentation, wherein it comprises the application of a stream of cryogenic fluid on said area provoking a skin temperature between −4° C. and −15° C. for a time of application of 2 to 10 seconds in order to selectively act on melanocytes.

2. (canceled)

3. The method of treatment according to claim 1, wherein said cryogenic fluid is chosen from among fluids with a boiling point between −20° C. and −65° C.

4. The method of treatment according to claim 1, wherein said cryogenic fluid is delivered with an initial pressure not exceeding 10 bars.

5. The method of treatment according to claim 1, wherein said cryogenic fluid is difluoroethane.

6. The method of treatment according to claim 1, wherein said cryogenic fluid is tetrafluoroethane.

7. The method of treatment according to claim 1, wherein the duration of said stream of cryogenic fluid on said area is between 2 and 4 seconds.

8. The method of treatment according to claim 1, wherein it consists of a single application of cryogenic fluid per spot.

9. The method of treatment according to claim 1, wherein the impact of the stream of cryogenic fluid on the skin of the subject is limited to an area of less than 30 mm.sup.2.

10. Device for implementing a method of treatment according to claim 1, comprising a reservoir of cryogenic fluid, a solenoid valve for the passage of the cryogenic fluid downstream, from the inside of said reservoir towards an ejection nozzle via a nozzle, wherein said solenoid valve is associated with an electronic timing system allowing it to be opened for a specific pre-determined time, to the 0.1 second and in that said nozzle is equipped with means for limiting the flow of cryogenic fluid.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein said nozzle is made of a hydrophobic, non heat-conductive material.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein said nozzle comprises at least one body equipped with at least one inner conduit forming a means to limit the rate of flow of fluid whose length is between 3 and 12 mm and inner diameter between 0.15 and 3.5 mm.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein said nozzle comprises two bodies assembled by stacking by crushing at least one intermediate seal so that their conduits are connected coaxially in series.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein said inner conduit is axial and cylindro-conical.

15. The device of claim 10, wherein said body is equipped with cavities, respectively, upper and bottom for receiving the sealing joints.

16. The device of claim 10, wherein each body comprises two internal conduits, respectively, an upstream conduit at least partially conical forming a retention chamber and opening downstream in a cylindrical conduit of smaller diameter

17. The method of treatment according to claim 1, wherein the application of the stream of cryogenic fluid on said zone is carried out with several consecutive sprays of variable duration between 2 and 10 seconds.

18. A method of cyto-selective cryotherapy of dark spots on the skin located in an area of the epidermis of a subject suffering from such skin hyperpigmentation, wherein the method consists of the application of a stream of cryogenic gas or fluid on said zone, where the temperature is between −4° C. and −20° C. to selectively act on the melanocytes located between the stratum corneum and the basal layer of the epidermis and without destroying the keratinocytes and other constitutive elements of the epidermis.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0042] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge on reading the description that follows, with reference to the accompanying figures, which illustrate:

[0043] FIG. 1 is a schematic view in longitudinal section of an embodiment of the cyto-selective cryogenic device according to the invention;

[0044] FIG. 2 is an experimental curve showing the thermal effect obtained with the device according to FIG. 1;

[0045] FIG. 3 is a longitudinal section view of an alternative embodiment of the cyto-selective cryogenic device according to the invention;

[0046] FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C represent sectional detailed views of three variants of improved nozzles that may be used in the device of the invention;

[0047] FIG. 5 shows a detailed view in longitudinal section of a variant of the nozzle used in the device in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0048] Cryotherapy is a method that is considered to be painful in 64% of the patients treated when the cold is applied for over 10 seconds. If the cold is applied for under 10 seconds, 44% of the patients do not perceive any pain. The lower the time of application, the lower the pain. However, a low exposure to cold considerably reduces the efficacy of the treatment since, in such a case, only 30% of the patients are cured. It is clear that the time of cold application has a direct impact on the efficacy of the treatment and the intensity of the pain experienced.

[0049] The cooling of tissue leads to changes in the physical state and, according to the conditions for the application of the cold, its preservation or, on the contrary, its alteration. The thermal shock applied in the context of the invention is a highly considerable reduction in the temperature in a minimum of time. The procedure is implemented by very rapid freezing, followed by slow warming in which the action of the cold persists. The very sudden reduction in the temperature induces, even before the tissue is solidified, the micro-crystallisation of the intracellular water. These microcrystals induce membrane alterations, denaturation of structural proteins and enzymes, excessive concentration of ions, all conditions resulting in an adverse effect on the cells. Recrystallisation of the excess water during the heating phase further increases cell lysis. In normal conditions, the skin temperature is about 34° C. This is the temperature that must be lowed to the maximum in a minimum time.

[0050] The melanocytes are located at the dermo-epidermal junction and migrate during the fours stages of their maturation to the surface of the skin, that is, to the superficial layer of the epidermis. These melanocytes contain melanosomes, vesicles containing melanin. The maturation of the melanosomes and the melanin concentration occurs within the melanocytes. The melanosomes are then transferred to the dendrites of the melanocytes and to the keratinocytes, which integrate them in their cell structures. They place themselves above the nucleus to protect it from UV radiation. Enzymes then break down the melanosomes. The released melanin is eliminated at the epidermal surface by desquamation of the stratum corneum and in the dermis by the lymphatic route.

[0051] Hyperpigmentation results from a melanogenesis disorder, with increased activity in the melanosomes and sometimes the more extensive transfer of pigment in the keratinocytes of the stratum spinosum, or an accumulation of melanin in the dermis. It thereby consists of a hypermelanocytose, located at the basal level. The hypermelanocytose is characterised by the increase in the number of melanocytes, or an increase in the melanin synthesis by the melanocytes. The key cell and, consequently, the target cell is the melanocyte. However, the keratinocytes should not be affected since they protect the epidermal tissue from UV radiation.

[0052] The thickness of the epidermis varies according to the area concerned, from 0.02 mm on the facial skin to 0.5 mm on the soles of the feet. Its average thickness is 0.01 mm. On the hands (top of the hands), the melanocytes are located 0.1 mm from the surface of the skin.

[0053] In an epidermis subjected to cold, the melanocytes remain viable if they are subjected to a temperature between 0 and −4° C.

[0054] Between −4° C. and −7° C., granuloma lysis containing pigments is observed, that is, the melanosomes containing melanin, followed by the beginning enzyme digestion of the melanin in the melanocytes and in the keratinocytes in the deep layer of the epidermis, near the basal layer.

[0055] Between −7° C. and −30° C., the disappearance of the melanocytes is observed and, below, the melanocytes do not reappear (depigmentation disorder). The destruction of keratinocytes occurs at temperature below −20° C., with a very significant destruction of highly differentiated melanocyte populations.

[0056] The invention has shown that the efficacy of the cosmetic treatment of hyperpigmentation due to melanocytes, without significant damage to the keratinocytes, occurs at a range of −4° C. and −15° C. and preferably between −5° C. and −12° C. The cold applied to the skin should generate a temperature preferably between −5° C. and −12° C. for 2 to 10 seconds, to act on the melanocytes and the melanin cyto-selectively. Therefore, the application of a fluid at a temperature between −5° C. and −12° C. for a period of 2 to 10 seconds, acts on the melanin and the melanocytes, without damaging the keratinocytes, according to a principle of cyto-selectivity, that is, a cell selectivity by cryogenics. The balance between the benefits (action on the melanin and melanocytes between −5° C. and −12° C.) and the risks (destruction of the keratinocytes below −20° C.) is therefore high and, according to the invention, is consistent with high safety with the use of the cosmetic treatment and the absence of adverse effects (pain and scars).

[0057] The water condensation properties of certain cooling fluids are more pronounced than others. This is the case of dimethyl ether, a cryogenic fluid used in certain products to treat warts. When this mixture enters a foam tip, the water vapour in the air condenses due to the contact of the cold foam with the surrounding air. Systematically, the formation of droplets can be observed. They immediately freeze on the surface of the nozzle when the latter is held in the open air. This fluid remains longer in liquid form on the skin. It evaporates slowly, trapped in the tip. When this nozzle is applied to the skin, a certain amount of water is deposited on the treated area and this moisture greatly heightens the sensation of pain. However, difluoroethane (code 152A) evaporates very quickly, allowing the cold to penetrate more quickly into the skin. The speed of evaporation and spray without direct skin contact avoids the condensation of water and its “imprisonment”. Difluoroethane (152A) has been selected for its boiling point at −25° C., its vapour pressure of 5.3 bars at 20° C., and its low latent heat of evaporation (160 KJ/kg), to produce a highly volatile fluid to prevent the formation of drops on the skin and, as a result, the sensation of pain while providing enough cold to be effective.

[0058] When the skin is subject to a source of cold applied on its surface, it undergoes a rapid lowering of its temperature. In this case, the application of a stream of difluoroethane without direct contact on the skin produces a variation in the surface temperature of about 10 to 20° C. per second. It thereby helps reduce the temperature of the tissue from about 34° C. to −5° C. to −12° C., a difference of about 40° C., within a little more than 2 seconds and, in practice, from 2.5 to 3 seconds, due to thermal loss. An alternative embodiment of the invention uses gas 134A, that is, tetrafluoroethane.

[0059] The change in temperature progresses at a rate of 0.5 to 1 mm per second through the layers of the skin.

[0060] As a result, the temperature of the basal layer generated by the cold equals the temperature at the surface of the skin in a time interval of about 0.2 seconds.

[0061] In these conditions, in less than 1 second, the temperature of the melanocytes in the basal layer is identical to that of the skin surface. A spraying time of the cryogenic fluid of about 3 seconds is thereby optimal for the desired effect.

[0062] In a preferred embodiment, the method is implemented using a direction difluoroethane (152A) diffuser with automated timing system, pre-set at three seconds. The main components are described below.

[0063] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the components of the device are surrounded by casing 1. This casing contains a cartridge 2 of cryogenic fluid, preferably 152A, possibly 134A (tetrafluoroethane) under a pressure of about 6 bars and a maximum of 10 bars. Cartridge 2 is connected to solenoid valve 7 via a stem 8 allowing the fluid to escape from the interior of the cartridge outwards. When the device is in rest position, stem 8 lets the fluid enter the upstream chamber of solenoid valve 7. Casing 1 contains a power source, for example, in the form of electric batteries 3. The power source is connected via a switch 5 to an electronic timing system 4, which allows for the passage of fluid in solenoid valve 7 for a pre-determined time. The electronic timer 4, and consequently solenoid valve 7 is triggered by a release button 6. Downstream from solenoid valve 7, a nozzle 9 is arranged. This is presented diagrammatically according to two variants in FIGS. 1 and 3. This unit allows provides a precise and reproducible dose of cryogenic fluid being ejected via the nozzle for a pre-determined time, for example three seconds, with an accuracy of 0.1 seconds. The precision of the timing of the solenoid valve is required to secure a selective cryo-cyto action thereby avoiding reaching temperatures that are harmful for the keratinocytes.

[0064] Preferably, the end of the stem 8, which is engaged inside the cartridge 2, is equipped with a coaxial socket (not shown) containing longitudinal peripheral slots allowing for the passage of the cryogenic fluid under pressure.

[0065] These slots are designed to let the fluid pass through when the device is oriented vertically with cartridge 2 in the up position (head down).

[0066] This configuration prevents the use of the device in other positions for safety reasons. It also optimises the ease of handling of the device on the dark spots of the hand by a diffusion from top down, only using the other hand, without the help of a third person.

[0067] The nozzle 9 opens into a nozzle 10 arranged outside the casing 1. Nozzle 10, which is conical in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, terminates with a connector 11 with an opening allowing for the contact between the stream of cold fluid (in gas state) and the targeted skin area. The aperture may thereby have an area corresponding to the diameter of the most extensive lentigines that can be treated in a cosmetic procedure without the risk of confusion with a possible melanoma. The aperture may, for example, have a circular shape with a diameter of 6 mm. Therefore, a skin spot may be treated with a single application. The conical shape of the nozzle, its length of about 35 mm, the lateral openings and the tip are designed to focus the diffusion of the fluid on a specific area of tissue.

