Method for smoothing contour irregularity of skin surface by controlled contraction of collagen tissue
First Claim
1. A method for smoothing contour irregularity of a skin surface, comprising:
- positioning an apparatus that includes a porous membrane having a skin-contacting surface, and an electromagnetic energy delivery device incorporated into the membrane in contact with a skin surface of a person that overlies tissue that creates the contour irregularity in the person'"'"'s skin surface and has loculations of fat with fibrous septae made of collagen tissue;
inflating the porous membrane with electrolytic media such that the skin-contacting surface of the membrane substantially conforms to the skin surface;
creating a reverse thermal gradient, wherein a temperature of the skin surface is less than a temperature of the collagen tissue;
producing electromagnetic energy from the electromagnetic energy delivery device;
transferring the electromagnetic energy produced through the electrolytic media; and
delivering a sufficient amount of energy through the skin surface to contract at least a portion of the collagen tissue with controlled cell necrosis such that contour irregularities created by the contour irregularity creating tissue are smoothed.
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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 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.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for smoothing contour irregularity of a skin surface, comprising:
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positioning an apparatus that includes a porous membrane having a skin-contacting surface, and an electromagnetic energy delivery device incorporated into the membrane in contact with a skin surface of a person that overlies tissue that creates the contour irregularity in the person'"'"'s skin surface and has loculations of fat with fibrous septae made of collagen tissue;
inflating the porous membrane with electrolytic media such that the skin-contacting surface of the membrane substantially conforms to the skin surface;
creating a reverse thermal gradient, wherein a temperature of the skin surface is less than a temperature of the collagen tissue;
producing electromagnetic energy from the electromagnetic energy delivery device;
transferring the electromagnetic energy produced through the electrolytic media; and
delivering a sufficient amount of energy through the skin surface to contract at least a portion of the collagen tissue with controlled cell necrosis such that contour irregularities created by the contour irregularity creating tissue are smoothed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification