Method and apparatus for treating subcutaneous histological features
First Claim
1. The method of effecting a pathological change with microwave energy in a subsurface area below human skin level without damaging the skin itself comprising the steps of:
- delivering, toward the skin surface adjacent the subsurface area, a pulse of microwave radiation in the frequency range of 10-20 GHz at an energy level and for a time sufficient to deliver 10-30 Joules of energy;
shaping the radiation pattern of the pulse to distribute substantial energy throughout an area of greater than about 20 mm2 ; and
cooling the skin'"'"'s surface during at least a portion of the pulse delivery interval period.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for treating subcutaneous histological features without affecting adjacent tissues adversely employs microwave energy of selected power, frequency and duration to penetrate subcutaneous tissue and heat target areas with optimum doses to permanently affect the undesirable features. The frequency chosen preferentially interacts with the target as opposed to adjacent tissue, and the microwave energy is delivered as a short pulse causing minimal discomfort and side effects. By distributing microwave energy at the skin over an area and adjusting power and frequency, different conditions, such as hirsuitism and telangiectasia, can be effectively treated.
338 Citations
12 Claims
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1. The method of effecting a pathological change with microwave energy in a subsurface area below human skin level without damaging the skin itself comprising the steps of:
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delivering, toward the skin surface adjacent the subsurface area, a pulse of microwave radiation in the frequency range of 10-20 GHz at an energy level and for a time sufficient to deliver 10-30 Joules of energy; shaping the radiation pattern of the pulse to distribute substantial energy throughout an area of greater than about 20 mm2 ; and cooling the skin'"'"'s surface during at least a portion of the pulse delivery interval period. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. The method of effecting pathological change in a subcutaneous histological target region by external application comprising the steps of:
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selecting a microwave frequency in the range of 10-20 GHz in which the loss factor for the histological target is greater than that for skin; generating a signal at the selected microwave frequency; propagating the generated microwave signals onto an area of the skin adjacent the subcutaneous region and greater than about 20 mm2 in area while spreading the signal energy across the chosen area of the skin; and maintaining the propagated signals for a time and until the impinging signal energy has reached a magnitude of about 10 to 30 Joules. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification