Method for controlled contraction of collagen in fibrous septae in subcutaneous fat layers
First Claim
1. A method for modifying soft tissue by contracting collagen in fibrous septae in subcutaneous fat layers comprising:
- positioning an apparatus comprising a porous membrane having a skin-contacting surface and a non-skin-contacting surface, and an RF electrode positioned in the membrane, such that the skin-contacting surface of the porous membrane is adjacent an external skin surface of a patient;
introducing electrolytic solution into the porous membrane such that the membrane is inflated to substantially conform the skin-contacting surface of the membrane to the external skin surface of the patient;
transferring energy from the RF electrode to the electrolytic solution to create an energy delivery electrolytic solution; and
treating soft tissue by delivering sufficient amount of energy to contract collagen in fibrous septae in subcutaneous fat layers underlying the skin surface so as to modify a structure of the underlying tissue such that soft tissues in the subcutaneous fat layers are tightened and fat is reduced in lipocytes in the subcutaneous fat layers.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
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 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 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.
492 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method for modifying soft tissue by contracting collagen in fibrous septae in subcutaneous fat layers comprising:
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positioning an apparatus comprising a porous membrane having a skin-contacting surface and a non-skin-contacting surface, and an RF electrode positioned in the membrane, such that the skin-contacting surface of the porous membrane is adjacent an external skin surface of a patient;
introducing electrolytic solution into the porous membrane such that the membrane is inflated to substantially conform the skin-contacting surface of the membrane to the external skin surface of the patient;
transferring energy from the RF electrode to the electrolytic solution to create an energy delivery electrolytic solution; and
treating soft tissue by delivering sufficient amount of energy to contract collagen in fibrous septae in subcutaneous fat layers underlying the skin surface so as to modify a structure of the underlying tissue such that soft tissues in the subcutaneous fat layers are tightened and fat is reduced in lipocytes in the subcutaneous fat layers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
sensing a temperature of the skin surface during delivery of the energy delivery electrolytic solution to the skin surface.
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17. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
sensing a temperature of the skin surface after delivery of the energy delivery electrolytic solution to the skin surface.
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18. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
sensing a temperature of a tissue underlying the skin surface during the delivery of the energy delivery electrolytic solution to the skin surface.
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19. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
sensing a temperature of a tissue underlying the skin surface after delivery of the energy delivery electrolytic solution to the skin surface.
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20. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
sensing an impedance of the skin surface during delivery of the energy delivery electrolytic solution to the skin surface.
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21. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
sensing an impedance of the skin surface after delivery of the energy delivery electrolytic solution to the skin surface.
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22. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
sensing an impedance of a tissue underlying the skin surface during the delivery of the energy delivery electrolytic solution to the skin surface.
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23. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
sensing an impedance of a tissue underlying the skin surface after delivery of the energy delivery electrolytic solution to the skin surface.
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24. The method of claim 1, further comprising cooling the skin surface of the patient.
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25. The method of claim 24, wherein the cooling the skin surface of the patient is provided by a cooling fluid contained in a cooling fluid lumen positioned in the membrane.
Specification