US6387380B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for controlled contraction of collagen tissue
Assignee: Solta Medical Inc
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Filing: 1996-04-17
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Granted: 2002-05-14
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Expires: 2016-04-17
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus applies radiant energy through the skin to an underlying subcutaneous layer or deeper soft tissue layers that includes loculations of fat with fibrous septae made of collagen tissue. This creates a desired contour effect without substantially modifying melanocytes and other epithelial cells in the epidermis. A membrane conforms a contacting exterior surface of the membrane to a skin layer. One or more thermal electrodes positioned in the membrane. A focussing element focuses thermal energy to the underlying collagen tissue. The focusing element and the electrolytic solution create a reverse thermal gradient from the skin to the collagen tissue. A thermal power source is coupled to the thermal electrodes.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward W. Knowlton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:54
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: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
A method of liposculpturing an area of the body including a skin with multiple layers, and an underlying area made of a loculation of fat that has collagen tissue as a fibrous septae, comprising: providing a thermal energy source; positioning an energy delivery surface of the thermal energy delivery source on an external surface of the skin; creating a reverse thermal gradient which cools a top surface of the skin while heating the underlying loculation of fat, wherein a temperature of the external skin surface is lower than a temperature of the underlying loculation of fat; heating the skin and underlying loculation of fat sufficiently to contract the collagen tissue of the fibrous septae while minimizing cellular destruction of the melanocytes; and tightening at least a portion of the external surface of the skin.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
134 words
A method of liposculpturing an area of the body including a skin with multiple layers, and an underlying area made of a loculation of fat that has collagen tissue as a fibrous septae, comprising: providing a thermal energy source; positioning an energy delivery surface of the thermal energy delivery source on an external surface of the skin; creating a reverse thermal gradient which cools a top surface of the skin while heating the underlying loculation of fat, wherein a temperature of the external skin surface is lower than a temperature of the underlying loculation of fat; heating the skin and underlying loculation of fat sufficiently to contract the collagen tissue of the fibrous septae while minimizing cellular destruction of the melanocytes; and tightening at least a portion of the external surface of the skin.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the collagen containing tissue is partially denatured by cleaving heat labile cross-links of collagen molecules.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the collagen containing tissue is partially denatured while minimizing cellular destruction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the reverse thermal gradient produces a net mobilization of intracellular fat with diminished destruction of cells.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the thermal energy source is an RF power source and one or more RF electrodes are positioned in a membrane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 5 , further comprising: a source of electrolytic solution that delivers electrolytic solution to the RF electrodes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 6 , wherein RF energy is transferred from the RF electrodes to the electrolytic solution.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 7 , further comprising: a cooling fluid lumen positioned in the membrane.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 8 , further comprising a source of cooling medium that is introduced into the cooling fluid lumen.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the collagen tissue is in a subdermal layer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the collagen tissue is in a deep dermal layer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the collagen tissue is in a subcutaneous layer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the collagen tissue is in fascial and muscle tissue.
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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) | 2005-05-13 | 2005-11-12 | 2006-05-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-05-13 | 2009-11-12 | 2010-05-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-05-13 | 2013-11-12 | 2014-05-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |