Skin treatment using a multi-discharge applicator
First Claim
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1. Apparatus for perforation, denaturalization or coagulation of skin, comprising:
- a radio-frequency (RF) power source, which is configured to generate RF electrical power; and
a skin treatment device, which is coupled to receive the RF electrical power and which comprises;
a roller, which has an axis and has a radial surface for contacting a skin surface of a patient, and which is configured to rotate about the axis as the roller is advanced over the skin surface; and
an array of protrusions disposed on the radial surface of the roller and configured so that when at least some of the protrusions are non-contact protrusions that are not in contact with the skin surface, the non-contact protrusions ignite gas in an intervening space between the noncontact protrusions and the skin surface, in response to the RF electrical power, so as to generate multiple electrical discharges, while operating in a unipolar mode, between the protrusions and respective points on the skin as the roller is advanced over the skin surface, wherein the apparatus is operative to generate the multiple electrical discharges in a manner that forms perforations each having a depth of between 10 microns and 150 microns at each of the respective points on the skin, and wherein;
i. the RF power generated by the RF power source, received by an applicator body and employed to trigger ignition of the gas has a frequency that is in an ISM radio band centered at 13.56 MHz, 27.13 MHz, or 40.68 MHz and/orii. the device further comprises a phase controller configured to vary and output phase of the RF electrical power received by the applicator body and employed to trigger ignition of the gas.
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Abstract
A method for medical treatment includes bringing an applicator, having an array of protrusions disposed thereon, into proximity with a skin surface of a patient so as to maintain a space between a plurality of the protrusions and the skin surface. Radio-frequency (RF) electrical power is applied to the applicator so as to cause electrical discharges to be generated, in response to the RF electrical power, between the plurality of the protrusions and respective points on the skin surface via a fluid medium in the space.
30 Citations
24 Claims
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1. Apparatus for perforation, denaturalization or coagulation of skin, comprising:
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a radio-frequency (RF) power source, which is configured to generate RF electrical power; and a skin treatment device, which is coupled to receive the RF electrical power and which comprises; a roller, which has an axis and has a radial surface for contacting a skin surface of a patient, and which is configured to rotate about the axis as the roller is advanced over the skin surface; and an array of protrusions disposed on the radial surface of the roller and configured so that when at least some of the protrusions are non-contact protrusions that are not in contact with the skin surface, the non-contact protrusions ignite gas in an intervening space between the noncontact protrusions and the skin surface, in response to the RF electrical power, so as to generate multiple electrical discharges, while operating in a unipolar mode, between the protrusions and respective points on the skin as the roller is advanced over the skin surface, wherein the apparatus is operative to generate the multiple electrical discharges in a manner that forms perforations each having a depth of between 10 microns and 150 microns at each of the respective points on the skin, and wherein; i. the RF power generated by the RF power source, received by an applicator body and employed to trigger ignition of the gas has a frequency that is in an ISM radio band centered at 13.56 MHz, 27.13 MHz, or 40.68 MHz and/or ii. the device further comprises a phase controller configured to vary and output phase of the RF electrical power received by the applicator body and employed to trigger ignition of the gas. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for perforation, denaturalization or coagulation of skin, comprising:
forming a plurality of perforations having depths that each have a depth of between 10 microns and 150 microns in a skin surface of a patient by; a. bringing an applicator, having an array of protrusions disposed thereon, into proximity with the skin surface so as to maintain an intervening space between at least some of the protrusions and the skin surface, the at least some protrusions being non-contact protrusions that are not in contact with the skin surface; and b. applying radio-frequency (RF) electrical power having an RF frequency that is in an ISM radio band centered at 13.56 MHz, 27.13 MHz, or 40.68 MHz to the applicator so that the non-contact protrusions, in response to the RF power, ignite gas in the intervening space so as to; i. generate electrical discharges, while operating in a unipolar mode, between the non-contact protrusions and respective points on the skin surface; and ii. subject the skin surface to the generated electrical discharges so as to form the plurality of perforations having depths that each have a depth of between 10 microns and 150 microns. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for perforation, denaturalization or coagulation of skin, comprising:
forming a plurality of perforations having depths that each have a depth of between 10 microns and 150 microns in a skin surface of a patient by; bringing an applicator, having an array of protrusions disposed thereon, into proximity with the skin surface so as to maintain an intervening space between at least some of the protrusions and the skin surface, the at least some protrusions being non-contact protrusions that are not in contact with the skin surface; generating radio-frequency (RF) electrical power at a frequency that is in an ISM radio band centered at 13.56 MHz, 27.13 MHz, or 40.68; employing a phase controller to vary an output phase of the RF electrical power; applying the variable phase radio-frequency (RF) electrical power to the applicator so that the non-contact protrusions, in response to the RF power, ignite gas in the intervening space so as to; i. generate electrical discharges, while operating in a unipolar mode, between the non-contact protrusions and respective points on the skin surface; and ii. subject the skin surface to the generated electrical discharges so as to form the plurality of perforations having depths that are each between 10 microns and 150 microns. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. A method for perforation, denaturalization or coagulation of skin, comprising:
- identifying a patient having a skin condition selected from the group consisting of fine lines, wrinkles, and scars;
treating the skin condition by forming a plurality of perforations in a skin surface of the patient at a location of the lines, wrinkles of scars, the perforations each having depths of between 10 microns and 150 microns, the formation of the perforations in the skin surface and the subsequent healing thereof being effective to treat the skin condition, wherein the formation of the perforations having the depths of between 10 microns and 150 microns comprises; bringing an applicator, having an array of protrusions disposed thereon, into proximity with the skin surface so as to maintain an intervening space between at least some of the protrusions and the skin surface, the at least some protrusions being non-contact protrusions that are not in contact with the skin surface; and applying radio-frequency (RF) electrical power at a frequency that is in an ISM radio band centered at 13.56 MHz, 27.13 MHz, or 40.68 MHz to the applicator so that the non-contact protrusions, in response to the RF power, ignite gas in the intervening space so as to; i. generate electrical discharges, while operating in a unipolar mode, between the non-contact protrusions and respective points on the skin surface; and ii. subject the skin surface to the generated electrical discharges so as to form the plurality of perforations having depths that of between 10 microns and 150 microns. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
- identifying a patient having a skin condition selected from the group consisting of fine lines, wrinkles, and scars;
Specification