METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR INVASIVE SKIN TREATMENT

• US 20110137386A1
• Filed: 02/15/2011
• Published: 06/09/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Syneron Medical Limited (Syneron Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Syneron Medical Limited (Syneron Incorporated)
• Inventors: Kreindel, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 8,906,015 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/96
• 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 system for simultaneously heating a plurality of discrete skin volumes to a coagulation temperature, comprising:

an applicator comprising at least one electrode having a plurality of spaced apart protruding conducting elements terminated by blunt tips configured to contact the skin surface at a plurality of discrete locations; and

a voltage source configured to apply a voltage to the at least one electrode so as to generate an electrical current in the skin causing simultaneously heating of a plurality of skin volumes to a coagulation temperature when the applicator is applied to the skin surface.

2. The system according to claim 1 further comprising means for cooling the skin surface.

3. The system according to claim 1 wherein the voltage source is configured to apply voltage pulses to the electrodes.

4. The system according to claim 3 wherein the pulses have duration of less than 0.2 sec.

5. The system according to claim 1 wherein the protruding conducting elements terminated by blunt tips are configured to prevent penetration of the tips into the skin when the applicator is applied to the skin.

6. The system according to claim 1 wherein the protruding elements have a diameter of 0.5 mm.

7. The system according to claim 1 wherein the protruding elements have are spaced apart by a distance of at least 1 mm.

8. The system according to claim 1 wherein the voltage source is configured to apply a voltage to the skin so as to generate a current density at the tips of the protruding elements of at least 1 Ampere/cm².

9. An applicator for use in the system of claim 1.

10. A method for simultaneously heating a plurality of discrete skin volumes to a coagulation temperature, comprising:

applying an applicator to the skin surface, the applicator comprising at least one electrode having a plurality of spaced apart protruding conducting elements terminated by blunt tips configured to contact the skin surface at a plurality of discrete locations; and

applying a voltage to the electrode terminated by blunt tips so as to generate an electrical current in the skin simultaneously heating a plurality of skin volumes to a coagulation temperature.

11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising cooling the skin surface.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the voltage is applied to the electrode in pulses.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the pulses have duration of less than 0.5 sec.

14. The method according to claim 10, wherein the conducting elements terminated by blunt tips are preventing prevent penetrate penetration of the tips into the epidermis skin when the applicator is applied to the skin.

15. The method according to claim 10, wherein the protruding elements have a diameter of 0.5 mm.

16. The method according to claim 10, wherein the protruding elements have are spaced apart by a distance of at least 1 mm.

17. The method according to claim 10, wherein a current density of at least 1 Ampere/cm² is generated at the tips of the protruding elements.

18. A method for simultaneously heating a plurality of discrete skin volumes to a temperature of 60°

C. to stimulate generation of a new Collagen, comprising;

applying an applicator to the skin surface, the applicator comprising at least one electrode having a plurality of spaced apart protruding conducting elements terminated by blunt tips configured to contact the skin surface at a plurality of discrete locations; and

applying a voltage to the electrode terminated by blunt tips so as to generate an electrical current in the skin simultaneously heating a plurality of skin volumes to a coagulation temperature.