INSULATED NEEDLE AND SYSTEM

• US 20070213705A1
• Filed: 03/07/2007
• Published: 09/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Peter Schmid
• Original Assignee: Peter Schmid
• Inventors: Schmid, Peter
• Application Number:
  US11/683,262
• Publication Number:
  US 20070213705A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/44
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1477 Needle-like probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0016 Energy applicators arranged in a two- or three dimensional array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1425 Needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/143 multiple needles

Abstract

The present invention relates to a needle for directly emitting energy to dermal or sub-dermal tissue in a patient. In the presently preferred embodiment, the needle includes an elongated shaft that is provided with a pointed end, a first shaft section, and a second shaft section. The first and second shaft sections include a conductive material. The second shaft section includes an insulated shaft section that is provided with a length dimensioned according to a depth of epidermal tissue.

Claims

1. A needle, comprising:

a) a shaft, including;

i) a pointed end; and

ii) means for directly applying energy to subepidermal tissue in a patient when the needle is inserted into tissue of the patient in order to reduce the appearance of aging signs in tissue.

2. The needle according to claim 1, further comprising an insulating material on a shaft section of the shaft.

38. The needle according to claim 1, wherein the means for directly applying the energy to subepidermal tissue in a patient when the needle is inserted into tissue of the patient in order to reduce the appearance of aging signs in tissue includes a contact portion on the needle that receives energy conducted by the wire.

39. The needle according to claim 1, further comprising:

a) an energy source, wherein the means for directly applying the energy to subepidermal tissue in a patient when the needle is inserted into tissue of the patient in order to reduce the appearance of aging signs in tissue includes a contact portion on the needle that receives energy generated by the energy source.

40. The needle according to claim 1, further comprising:

a) an energy source and a wire that conducts energy generated by the energy source, wherein;

i) the means for directly applying the energy to subepidermal tissue in a patient when the needle is inserted into tissue of the patient in order to reduce the appearance of aging signs in tissue includes;

(1) a contact portion on the needle that receives the energy conducted by the wire;

(2) and a shaft section that, when inserted into the subepidermal tissue, directly applies energy to the subepidermal tissue; and

b) an insulating material on another shaft section.

3. A needle system, comprising:

a) a wire provided with means for receiving energy; and

b) a needle provided with a shaft and a pointed end, wherein the needle is provided with means for directly applying the energy to subepidermal tissue in a patient when the needle is inserted into tissue of the patient in order to reduce the appearance of aging signs in tissue.

4. (canceled)

9. The needle according to claim 4, wherein the means for directly applying the energy to subepidermal tissue in a patient when the needle is inserted into tissue of the patient in order to reduce the appearance of aging signs in tissue includes a contact portion on the needle that receives energy conducted by the wire and a shaft section that when inserted into the subepidermal tissue, directly applies energy to the subepidermal tissue.

11. The needle according to claim 4, further comprising:

a) an energy source, wherein;

i) the wire receives the energy generated by the energy source; and

ii) the means for directly applying the energy to subepidermal tissue in a patient when the needle is inserted into tissue of the patient in order to reduce the appearance of aging signs in tissue includes a contact portion on the needle that receives energy conducted by the wire.

5. A needle system, comprising:

a) a wire provided with means for receiving energy;

b) a needle provided with a shaft and a pointed end, wherein the needle is provided with means for directly applying the energy to sub-dermal tissue in a patient when the needle is inserted into tissue of the patient in order to reduce the appearance of aging signs in tissue; and

c) an insulating material on a shaft section of the shaft.

8. The needle according to claim 5, wherein the shaft section that includes the insulating material is provided with a length that is dimensioned to be greater than or equal to a depth of the epidermal tissue.

10. The needle according to claim 5, wherein the means for directly applying the energy to subepidermal tissue in a patient when the needle is inserted into tissue of the patient in order to reduce the appearance of aging signs in tissue includes a contact portion on the needle that receives energy conducted by the wire and a shaft section that, when inserted into the subepidermal tissue, directly applies energy to the subepidermal tissue.

