# US 2014/0155977 A1 · Method of destroying tissue cells by electroporation > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0155977 A1 - Document ID: US20140155977A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/176,889 - Filed: 2014-02-10 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2000-08-17 - Assignees: AngioDynamics, Inc. - Applicants: AngioDynamics, Inc. - Inventors: Victor Chornenky; Ali Jaafar - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140155977A1 ## CPC - A61B 18/14: Probes or electrodes therefor - A61B 18/1206: {Generators therefor} - A61N 1/0412: {Specially adapted for transcutaneous electroporation, e.g. including drug reservoirs} - A61B 18/1445: {at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod} - A61B 18/1477: {Needle-like probes} - A61B 2018/0016: {Energy applicators arranged in a two- or three dimensional array} - A61B 2018/00452: {Skin} - A61B 2018/0047: {Upper parts of the skin, e.g. skin peeling or treatment of wrinkles} - A61B 2018/00613: {Irreversible electroporation} - A61B 2018/1425: {Needle} - A61B 2018/143: {multiple needles} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B) ## Abstract An apparatus and method for performing non-invasive treatment of the human face and body by electroporation in lieu of cosmetic surgery is provided. The apparatus comprises a high voltage pulse generator and an applicator having two or more electrodes in close mechanical and electrical contact with the patient's skin for applying the pulses to the patient's skin. The applicator may consist of two pieces with one electrode having a sharp tip and another having a flat surface. High voltage pulses delivered to the electrodes create at the tip of the sharp electrode an electric field high enough to cause death of relatively large subcutaneous fat cells by electroporation. Moving the electrode tip along the skin creates a line of necrotic subcutaneous fat cells, which later are metabolized by the body. Multiple applications of the electrode along predetermined lines on the face or neck create shrinkage of the skin and the subcutaneous fat volume underlying the treated area. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for sculpting a human body comprising: an applicator comprising first and second electrodes defining a treatment area therebetween, the treatment area adapted to accept a portion of the human body comprising at least one of skin, subcutaneous tissue, and fat; and a generator operably connected to the applicator and adapted to apply a plurality of electrical pulses between the first and second electrodes in an amount sufficient to irreversibly open pores in fat cells of the portion of the human body. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the applicator is adapted to retain the portion of the human body within the treatment area during the application of electrical pulses. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are positioned on opposing sides of the treatment area. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the generator is further adapted to apply electrical pulses whose amplitude is in a range of 20 Volt/mm and 2000 Volt/mm. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the generator is further adapted to apply electrical pulses whose amplitude is above 20 Volt/mm. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the generator is further adapted to apply electrical pulses whose duration is in a range of 10 microseconds and 100 milliseconds. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the generator is further adapted to apply electrical pulses whose amplitude is in a range of 20 Volt/mm and 2000 Volt/mm and whose duration is in a range of 10 microseconds and 100 milliseconds. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the applicator comprises a grip and first and second opposed arms configured to move toward each other to forcibly retain the portion of the human body by compression. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the portion of the human body is a skin fold. ### Claim 10 A method for sculpting a human body comprising: providing: an applicator comprising first and second electrodes defining a treatment area therebetween, the treatment area adapted to accept a portion of the human body comprising at least one of skin, subcutaneous tissue, and fat, and a generator operably connected to the applicator; engaging the applicator with a surface of skin on the human body; retaining the portion of the human body within the treatment area; and applying a plurality of electrical pulses between the first and second electrodes in an amount sufficient to irreversibly open pores in fat cells in the retained portion of the human body. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the portion of the human body comprises all of skin, subcutaneous tissue and fat. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the first and second electrodes are positioned on opposing sides of the treatment area. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) Repeating the method of claim 10 on a plurality of different portions of the human body according to a pre-determined treatment plan. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the step of applying further comprises applying electrical pulses whose amplitude is in a range of 20 Volt/mm and 2000 Volt/mm. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The method according to claim 10, wherein the step of applying a plurality of electrical pulses further comprises applying electrical pulses whose amplitude is above 20 Volt/mm. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the step of applying a plurality of electrical pulses further comprises applying electrical pulses whose duration is in a range of 10 microseconds and 100 milliseconds. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the step of applying a plurality of electrical pulses further comprises applying electrical pulses whose amplitude is in a range of 20 Volt/mm and 2000 Volt/mm and whose duration is in a range of 10 microseconds and 100 milliseconds. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the applicator further comprises a grip and first and second opposed arms configured to move toward each other, and wherein the step of retaining further comprises forcibly retaining the portion of the human body by compression via the first and second opposed arms. ### Claim 19 A method for a skin tightening and fat reduction treatment comprising: providing: an applicator comprising first and second electrodes defining a treatment area therebetween, the treatment area adapted to accept a portion of the human body comprising at least one of skin, subcutaneous tissue, and fat, and a generator operably connected to the applicator; engaging the applicator with a surface of skin on the human body; retaining the portion of the human body within the treatment area; applying a first plurality of electrical pulses between the first and second electrodes in an amount sufficient to irreversibly open pores in fat cells of the portion of the human body; and applying a second plurality of electrical pulses between the first and second electrodes in an amount sufficient to irreversibly open pores in skin cells of the portion of the human body. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) Repeating the method of claim 19 on a plurality of different portions of the human body according to a pre-determined treatment plan.