Method of destroying tissue cells by eletroporation
First Claim
1. A method of treating a living human body by destroying tissue cells, comprising:
- positioning one or more electrodes near a target area containing tissue cells to be killed in the living human body; and
treating the living human body by applying electrical pulses through the positioned one or more electrodes in an amount above an upper limit of electroporation to irreversibly open pores in membranes of the tissue cells in the target area, thereby killing the tissue cells in the target area.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for performing non-invasive treatment of the human face and body by electroporation in lieu of cosmetic surgery is provided. The apparatus comprises a high voltage pulse generator and an applicator having two or more electrodes in close mechanical and electrical contact with the patient'"'"'s skin for applying the pulses to the patient'"'"'s skin. The applicator may consist of two pieces with one electrode having a sharp tip and another having a flat surface. High voltage pulses delivered to the electrodes create at the tip of the sharp electrode an electric field high enough to cause death of relatively large subcutaneous fat cells by electroporation. Moving the electrode tip along the skin creates a line of necrotic subcutaneous fat cells, which later are metabolized by the body. Multiple applications of the electrode along predetermined lines on the face or neck create shrinkage of the skin and the subcutaneous fat volume underlying the treated area.
285 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of treating a living human body by destroying tissue cells, comprising:
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positioning one or more electrodes near a target area containing tissue cells to be killed in the living human body; and treating the living human body by applying electrical pulses through the positioned one or more electrodes in an amount above an upper limit of electroporation to irreversibly open pores in membranes of the tissue cells in the target area, thereby killing the tissue cells in the target area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of treating a living human body by destroying tissue cells, comprising:
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positioning an electric field applicator near a target area containing tissue cells to be killed in the living human body; and applying an electric field through the positioned electric field applicator in an amount above an upper limit of electroporation to irreversibly open pores in membranes of the tissue cells to treat the living human body, thereby causing death of the tissue cells. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification