Vaginal remodeling device and methods
First Claim
1. A method for remodeling a therapeutic zone within a target tissue, the target tissue comprising tissue underlying a mucosal epithelium of female genital tissue, the method comprising:
- heating the target tissue, and remodeling the therapeutic zone of target tissue.
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Abstract
This invention relates generally to apparatus and methods for tightening tissue of the female genitalia by heating targeted connective tissue with radiant energy, while cooling the mucosal epithelial surface over the target tissue to protect it from the heat. Embodiments include a treatment tip that comprises both an energy delivery element and a cooling mechanism. As the treatment tip contacts the epithelial mucosa, the tip cools the mucosa by contact, and delivers energy thought the epithelium to the underlying tissue, thereby creating a reverse thermal gradient. The effect of the applied heat is to remodel genital tissue by tightening it. Such remodeling may include a tighter vagina and a tighter introitus. The tightening may be a consequence of thermal denaturation of collagen as well as a longer term healing response in the tissue that includes an increased deposition of collagen.
127 Citations
57 Claims
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1. A method for remodeling a therapeutic zone within a target tissue, the target tissue comprising tissue underlying a mucosal epithelium of female genital tissue, the method comprising:
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heating the target tissue, and remodeling the therapeutic zone of target tissue. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. An apparatus for remodeling a therapeutic zone within a target tissue, the target tissue comprising tissue underlying a mucosal epithelium of female genital tissue, the apparatus comprising:
a treatment tip, the tip comprising;
a shaft comprising a longitudinal axis, an energy delivery element, and a cooling mechanism, wherein the energy delivery element is adapted to contact the epithelium, and wherein treatment tip is configured to deliver energy from the energy delivery element to the target tissue in a uniform manner. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57)
Specification