Applicator and tissue interface module for dermatological device
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of treating a patient comprising:
- attaching a tissue interface module to an applicator, wherein the distal end of the applicator is positioned in an applicator chamber of the tissue interface module;
placing a distal opening of a tissue acquisition chamber of the tissue interface module against a skin surface, wherein the applicator chamber and the tissue acquisition chamber are separated by, and in fluid communication with, a flexible bio-barrier;
pulling a portion of the patient'"'"'s skin into the tissue acquisition chamber and pulling the flexible bio-barrier against a distal end of the applicator by creating a vacuum in the tissue acquisition chamber, the vacuum being created by drawing air from the tissue acquisition chamber to a vacuum source in the applicator through a vacuum path comprising the applicator chamber and a filter between the applicator chamber and the tissue acquisition chamber; and
applying microwave energy through said flexible bio-barrier to tissue positioned in the tissue acquisition chamber.
14 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An tissue interface module has an applicator chamber on a proximal side of the tissue interface module and a tissue acquisition chamber on a distal side of the tissue interface module. The applicator chamber may include: an opening adapted to receive the applicator; an attachment mechanism positioned in the applicator chamber and adapted to attach the tissue interface module to the applicator; a sealing member positioned at a proximal side of the applicator chamber; and a vacuum interface positioned at a proximal side of the applicator chamber and adapted to receive a vacuum inlet positioned on a distal end of the applicator. The invention also includes corresponding methods.
492 Citations
23 Claims
-
1. A method of treating a patient comprising:
-
attaching a tissue interface module to an applicator, wherein the distal end of the applicator is positioned in an applicator chamber of the tissue interface module; placing a distal opening of a tissue acquisition chamber of the tissue interface module against a skin surface, wherein the applicator chamber and the tissue acquisition chamber are separated by, and in fluid communication with, a flexible bio-barrier; pulling a portion of the patient'"'"'s skin into the tissue acquisition chamber and pulling the flexible bio-barrier against a distal end of the applicator by creating a vacuum in the tissue acquisition chamber, the vacuum being created by drawing air from the tissue acquisition chamber to a vacuum source in the applicator through a vacuum path comprising the applicator chamber and a filter between the applicator chamber and the tissue acquisition chamber; and applying microwave energy through said flexible bio-barrier to tissue positioned in the tissue acquisition chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
-
-
6. A method of treating a patient comprising:
-
attaching a tissue interface module to an applicator, wherein the distal end of the applicator is positioned in an applicator chamber of the tissue interface module; placing a distal opening of a tissue acquisition chamber of the tissue interface module against a skin surface, the applicator chamber and the tissue acquisition chamber being separated by, and in fluid communication with, a flexible bio-barrier; pulling a portion of the patient'"'"'s skin into the tissue acquisition chamber and pulling the flexible bio-barrier against a distal end of the applicator by reducing the air pressure in the applicator chamber below the air pressure in the tissue acquisition chamber; and applying microwave energy through the flexible bio-barrier to tissue positioned in the tissue acquisition chamber. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A method of treating a patient comprising:
-
attaching a tissue interface module to an applicator, wherein the distal end of the applicator is positioned in an applicator chamber of the tissue interface module; placing a distal opening of a tissue acquisition chamber of the tissue interface module against a tissue surface; pulling a portion of the patient'"'"'s skin into the tissue acquisition chamber by creating a vacuum in the tissue acquisition chamber, the vacuum being created by drawing air from the tissue acquisition chamber to a vacuum source in the applicator through a vacuum path comprising the applicator chamber and a filter between the applicator chamber and the tissue acquisition chamber, creating the vacuum further comprising varying a size of an opening between the tissue acquisition chamber and the filter during the step of creating a vacuum; and applying microwave energy to tissue positioned in the tissue acquisition chamber. - View Dependent Claims (18)
-
-
19. A method of treating a patient comprising:
-
magnetically coupling a tissue interface module to an applicator, wherein the distal end of the applicator is positioned in an applicator chamber of the tissue interface module, the magnetically coupling comprising sensing the presence of the tissue interface module in the proximity of the distal end of the applicator, evacuating air from the applicator chamber to position the tissue interface module on the applicator, and energizing a magnetic circuit to engage the tissue interface module to the applicator; placing a distal opening of a tissue acquisition chamber of the tissue interface module against a tissue surface; pulling a portion of the patient'"'"'s skin into the tissue acquisition chamber by reducing the air pressure in the applicator chamber below the air pressure in the tissue acquisition chamber; and applying microwave energy to tissue positioned in the tissue acquisition chamber. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
-
Specification