Thermally mediated tissue molding
AssigneeCoolTouch Incorporated
InventorsDavid R. Hennings, Michael A. Zaro, Edward M. Zimmerman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and device to modify tissue in a manner such that it will take on a permanent new shape. Subdermal tissue is heated to approx 60° C. at which point it becomes pliable and moldable and will take on a permanent new shape if allowed to cool and heal in a new position.
Claims35
A method to modify tissue such that it will take on a permanent new shape, the method comprising the following steps:
- Heating the lower dermis and subdermal material to the point that it becomes pliable but not damaged beyond repair;
- Molding the dermal tissue to a new desired shape;
- and
- Holding the dermis in the new shape until it cools and retains the new shape.
A method for treating cellulite comprising the steps of cutting connective strands in the subdermal tissue, heating lower dermal tissue and subdermal tissue until they becomes pliable but not damaged beyond repair, compressing the cellulite into a flat configuration so that the bumps of the cellulite are reduced or eliminated, and optionally bandaging or wearing a garment or device for holding the subdermal tissue in the new shape until it cools and retains its shape.
A method for molding tissue comprising the steps of cutting connective strands in the subdermal tissue, heating lower dermal tissue and subdermal tissue until they becomes pliable but not damaged beyond repair, compressing the pliable tissue into a desired configuration, optionally including the reduction or removal of bumps, and optionally bandaging or wearing a garment or device for holding the subdermal tissue in the new shape until it cools and retains its shape.
A method for tissue molding, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a hollow cannula with a distal tip;
- providing an optical fiber laser delivery device capable of being inserted inside the cannula, the optical fiber laser delivery device extendable through the cannula, the emitting tip of the optical fiber laser delivery device extendable beyond the distal tip of the cannula, the proximal end of the optical fiber laser delivery device for connecting to a laser source;
- providing a laser source with emitting characteristics for generating a laser beam transmittable through the optical fiber laser delivery device, the laser beam having an intensity and a wavelength capable of cutting connective strands in subdermal tissue;
- generating a laser beam with the laser source and delivering laser energy from the distal firing tip;
- placing the tip of the cannula underneath the skin of a patient;
- placing the optical fiber laser delivery device into the hollow cannula;
- moving the emitting tip of the optical fiber laser delivery device beyond the distal tip of the cannula into the subdermal tissue of the patient;
- irradiating the subdermal tissue with the laser beam to disrupt the connective strands in the subdermal tissue;
- and
- molding the tissue into a desired configuration using compression to maintain the desired configuration until the tissue cools and retains its new shape.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.