Cooling system for tissue treatment system with both tissue and light source cooling

A tissue treatment system comprising:

• a base unit having a power source and a reservoir for containing a cooling fluid,
• an applicator connected with the base unit via a cable, the applicator comprising:
• a light source powered by the power source and constructed and arranged to generate light energy,
• a light guide disposed adjacent to the light source for directing the light energy to biological tissue, the light guide being constructed and arranged to engage the biological tissue for treatment,
• at least one thermoelectric cooler having a cold side and a hot side, the cold side being associated with the light guide, and
• at least one hot side plate mounted to the hot side of the thermoelectric cooler,
• a first fluid passage structure between the reservoir and the hot side plate to deliver cooling fluid to the hot side plate to chill the cooling fluid to a first temperature and chill the cold side of the thermoelectric cooler and thus cool the light guide to cool the biological tissue, such that the cooling fluid is heated to a second temperature upon heat exchange with the biological tissue, and
• a second fluid passage structure between the hot side plate and the reservoir to return the cooling fluid to the reservoir, the second fluid passage structure being constructed and arranged to direct the cooling fluid, at the second temperature, to the light source to cool the light source prior to being returned to the reservoir,
• wherein the first and second fluid passage structures define a single cooling fluid circulation loop to cool both the light guide and the light source in series, and
• wherein a portion of each of the first and second fluid passage structure is disposed in the cable.

A method of cooling a tissue treatment system, the system including a base unit having a power source and a reservoir for containing a cooling fluid, an applicator connected with the base unit via a cable with the applicator including a light source powered by the power source and constructed and arranged to generate light energy, and a tissue cooling element disposed adjacent to the light source for directing the light energy to biological tissue, with a portion of the tissue cooling element being configured to contact the biological tissue, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing first fluid passage structure from the reservoir and extending to be associated with the tissue cooling element,
• delivering the cooling fluid at a first temperature through the first passage structure to chill the tissue cooling element and thus cool the biological tissue, such that the cooling fluid is heated to a second temperature upon heat exchange with the biological tissue,
• providing second fluid passage structure from the tissue cooling element to the reservoir to return the cooling fluid to the reservoir, the second fluid passage structure being associated with the light source, and
• prior to returning the cooling fluid to the reservoir, directing the cooling fluid at the second temperature through the second passage structure to the light source to cool the light source,
• wherein the first and second fluid passage structures define a single cooling fluid circulation loop to cool both the tissue cooling element and the light source in series, and
• wherein a portion of each of the first and second fluid passage structure is disposed in the cable.