Method for smoothing contour irregularity of skin surface by controlled contraction of collagen tissue

• US 6,381,497 B1
• Filed: 01/06/1998
• Issued: 04/30/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Thermage Incorporated (Bausch Health Cos., Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Thermage Incorporated (Bausch Health Cos., Inc.)
• Inventors: Knowlton, Edward W.
• Primary Examiner(s): GIBSON, ROY DEAN
• Application Number:
  US09/003,120
• Time in Patent Office: 1,575 Days
• Field of Search: 606/2, 606/3-19, 607/98-104
• US Class Current: 607/101
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/12 by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1206 Generators therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/14 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00488 Esophagus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0066 without feedback, i.e. open loop control
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0028 using prepacked dosages, one for each application, e.g. capsules to be perforated or broken-up
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0036 hollow piercing means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0041 with movable piercing or cutting means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/064 Powder
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/073 Syringe, piston type
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/04 Radiators for near-field treatment

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.

Claims

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.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein a sufficient amount of energy is delivered through the skin surface without creating a substantial cell necrosis in the skin surface.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein a sufficient amount of energy is delivered through the skin surface with a reduced cell necrosis in the skin layer.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein a sufficient amount of energy is delivered through the skin surface and improve a contour of the skin surface.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein a sufficient amount of energy is delivered through the skin surface to reduce a scarring of the skin surface.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein a sufficient amount of energy is delivered through the skin surface to reduce a wrinkling of the skin surface.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the collagen containing tissue is partially denatured by cleaving heat labile cross-links of collagen molecules.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the contour irregularity creating tissue is partially denatured.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the reverse thermal gradient produces a net mobilization of intracellular fat with diminished destruction of cells.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic energy delivery device is an RF energy delivery device.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein delivering energy includes delivering RF energy through the electrolytic solution to the skin surface.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the electrolytic media is a fluid.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the electrolytic media is a gel.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein delivering RF energy includes delivering RF energy from the RF electrodes to the electrolytic media.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein creating a reverse thermal gradient includes delivering cooling fluid adjacent the energy delivery surface.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the contour irregularity creating tissue is in a subdermal layer.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the contour irregularity creating tissue is in a deep dermal layer.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the contour irregularity creating tissue is in a subcutaneous layer.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the contour irregularity creating tissue is in one of facial or muscle tissue.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the contour irregularity creating tissue is heated to a temperature not exceeding 80 degrees C.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the contour irregularity creating tissue is heated to a temperature not exceeding 75 degrees C.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein the contour irregularity creating tissue is heated to a temperature not exceeding 70 degrees C.