[0068] In the embodiment presented in FIG. 1, the cryogenic fluid passes successively from cartridge 2 and stem 8, where the outlet diameter may vary from 3 to 4 mm, to the solenoid valve 7, whose input and output diameters may vary from 0.15 mm to 0.25 mm. The cryogenic fluid passes into a chamber of the solenoid valve 7 along a length, which may range from 10 to 30 mm.

[0069] At the outlet of the solenoid valve, it enters through an opening in the nozzle 9, in which the length of the path of the fluid ranges from 3 to 12 mm, with an inner diameter of 0.15 to 3.5 mm and which may be composed of the assembly of one or several identical components of hydrophobic material and without or with a very low thermal conductivity.

[0070] This nozzle consists of an element that is long and especially narrow in which the fluid flows before it is ejected and its expansion to atmospheric pressure or to the area adjacent to the area of skin to be treated. Precisely this expansion is the endothermic phenomenon producing the cryogenic effect.

[0071] The nozzle helps reduce the initial speed of the cryogenic fluid and promotes the projection of the cold liquid sprayed on an area of skin in appropriate conditions of temperature and time set by the cosmetic care provided by the invention.

[0072] In the context of the invention, changes in the diameter, length and shape of the nozzle 9 have been found to considerably influence the flow of the gas and these modifications pay a major role, in combination with adjustments to the opening time of the solenoid valve 7, on the temperature at the surface of the affected skin area.

[0073] In particular, and according to a particularly preferred embodiment, a nozzle in which the path length of the fluid ranges from 3 to 12 mm for a inner diameter of passage of 0.15 to 3.5 mm, in combination with a time of opening of the solenoid valve of three seconds, provides a temperature range leading to an effective cryo-cyto-selective action on the treated area of tissue.

[0074] FIG. 2 illustrates the above by showing the temperature of the skin surface obtained after three seconds of opening of the solenoid valve with (A) and without (B) the nozzle 9 of the invention. The absence of nozzle does not provide the temperature range for a cryo-cyto-selective action since a temperature would be obtained that is harmful for the keratinocytes.

[0075] In addition, in order to avoid, on the one hand, icing phenomena and protect the means for the delivery of fluid and, in particular, insulate the electronic or mechanical components of the timing system of the solenoid valve from low temperatures and limit, on the other hand, the power of the flow, the invention defines a specific nozzle to increase the resistance to the flow of the cryogenic fluid downstream from the solenoid valve 7.

[0076] FIGS. 4A to 4C present variations of an improved nozzle according to the invention.

[0077] The nozzle 9 shown in FIG. 4A comprises a one-piece cylindrical body 91 on the upper side of which an upstream circular cavity 91a is formed. The height of the body 91 here is between 4 and 12 mm and, preferably, 10.50 mm, and it has an outer diameter of about 12 cm while the cavity 91a has a small depth (about 0.40 mm) and an inner diameter of about 8 mm.

[0078] This cavity is made to receive an annular seal (such as J1 in FIG. 5) whose thickness roughly corresponds to the depth of the cavity 91a.

[0079] The cavity 91a extends downstream and within the body via an also cylindrical axial conduit 91b for the passage of fluid whose inner diameter is 3.5 mm here and whose length is between 8 and 9 mm.

[0080] In view of the relative dimensions, the conduit 91b forms a chamber for the transient retention and accumulation of fluid thereby ensuring, the slowing down of the flow. The fluid is then ejected downward and outward towards the skin area to be treated, successively, through an axial channel 91c of very small diameter (between 0.15 and 0.25 mm) with respect to that of conduit 91b and then the nozzle 10, whose length is preferably from 0.3 to 2.4 mm.

[0081] In conduit 91b, the stream of fluid leaving the solenoid valve 7 is at least partially liquid because the expansion is still only partial and it is subject to turbulence resulting from the impact of the stream of fluid released and sprayed from the solenoid valve 7 against the walls of the conduit. This regime of turbulence also helps slow down the flow of fluid.

[0082] Another variant of the nozzle in the invention is illustrated by FIG. 4B in connection with FIG. 5.

[0083] The cavity 92a, like cavity 91b, is made to receive an annular seal (refer to J1, J2 in FIG. 5) whose thickness substantially corresponds to the depth of this cavity.

[0084] However, unlike the conduit 91b of FIG. 4A, the axial conduit 92b is conical with an upstream inlet diameter between 2 and 3 mm for a length between 3 and 5 mm.

[0085] The conduit 92b extends by an axial channel 92c of very small diameter (between 0.15 and 0.25 mm) and very short length (between 0.3 and 2.4 mm and, preferably, 0.5 mm) that opens to the outside down the centre of an inside coaxial cavity 92d that is identical to the upper cavity 92a and is made to also receive an identical annular seal (refer to FIG. 5).

[0086] FIG. 4c shows yet another variant of the nozzle 9 of the invention where the inner axial conduit 93b is frusto-conical with an inlet diameter upstream between 2.0 and 3.0 mm and an inside diameter in the lower part between 1.0 and 2.0 mm.

[0087] The conduit 93b opens into the lower cavity 93d via a channel 93c identical to channel 92c of FIG. 4B.

[0088] To ensure a better thermal insulation of the solenoid valve 7 and, in particular, the electronic or mechanical system providing the time delay, with respect to the low temperatures of the fluid immediately entering downstream in the nozzle 9, according to the invention, it is envisaged to make the body of the nozzle out of a hydrophobic material and without or with very low thermal conductivity such as PTFE, PFA, POM or a POM+PTFE mixture. Indeed, these materials do not retain drops of water (neither by absorption, nor adsorption) and thereby eliminate the risk of icing of the nozzle.

[0089] Moreover, since these materials are thermally insulating, they protect the timing system, whether electronic or mechanical, avoiding malfunction.

[0090] Advantageously, the nozzle body may be created by moulding the hydrophobic and thermally non-conductive plastic.

[0091] FIG. 5 presents a variant of the nozzle of the invention made by the assembly and connection in series of two identical bodies 92 as shown in FIG. 4B.

[0092] However, it would be possible, without departing from the scope of the invention, to provide the assembly and fluid connection of two bodies of different dimensions and profile, in particular, according to variants illustrated by FIGS. 4A to 4C.

[0093] Each of the two bodies 92, as illustrated in FIG. 4B, is cylindrical and has a circular upstream cavity 92a like the cavity 91a in FIG. 4A in which at least one annular seal J1, J2 is housed.

[0094] The diameter of the two bodies 92 is about 12 mm like the body 91 in FIG. 4A and their respective height is between 4.5 and 5.5 mm.

[0095] The two bodies 92 are assembled against each other in a stacked and coaxial manner overwhelming the joints J, respectively, upper J1 and intermediate J2, inside the upstream compartment 12a of a casing 12 whose dimensions are designed for this purpose.

[0096] The in series connection of the conduits 92b, 92c of at least two bodies 92 of nozzle 9 downstream from the solenoid valve 7 limits and/or slows down the flow of cryogenic fluid, thereby at the same time avoiding an overly sudden expansion which is likely to cause icing and a low temperature on the skin application area.

[0097] According to a preferred embodiment, the diameter of conduit 92c is 0.17 mm over a height between 0.5 and 0.9 mm and preferably 0.5 mm.

[0098] Preferably, the casing 12 will be made in one piece with the housing 1 (FIGS. 1 and 3) and is connected via a downstream compartment 12b made in the lower part, to the nozzle 10 communicating with the end-piece 11 forming a collimator.

[0099] FIGS. 3 and 5 illustrate a method of connection of the nozzle 10 and tip 11 to the casing 12 of the nozzle 9.

