RF ELECTRODE FOR AESTHETIC AND BODY SHAPING DEVICES AND METHOD OF USING SAME

• US 20100016849A1
• Filed: 03/12/2009
• Published: 01/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Syneron Medical Limited (Syneron Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Syneron Medical Limited (Syneron Incorporated)
• Inventors: Rosenberg, Avner
• Granted Patent: US 9,314,293 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/33
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/14 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00057 Light
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00084 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/308 with suction cups
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00011 with fluids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00452 Skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/00 Ultrasound therapy lithotripsy A61B17/22, A61B17/225; massage using supersonic vibration A61H23/00 ; using ultrasound for introducing media into the body A61M37/0092

Abstract

A segmented RF electrode with one central segment delivering the treatment energy and at least one peripheral segment arranged around the perimeter of the central segment and a temperature control element communicating with the peripheral segment. The electrode is incorporated into an applicator for aesthetic and other skin treatments.

Claims

1. An RF electrode for aesthetic and body shaping devices, said RF electrode comprising:

an energy delivery surface having one central segment and one or more peripheral segments;

a source of RF energy connected to at least said central segment; and

a temperature control element communicating with at least said peripheral segment.

2. The RF electrode according to claim 1, wherein said electrode further comprises insulation between said central segment and said peripheral segment.

3. The RF electrode according to claim 2, wherein said insulation comprises at least one of a group consisting of electrical insulation and thermal insulation and is positioned between said central segment and said peripheral segment.

4. The RF electrode according to claim 1, wherein said peripheral segment is made of a thermally conductive and electrically insulating material.

5. The RF electrode according to claim 1, wherein said peripheral segment is made of a thermally conductive and electrically conducting material.

6. The RF electrode according to claim 1, wherein said RF energy source is connected in parallel to said segments.

7. The RF electrode according to claim 1, wherein said RF energy source is independently connected to each of said segments and configured to be operable to create a controllable variable potential gradient between said segments.

8. The RF electrode according to claim 1, wherein said peripheral segment is an electrically floating segment.

9. The RF electrode according to claim 1, wherein said temperature control element is a coolant flowing in a coolant carrying conduit, connected to a coolant source.

10. The RF electrode according to claim 1, wherein said temperature control element is a thermoelectric cooler.

11. The RF electrode according to claim 1, wherein said central segment further comprises a temperature stabilizing element.

12. The RF electrode according to claim 1, wherein said temperature stabilizing element is configured to be operable to affect the temperature of said central segment.

13. The RF electrode according to claim 1, wherein said electrode further comprises an applicator coupled to said RF electrode.

14. An RF electrode for aesthetic skin treatment device, said RF electrode comprising:

an energy delivery surface having one central segment and at least one peripheral segment

a source of RF energy connected to at least said central segment;

a temperature control element connected to at least said peripheral segment; and

wherein in course of the treatment the temperature of the central segment of the energy delivery surface is higher than the temperature of the peripheral segment.

15. The RF electrode according to claim 14, wherein said central segment further comprises a temperature stabilizing element operable configured to heat or to cool said central segment.

16. An applicator for aesthetic skin treatment, said applicator comprising:

one or more RF electrodes with an energy delivery surface having one central segment and one or more peripheral segments, said peripheral segments arranged along the perimeter of said central segment;

a source of RF energy connected to at least said central segment;

a temperature control element connected to one or more of the peripheral segments; and

a temperature stabilizing element connected to said central segment.

17. The applicator according to claim 16, wherein said temperature stabilizing element is operable configured to maintain the temperature of the central segment in a range of 35-42 degrees Celsius during stand-by and operation time.

18. A method for use of an RF electrode for aesthetic and body shaping devices, said method comprising:

providing an RF electrode having one central segment and one or more peripheral segments, arranged along the perimeter of said central segment;

applying the RF electrode to a volume of skin to be treated and coupling RF energy to said volume of the skin; and

applying a coolant to at least the peripheral segment of the electrode; and

wherein said coolant cools the peripheral segment and associated with it central segment such that the temperature of the peripheral electrodes is at least equal to or lower than the temperature of the central electrode segment.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein said method further comprises thermal and electrical insulation between said central segment and said peripheral segment.

20. The method according to claim 18, wherein at least one peripheral segment is made of a thermally and electrically conductive material and at least one of the segments is made of a thermally conductive and electrically insulating material.

21. The method according to claim 18, further comprising an RF energy source providing the RF energy to said central and peripheral electrode segments.

22. The method according to claim 21,wherein the central and peripheral electrode segments are connected in parallel to the RF energy source.

23. The method according to claim 21, wherein said central and peripheral electrode segments are independently connected to the RF energy source and operable configured to create a controllable variable potential gradient between them.

24. The method according to claim 18, wherein said peripheral segment is an electrically floating segment.

25. The method according to claim 18, wherein said coolant is a fluid or a thermoelectric cooler.

26. The method according to claim 18, further comprising stabilizing the temperature of said central electrode segment.

27. A method for cooling an RF electrode for aesthetic and body shaping devices, said method comprising:

providing an energy delivery surface having one central segment and at least one peripheral segment, arranged around said central segment perimeter;

providing a source of RF energy connected to at least said central segment; and

providing a temperature control element connected to at least said peripheral segment.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein said method further comprises thermal and electrical insulation between said central segment and said peripheral segment.

29. The method according to claim 27, wherein said peripheral segment is made of a thermally conductive and electrically insulating material.

30. The method according to claim 27, wherein said RF energy source is connected in parallel to said segments.

31. The method according to claim 27, wherein said RF energy source is independently connected to each of said segments and operable configured to create a controllable variable potential gradient between said segments.

32. The method according to claim 27, wherein said RF energy source connection to said peripheral segment is a floating connection.

33. The method according to claim 27, wherein said temperature control element is a coolant or a thermoelectric cooler.

34. A method for aesthetic skin treatment, said method comprising:

applying one or more RF electrodes and coupling RF energy to the skin and wherein the electrodes are characterized in that they have one central segment delivering energy to the skin and at least one peripheral segment, said peripheral segment arranged around the perimeter of said central segment and a temperature control element communicating with at least said peripheral segment.

35. The method according to claim 34 further characterized in that said central electrode segment includes a temperature stabilizing element operable configured to minimize the treatment energy losses.

36. A method for cooling an RF electrode for aesthetic and body shaping devices, said method comprising:

providing an energy delivery surface having one central segment and at least one peripheral segment, arranged around the perimeter of said central segment;

providing a source of RF energy connected to at least said central segment; and

providing a temperature control element connected to at least said peripheral segment; and

wherein the temperature control element connected to at least one peripheral segment maintains the skin temperature at the edges of the central segment lower than at the center of the central segment.

37. A method for use of an RF electrode for aesthetic and body shaping devices, said method comprising:

providing an RF electrode having one central segment and one or more peripheral segments, arranged along the perimeter of said central segment;

applying the RF electrode to a volume of skin to be treated and coupling RF energy to said volume of the skin; and

applying a coolant to at least the peripheral segment of the electrode; and

wherein said coolant cools a treated skin volume, which is coupled to the peripheral segment such that the skin volume temperature is at least equal to or lower than the temperature of skin coupled to the central segment.