Inductive heating of tissues using alternating magnetic fields and uses thereof

• US 20110077451A1
• Filed: 11/23/2010
• Published: 03/31/2011
• 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 10,441,346 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/13
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/14 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00023 closed, i.e. without wound contact by the fluid
• 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
• 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

Provided herein are methods and devices for inductively heating a tissue to effect a biological response in the tissue or in a biomolecule comprising the same. The methods and devices comprise means for applying a high frequency alternating magnetic field via an inductive coil comprising an applicator to the tissue and means for monitoring feedback from the alternating magnetic field to control and/or adjust heat, for example, in the tissue, which further includes a means for cooling the tissue. Particularly, the device may be a hand held piece that incorporates or has at least an applicator, including a radiofrequency energy generator and output, an inductive coil, an impedance matching system, a cooling system, including a thermally conductive surface and a coolant housing containing a coolant that circulates through the thermally conductive surface, and a feedback monitor. Optionally, the device may comprise a tissue-shaper.

Claims

1. A method for inducing heat in the dermis of a subject to effect a biological response, comprising the step of:

applying a high frequency alternating magnetic field to the skin of the individual, said magnetic field inductively heating the dermis, thereby effecting the biological response therein.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

mechanically or pneumatically shaping an area of skin prior to applying the high frequency alternating magnetic field thereto.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

applying radiant energy, acoustic energy or vibrational energy to the skin concurrently or sequentially with the high frequency alternating magnetic field.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

monitoring feedback from the magnetic field; and

adjusting an amount of the heat induced in the dermis in the individual based on the feedback.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein feedback monitoring comprises one or more of:

detecting heat in the dermis;

detecting eddy currents formed in the dermis;

detecting hydration changes in the dermis;

or

detecting impedance changes in the dermis.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein detecting heat in the dermis comprises monitoring heat sensitive liquid crystal media or monitoring infrared radiation.

7. The method of claim 5, said feedback monitoring further comprising monitoring heat generated by one or more of another source of radiant energy, plasma energy, acoustic energy, or bipolar or monopolar electrosurgical energy.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

cooling the dermis of the subject to disperse heat generated therein.

9. The method of claim 8, said cooling step comprising:

positioning a thermally conductive surface in contact with one or both of the skin or an exterior surface of an inductive coil generating the alternating magnetic field.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said thermally conductive surface is a heat sink that passively disperses heat, has a coolant circulating therethrough, is a cryogenic material or has a cryogenic material disposed thereon.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the biological response is one or more of tissue coagulation, cauterization, tissue contraction, tissue shrinkage, induction of wound response, production of collagen.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the inductive heating activates collagen repair and tissue growth or improves skin cosmesis by smoothing the skin or reducing skin laxity.

13. A device for heating a tissue in a subject, comprising:

means for generating a high frequency alternating magnetic field to alter one or both of a tissue or a biomolecule comprising the same in the subject; and

means for controlling the alteration of the tissue or biomolecule.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the means for providing the high frequency alternating magnetic field is an applicator having an induction coil and an output for radiofrequency energy.

15. The device of claim 13, wherein the means for controlling the alteration of the tissue or biomolecule comprises a monitoring system for feedback from the high frequency alternating magnetic field distal to the induction coil or proximate to the tissue.

16. The device of claim 13, further comprising:

means for housing the device.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the means for housing the device is a hand held piece having an impedance matching network and a coupler to couple to an output of a radiofrequency energy source.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the hand held piece further comprises an end plate at a distal end thereof and having a thermally conductive surface positionable to contact one or both of the tissue or the exterior of the applicator.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein the thermally conductive surface is a passive heat sink, is a cryogenic material or has a cryogenic material applied thereto.

20. The device of claim 17, wherein the hand held piece further comprises a coolant housing attached thereto and containing coolant which is in fluid contact with one or both of the thermally conductive surface on the end plate and an inductive coil comprising an applicator, said coolant circulating therethrough.

21. The device of claim 17, the hand held piece further comprising:

a mechanical tissue-shaper or a pneumatic tissue-shaper in contact with the tissue.

22. The device of claim 14, further comprising:

means for monitoring feedback from one or more of another source of radiant energy, plasma energy, acoustic energy, or bipolar or monopolar electrosurgical energy.

23. The device of claim 13, wherein the tissue is skin.

24. A device for heating a tissue in a subject, comprising:

a hand held piece incorporating;

an applicator with a radiofrequency energy generator and an energy output;

an impedance matching network in electrical contact with the applicator;

an inductive coil connected to the energy output; and

an end plate at a distal end of the hand held piece that has a thermally conductive surface positionable on the tissue and, optionally, is in thermal contact with the inductive coil.

25. The device of claim 24, further comprising:

a coolant housing containing a coolant and in fluid contact with the inductive coil and, optionally, the thermally conductive surface

26. The device of claim 24, further comprising:

a mechanical tissue-shaper or a pneumatic tissue-shaper in contact with the tissue.

27. The device of claim 24, further comprising:

a heat feedback monitor positioned distal to the induction coil or proximate to the tissue.