The primary objective of this pilot study was to confirm the safety of a 1064-nm laser device with a novel robotic arm for noninvasive subcutaneous fat reduction in the flank area. Secondary objectives included: assessing the extent of subject discomfort during treatment, overall subject satisfaction with the results of the procedure, and a determination of subcutaneous fat reduction in the treated area, in preparation for larger upcoming trials.
A 110-cm2 area on both flanks of enrolled subjects (N = 11; 22 flanks) was treated for 20 minutes with a Food and Drug Administration-cleared robotic noncontact 1064-nm laser system (EON®; Dominion Aesthetic Technologies, Inc.). Patients were followed for 12 weeks, and examined routinely at 2 weeks, 12 weeks, and additionally as needed, posttreatment. Ad hoc surveys were administered to assess patient satisfaction. A 2-week posttreatment ultrasound scan was used to check for changes in the treated area. Ultrasound measurements were also used to determine the subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness at a center of each treatment zone before treatment and at 12 weeks posttreatment for efficacy determination, with mean thicknesses calculated per subject.
The treatment had a low incidence of adverse effects, with only one subject developing a palpable thickening in the subcutaneous tissue following treatment. This was noted at the 2-week time period and had resolved by the 12-week posttreatment exam. No other predefined adverse effects were noted. On a scale of 0-10, the mean pain score during the procedure was 1.95, decreasing to 0.9 at 30 minutes postprocedure. Subject satisfaction was \"Excellent\" for all subjects (100%). At Week 12 after one treatment, the mean reduction in subcutaneous adipose thickness on the treated flanks was 6.1 mm per patient (-15%; p < 0.01).
Similar to a prior abdominal study with the same robotic laser device, this pilot study confirms the safety of this 1064-nm noncontact laser device for treating subcutaneous fat on the flanks. The procedure is well tolerated with a high degree of subject satisfaction. The amount of subcutaneous fat reduction in the flank area appears similar to that seen in the abdomen, but larger studies are required for confirmation.
gov Identifier: NCT04797988.

Diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) derivatives are promising compounds for application in organic electronics. Here, we investigate several symmetrical N-unsubstituted and N-methyl substituted DPPs which differ in the heteroatom in the aromatic flanks. The conformational, electronic, and optical properties are characterized for single molecules in vacuum or a solvent. The intermolecular interactions are evaluated for interacting dimers. Here, a number of stacking geometries is tested, and dimers with mutual orientation of the molecules corresponding to the minimal binding energies are determined. The predicted charge carrier mobilities for stacks having minimal binding energies corroborate experimentally measured values. We conclude that DFT prediction of such stacks is a promising and computationally inexpensive approach to a rough estimation of transport properties. Additionally, the super-cell of the experimentally resolved crystal structure is used to study the dynamics and to compute the charge transport along the hopping pathways. We discuss obtained high mobilities and relate them to the symmetry of DPP core. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Nutcracker syndrome (NCS) is symptomatic unilateral renal venous hypertension due to compression of the left renal vein between the superior mesenteric artery and aorta (anterior NCS) or between the aorta and spine (posterior NCS). The left ovarian or spermatic vein empties into the left renal vein and is an additional site of venostasis in about half the cases of NCS. The presenting symptom of NCS in about half the cases is atypical left flank pain suggesting a disorder of the lower ribs or thoracolumbar spinal junction, particularly as the pain worsens with standing and increased lumbar lordosis. NCS may be suggested by any combination of the following manifestations: hematuria, which is often only microscopic; orthostatic proteinuria; varicocele and infertility; dyspareunia and other gynecological symptoms; varicose veins in the pelvis, buttocks, or upper thighs; orthostatic hypotension and fatigue; and abdominal pain. Narrowing of the left renal vein on imaging studies is required but far from sufficient to establish the diagnosis. Several converging clinical findings and a marked pressure gradient between the left renal vein and inferior vena cava must be present also. Urological procedures and vascular surgery are being superseded by endovascular stenting with or without simultaneous treatment of the acquired gonadal vein insufficiency by embolization.

Cryolipolysis is a safe, effective non-surgical procedure to reduce fat. For most cryolipolysis treatments, tissue is pulled between parallel cooling plates with a treatment duration of 60 minutes. A novel contoured cup, medium-sized applicator was developed to increase tissue contact with reduced skin tension and reduced treatment time. This prototype contoured cup was investigated with a standard cryolipolysis applicator to evaluate safety, efficacy, and patient preference.
A prototype CoolCup medium-sized vacuum applicator (CoolSculpting System, ZELTIQ Aesthetics) was used to treat n = 19 subjects in the flanks. Randomly assigned, one flank received standard treatment with the CoolCore applicator (-10°C for 60 minutes). The contralateral flank received treatment from the CoolCup (-11°C for 35 minutes). The clinical study primary efficacy endpoint was 70% correct identification of baseline photographs by independent physician review. Incidence of adverse device effects was monitored. Fat layer reduction was measured by ultrasound and subject surveys were administered 12 weeks post-treatment.
Equivalent efficacy was demonstrated between the CoolCore standard treatment and the prototype CoolCup. Independent review from three blinded physicians found 81% correct identification of baseline photographs for the standard treatment and 79% for the CoolCup. Ultrasound measurements indicated mean fat layer reduction of 4.38 mm for the standard treatment and 4.40 mm for the CoolCup; no statistically significant difference was found when comparing treatment efficacy of the two applicators (P = 0.96). Patient questionnaires revealed 85% preferred CoolCup because of shorter treatment duration and greater comfort. Procedural assessments revealed 45% lower pain scores for CoolCup. Immediate post-treatment clinical assessments revealed 82% less bruising. Typical side effects, such as numbness and erythema, were similar. There were no adverse events.
This clinical study of a prototype medium-sized vacuum applicator with a cooled contoured surface indicates that the CoolCup produces equivalent safety and efficacy to the standard CoolCore cryolipolysis applicator. With a 42% reduction in treatment time, the procedure was found to be more comfortable because of lower vacuum skin tension and shorter treatment duration. Lasers Surg. Med. 49:63-68, 2017. © 2016 The Authors. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

OBJECTIVE: A sharply contoured cryolipolysis vacuum applicator was developed to improve fit and tissue draw in the abdomen and flanks to better accommodate a range of body types and a variety of treatment sites. This study was carried out to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the new applicator for treatment of flank fat (\"love handles\").
METHODS: A cryolipolysis vacuum applicator with a sharply contoured cup and curved cooling plates was used to treat 20 flanks. Two treatment cycles were delivered sequentially to each flank (60-minute cycle at a Cooling Intensity Factor of 41.6). Efficacy was evaluated 12 weeks post-treatment by physicians performing blinded, independent review of clinical photographs. Safety was assessed by the treating physician monitoring subjects for side effects and adverse events.
RESULTS: Four blinded, independent physician reviewers properly identified the pre- and post-treatment photographs 94.4% of the time. Improvement was scored from 0 (none) to 10 (complete) and showed an average 4.3 point (43%) improvement. Side-effects were limited to erythema, edema, bruising, and numbness or tingling at the treatment site, and resolved without treatment.
CONCLUSIONS: Multiple treatment cycles from a new improved-fit cryolipolysis applicator are safe and effective for reduction of flank fat bulges. A high degree of improvement was reported by blinded, physician evaluation of standardized photographs.