US6241753B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method for scar collagen formation and contraction
Assignee: Solta Medical Inc
•
Filing: 1996-01-05
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Granted: 2001-06-05
•
Expires: 2016-01-05
Abstract
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.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward W. Knowlton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:54
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/1206; A61B18/14; A61M; A61M15/00; A61M15/0028; A61M15/003; A61M15/0033; A61M15/0035; A61M15/0036; A61M15/0041; A61N; A61N5/00; A61N5/02; A61N5/04; A61B2018/00315; A61B2018/00482; A61B2018/00488; A61B2018/00636; A61B2018/0066; A61M2202/00; A61M2202/06; A61M2202/064; A61M2205/00; A61M2205/07; A61M2205/071; A61M2205/073
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
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.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
107 words
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.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the energy is transcutaneously delivered to the selected collagen containing tissue site.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the energy is percutaneously delivered to the selected collagen containing tissue site.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the energy is transmucosally delivered to the selected collagen containing site.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the energy is permucosally delivered to the selected collagen containing tissue site.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the energy is transcutaneously delivered to the selected collagen containing tissue site for a sufficient time to induce collagen formation in the selected collagen containing tissue site with no deeper than a first degree burn formed on the skin surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the energy is transcutaneously delivered to the selected collagen containing tissue site for a sufficient time to induce collagen formation in the selected collagen containing tissue site with no deeper than a second degree burn formed on the skin epidermis surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein a combination of an amount of energy delivered to the tissue surface and to the selected collagen containing tissue site creates a reverse thermal gradient through the skin epidermis surface to the selected collagen containing tissue site.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the energy source is an RF source.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the energy source is a microwave source.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the energy source is a short wave source.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the selected collagen containing tissue site is heated to a temperature range of 40 to 60 degrees C.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the selected collagen containing tissue site is heated to a temperature of 60 to 80 degrees or greater.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the selected collagen containing tissue site comprises soft tissue.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the formation of the collagen alters a consistency of the selected collagen containing tissue site.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the formation of the collagen changes the geometry of the selected collagen containing tissue site.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
111 words
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.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
111 words
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.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein the energy is transcutaneously delivered to the selected collagen containing tissue site.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein the energy source is an RF source.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
107 words
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.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
107 words
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.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 20 , wherein the energy is transcutaneously delivered to the selected collagen containing tissue site.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 20 , further comprising: 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.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 20 , wherein the energy source is an RF source.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-06-04 | 2004-12-04 | 2005-06-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-06-04 | 2008-12-04 | 2009-06-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-06-04 | 2012-12-04 | 2013-06-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |