Method for scar collagen formation and contraction
AssigneeThermage, Inc.
InventorEdward W. Knowlton
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method is disclosed for forming and contracting scar collagen below a tissue surface in a selected tissue site. An electromagnetic energy apparatus is provided and includes an electromagnetic energy source and a delivery device. The delivery device is positioned on the tissue surface. Electromagnetic energy is produced from the electromagnetic energy source and delivered through the tissue surface to the selected tissue site for a sufficient time to induce scar collagen formation in the selected tissue site. No more than a second degree burn is formed on the tissue surface. The scar collagen is then contracted. This method is particularly useful in tissue sites that are devoid or deficient in collagen.
Claims23
A method for inducing the formation of scar collagen in a selected collagen containing tissue site beneath an epidermis skin surface, comprising:
- providing an energy source;
- producing energy from the energy source;
- creating a reverse thermal gradient through the skin epidermis surface where a temperature of the skin epidermis surface is lower than the selected collagen containing tissue site;
- and
- delivering energy from the energy source through the skin epidermis surface to the selected collagen containing tissue site for a sufficient time to induce collagen formation in the selected collagen containing tissue site, minimizing cellular necrosis of the skin epidermis surface and tightening the skin epidermis surface.
A method for inducing the formation of scar collagen in a selected collagen containing tissue site beneath an epidermis skin surface, comprising:
- providing an energy source with an energy delivery surface;
- positioning the energy delivery surface on the epidermis skin surface;
- creating a reverse thermal gradient through the epidermis skin surface sufficiently to induce a formation of new collagen in the selected collagen containing tissue site with no deeper than a second degree burn created on the skin epidermis surface, wherein a temperature of the skin epidermis surface is lower than the collagen containing tissue site;
- contracting at least a portion of the new collagen;
- and
- tightening the epidermis skin surface.
A method for inducing the formation of scar collagen in a selected collagen containing tissue site beneath an epidermis skin surface, comprising:
- providing an energy source;
- producing energy from the energy source;
- delivering energy from the energy source through the skin epidermis surface to the selected collagen containing tissue site for a sufficient time to induce a formation of new collagen in the selected collagen containing tissue site with no deeper than a second degree burn created on the skin epidermis surface;
- minimizing destruction of fat cells underlying the skin epidermis surface;
- contracting at least a portion of the new collagen;
- and
- modifying the epidermal skin surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.