NeuroCryoStimulation is the stimulation of cutaneous (skin) receptors at very low temperatures, under high pressure, and by vibration from a jet of carbon dioxide microcrystals.  The physiological result is ‘thermal shock’, a rapid skin temperature drop from 32°C to about 2°C, triggering an immediate signal response from cutaneous neuroreceptors to the brain through the spinal cord.  A neurovegetative reflex occurs, triggering the healing process that will assist a rapid recovery.  Thermal shock can be achieved in 30-60 seconds, as the device delivers a cold intensity of -78°C (pressure = 50bar) from a distance of 8cm away from the skin, resulting in a skin-contact spray of -7°C (1bar), and sound waves of 400Hz.

The three types of cutaneous neuroreceptors, found within the top 5mm of the skin, which react to thermal shock are:

• Nociceptors (react to pain)
• Ruffini/Krause neuroreceptors (react to heat/cold)
• Pacini neuroreceptors (react to atmospheric pressure and vibration from sound waves)

• Analgesic – pain relief lasting up to 4 hours.
• Anti-inflammatory – controls and reduces tissue inflammation response.
• Vasomotor – creates rapid constriction then dilation to drain the vascular system of substances causing pain, swelling, and inflammation.
• Muscle relaxant – resulting from the above three effects, combined with the sound wave vibrations.

• Reduced recovery time.
• Reduced use of anti-inflammatory medications.
• Control of swelling and quick drainage of hematomas.
• Increased movement post-surgery

It consists of a sweeping motion of the medical CO₂ gas jet across the treatment area’s dry skin, creating microcrystals on the skin’s surface. For acute injuries, treatments may last 30-90 seconds, depending on the surface area, reaching thermal shock, and the sudden temperature reduction to 2-4°C. For chronic injuries, treatment times vary based on the patient’s sensitivity, feedback, and sensation of a burning feeling; often longer than acute treatments.

The normal skin surface temperature is 32°C. 

A conventional ice pack or cold compress cools the skin via conduction/contact, where there is a slow and regular cooling, as heat  exchanges from the warmer substance to the cooler substance.  This heat exchange occurs through the blood circulation close to the skin. It takes 20 minutes of ice contact to reduce the skin temperature to 1°C, and will return to normal temperature in approximately 40 minutes.

NeuroCryoStimulation cools the skin via convection and sublimation (substance goes straight from solid to gaseous state, without passing through liquid state) of carbon dioxide microcrystals on the skin.  The reaction occurs from the reflex type response of the central nervous system, resulting in a more effective vascular system drainage.   Treatments of 30-90 seconds result in a skin temperature of 2-4°C, and will return to normal temperature within 5 minutes.

The patented Cryonic Medical devices for NeuroCryoStimulation are well established in the European, Australian, United Kingdom, and Middle-East markets.   Since the technology is now licensed for use in Canada, the devices will be used at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics.  Below is a short list of some high profile sports teams that use NeuroCryoStimulation.

Cryonic Medical has gathered a large number of clinical and scientific observational studies to support the use of their NeuroCryoStimulation devices for pain relief, anti-inflammation, muscle relaxation, and a vasomotor reflex response to accelerate tissue healing.  Below is a list of some of the key clinical studies.