US6277116B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Systems and methods for shrinking collagen in the dermis
Assignee: Syneron Medical Ltd
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Filing: 1999-02-17
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Granted: 2001-08-21
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Expires: 2019-02-17
Abstract
Abstract The invention provides a system and method for achieving the cosmetically beneficial effects of shrinking collagen tissue in the dermis in an effective, non-invasive manner, which leaves the outer layer of skin intact and undamaged. One embodiment of the invention provides electromagnetic energy to the skin of a patient. The device includes a carrier and an array of electrodes on the carrier. A microporous pad on the carrier overlies the array of electrodes, forming an interior chamber to contain an electrically conductive material. The microporous pad is adapted to contact a patient's skin and ionically transport the applied electromagnetic energy to ohmically heat dermal tissue beneath the epidermal skin region. The shape of the carrier may differ to match different skin topographies and the electrodes may be sized to extend into tissue to heat a dermal skin region.
Inventors
- 👤 David Utely
- 👤 Stuart Edwards
- 👤 Richard Goode
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:03
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/148; A61B17/00; A61B2017/00743; A61B2017/00747; A61B2018/00005; A61B2018/00011; A61B2018/00023; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00059; A61B2018/00071; A61B2018/00083; A61B2018/00315; A61B2018/00452; A61B2018/00636; A61B2018/00696; A61B2018/00702; A61B2018/00773; A61B2018/00791; A61B2018/1405; A61B2018/1425; A61B2018/143; A61B2018/1472; A61B2018/1497; A61B18/18; A61B18/1815; A61B2018/1861
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
A method for applying electromagnetic energy to skin comprising the steps of providing a carrier, an array of electrodes on the carrier connectable to a source of electromagnetic energy to apply the electromagnetic energy, and a microporous pad on the carrier overlying the array of electrodes forming an interior chamber to contain an electrically conductive material, and placing the microporous pad in contact with an epidermal skin region while applying the electromagnetic energy with the electrodes to tonically transport the applied electromagnetic energy through the microporous pad to ohmically heat dermal tissue beneath the epidermal skin region.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
97 words
A method for applying electromagnetic energy to skin comprising the steps of providing a carrier, an array of electrodes on the carrier connectable to a source of electromagnetic energy to apply the electromagnetic energy, and a microporous pad on the carrier overlying the array of electrodes forming an interior chamber to contain an electrically conductive material, and placing the microporous pad in contact with an epidermal skin region while applying the electromagnetic energy with the electrodes to tonically transport the applied electromagnetic energy through the microporous pad to ohmically heat dermal tissue beneath the epidermal skin region.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 1 further including the step of circulating the electrically conductive material in the interior chamber while applying the electromagnetic energy.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1 further including the step of distributing liquid about the microporous pad while applying the electromagnetic energy.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1 further including the step of sensing temperature while applying the electromagnetic energy.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein the temperature sensing step includes sensing temperature of dermal tissue beneath the epidermal tissue region.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
96 words
A device for applying electromagnetic energy to skin comprising: a carrier, an array of electrodes on the carrier connectable to a source of electromagnetic energy to apply the electromagnetic energy, a microporous pad on the carrier overlying the array of electrodes forming an interior chamber to contain an electrically conductive material, the microporous pad adapted, in use, to contact an epidermal skin region and ionically transport the applied electromagnetic energy to ohmicalIy heat dermal tissue beneath the epidermal skin region, and at least one temperature sensing probe on the carrier and located outside the microporous pad.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
96 words
A device for applying electromagnetic energy to skin comprising: a carrier, an array of electrodes on the carrier connectable to a source of electromagnetic energy to apply the electromagnetic energy, a microporous pad on the carrier overlying the array of electrodes forming an interior chamber to contain an electrically conductive material, the microporous pad adapted, in use, to contact an epidermal skin region and ionically transport the applied electromagnetic energy to ohmicalIy heat dermal tissue beneath the epidermal skin region, and at least one temperature sensing probe on the carrier and located outside the microporous pad.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
106 words
A device for applying electromagnetic energy to skin comprising: a carrier, an array of electrodes on the carrier connectable to a source of electromagnetic energy to apply the electromagnetic energy, a microporous pad on the carrier overlying the array of electrodes forming an interior chamber to contain an electrically conductive material, the microporous pad adapted, in use, to contact an epidermal skin region and ionically transport the applied electromagnetic energy to ohmically heat dermal tissue beneath the epidermal skin region, and at least one temperature sensing probe on the carrier and sized to extend into dermal tissue when the microporous pad contacts the epidermal tissue region.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
106 words
A device for applying electromagnetic energy to skin comprising: a carrier, an array of electrodes on the carrier connectable to a source of electromagnetic energy to apply the electromagnetic energy, a microporous pad on the carrier overlying the array of electrodes forming an interior chamber to contain an electrically conductive material, the microporous pad adapted, in use, to contact an epidermal skin region and ionically transport the applied electromagnetic energy to ohmically heat dermal tissue beneath the epidermal skin region, and at least one temperature sensing probe on the carrier and sized to extend into dermal tissue when the microporous pad contacts the epidermal tissue region.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
105 words
A method for applying electromagnetic energy to skin comprising the steps of: providing a carrier, an array of electrodes on the carrier connectable to a source of electromagnetic energy to apply the electromagnetic energy, the electrodes being sized so that, while the carrier contacts an epidermal skin region, the electrodes extend into tissue beneath the epidermal skin region, placing the carrier in contact with an epidermal skin region while applying the electromagnetic energy with the electrodes to ohmically heat tissue beneath the epidermal skin region, and conveying a liquid through an interior passage in at least some of the electrodes while applying the electromagnetic energy.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
105 words
A method for applying electromagnetic energy to skin comprising the steps of: providing a carrier, an array of electrodes on the carrier connectable to a source of electromagnetic energy to apply the electromagnetic energy, the electrodes being sized so that, while the carrier contacts an epidermal skin region, the electrodes extend into tissue beneath the epidermal skin region, placing the carrier in contact with an epidermal skin region while applying the electromagnetic energy with the electrodes to ohmically heat tissue beneath the epidermal skin region, and conveying a liquid through an interior passage in at least some of the electrodes while applying the electromagnetic energy.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for applying electromagnetic energy to skin comprising the steps of: providing a carrier, an array of electrodes on the carrier connectable to a source of electromagnetic energy to apply the electromagnetic energy, the electrodes being sized so that, while the carrier contacts an epidermal skin region, the electrodes extend into tissue beneath the epidermal skin region, placing the carrier in contact with an epidermal skin region while applying the electromagnetic energy with the electrodes to ohmically heat tissue beneath the epidermal skin region, and sensing temperature while applying the electromagnetic energy.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for applying electromagnetic energy to skin comprising the steps of: providing a carrier, an array of electrodes on the carrier connectable to a source of electromagnetic energy to apply the electromagnetic energy, the electrodes being sized so that, while the carrier contacts an epidermal skin region, the electrodes extend into tissue beneath the epidermal skin region, placing the carrier in contact with an epidermal skin region while applying the electromagnetic energy with the electrodes to ohmically heat tissue beneath the epidermal skin region, and sensing temperature while applying the electromagnetic energy.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 9 wherein the temperature sensing step includes sensing temperature of dermal tissue beneath the epidermal tissue region.
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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) | 2004-08-20 | 2005-02-19 | 2005-08-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-08-20 | 2009-02-19 | 2009-08-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-08-20 | 2013-02-19 | 2013-08-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |