Fluid delivery apparatus

• US 20040186535A1
• Filed: 02/20/2004
• Published: 09/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Thermage Incorporated (Bausch Health Cos., Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Thermage Incorporated (Bausch Health Cos., Inc.)
• Inventors: Knowlton, Edward W.
• Application Number:
  US10/783,974
• Publication Number:
  US 20040186535A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/88
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 44/22 Face shaping devices, e.g. chin straps; Wrinkle removers, e.g. stretching the skin skin stretchers for shaving A45D27/38
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/02 by cooling, e.g. cryogenic techniques devices for cooling specific reflex points of the body within cell-life limits A61H39/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/14 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/003 Steerable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00011 with fluids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0212 using an instrument inserted into a body lumen, e.g. catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/064 for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0021 Female breast
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/10 with further special therapeutic means, e.g. electrotherapy, magneto therapy or radiation therapy, chromo therapy, infrared or ultraviolet therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 7/001 without substantial movement between the skin and the device
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3606 cooled
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/06 for high-frequency therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/403 for thermotherapy, e.g. hyperthermia
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/04 Radiators for near-field treatment

Abstract

A fluid delivery apparatus for introducing a fluid cooling media to a skin surface includes a template with a skin interface surface. An energy delivery device is coupled to the template. A fluid cooling media introduction member is coupled to the template. Resources controllably deliver energy from the energy delivery device to the skin surface. In a related embodiment, the resources are configured to controllably deliver the flowable cooling media to the introduction member. In another embodiment, a sensor is coupled to the resources and to the skin surface.

Claims

1. A method for inducing the formation of collagen in a selected collagen containing tissue site beneath a skin surface, comprising:

providing an energy source;

producing energy from the energy source;

cooling through the skin surface, wherein a temperature of the skin surface is lower than the selected collagen containing tissue site; and

delivering energy from the energy source through the skin surface to the selected collagen containing tissue site for a sufficient time to induce collagen formation in the selected collagen containing tissue site, and forming no more than a second degree burn on the skin;

and creating a tissue effect.