Apparatus and method for reducing subcutaneous fat deposits, virtual face lift and body sculpturing by electroporation

• US 20050182462A1
• Filed: 04/15/2005
• Published: 08/18/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AngioDynamics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: AngioDynamics, Inc.
• Inventors: Jaafar, Ali, Chornenky, Victor I.
• Granted Patent: US 7,938,824 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/99
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0424 Shape of the electrode
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/325 for iontophoresis, i.e. transfer of media in ionic state by an electromotoric force into the body electrodes for external use A61N1/0428
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/327 for enhancing the absorption properties of tissue, e.g. by electroporation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/328 for improving the appearance of the skin, e.g. facial toning or wrinkle treatment

Abstract

An apparatus and method for performing non-invasive treatment of the human face and body by electroporation in lieu of cosmetic surgery is provided. The apparatus comprises a high voltage pulse generator and an applicator having two or more electrodes in close mechanical and electrical contact with the patient'"'"'s skin for applying the pulses to the patient'"'"'s skin. The applicator may consist of two pieces with one electrode having a sharp tip and another having a flat surface. High voltage pulses delivered to the electrodes create at the tip of the sharp electrode an electric field high enough to cause death of relatively large subcutaneous fat cells by electroporation. Moving the electrode tip along the skin creates a line of necrotic subcutaneous fat cells, which later are metabolized by the body. Multiple applications of the electrode along predetermined lines on the face or neck create shrinkage of the skin and the subcutaneous fat volume underlying the treated area.

Claims

1. An apparatus for cosmetic treatment comprising:

an applicator including at least one positive and one negative electrode for engaging the skin of a patient and applying a pulsed electric field to the skin and the subcutaneous tissues in a predetermined volume of skin and subcutaneous tissue to be treated;

a power supply for generating high voltage pulses for applying a pulsed electric field to the skin and subcutaneous tissues, said pulses having a voltage above the upper electroporation limit of subcutaneous fat cells in the treated volume for the predetermined volume; and

a connector connecting said applicator to said power supply.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said applicator includes a plurality of electrodes in an array for applying electric field to the skin and subcutaneous tissues of the patient.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said applicator comprises a pair of forceps including a pair of arms and an electrode mounted on each arm, said arms moveable toward and away from one another.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said applicator comprises a pair of members, a first one of said members including a needle-like electrode and the second of said members including a flat electrode.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said power supply generates pulses of duration in a range of 10 microseconds to 100 milliseconds.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the amplitude of the electric field applied to the treated volume falls in a range of 20 Volt/mm to 2000 Volt/mm.

11. The method of claim 1 including:

applying electroporation treatment to predetermined multiple sites on the patient'"'"'s body.

6. An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the amplitude of the electric field applied to the treated volume falls in a range of 20 Volt/mm to 2000 Volt/mm.

8. An apparatus for weight loss and/or body sculpturing, comprising:

an applicator with an electromagnetic coil in it designed for generating high pulsed magnetic fields;

a pulse power supply capable of generating high pulses of current;

a low resistance cable connecting the electromagnetic coil to the power supply.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the curl electric field generated in the subcutaneous tissue is in the range of 30 to 50 Volt/mm, and the duration of the pulses is 5 to 20 microseconds.

10. A method for cosmetic treatment in lieu of cosmetic surgery, weight loss and/or body sculpturing comprising:

providing an applicator with a set of positive and negative electrodes for engaging the skin of a patient and applying a pulsed electric field to the skin and the subcutaneous tissues of an area to be treated;

providing a power supply capable of generating high voltage pulses;

engaging patient'"'"'s skin with the electrodes;

applying a pulsed electric field to the area to be treated via said electrodes with an amplitude sufficient to cause death to subcutaneous fat cells having a predetermined minimum size.