12. The needle according to claim 5, further comprising:

a) an energy source, wherein;

i) the wire receives the energy generated by the energy source; and

ii) the means for directly applying the energy to subepidermal tissue in a patient when the needle is inserted into tissue of the patient in order to reduce the appearance of aging signs in tissue includes a contact portion on the needle that receives energy conducted by the wire.

6. (canceled)

7. (canceled)

13. A needle system, comprising:

a) a pad that sheaths a plurality of conductive wires;

b) a plurality of needles that include elongated shafts provided with pointed ends, first shaft sections, and second shaft sections, wherein the first shaft sections and the second shaft sections include a conductive material and the second shaft sections include insulated shaft sections and contact portions, wherein;

i) the contact portions are exposed to receive energy;

ii) the second shaft sections are adapted to conduct the energy to the first shaft sections;

iii) the insulated shaft sections are provided with lengths dimensioned according to a depth of epidermal tissue; and

c) the plurality of conductive wires are adapted to conduct the energy.

14. The needle system according to claim 13, wherein the plurality of conductive wires conduct the energy to the contact portions on the second shaft sections.

15. The needle system according to claim 13, wherein the lengths are dimensioned to be greater than or equal to the depth of epidermal tissue.

16. The needle system according to claim 13, further comprising an adaptor that is configured to connect the conductive wires to an energy source.

17. The needle system according to claim 13, wherein the shaft of at least one needle is angulated.

18. The needle system according to claim 13, wherein the plurality of needles include at least two needles, wherein the shafts of the two needles are provided with different diameters.

19. The needle system according to claim 13, wherein the plurality of needles include at least two needles, wherein the shafts of the two needles are provided with different shaft lengths.

20. The needle system according to claim 13, wherein the plurality of needles include at least two needles, wherein the shafts of the two needles are provided with different angulations.

21. The needle system according to claim 13, wherein the pad holds the needles in contact with the wires.

22. The needle system according to claim 13, wherein the pad includes an insulating material.

23. A needle system, comprising:

a) an energy source;

b) a pad that sheaths a plurality of conductive wires that conduct energy generated by the energy source;

c) a plurality of needles that include elongated shafts provided with pointed ends, first shaft sections, and second shaft sections, wherein the first shaft sections and the second shaft sections include a conductive material and the second shaft sections include insulated shaft sections and contact portions, wherein;

i) the contact portions on the second shaft sections receive energy generated by the energy source;

ii) the second shaft sections conduct the energy to the first shaft sections;

iii) the insulated shaft sections are-provided with lengths dimensioned according to a depth of epidermal tissue; and

d) the plurality of conductive wires conduct the energy generated by the energy source.

24. The needle system according to claim 23, wherein the plurality of conductive wires conduct the energy to the contact portions on the second shaft sections.

25. The needle system according to claim 23, wherein the lengths are dimensioned to be greater than or equal to the depth of epidermal tissue.

26. The needle system according to claim 23, further comprising an adaptor that connects the conductive wires to the energy source.

27. The needle system according to claim 23, further comprising a controller for adjusting the output of energy from the energy source.

28. The needle system according to claim 23, further comprising a footplate for adjusting the output of energy from the energy source.

29. The needle system according to claim 23, wherein the shaft of at least one needle is angulated.

30. The needle system according to claim 23, wherein the plurality of needles include at least two needles, wherein the shafts of the two needles are provided with different diameters.

31. The needle system according to claim 23, wherein the plurality of needles include at least two needles, wherein the shafts of the two needles are provided with different shaft lengths.

32. The needle system according to claim 23, wherein the plurality of needles include at least two needles, wherein the shafts of the two needles are provided with different angulations.

33. The needle system according to claim 23, wherein the energy source is an electrical energy source.

34. The needle system according to claim 23, wherein the energy source is an ultrasound energy source.

35. The needle system according to claim 23, wherein the energy source is a radio frequency energy source.

36. The needle system according to claim 23, wherein the pad holds the needles in contact with the wires.

37. The needle system according to claim 23, wherein the pad includes an insulating material.