Inductive heating of tissues using alternating magnetic fields and uses thereof

• US 20080249350A1
• Filed: 04/07/2008
• Published: 10/09/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rocky Mountain Biosystems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Rocky Mountain Biosystems, Inc.
• Inventors: Marchitto, Kevin S., Flock, Stephen T.
• Granted Patent: US 10,271,900 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/10
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/14 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/18 by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves radiation therapy A61N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00452 Skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0047 Upper parts of the skin, e.g. skin peeling or treatment of wrinkles
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/002 in combination with another treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/004 specially adapted for a specific therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2/02 using magnetic fields produced by coils, including single turn loops or electromagnets A61N2/12 takes precedence

Abstract

The present invention improves the cosmetic appearance of skin by controllably heating a superficial layer of skin thereby inducing acute tissue contraction or shrinkage and a wound response leading to the production of biomolecules, all of which result in improved cosmesis. The invention incorporates a source of radiofrequency electrical energy coupled to coil, with requisite impedance matching network, thereby resulting in the production of an alternating magnetic field. When tissue is brought into proximity of the alternating magnetic field, inductive heating of the tissue results as a consequence of either or both of dipole formation and oscillation, and eddy current formation. Optionally, cooling is provided to remove heat from the coil, the source of radiofrequency electrical energy, or the surface of the skin alone or in combination. The invention exhibits the significant benefits of, among other things, being non-invasive, not requiring electrical contact with the body of the subject, and providing controllable heating only to a thin layer of tissue.

Claims

1. A method of inducing a biological effect in a tissue of an individual, comprising the step of:

applying a high frequency alternating magnetic field to said tissue, wherein said magnetic field causes inductive heating in said tissue, wherein said inductive heating causes a biological effect in said tissue in the individual.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said biological effect in a tissue is coagulation, cauterization, contraction, shrinkage, induction of wound response, production of collagen, or a combination thereof.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said inductive heating activates collagen repair and growth in said tissue.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said inductive heating causes coagulation of said tissue resulting in ablation, fusion, improved skin cosmesis, or a combination thereof in said tissue of the individual.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said improved skin cosmesis is selected from the group consisting of facial rejuvenation, reduced wrinkles, reduced acne, increased hair removal, varicose vein reduction, reduction of cellulite, reduced vascular lesions, or a combination thereof.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said heat induced in the tissue is controlled by feedback monitoring to control the time of heat induced, or the amount of heat induced, or a combination thereof, in the individual.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said feedback monitoring is selected from the group consisting of detection of heat in said tissue, detection of eddy currents formed in said tissue, ultrasound detection of said tissue, detection of changes in the impedance in said tissue, or a combination thereof.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of applying cooling to said tissue of the individual.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said cooling comprises application of a thermally conductive surface to said tissue.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said application of a thermally conductive surface comprises circulating coolant through the surface in contact with the tissue, circulating coolant on the exterior of the magnetic field device, applying cryogenic material to said tissue, applying cryogenic material to the surface in contact with said tissue, applying cryogenic material to the exterior of said magnetic field device, or a combination thereof.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein said cooling is applied before, during, or after applying high frequency alternating magnetic field to said tissue.

12. A method of inducing a wound response in tissue in an individual comprising the step of:

applying a high-frequency alternating magnetic field to said tissue, wherein said magnetic field causes the movement of ions in said tissue causing a biological response in said tissue in the individual.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said biological response is comprised of activation of collagen repair and growth, dermal thickening, or a combination thereof.

14. A device for altering tissue, comprising,

a means of providing a source of radiofrequency energy;

and

a means of providing a high frequency alternating magnetic field;

a means of providing a cooling system, and

optionally, a means of controlling said tissue alteration.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein said means for providing said radiofrequency energy is comprised of a radiofrequency power supply.

16. The device of claim 14, wherein said means for providing said high frequency alternating magnetic field is comprised of an induction coil and said radiofrequency energy.

17. The device of claim 14, wherein said means for providing said cooling system is selected from the group consisting of a thermally conductive surface to contact said tissue, a circulating coolant through the thermally conductive surface in contact said tissue, a circulating coolant on the exterior of said the magnetic field device, applying cryogenic material directly to said tissue, applying cryogenic material to the thermally conductive surface, or applying cryogenic material to the exterior of the magnetic field device.

18. The device of claim 14, wherein said means for providing said controlling said tissue alteration comprises feedback monitoring to control the time of heat induced, the amount of heat induced, or a combination thereof.

19. The device of claim 14, wherein said means for feedback monitoring is by detection of heat in said tissue, detection of eddy currents formed in said tissue, ultrasound detection of said tissue, detection of changes in the impedance in said tissue, or a combination thereof.

20. A device for treating tissue, comprising:

a hand piece coupled to the energy output of a radiofrequency generator, whereby said radiofrequency generator produces a high frequency alternating magnetic field, and whereby the hand piece incorporates an impedance matching network, a cooling system, and

optionally a feedback mechanism to ensure proper treatment of said tissue, and

optionally a mechanical tissue-shaper, or pneumatic tissue-shaper, is provided to move said tissue into a different positions and shapes proximal to said hand piece.

21. A device for treating tissue comprising a hand piece coupled to the energy output of a radiofrequency generator, whereby said generator produces a high frequency alternating magnetic field, and whereby the hand piece incorporates an impedance matching network, a cooling system, and a means of controlling the monitoring treatment by the detection of eddy currents, by the detection of an additional source of radiant energy, by the detection of plasma energy, by the detection of acoustic energy, by the detection of bipolar electrosurgical energy, by the detection of monopolar electrosurgical energy, or a combination thereof.