Methods and devices for treating tissue
AssigneeSyneron Medical Ltd.
InventorBankim H. Mehta
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Abstract
The invention provides a system and method for achieving the cosmetically beneficial effects of shrinking collagen tissue in the dermis or other areas of tissue in an effective, non-invasive manner using an array of electrodes. Systems described herein allow for improved treatment of tissue. Additional variations of the system include array of electrodes configured to minimize the energy required to produce the desired effect.
Claims28
A method for cosmetically treating skin by maximizing a treatment lesion in a dermal layer of tissue by applying energy to the dermal layer of tissue located beneath an epidermal layer of tissue, the method comprising:
- providing an energy transfer unit comprising a plurality of electrodes each having an active area, the plurality of electrodes advanceable from the energy transfer unit at a fixed angle relative to a tissue engaging surface;
- advancing the plurality of electrodes into the epidermal layer and into the dermal layer by a uniform depth and at the fixed angle relative to the tissue engaging surface such that the active area of the electrodes extends at the oblique angle through the dermal layer;
- applying energy to the active region to create the treatment lesion, where a length of the treatment lesion along the active area in the dermal layer is larger than if the plurality of electrodes were advanced perpendicular to the epidermal layer;
- and
- placing a portion of the epidermal layer in traction by moving the portion of the epidermal layer in a direction away from the electrodes prior to advancing electrodes through the surface tissue.
A method for applying energy to a region of tissue located beneath a surface layer of the tissue comprising:
- providing an energy transfer unit comprising an array of electrodes adjacent to the surface layer;
- placing a tissue engaging surface against a first portion of the surface layer to provide a consistent starting point for insertion of the array of electrodes into the surface layer;
- advancing the array of electrodes through a second portion of the surface layer into the region of tissue by a uniform depth and at an oblique angle relative to the tissue engaging surface where the second portion of the surface layer is spaced a distance along the surface layer from both the first portion of the surface layer and the tissue engaging surface such that the array of electrodes are positioned in a target region of tissue where a third portion of the surface layer directly above the target region is uncovered by the tissue engaging surface;
- and
- applying energy to at least one of the electrodes to create a thermal injury to the target region of tissue.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.