US6425912B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for modifying skin surface and soft tissue structure
Assignee: Solta Medical Inc
•
Filing: 1997-09-30
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Granted: 2002-07-30
•
Expires: 2017-09-30
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus is provided that modifies a skin surface or a soft tissue. The apparatus includes a skin surface conforming member and a hydration delivery device coupled to the conforming member. The hydration delivery device delivers a hydration agent to the skin surface. An energy delivery device is coupled to the conforming member and provides a controlled delivery of energy to the skin surface.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward W. Knowlton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 02:48
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N5/00; A61N5/02; A61N5/04; A45; A45D; A45D44/00; A45D44/22; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/1206; A61B18/14; A61B90/00; A61B90/02; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/20; A61N1/28; A61N1/30; A61N1/40; A61N1/403; A61N5/06; A61N5/0613; A61N5/0616; A61B18/18; A61B18/20; A61B18/203; A61B2018/00315; A61B2018/00452; A61B2018/0047; A61B2018/00482; A61B2018/00488; A61B2018/00505; A61B2018/00523; A61B2018/00636; A61B2018/0066; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/12; A61H; A61H9/00; A61H9/005; A61H9/0071; A61N2005/0635; A61N2005/0643; A61N2005/0645
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
An apparatus for modifying a skin surface or a soft tissue structure underlying a skin surface, comprising: a template including a chamber having a porous membrane that has a skin interface surface which is conformable to the skin surface overlaying the soft tissue structure; a hydration delivery device coupled to the chamber and configured to deliver a hydration agent through the pores of the membrane to the skin surface; and an energy delivery device positioned in the interior of the chamber of the template, producing and providing a controlled delivery of energy to the skin surface and the tissue structure underneath to modify the skin surface or the tissue structure.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
110 words
An apparatus for modifying a skin surface or a soft tissue structure underlying a skin surface, comprising: a template including a chamber having a porous membrane that has a skin interface surface which is conformable to the skin surface overlaying the soft tissue structure; a hydration delivery device coupled to the chamber and configured to deliver a hydration agent through the pores of the membrane to the skin surface; and an energy delivery device positioned in the interior of the chamber of the template, producing and providing a controlled delivery of energy to the skin surface and the tissue structure underneath to modify the skin surface or the tissue structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising: a hydration sensor coupled to the template.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the hydration delivery device includes a hydraulic pressure source.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the hydraulic pressure source is a mechanical source.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the hydration delivery device is driven by an electrical force.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the hydration delivery device is driven by a thermal energy.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the hydration delivery device is driven by a chemical reaction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the chemical reaction includes reaction with ethylene glycol.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the hydraulic pressure source is driven by a diff-usion gradient.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the hydraulic pressure source is a compression source.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the template has a mechanical force application surface on which a mechanical force is applied to compress the soft tissue structure underlying the skin surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising: a feedback control device coupled to the template.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising: a surface pressure sensor coupled to the template.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising: a hydraulic pressure sensor coupled to the template.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising: an impedance sensor coupled to the template.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising: a surface temperature sensor coupled to the template.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the energy delivery device provides a controlled delivery of energy to the skin surface not exceeding 1000 joules/cm2 during a single treatment session.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the energy delivery device provides a controlled delivery of energy to the skin surface not exceeding 600 joules/cm2 during a single treatment session.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the energy delivery device provides a controlled delivery of energy to the skin surface not exceeding 200 joules/cm2 during a single treatment session.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the energy delivery device provides a controlled dose rate of energy to the skin surface not exceeding 6 joules/sec/cm2.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the energy delivery device provides a controlled dose rate energy to the skin surface not exceeding 2 joules/sec/cm2.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the energy delivery device provides a controlled delivery of energy to a skin surface to operate in an mpedance range at the skin surface of 70 ohms cm2 measured at a frequency of 88 Hz to 40 Kohms cm2 measured at a frequency of 10 KHz.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the energy delivery means provides a controlled delivery of energy to operate in a range of thermal conductivity at a skin surface of 0.21 to 0.60 k.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the energy delivery device provides a controlled delivery of energy to operate in a range of compression force applied to the soft tissue structure not exceeding 400 mmHg.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the energy delivery device provides a controlled delivery of energy to operate in a range of compression force applied to the soft tissue structure not exceeding 300 mmHg.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the energy delivery device provides a controlled delivery of energy to operate in a range of compression force applied to the soft tissue structure not exceeding 200 mmHg.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the energy delivery device provides a controlled delivery of energy to operate in a range of compression force applied to the soft tissue structure not exceeding 100 mmHg.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the energy delivery device is configured to deliver thermal energy.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 28 , wherein the energy delivery device comprises one or more resistive heating members.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the energy delivery device is configured to deliver RF energy.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 30 , wherein the energy delivery device comprises one or more RF electrodes.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the energy delivery device is configured to deliver ultrasound energy.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 32 , herein the energy delivery device comprises one or more ultrasound transducers.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the energy delivery device is configured to deliver microwave energy.
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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) | 2005-07-29 | 2006-01-28 | 2006-07-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-07-29 | 2010-01-28 | 2010-07-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-07-29 | 2014-01-28 | 2014-07-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |