Method for controlled contraction of collagen tissue
DCFirst Claim
1. A method for tightening skin, comprising:
- providing an electromagnetic energy delivery device;
positioning an energy delivery surface of the electromagnetic energy delivery device on an external surface of the skin;
creating a reverse thermal gradient through a surface of the skin while heating underlying collagen containing tissue, wherein a temperature of the external skin surface is lower than a temperature of the underlying collagen containing tissue;
heating the surface of the skin and underlying collagen containing tissue without creating a necrosis of living cells in the epidermis;
contracting at least a portion of the collagen containing tissue andtightening at least a portion of the surface of the skin.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus applies radiant energy through the skin to underlying collagen tissue without substantially modifying melanocytes and other epithelial cells in the epidermis. A porous membrane is adapted to receive an electrolytic solution and become inflated to substantially conform a contacting exterior surface of the membrane to a skin layer. The membrane includes a cooling lumen for receiving cooling fluid. One or more thermal electrodes is positioned in the membrane and transfers thermal energy to the electrolytic solution. The electrolytic solution and cooling fluid creates a reverse thermal gradient from the skin surface to the underlying collagen tissue. A thermal power source is coupled to the thermal electrodes, and a source of electrolytic solution is coupled to the membrane.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A method for tightening skin, comprising:
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providing an electromagnetic energy delivery device; positioning an energy delivery surface of the electromagnetic energy delivery device on an external surface of the skin; creating a reverse thermal gradient through a surface of the skin while heating underlying collagen containing tissue, wherein a temperature of the external skin surface is lower than a temperature of the underlying collagen containing tissue; heating the surface of the skin and underlying collagen containing tissue without creating a necrosis of living cells in the epidermis; contracting at least a portion of the collagen containing tissue and tightening at least a portion of the surface of the skin. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for tightening skin, comprising:
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providing an electromagnetic energy delivery device; positioning an energy delivery surface of the electromagnetic energy delivery device on an external surface of the skin; creating a reverse thermal gradient through a surface of the skin while heatino underlying collagen containing tissue, wherein a temperature of the external skin surface is lower than a temperature of the underlying collagen containing tissue; and controlling a delivery of a sufficient amount of electromagnetic energy through an epidermis of the external surface of the skin to reconfigure at least a portion of an underlying collagen containing tissue without substantially creating cell necrosis in the epidermis, wherein at least a portion of the surface of the skin is tightened. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A method for tightening skin, comprising:
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providing an electromagnetic energy delivery device; positioning an energy delivery surface of the electromagnetic energy delivery device on an external surface of the skin; creating a reverse thermal gradient through a surface of the skin while heating underlying collagen containing tissue, wherein a temperature of the external skin surface is lower than a temperature of the underlying collagen containing tissue; and controlling a delivery of a sufficient amount of electromagnetic energy through an epidermis of the surface of the skin to reconfigure at least a portion of an underlying collagen containing tissue without substantially creating cell necrosis in the collagen containing tissue, wherein at least a portion of the surface of the skin is tightened.
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33. A method for tightening skin, comprising:
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providing an electromagnetic energy delivery device; positioning the electromagnetic energy delivery device on an external surface of the skin; creating a reverse thermal gradient through a surface of the skin while heating underlying collagen containing tissue, wherein a temperature of the external skin surface is lower than a temperature of the underlying collagen containing tissue; and controlling a delivery of a sufficient amount of electromagnetic energy through an epidermis of the surface of the skin to reconfigure at least a portion of an underlying collagen containing tissue without substantially creating cell necrosis in an epidermis of the skin and the collagen containing tissue, wherein at least a portion of the surface of the skin is tightened.
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Specification