METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR INVASIVE SKIN TREATMENT

• US 20100185194A1
• Filed: 02/09/2010
• Published: 07/22/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Michael Kreindel
• Original Assignee: Michael Kreindel
• Inventors: KREINDEL, Michael
• Application Number:
  US12/702,723
• Publication Number:
  US 20100185194A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/33
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/0218 with open-end cryogenic probe, e.g. for spraying fluid directly on tissue or via a tissue-contacting porous tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/14 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1477 Needle-like probes
• 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 2018/0293 using an instrument interstitially inserted into the body, e.g. needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1425 Needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/143 multiple needles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1467 using more than two electrodes on a single probe

Abstract

A system and method for simultaneously heating a plurality of discrete skin volumes to a coagulation temperature. The system comprises an applicator containing an electrode having a plurality of spaced apart protruding conducting elements configured to contact the skin surface at a plurality of discrete locations. A controller applies a voltage to the electrode so as to simultaneously heat a plurality of skin volumes to a coagulation temperature when the applicator is applied to the skin surface.

Claims

1. A skin treatment apparatus for selectively treating volumes of skin tissue comprising:

an applicator including an electrode from which a plurality of protruding sharp needle type elements configured to penetrate a surface of a target area of skin extend;

a radio frequency energy generator operably connected to the plurality of needle type elements such that the elements could be energized;

wherein the needle type elements are arranged so as to treat discrete volumes of tissue such that for selected treatment parameters tissue is spared around the treated volumes.

2. The skin treatment apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said electrode with the plurality of protruding needle type elements is mechanically connected to the applicator body.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the protruding needle type elements are made of an electrically conductive material.

4. The skin treatment apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a portion of sides of each of the protruding needle type elements is coated with insulating material to avoid skin heating along the coated portion of the needle type elements.

5. The skin treatment apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the protruding conducting elements are operatively configured to penetrate through epidermis into dermis and apply RF energy to one or more volumes completely located in the dermis.

6. The skin treatment apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the radio frequency energy generator provides at least one of the group of RF energy consisting of bipolar or monopolar energy.

7. The skin treatment apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the protruding elements are located at a distance between them equal to at least twice the element diameter;

8. The skin treatment apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the radio frequency generator is operative apply to skin a pre-pulse of energy to soften the skin tissue so as to facilitate penetration of the protruding elements into the skin.

9. The skin treatment apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the needle like elements are configured to be cooled.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the needle like elements are configured to penetrate a predetermined depth into the tissue.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the needle like elements are configured to penetrate into dermis.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a controller operatively connected to the RF generator and allowing to input selected values of parameters of the RF energy.

13. A method of selectively treating discrete volumes of tissue, said method comprising:

penetrating a plurality of electrically conductive needle like elements configured to penetrate the surface of an area of skin;

operating a RF energy generator operably connected to the plurality of needle like elements to generate an electric current in the skin;

operating a controller operably connected to the radio frequency energy generator; and

treating discrete volumes of tissue such that for selected treatment parameters only the volume of tissue around the elements is treated.

14. A method of claim 13, wherein the treatment comprises creating a pattern of damaged volumes resembling the configuration of the elements.

15. A method of claim 13, wherein the treatment comprises creating a pattern of tightening in a dermal layer such that the pattern is dictated by configuration of the needles.

16. A skin treatment apparatus for selectively treating volumes of skin tissue comprising:

a plurality of mechanically coupled needles configured to penetrate a surface of a target area of skin tissue;

an applicator mechanically connected to the plurality of mechanically coupled needles;

a radio frequency energy source operably connected to the plurality of needles such that the needles could be energized;

a controller operably connected to the radio frequency energy source; and

wherein the needles are arranged so as to treat volumes of tissue such that for selected treatment parameters tissue is spared around the treated volumes to form discrete treated volumes.