TEMPERATURE SENSING APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR TREATMENT DEVICES USED TO DELIVER HIGH FREQUENCY ENERGY TO TISSUE
First Claim
1. An apparatus for treating tissue located beneath a skin surface with electromagnetic energy, the apparatus comprising:
- an electrode assembly configured to be positioned adjacent to the skin surface, the electrode assembly adapted to deliver the electromagnetic energy to the tissue, the electrode assembly including at least one thermal sensor, and the at least one thermal sensor comprising a plurality of thin film traces or thick film traces formed on a layer of the electrode assembly and being integral therewith.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for delivering high frequency energy to tissue with improved temperature sensing. The treatment apparatus may be a delivery device positionable adjacent to the tissue. The delivery device may further include an electrode adapted to deliver high frequency energy to the tissue and at least one thermal sensor. In one embodiment, the thermal sensor may include a thermocouple junction of dissimilar metals formed by either thin film or thick film techniques. Alternatively, the thermal sensor may include a body composed of a resistive material having a resistance that varies with temperature to an extent sufficient to measure the skin temperature. A region of the delivery device near the thermal sensor may be heated, before skin contact is established during treatment, for purposes of detecting contact by the occurrence of heat loss from the delivery device region.
83 Citations
30 Claims
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1. An apparatus for treating tissue located beneath a skin surface with electromagnetic energy, the apparatus comprising:
an electrode assembly configured to be positioned adjacent to the skin surface, the electrode assembly adapted to deliver the electromagnetic energy to the tissue, the electrode assembly including at least one thermal sensor, and the at least one thermal sensor comprising a plurality of thin film traces or thick film traces formed on a layer of the electrode assembly and being integral therewith. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for operating a delivery device that transfers electromagnetic energy to tissue beneath a skin surface, the method comprising:
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sensing a temperature difference between first and second thermal sensors in the delivery device; determining a heat flux across the delivery device based upon the temperature difference; and estimating a tissue temperature at a depth beneath the skin surface based upon the temperature difference and the heat flux. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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22. A method for operating a delivery device that transfers electromagnetic energy to tissue beneath a skin surface, the method comprising:
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sensing a temperature difference between first and second thermal sensors in the delivery device; determining a heat flux across the delivery device based upon the temperature difference; and determining a temperature of a skin-contacting surface of the delivery device based upon the heat flux. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method of operating a delivery device that transfers electromagnetic energy to tissue beneath a skin surface, the method comprising:
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heating a region of the delivery device near a thermal sensor; and detecting a drop in temperature with the thermal sensor when the heated region contacts the skin surface. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30)
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Specification