Patent US6413255B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6413255B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus and method for treatment of tissue
Assignee: Solta Medical Inc
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Filing: 2000-03-09
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Granted: 2002-07-02
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Expires: 2020-03-09
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus to treat the skin includes a template having a tissue interface surface and an energy delivery device coupled to the template. The energy delivery device is configured to be coupled to a power source and has a variable resistance portion. A sensor is coupled to one of the template, the energy delivery device, the tissue interface surface or a power source coupled to the energy delivery device. In another embodiment the variable resistance portion configured to reduce an electrode edge effect
Inventors
- 👤 Roger A. Stern
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:19
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N5/00; A61N5/02; A61N5/04; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61N1/00; A61N1/40; A61N1/403; A61B18/1402; A61B2018/00005; A61B2018/00011; A61B2018/00023; A61B2018/00315; A61B2018/00452; A61B2018/00458; A61B2018/00464; A61B2018/00636; A61B2018/00696; A61B2018/00702; A61B2018/00773; A61B2018/00779; A61B2018/00791; A61B2018/00875; A61B2018/1495; A61B90/00; A61B90/06; A61B2090/064
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 63
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
An apparatus for treating a tissue, comprising: a handpiece assembly; a dielectric electrode coupled to the handpiece assembly and including at least one RE electrode with a front surface and a back surface that is physically and electrically coupled to a back surface of a dielectric, at least a portion of the dielectric configured to contact a tissue surface; a cooling media delivery member coupled to the dielectric electrode and configured to deliver a cooling media to the back surface of the RF electrode; and a sensor coupled to the dielectric electrode.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
92 words
An apparatus for treating a tissue, comprising: a handpiece assembly; a dielectric electrode coupled to the handpiece assembly and including at least one RE electrode with a front surface and a back surface that is physically and electrically coupled to a back surface of a dielectric, at least a portion of the dielectric configured to contact a tissue surface; a cooling media delivery member coupled to the dielectric electrode and configured to deliver a cooling media to the back surface of the RF electrode; and a sensor coupled to the dielectric electrode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the dielectric electrode is configured to reduce at least one of an edge effect, an electrode edge effect, an electrode temperature gradient an electrode current density gradient or a tissue interface surface temperature gradient.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sensor is a thermal sensor, a thermocouple, an optical sensor, a current sensor, voltage sensor, an impedance sensor or a flow sensor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising: a source of cooling media coupled to the cooling media delively member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the cooling media is one of a cooling fluid, a gas, a cryogenic gas, a liquid, an electrolytic solution, a cooled liquid or a cryogenic liquid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the handpiece includes at least one of a connector, an electrical connector, a cooling media connector, a lumen, a fluid lumen, a cooling media lumen; a flow control device, a control valve or a nozzle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the dielectric electrode includes a tissue interface surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the tissue interface surface has a shape configured to conform to an anatomical structure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the tissue interface surface has a curved shape.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the tissue interface surface is conformable.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the tissue interface surface is conformable to a skin surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the dielectric electrode has a resistance that varies with a temperature.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the temperature is one of a temperature of a tissue interface surface or a tissue positioned adjacent to the tissue interface.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising: a power source coupled to the dielectric electrode.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 14 , further comprising: feedback control resources coupled to at least one of the power source, the dielectric electrode or the sensor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the feedback control resources include at least one of a microprocessor, a controller, a software program set forth in a tangible media, a power control circuit or a voltage and current monitor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the RF electrode is a monopolar electrode.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 17 , further comprising: an RE power supply electronically coupled to e RF electrode; and a ground pad electrode positioned on the skin and coupled to the RF power source and the RF electrode.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the RF electrode is a bipolar electrode and includes one of a plurality of electrodes, a plurality of multiplexed electrodes, an array of electrodes or an array of multiplexed electrodes.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising: a switching device, wherein the RF electrode includes a plurality of RF electrodes coupled to the switching device.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the switching device includes one of a multiplexing device or a multiplexing device configured to be coupled to an RF power source.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
66 words
An apparatus for treating to skin, comprising: a handpiece; and a dielectric electrode coupled to the handpiece and including at least One RF electrode with a front surface and a back surface that is physically and electrically coupled to a back surface of a dielectric, at least a portion of the dielectric configured to contact a skin surface; and a sensor coupled to the dielectric electrode.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
66 words
An apparatus for treating to skin, comprising: a handpiece; and a dielectric electrode coupled to the handpiece and including at least One RF electrode with a front surface and a back surface that is physically and electrically coupled to a back surface of a dielectric, at least a portion of the dielectric configured to contact a skin surface; and a sensor coupled to the dielectric electrode.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the dielectric electrode is configured to be capacitively coupled to the skin.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the RF electrode is a monopolar electrode.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 22 further comprising: an RF power supply electronically coupled to the RF electrode; and a ground pad electrode positioned on the skin and electronically coupled to the RF power source and the R electrode.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the RF electrode is a bipolar electrode and comprises one of a plurality of electrodes, a plurality of multiplexed electrodes, an array of electrodes or an array of multiplexed electrodes.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 26 , further comprising: a switching device coupled to at least a portion of the plurality of RF electrodes, the switching device configured to be coupled to at least one of a power supply or feedback control resources.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 27 , wherein the switching device includes one of a multiplexing device or a multiplexing device coupled to an RF power source.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the dielectric electrode comprises a plurality of dielectric portions including a first portion and second portion.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 29 , wherein the first and second portions are substantially positioned on an energy delivery device surface.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 30 , wherein the first portion is positioned within an interior area defined by the second portion.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 31 , further comprising: a gap disposed between the first portion and the second portion.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 31 , wherein the first and second portions have one of a substantially circular shape or an oval shape.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 33 , wherein the first and second portions are substantially concentric.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 29 , further comprising: a switching device coupled to at least one of the plurality of dielectric portions.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 35 , wherein the switching device includes one of a multiplexing device or a multiplexing device coupled to an RF power source.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
96 words
An apparatus for treating the skin, comprising: a handpiece; and an energy delivery device coupled to tie handpiece, the energy delivery device having a conductive portion and a dielectric portion, the energy delivery device configured to be coupled to a power source, at least a portion of the dielectric portion configured to contact a skin surface; a cooling media delivery member coupled to the energy delivery device; and a sensor coupled to one of the energy delivery device, the energy delivery device, the tissue interface surface or a power source coupled to the energy delivery device.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
96 words
An apparatus for treating the skin, comprising: a handpiece; and an energy delivery device coupled to tie handpiece, the energy delivery device having a conductive portion and a dielectric portion, the energy delivery device configured to be coupled to a power source, at least a portion of the dielectric portion configured to contact a skin surface; a cooling media delivery member coupled to the energy delivery device; and a sensor coupled to one of the energy delivery device, the energy delivery device, the tissue interface surface or a power source coupled to the energy delivery device.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 37 , further comprising: a pressure relief valve coupled to the energy delivery device.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 37 , wherein the energy delivery device is configured to reduce at least one of an edge effect, an electrode edge effect, an electrode temperature gradient, an electrode current density gradient or a tissue interface surface temperature gradient.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 37 , wherein the conductive portion is a conductive layer and the dielectric portion is a dielectric layer.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 40 , wherein the conductive portion has a surface area that is less than a dielectric layer surface area.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 40 , wherein the energy delivery device is configured such that substantially all of an energy delivery device current flows through the conductive layer.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 40 , wherein the dielectric layer is a tissue contacting layer and the conductive layer is disposed on a non-tissue contacting side of the dielectric layer.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 40 , wherein the dielectric layer is one of an oxide layer, a metal oxide layer, a polymer, a polyimide or a diamond.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 40 , wherein the dielectric layer has a thickness of about 0.001 inches.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 40 , wherein the conductive layer is one of a metal, a metal alloy, copper or a conductive polymer.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 31 , wherein the cooling media delivery member delivers a cooling media to the energy delivery device and cool at least a portion of the energy delivery device by at least one of a conductive effect, an evaporative effect, a convective effect or an ebullient cooling effect.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 37 , further comprising: a source of cooling media coupled to at cooling media delivery member, the cooling media delivery member including at least one of a flow control device and a control valve or a nozzle.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 48 , wherein the cooling media is one of a cooling fluid, a gas, a cryogenic gas, a liquid, an electrolytic solution, a cooled liquid or a cryogenic liquid.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 37 , wherein at least a portion of the energy delivery device is flexible or elastic.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 50 , wherein the energy delivery device is one of a membrane, a flexible membrane, a skin conforming membrane, a film, a flexible film or a skin conforming film.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 50 , wherein the at least a portion of the energy delivery device is deformable in response to a pressure.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 52 , further comprising: a valve coupled to the handpiece, wherein the valve is one of a control valve, a pressure valve or a pressure relief valve.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 53 , further comprising: feedback control resources coupled to at least one of the valve or the sensor.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 37 , wherein the conductive portion is an RF electrode.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 55 , wherein the RF electrode is a monopolar electrode.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 56 further comprising, an RF power supply electronically coupled to the RF electrode; and a ground pad electrode positioned on the skin and electronically coupled to the RF power source and the RF electrode.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 55 , wherein the RF electrode is a bipolar electrode and comprises one of a plurality of electrodes, a plurality of multiplexed electrodes, an array of electrodes or an array of multiplexed electrodes.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 58 , further comprising: a switching device coupled to at least a portion of the plurality of RF electrodes, the switching device configured to be coupled to at least one of a power supply or feedback control resources.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 59 , wherein the switching device includes one of a multiplexing device or a multiplexing device coupled to an RF power 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) | 2005-07-01 | 2005-12-31 | 2006-07-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-07-01 | 2009-12-31 | 2010-07-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-07-01 | 2013-12-31 | 2014-07-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |