Handpiece with electrode and non-volatile memory

• US 7,115,123 B2
• Filed: 03/31/2003
• Issued: 10/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thermage Incorporated (Bausch Health Cos., Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Thermage Incorporated (Bausch Health Cos., Inc.)
• Inventors: Knowlton, Edward W., Weber, Bryan, Stern, Roger A., Levinson, Mitchell
• Primary Examiner(s): Peffley, Michael
• Application Number:
  US10/404,883
• Publication Number:
  US 20040030332A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,282 Days
• Field of Search: 606 30- 34, 606/41, 606 48- 50, 607101-105
• US Class Current: 606/41
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 44/22 Face shaping devices, e.g. chin straps; Wrinkle removers, e.g. stretching the skin skin stretchers for shaving A45D27/38
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/00 Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body eye surgery A61F9/007; ear surgery A61F11/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/0218 with open-end cryogenic probe, e.g. for spraying fluid directly on tissue or via a tissue-contacting porous tip
• 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 18/1402 Probes for open surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/148 having a short, rigid shaft for accessing the inner body transcutaneously, e.g. for neurosurgery or arthroscopy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/003 Steerable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00011 with fluids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00023 closed, i.e. without wound contact by the fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00029 open
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00047 using Peltier effect
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00452 Skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00488 Esophagus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0066 without feedback, i.e. open loop control
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00702 Power or energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00779 Power or energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00791 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00875 Resistance or impedance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00988 : Means for storing information, e.g. calibration constants, or for preventing excessive use, e.g. usage, service life counter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0237 : with a thermoelectric element in the probe for cooling purposes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1495 : Electrodes being detachable from a support structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/064 : for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/065 : for measuring contact or contact pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/02 : Devices for expanding tissue, e.g. skin tissue implements for holding wounds open, surgical tractors A61B17/02; implantable mammary prosthesis A61F2/12; dilators A61M29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0021 : Female breast
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/10 : with further special therapeutic means, e.g. electrotherapy, magneto therapy or radiation therapy, chromo therapy, infrared or ultraviolet therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 7/001 : without substantial movement between the skin and the device
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 9/005 : Pneumatic massage
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 9/0071 : by localized pressure, e.g. air streams or jets
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3606 : cooled
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/06 : for high-frequency therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/28 : Apparatus for applying thermoelectric currents
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/30 : Apparatus for iontophoresis, i.e. transfer of media in ionic state by an electromotoric force into the body, or cataphoresis
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/403 : for thermotherapy, e.g. hyperthermia
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0645 : Applicators worn by the patient

Abstract

An apparatus for cooling a skin surface includes an RF device that has an RF electrode with dielectric and conductive portions. The RF device is configured to be coupled to an RF energy source. A cooling member is coupled to the RF device. A memory is coupled to the RF device. The memory is configured to store information to facilitate operation of at least one of the RF electrode, the cooling member, and the RF energy source.

Claims

1. An apparatus for non-invasively treating tissue beneath a skin surface using radiofrequency energy, the apparatus comprising:

a handpiece housing;

an energy delivery device removably coupled to the handpiece housing, the energy delivery device including a dielectric portion and a conductive portion disposed on the dielectric portion, the conductive portion configured to deliver the radiofrequency energy to the tissue, and the dielectric portion being arranged between the conductive portion and the skin surface such that the radiofrequency energy is transmitted from the conductive portion through the dielectric portion for capacitively coupling with the tissue to perform the non-invasive tissue treatment;

a fluid delivery member coupled mechanically to the energy delivery device, the fluid delivery member adapted to deliver cooling fluidic medium to the energy delivery device; and

a non-volatile memory mechanically coupled to the energy delivery device, the non-volatile memory configured to store at least one of a duty cycle for controlling the fluid delivery member, a number of times the energy delivery device has been moved relative to the skin surface, or a number of areas treated by the energy delivery device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store an amount of current delivered by the energy delivery device.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store a maximum allowed voltage that is deliverable by the energy delivery device.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store an energy delivery duration time of the energy delivery device.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store a temperature of the energy delivery device relative to a target temperature.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store a maximum number of firings of the energy delivery device.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store a history of energy delivery device use.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store a controllable delivery rate of cooling fluidic medium delivered from the fluid delivery member to the energy delivery device.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store an amount of time that the energy delivery device can be used.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store an amount of energy delivery device usage.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store at least one of time or date of energy delivery device usage.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store an amount of radiofrequency energy delivered by the energy delivery device.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store a status of the energy delivery device.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store information relative to a change of the tissue in response to the radiofrequency energy delivered by the energy delivery device.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store status information of the fluid delivery member.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a radiofrequency generator electrically coupled with the energy delivery device for supplying the radiofrequency energy to the energy delivery device.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store a status of the radiofrequency generator.

18. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the non-volatile memory is configured to store the duty cycle for controlling the fluid delivery member and the number of times the energy delivery device has been moved relative to the skin surface.

19. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the non-volatile memory is configured to store the duty cycle for controlling the fluid delivery member and the number of areas treated by the energy delivery device.

20. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the non-volatile memory is configured to store the number of times the energy delivery device has been moved relative to the skin surface and the number of areas treated by the energy delivery device.

21. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the non-volatile memory is configured to store the duty cycle for controlling the fluid delivery member, the number of times the energy delivery device has been moved relative to the skin surface, and the number of areas treated by the energy delivery device.

22. An apparatus for use with a handpiece housing to non-invasively treat tissue beneath a skin surface with radiofrequency energy, the apparatus comprising:

an energy delivery device adapted to be coupled removably to the handpiece housing, the energy delivery device including a dielectric portion and a conductive portion disposed on the dielectric portion, the conductive portion configured to deliver the radiofrequency energy to the tissue, and the dielectric portion being arranged between the conductive portion and the skin surface such that the radiofrequency energy is transmitted from the conductive portion through the dielectric portion for capacitively coupling with the tissue to perform the non-invasive tissue treatment;

a fluid delivery member mechanically coupled to the energy delivery device, the fluid delivery member adapted to deliver cooling fluidic medium to the energy delivery device; and

a non-volatile memory coupled mechanically to the energy delivery device, the non-volatile memory configured to store at least one of a duty cycle for controlling the fluid delivery member, a number of times the energy delivery device has been moved relative to the skin surface, or a number of areas treated by the energy delivery device.

23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store an amount of current delivered by the energy delivery device.

24. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store a maximum allowed voltage that is deliverable by the energy delivery device.

25. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store an energy delivery duration time of the energy delivery device.

26. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store a temperature of the energy delivery device relative to a target temperature.

27. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store a maximum number of firings of the energy delivery device.

28. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store a history of energy delivery device use.

29. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store a controllable delivery rate of cooling fluidic medium delivered from the fluid delivery member to the energy delivery device.

30. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store an amount of time that the energy delivery device can be used.

31. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store an amount of energy delivery device usage.

32. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store at least one of time or date of energy delivery device usage.

33. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store an amount of radiofrequency energy delivered by the energy delivery device.

34. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store a status of the energy delivery device.

35. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store information relative to a change of the tissue in response to the radiofrequency energy delivered by the energy delivery device.

36. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store status information of the fluid delivery member.

37. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store a status of a radiofrequency generator coupled with the energy delivery device.

38. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the non-volatile memory is configured to store the duty cycle for controlling the fluid delivery member and the number of times the energy delivery device has been moved relative to the skin surface.

39. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the non-volatile memory is configured to store the duty cycle for controlling the fluid delivery member and the number of areas treated by the energy delivery device.

40. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the non-volatile memory is configured to store the number of times the energy delivery device has been moved relative to the skin surface and the number of areas treated by the energy delivery device.

41. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the non-volatile memory is configured to store the duty cycle for controlling the fluid delivery member, the number of times the energy delivery device has been moved relative to the skin surface, and the number of areas treated by the energy delivery device.

42. An apparatus for use with a handpiece, the handpiece including a handpiece housing, an energy delivery device adapted to be coupled removably to the handpiece housing, and a fluid delivery member mechanically coupled to the energy delivery device, the energy delivery device adapted to capacitively couple radiofrequency energy with tissue to non-invasively treat tissue beneath a skin surface with the radiofrequency energy, and the fluid delivery member adapted to deliver cooling fluidic medium to the energy delivery device, the apparatus comprising:

a non-volatile memory adapted to be coupled mechanically with the energy delivery device, the non-volatile memory configured to store at least one of a duty cycle for controlling the fluid delivery member, a number of times the energy delivery device has been moved relative to the skin surface, or a number of areas treated by the energy delivery device.

43. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store an amount of current delivered by the energy delivery device.

44. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store a maximum allowed voltage that is deliverable by the energy delivery device.

45. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store an energy delivery duration time of the energy delivery device.

46. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store a temperature of the energy delivery device relative to a target temperature.

47. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store a maximum number of firings of the energy delivery device.

48. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store a history of energy delivery device use.

49. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store a controllable delivery rate of cooling fluidic medium delivered from the fluid delivery member to the energy delivery device.

50. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store an amount of time that the energy delivery device can be used.

51. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store an amount of energy delivery device usage.

52. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store at least one of time or date of energy delivery device usage.

53. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store an amount of radiofrequency energy delivered by the energy delivery device.

54. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store a status of the energy delivery device.

55. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store information relative to a change of the tissue in response to the radiofrequency energy delivered by the energy delivery device.

56. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store status information of the fluid delivery member.

57. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store a status of a radiofrequency generator coupled with the energy delivery device.

58. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein the non-volatile memory is configured to store the duty cycle for controlling the fluid delivery member and the number of times the energy delivery device has been moved relative to the skin surface.

59. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein the non-volatile memory is configured to store the duty cycle for controlling the fluid delivery member and the number of areas treated by the energy delivery device.

60. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein the non-volatile memory is configured to store the number of times the energy delivery device has been moved relative to the skin surface and the number of areas treated by the energy delivery device.

61. The apparatus of claim 42 wherein the non-volatile memory is configured to store the duty cycle for controlling the fluid delivery member, the number of times the energy delivery device has been moved relative to the skin surface, and the number of areas treated by the energy delivery device.