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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
First Claim
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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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