Surgery – Instruments – Electrical application
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-17
2001-08-21
Dvorak, Linda C. M. (Department: 3739)
Surgery
Instruments
Electrical application
C606S041000, C606S050000, C607S102000, C607S109000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06277116
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
In a general sense, the invention is directed to systems and methods for treating cosmetic conditions in the human body. In a more particular sense, the invention is directed to systems and methods for treating cosmetic conditions affecting the skin of the face and neck, as evidenced by the appearance of lines and wrinkles in the face, or neck, or both.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The skin is the principal seat of the sense of touch. The skin also provides protection against the physical forces of the environment, such as heat, cold, sun rays, friction, pressure, and chemicals.
Exposure of the skin to these environmental forces can, over time, cause the skin to sag or wrinkle. Hyperfunctional nervous disorders and normal contraction of facial and neck muscles, e.g. by frowning or squinting, can also over time form furrows or bands in the face and neck region. These and other effects of the normal aging process can present an aesthetically unpleasing cosmetic appearance.
Accordingly, there is a large demand for systems and methods which serve to “tighten” the skin to remove sags and wrinkles in the face and neck.
One prior method surgically resurfaces facial skin by ablating the outer layer of the skin (from 200 &mgr;m to 600 &mgr;m), using laser or chemicals. In time, a new skin surface develops. The laser and chemicals used to resurface the skin also irritate or heat collagen tissue, which is widely present in the dermis. When irritated or heated in prescribed ways, the collagen tissue partially dissociates and, in doing so, shrinks. The shrinkage of collagen also leads to a desirable “tightened” look. Still, laser or chemical resurfacing leads to prolonged redness of the skin, infection risk, increased or decreased pigmentation, and scarring.
Lax et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,458,596 describes the use of radio frequency energy to shrink collagen tissue. This cosmetically beneficial effect can be achieved in facial and neck areas of the body in a minimally intrusive manner, without requiring the surgical removal of the outer layers of skin and the attendant problems just listed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides improved systems and methods of systems and methods of achieving the cosmetically beneficial effects of shrinking collagen tissue in the dermis in an effective, non-invasive manner, which leaves the outer layer of skin intact and undamaged.
One aspect of the invention provides systems and methods for applying electromagnetic energy to skin. The systems and methods include a carrier and an array of electrodes on the carrier, which are connectable to a source of electromagnetic energy to apply the electromagnetic energy. According to this aspect of the invention, a microporous pad on the carrier overlays the array of electrodes, forming an interior chamber to contain an electrically conductive material. The microporous pad is adapted, in use, to contact an epidermal skin region and ionically transport the applied electromagnetic energy to ohmically heat dermal tissue beneath the epidermal skin region.
In one embodiment, the shape of the carrier can differ to match different skin region topographies.
Another aspect of the invention provides systems and methods for applying electromagnetic energy to skin, in which the array of electrodes on the carrier are sized so that, while the carrier contacts an epidermal skin region, the electrodes extend into tissue beneath the epidermal skin region to ohmically heat dermal tissue.
In one embodiment, the electrodes are sized to extend into dermal tissue. In another embodiment, the electrodes are sized to extend into subdermal tissue.
In one embodiment, the shape of the carrier can differ to match different skin region topographies.
Another aspect of the invention provides systems and methods for applying electromagnetic energy to a facelift flap. The systems and methods include a carrier and at least one electrode on the carrier connectable to a source of electromagnetic energy to apply the electromagnetic energy. The electrode is sized so that, while the carrier contacts a backside of the flap, the electrode ohmically heats the dermal tissue.
In one embodiment, the electrode, in use, rests on a surface on the backside of the flap.
In another embodiment, the electrode is sized to extend into dermal tissue within the flap.
Another aspect of the invention provides a family of devices for applying electromagnetic energy to skin. Each device comprising a carrier having a shape and an array of electrodes on the carrier connectable to a source of electromagnetic energy to apply the electromagnetic energy. According to this aspect of the invention, the shapes of the carriers differ to match different skin region topographies.
In one embodiment, the carrier is adapted, in use, to contact epidermal tissue. In this embodiment, the electrodes are sized to extend into tissue beneath the epidermal tissue. The electrodes can be sized to extend into dermal tissue. Alternatively, the electrodes are sized to extend into subdermal tissue.
Features and advantages of the inventions are set forth in the following Description and Drawings, as well as in the appended Claims.
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patent: 5374283 (1994-12-01), Flick
patent: 5569242 (1996-10-01), Lax et al.
patent: 5588960 (1996-12-01), Edwards et al.
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patent: 5843078 (1998-12-01), Sharkey
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patent: 6068629 (2000-05-01), Haissaguerre et al.
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patent: 6077257 (2000-06-01), Edwards et al.
patent: 6081749 (2000-06-01), Ingle et al.
Edwards Stuart
Goode Richard
Utely David
Dvorak Linda C. M.
Glenn Michael A.
Ruddy David
VidaDerm
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