Abstract: Provided herein are systems, compositions, and methods for improving one or more skin characteristics in a subject. These systems, compositions, and methods are configured to cool the subject's skin at a target site to a degree that alters adipocyte signaling but does not produce significant destruction of subcutaneous lipid-rich cells. In some embodiments, alteration of adipocyte signaling produces an improvement in one or more skin characteristics.

Abstract: A cryoprotectant for use with a treatment device for improved removal of heat from subcutaneous lipid-rich cells of a subject having skin is provided. The cryoprotectant is a non-freezing liquid, gel, or paste for allowing pre-cooling of the treatment device below 0° C. while preventing the formation of ice thereon. The cryoprotectant may also prevent freezing of the treatment device to the skin or ice from forming from moisture seeping out from the skin. The cryoprotectant may further be hygroscopic, thermally conductive, and biocompatible.

Abstract: A method for strengthening, toning, and firming muscle tissues, the method includes receiving parameters for operating a magnetic muscle stimulation device. The parameters include: a first waveform frequency; one or more pulse durations; a second waveform frequency that is non-zero; causing, a first alternating current having one or more first pulses to flow for a first length of time through a coil according to the first waveform frequency; causing, a second alternating current having one or more second pulses to flow through the coil for a second length of time according to the second waveform frequency lower than the first waveform frequency. The method includes repeating the causing of the first and second alternating currents for a plurality of iterations to provide a continuously pulsed time-varying magnetic field that alternates between the first and the second waveform frequencies to generate a treatment session.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Compositions and formulations for use with devices and systems that enable tissue cooling, such as cryotherapy applications, for alteration and reduction of adipose tissue are described. Aspects of the technology are further directed to methods, compositions and devices that provide protection of non-targeted cells (e.g., non-lipid-rich cells) from freeze damage during dermatological and related aesthetic procedures that require sustained exposure to cold temperatures. Further aspects of the technology include systems for enhancing sustained and/or replenishing release of cryoprotectant to a treatment site prior to and during cooling applications.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems, compositions, and methods for improving one or more skin characteristics in a subject. These systems, compositions, and methods are configured to cool the subject's skin at a target site to a degree that alters adipocyte signaling but does not produce significant destruction of subcutaneous lipid-rich cells. In some embodiments, alteration of adipocyte signaling produces an improvement in one or more skin characteristics.

Abstract: Methods are provided herein for affecting a region of a subject's body, comprising exposing the region to a cooling element under conditions effective to cool subcutaneous adipose tissue in said region; and increasing the blood flow rate to the cooled tissue by exposing the tissue to an energy source. Methods are also provided for treating subcutaneous adipose tissue in a region of a subject's body, comprising exposing said region to a cooling element under conditions effective to cool said tissue; and exposing the tissue to an energy source to increase the blood flow rate to the cooled tissue, thereby stimulating reperfusion in, and/or causing an ischemia-reperfusion injury to, the cooled tissue.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A treatment device for removing heat from subcutaneous lipid-rich cells of a subject having an actuator that provides mechanical energy to the tissue. The mechanical energy provided may include a vibratory component that can range between low and ultra-high frequencies, and such energy may include various combinations of two or more frequencies tailored to produce the desired effect on the subcutaneous tissue. Disruption of adipose tissue cooled by an external treatment device may be enhanced by applying mechanical energy to cooled tissue. Furthermore, such mechanical energy may impart a vibratory effect, a massage effect, a pulsatile effect, or combinations thereof on the tissue.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Treatment systems, methods, and apparatuses for improving the appearance of skin and other treatments are described. Aspects of the technology are directed to improving the appearance of skin by reducing a vascular structure. A non-invasive cooling device can cover and cool the vascular structure to affect the blood vessels of the vascular structure.

Abstract: Systems for treating a subject's tissue can include a thermally conductive cup with vacuum features configured to facilitate removal of air located between the cup and the subject's skin. The vacuum features can extend along cup to provide airflow paths to a vacuum port. The applicator can cool and/or heat the retained tissue to affect targeted tissue. After the treat period, the vacuum can be reduced or stop and the applicator can be removed from the subject.

Abstract: A system for treating a subject can include an adjustable vacuum applicator configured to receive the subject's tissue by applying a vacuum. The vacuum applicator can have an cavity adjustment mechanism with different modes for widening and narrowing a tissue-receiving cavity to adjust the thermal contact between the vacuum applicator and the subject's tissue within the applicator. Sidewalls of the vacuum applicator can be moved to positive draft angle positions to help draw tissue deeper into the tissue-receiving cavity.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for treating a patient are disclosed. The systems can include a cryotherapy apparatus for selectively treating targeted tissue. The cryotherapy apparatus includes one or more stress relief couplings located along a conduit to help keep an applicator positioned at a treatment site without significant rotational torque being imparted to the applicator by the conduit so that the applicator does not tend to move relative to patient skin during a tissue treatment. The stress relief couplings can include swivel connectors and clamps that cooperate to minimize or limit a rotational force exerted on the applicator by the conduit after the applicator is applied to the patient's skin.

Abstract: Compositions and formulations for use with devices and systems that enable tissue cooling, such as cryotherapy applications, for alteration and reduction of adipose tissue are described. Aspects of the technology are further directed to methods, compositions and devices that provide protection of non-targeted cells (e.g., non-lipid-rich cells) from freeze damage during dermatological and related aesthetic procedures that require sustained exposure to cold temperatures. Further aspects of the technology include systems for enhancing sustained and/or replenishing release of cryoprotectant to a treatment site prior to and during cooling applications.