Do you expect with applicator modification that coolsculpting could reduce thick ankles?

no matter how the technology changes, freezing the ankle may have risks of circulation. There is not much fat in a thick ankle so as there is risk of circulation problems when liposuction is done on ankles, there also would be some risk with freezing. I am not replying with an absolute "no" as I am not an engineer and one never knows what those bright people in R & D may invent.

At this time, Coolsculpting is not FDA approved for use on the ankles.  You may wish to consider Exilis Ultra treatments that will reduce fat and tighten skin using a hand-held device that does not rely on an applicator.  Thanks for your question and good luck.

Coolsculpting does not currently has FDA approval for ankles. The company is continuously expanding its treatment options, but nothing has been mentioned by the company to date.

For now, an area like the ankles isn't treatable in the foreseeable future for exactly the reason you mention with the cooling panels/plates.  The tissue in the ankle area isn't lack and compressable enough to draw into an applicator to treat.  Drawing the tissue into the applicator as opposed to focusing the cold straight down into tissue is not only more effective but much safer as well.