Methods and devices for treating tissue
First Claim
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1. A method for treating tissue by applying energy to tissue, the method comprising:
- providing an energy transfer unit comprising a plurality of electrodes each having an active area, the plurality of electrodes extending at a fixed angle relative to a tissue engaging surface of the energy transfer unit;
applying the tissue engaging surface against a surface layer of tissue establish a starting point for the plurality of electrodes;
advancing the plurality of electrodes into the surface layer of tissue by a uniform depth and at the fixed angle relative to the tissue engaging surface such that the active area of the electrodes extends at the oblique angle through a target layer of tissue; and
applying energy to the active region to create a treatment lesion in the target layer of tissue, where a length of the treatment lesion along the active area in the target layer of tissue is larger than if the plurality of electrodes were advanced perpendicular into the surface layer of tissue.
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Abstract
The invention provides a system and method for achieving the cosmetically beneficial effects of shrinking collagen tissue in the dermis or other areas of tissue in an effective, non-invasive manner using an array of electrodes. Systems described herein allow for improved treatment of tissue. Additional variations of the system include array of electrodes configured to minimize the energy required to produce the desired effect.
182 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method for treating tissue by applying energy to tissue, the method comprising:
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providing an energy transfer unit comprising a plurality of electrodes each having an active area, the plurality of electrodes extending at a fixed angle relative to a tissue engaging surface of the energy transfer unit; applying the tissue engaging surface against a surface layer of tissue establish a starting point for the plurality of electrodes; advancing the plurality of electrodes into the surface layer of tissue by a uniform depth and at the fixed angle relative to the tissue engaging surface such that the active area of the electrodes extends at the oblique angle through a target layer of tissue; and applying energy to the active region to create a treatment lesion in the target layer of tissue, where a length of the treatment lesion along the active area in the target layer of tissue is larger than if the plurality of electrodes were advanced perpendicular into the surface layer of tissue. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An electrode array for treating an area of tissue, the array comprising:
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a treatment body comprising a plurality of openings spaced from a tissue engaging surface having a planar portion such that when the planar portion of the tissue engaging surface is placed on a first area of a surface layer of tissue, the openings are spaced from the tissue engaging surface and the first area along the surface layer; and a plurality of electrode pairs each pair comprising an active and a return electrode, where the electrode pairs extend through openings in the treatment device, where each electrode pair is extendable from the opening at an oblique angle relative to the planar portion of the tissue engaging surface and by a predetermined distance to position an active area of each active and return electrode of the electrode pair in the area of tissue when extended, such that a region of treatment corresponding to the active area of each active and return electrode extends in the area of tissue by a length that is greater than if the electrode pair was extended perpendicular to the tissue surface. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification