Handpiece with RF electrode and non-volatile memory

• US 7,481,809 B2
• Filed: 06/20/2005
• Issued: 01/27/2009
• 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: Weber, Bryan, Stern, Roger A., Levinson, Mitchell
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, III; Henry M
• Application Number:
  US11/158,286
• Publication Number:
  US 20060025837A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,317 Days
• Field of Search: 607 96-102, 606 32- 52
• 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 18/12 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 2018/00452 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 2018/1495 Electrodes being detachable from a support structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/064 for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 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 1/32 : alternating or intermittent currents applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling A61N1/40; microwave apparatus A61N5/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/403 : for thermotherapy, e.g. hyperthermia
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0645 : Applicators worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/04 : Radiators for near-field treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0616 : Skin treatment other than tanning

Abstract

An RF device includes a support structure coupled to an RF electrode that has conductive and dielectric portions. A cooling member is coupled to the support structure and is configured to cool a back surface of the RF electrode. The cooling member is distanced from the back surface of the RF electrode. A memory is coupled to the RF electrode. The memory is configured to store information to facilitate operation of at least one of the RF electrode, the cooling member and an RF energy source.

Claims

1. An electrode assembly for use with an RF generator and a handpiece connected to the RF generator, the electrode assembly comprising:

a support structure configured to be removably coupled with the handpiece;

an RF electrode coupled to the support structure, the RF electrode including a back surface, a conductive portion electrically connected by the handpiece with the RF generator, and a dielectric portion;

a cooling member coupled to the support structure, the cooling member configured to cool the back surface of the RF electrode, and the cooling member distanced from the back surface of the RF electrode; and

a non-volatile memory coupled to the RF electrode or to the support structure, the memory configured to store information relating to at least one of the RF electrode, the cooling member, or the RF generator.

2. The electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the non-volatile memory is configured to store an amount of current delivered by the RF electrode.

3. The electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the non-volatile memory is configured to store energy delivery duration time of the RF electrode.

4. The electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the non-volatile memory is configured to store a temperature of the RF electrode relative to a target temperature.

5. The electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the non-volatile memory is configured to store a maximum number of firings of the RF electrode.

6. The electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the non-volatile memory is configured to store a maximum allowed voltage that is deliverable by the RF electrode.

7. The electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the non-volatile memory is configured to store a history of RF electrode use.

8. The electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the non-volatile memory is configured to store a controllable duty cycle to cooling member.

9. The electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the non-volatile memory is configured to store a controllable delivery rate of cooling delivered from cooling member.

10. The electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the non-volatile memory is configured to store an amount of time that the RF electrode can be used.

11. The electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the non-volatile memory is configured to store an amount of RF electrode usage.

12. The electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the non-volatile memory is configured to store a number of areas treated by the RF electrode.

13. The electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the non-volatile memory is configured to store a number of times the RF electrode has been moved relative to the skin surface.

14. The electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the non-volatile memory is configured to store at least one of time or date RF electrode usage.

15. The electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the non-volatile memory is configured to store a thickness of the stratum corneum.

16. The electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the non-volatile memory is configured to store an amount of energy delivered by the RF electrode.

17. The electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the non-volatile memory is configured to store a status of the RF electrode.

18. The electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the non-volatile memory is configured to store a status of an RF energy system coupled to the RF electrode.

19. The electrode assembly of claim 1, wherein the non-volatile memory is configured to store information relative to a change of tissue in response to energy delivered by the RF electrode.

20. An electrode assembly for use with a handpiece that is connected with an RF generator, the electrode assembly comprising:

a support structure configured to be removably coupled with the handpiece;

an RF electrode coupled to the support structure, the RF electrode including a back surface, a conductive portion electrically connected by the handpiece with the RF generator, a dielectric portion, and a flex circuit;

a cooling member coupled to the RF electrode, the cooling member configured to cool a back surface of the RF electrode; and

a non-volatile memory coupled to the RF electrode or to the support structure, the memory configured to store information relating to at least one of the RF electrode, the cooling member, or the RF generator.