Method and apparatus for treating subcutaneous histological features

• US 9,216,058 B2
• Filed: 08/28/2014
• Issued: 12/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Microwave Medical Corp. (Dynamic Associates, Inc.), miraDry, Inc. (Sientra Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Miramar Labs, Inc. (Sientra Incorporated)
• Inventors: Spertell, Robert Bruce
• Primary Examiner(s): CAMPBELL, THOR S
• Application Number:
  US14/471,833
• Publication Number:
  US 20140378959A1
• Time in Patent Office: 481 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1815 using microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/203 applying laser energy to the outside of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00005 Cooling or heating of the probe or tissue immediately surrounding the probe
• 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 2018/00035 with return means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00083 low, i.e. electrically insulating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00452 Skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00458 Deeper parts of the skin, e.g. treatment of vascular disorders or port wine stains
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00791 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/007 for cooling the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/025 Warming the body, e.g. hyperthermia treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/04 Radiators for near-field treatment

Abstract

A system and method for treating subcutaneous histological features without affecting adjacent tissues adversely employs microwave energy of selected power, frequency and duration to penetrate subcutaneous tissue and heat target areas with optimum doses to permanently affect the undesirable features. The frequency chosen preferentially interacts with the target as opposed to adjacent tissue, and the microwave energy is delivered as a short pulse causing minimal discomfort and side effects. By distributing microwave energy at the skin over an area and adjusting power and frequency, different conditions, such as hirsuitism and telangiectasia, can be effectively treated.

Claims

1. A handheld applicator configured to direct therapeutic microwave energy toward an epidermal surface, comprising:

a housing having a distal end adapted to be placed on a skin surface;

a microwave waveguide disposed in the housing and radiating towards the distal end of the housing, the microwave waveguide being positioned within the housing so as to be set off from the skin surface when the distal end of the housing is placed on the skin surface;

a dielectric element disposed in the housing and extending beyond the microwave waveguide, the dielectric element being configured to spread an electric field distribution of delivered microwave energy exiting the microwave waveguide wherein at least a portion of the dielectric element is arranged to contact the skin surface and wherein the dielectric element is adapted to improve an impedance match between the applicator and the skin surface;

a coolant source disposed in the housing and configured to dispense a coolant to cool the skin surface; and

a temperature sensor disposed and configured to sense a temperature change at the skin surface.

2. A handheld applicator configured to direct therapeutic microwave energy toward an epidermal surface, comprising:

a housing having a distal end adapted to be placed on a skin surface;

a microwave waveguide disposed in the housing, the microwave waveguide configured to deliver microwave energy and being positioned within the housing so as to be set off from the skin surface when the distal end of the housing is placed on the skin surface;

a dielectric element disposed in the housing and configured to spread an electric field distribution of delivered microwave energy radiated by the microwave waveguide, wherein at least a portion of the dielectric element is arranged to contact the skin surface and wherein the dielectric element is adapted to improve an impedance match between the applicator and the skin surface;

a coolant source disposed in the housing and configured to dispense a coolant to cool the skin surface; and

a temperature sensor the housing and configured to sense a temperature change at the skin surface.