Apparatuses and methods to treat biological external tissue
OwnerRobert Andersoninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Devices and methods which generate reduced pressures to treat biological external tissue using at least one energy source are disclosed. The energy source may be incoherent light, coherent light, a radio frequency, ultrasound, a laser, and/or any other type of energy that can be applied through the device. The energy source may be a single or pulsed application of energy. The features of various embodiments of the device include the generation of positive pressure and/or negative pressure through one or more pressure conduits, the application of an object within a recess of the device, and measurements through various sensors on the device. The device may be a handheld device or an add-on to existing devices in some embodiments.
Claims42
A method that treats a target, comprising:
- applying a device to an area of biological external tissue having the target;
- establishing a seal between the device and the area of biological external tissue to create a chamber;
- applying a negative pressure on the area of biological tissue;
- waiting a predetermined interval of time while applying the negative pressure to the area of biological external tissue;
- applying, after the predetermined interval, an energy to the area while applying the negative pressure to the area of biological external tissue;
- and
- releasing the device from the area of biological external tissue.
A method that treats a target, comprising:
- applying a device to an area of biological external tissue having the target;
- repeating a sequence of applying positive and negative pressure to the area of biological external tissue;
- applying an energy to the area while applying a negative pressure on the area during the sequence;
- removing the negative pressure on the area;
- and
- releasing the device from the area.
A method that treats a target, comprising:
- applying a device to an area of biological external tissue having the target to form a chamber above the area;
- repeating a sequence of applying a positive pressure and a negative pressure to the area of biological external tissue until the chamber has a pressure less than atmospheric pressure;
- applying an energy to the area while applying the negative pressure during the sequence;
- removing the negative pressure on the area;
- and
- releasing the device from the area.
A method of treating biological external tissue comprising:
- cooling a device having a tip with an outer portion and an inner chamber;
- applying the device to the biological external tissue such that the outer portion contacts the biological external tissue and the inner chamber occupies a space above a portion of the biological external tissue having a target;
- applying a negative pressure to the portion of the biological external tissue inside the inner chamber;
- and
- applying an energy to the biological external tissue inside the inner chamber.
A removable tip for a device which is used to treat external biological tissue, said removable tip comprising:
- a frame having an opening configured to be positioned against the external biological tissue and a portion configured to attach removably to the device;
- a connector coupled to the frame, the connector configured to specify to the device the type of treatment of the external biological tissue.
A device for treating external biological tissue, the device comprising:
- a frame which defines a chamber and an opening configured to be positioned against the external biological tissue;
- a conduit coupled to the frame, the conduit configured to create a vacuum within the chamber at least certain times when the opening is positioned against the external biological tissue;
- a first electrode and a second electrode both coupled to the frame, at least one of the first and second electrodes being positioned on the frame such that the biological external tissue contacts the at least one of the first and second electrodes only when the biological external tissue is drawn into the chamber by the vacuum;
- a controller coupled to the first and the second electrodes, the controller repeatedly reversing a DC polarity on the electrodes over a period of time.
A device for treating biological external tissue, the device comprising:
- a body having walls which define a chamber having an open end designed to contact biological external tissue;
- a timer to monitor elapsed time;
- at least one conduit coupled to the chamber to create a vacuum;
- a controller coupled to the timer, the controller being configured to cause the vacuum to be generated in the chamber based upon a predetermined period of time which is measured by the timer and wherein the predetermined period of time is determined by the type of treatment;
- an energy source coupled to the body to deliver energy to the biological external tissue.
A device for treating biological external tissue, the device comprising:
- a body having walls which define a chamber having an open end designed to contact biological external tissue;
- at least one conduit coupled to the chamber to create an oscillating vacuum in the chamber;
- a controller coupled to the conduit, the controller being configured to cause the oscillating vacuum to be generated in the chamber;
- an energy source coupled to the body to deliver energy to the biological external tissue after exposing the biological external tissue to the oscillating vacuum.
A device for treating biological external tissue, the device comprising;
- a handle;
- a receiving portion coupled to the handle, the receiving portion configured to removably attach to a removable tip which specifies to the device the type of treatment for the biological external tissue.
A method that treats a target, comprising:
- applying a device to an area of biological external tissue having the target;
- establishing a seal between the device and the area of biological external tissue to create a chamber;
- applying a negative pressure on the area of biological tissue;
- waiting a predetermined interval of time while applying the negative pressure to the area of biological external tissue;
- applying, after the predetermined interval, a first energy to the area while applying the negative pressure to the area of biological external tissue;
- waiting a second predetermined interval of time after applying the energy while applying the negative pressure to the area of biological external tissue;
- applying, after the second predetermined interval, a second energy to the area while applying the negative pressure to the area of biological external tissue
- releasing the device from the area of biological external tissue.
A method that treats a target, comprising:
- applying a device to an area of biological external tissue having the target;
- establishing a seal between the device and the area of biological external tissue to create a chamber;
- applying a negative pressure on the area of biological tissue;
- waiting a predetermined interval of time while applying the negative pressure to the area of biological external tissue;
- applying, after the predetermined interval, a plurality of energy pulses;
- and
- releasing the device from the area of biological external tissue.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.