[0100] According to one variant, it would be possible to provide a releasable connection (for example, by bayonet) and/or adjustable in height (for example, by screwing) of the nozzle 10 on the casing 12 so as to adjust the position of the tip and the cryogenic fluid concentration over the target area to be treated.

[0101] In the variant shown in FIG. 3, the end-piece 11 is designed as a perforated shell with a central opening 11a for the focused application of the fluid on the skin area.

[0102] The lateral wall of this shell is perforated and its periphery is snapped over the peripheral edge of the lower part of the nozzle 10.

[0103] The invention will be described in further detail in the following example for the implementation of the method of treatment.

[0104] Example of the Implementation of the Method of Cosmetic Treatment in the Invention by Cyto-Selective Cryogenics.

[0105] A study was carried out to validate the device described above. The study consisted of applying a cryogenic gas 152A on subjects with dark spots on the back of the hand. The study included 4 subjects, two men and two women, JMPAT, CDEN, AMAH and YPHIL, 50, 57, 59 and 55 years old respectively. The duration of the application of the cryogenic gas was set at 3 seconds. The subjects had the following characteristics: [0106] JMPAT: presence of a very visible dark spot on the right hand, near the index. [0107] CDEN: presence of a visible dark spot on the right hand, between the index and the little finger. [0108] AMAH: presence of two large dark spots, on the right hand. [0109] YPHIL: presence of two dark spots, almost touching, on the right hand.

[0110] The results show that the device eliminates dark spots after one spray of 3 seconds per spot. Indeed, the treated dark spots totally disappeared in all of the patients after a period of two to three weeks after a single application. Some of the subjects enrolled in the study were already treated by a dermatologist on other similar dark spots on the back of their hand. The treatment consisted of the application of traditional cryotherapy with nitrogen or dimethyl ether.

[0111] Unlike these treatments, the surface application of cryogenic cold with the device in the invention did not induce a sensation of pain, even though the subjects felt sharp pain during the previous treatment by the dermatologist. In addition, the absence of major inflammation and tissue destruction likely to lead to marks in the form of scars or hypo-pigmentation is noted.

[0112] These observations confirm that the device really provides a cryo-cyto-selective cosmetic effect, while traditional cryotherapy with nitrogen or dimethyl ether, as carried out under medical supervision in the office of a dermatologist, did not provide such an effect. The device with its cryo-cyto-selective action does not provoke destruction by necrosis of all of the tissue, or the destruction of keratinocytes and therefore does not provoke the phenomena observed with traditional cryotherapy with nitrogen as performed in the office of a dermatologist (inflammation, severe pain, scarring, hypo-pigmentation).

[0113] Although presented in FIG. 1 in the form of an elongate diffuser designed to contain a cartridge of difluoroethane, the invention may apply to any cryogenic fluid diffuser having a boiling temperature between −20° C. and −65° C. and a latent heat evaporation between 1 and 500 KJ/Kg, equipped with a suitable focusing device on an area of skin and a pre-set or adjustable system of timing control.

[0114] As described above, the invention provides a method for the cosmetic treatment of skin tissue to obtain a cryo-cyto-selective action on melanocytes versus keratinocytes. As already noted above, the term cryo-cyto-selective action or cryo-cyto-selectivity refers to a selective action on a population of cells of a certain tissue without acting on at least one other or other populations of cells.

[0115] The invention may be applied to other types of populations of cells in other tissues. The term population of cells is understood in its broadest sense, that is, a set of cells having the same characteristics, for example, a type of cell, a cell line, stem cells, prokaryotes or eukaryotes, of all origins, human, animal or plant.

[0116] In addition, the method in the invention may also apply to the components of cells, that is, cell organelles, including but not limited to melanosomes, nucleoli, nuclei, ribosomes, vesicles, endoplasmic reticuli, Golgi, cytoskeletons, mitochondria, vacuoles, cytosols, lysosomes, centrosomes and plasma membranes. The method in the invention as described above may also apply, provided that it is possible to determine a deleterious temperature range for the cell population, structures or target organisms, and in which range another population or surrounding tissue is not affected in a noteworthy or unacceptable manner.