US5755753A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for controlled contraction of collagen tissue
Assignee: Solta Medical Inc
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Filing: 1995-05-05
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Granted: 1998-05-26
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Expires: 2015-05-05
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus applies radiant energy through the skin to underlying collagen tissue without substantially modifying melanocytes and other epithelial cells in the epidermis. A porous membrane is adapted to receive an electrolytic solution and become inflated to substantially conform a contacting exterior surface of the membrane to a skin layer. The membrane includes a cooling lumen for receiving cooling fluid. One or more thermal electrodes is positioned in the membrane and transfers thermal energy to the electrolytic solution. The electrolytic solution and cooling fluid creates a reverse thermal gradient from the skin surface to the underlying collagen tissue. A thermal power source is coupled to the thermal electrodes, and a source of electrolytic solution is coupled to the membrane.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward W. Knowlton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 22:00
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; A61B2018/00636; A61B2018/0066; A61M2202/00; A61M2202/06; A61M2202/064; A61M2205/00; A61M2205/07; A61M2205/071; A61M2205/073
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A method for tightening skin, comprising: providing an electromagnetic energy delivery device; positioning an energy delivery surface of the electromagnetic energy delivery device on an external surface of the skin; creating a reverse thermal gradient through a surface of the skin while heating underlying collagen containing tissue, wherein a temperature of the external skin surface is lower than a temperature of the underlying collagen containing tissue; heating the surface of the skin and underlying collagen containing tissue without creating a necrosis of living cells in the epidermis; contracting at least a portion of the collagen containing tissue and tightening at least a portion of the surface of the skin.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
109 words
A method for tightening skin, comprising: providing an electromagnetic energy delivery device; positioning an energy delivery surface of the electromagnetic energy delivery device on an external surface of the skin; creating a reverse thermal gradient through a surface of the skin while heating underlying collagen containing tissue, wherein a temperature of the external skin surface is lower than a temperature of the underlying collagen containing tissue; heating the surface of the skin and underlying collagen containing tissue without creating a necrosis of living cells in the epidermis; contracting at least a portion of the collagen containing tissue and tightening at least a portion of the surface of the skin.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 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
17 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the collagen containing tissue is partially denatured while minimizing cellular destruction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 3, wherein the collagen containing tissue is in a subdermal layer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 3, wherein the collagen containing tissue is in a deep dermal layer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 3, wherein the collagen containing tissue is in a subcutaneous layer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 3, wherein the collagen containing tissue is in facial and muscle tissue.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the reverse thermal gradient produces a net mobilization of intracellular fat with diminished destruction of cells.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic energy source is a RF power source and one or more RF electrodes positioned on a surface of the skin.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 9, further comprising: a source of electrolytic solution that delivers electrolytic solution to the RF electrode.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 10, wherein RF energy is transferred from the RF electrodes to the electrolytic solution.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 11, further comprising: a cooling fluid lumen positioned in the electrode.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 12, further comprising a source of cooling medium that is introduced into the cooling fluid lumen.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the collagen containing tissue is heated to a temperature not exceeding 80 degrees C.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the collagen containing tissue is heated to a temperature not exceeding 75 degrees C.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the collagen containing tissue is heated to a temperature not exceeding 70 degrees C.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for tightening skin, comprising: providing an electromagnetic energy delivery device; positioning an energy delivery surface of the electromagnetic energy delivery device on an external surface of the skin; creating a reverse thermal gradient through a surface of the skin while heatino underlying collagen containing tissue, wherein a temperature of the external skin surface is lower than a temperature of the underlying collagen containing tissue; and controlling a delivery of a sufficient amount of electromagnetic energy through an epidermis of the external surface of the skin to reconfigure at least a portion of an underlying collagen containing tissue without substantially creating cell necrosis in the epidermis, wherein at least a portion of the surface of the skin is tightened.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for tightening skin, comprising: providing an electromagnetic energy delivery device; positioning an energy delivery surface of the electromagnetic energy delivery device on an external surface of the skin; creating a reverse thermal gradient through a surface of the skin while heatino underlying collagen containing tissue, wherein a temperature of the external skin surface is lower than a temperature of the underlying collagen containing tissue; and controlling a delivery of a sufficient amount of electromagnetic energy through an epidermis of the external surface of the skin to reconfigure at least a portion of an underlying collagen containing tissue without substantially creating cell necrosis in the epidermis, wherein at least a portion of the surface of the skin is tightened.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 17, wherein the collagen containing tissue is partially denatured by cleaving heat labile cross-links of collagen molecules.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 18, wherein the collagen containing tissue is partially denatured while minimizing cellular destruction.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 17, wherein the electromagnetic energy source is an RF power source coupled to one or more RF electrodes.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 17, further comprising: providing a source of electrolytic solution coupled to the surface of the skin.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 21, wherein RF energy is transferred from the RF electrodes to the electrolytic solution.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 17, further comprising: a cooling fluid lumen coupled to the electromagnetic energy delivery device.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 23, further comprising a source of cooling medium coupled to the cooling fluid lumen.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 17, wherein the collagen containing tissue is in a subdermal layer.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 17, wherein the collagen containing tissue is in a deep dermal layer.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 17, wherein the collagen containing tissue is in a subcutaneous layer.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 17, wherein the collagen containing tissue is in facial and muscle tissue.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 17, wherein the collagen containing tissue is heated to a temperature not exceeding 80 degrees C.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 17, wherein the collagen containing tissue is heated to a temperature not exceeding 75 degrees C.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 17, wherein the collagen containing tissue is heated to a temperature not exceeding 70 degrees C.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for tightening skin, comprising: providing an electromagnetic energy delivery device; positioning an energy delivery surface of the electromagnetic energy delivery device on an external surface of the skin; creating a reverse thermal gradient through a surface of the skin while heating underlying collagen containing tissue, wherein a temperature of the external skin surface is lower than a temperature of the underlying collagen containing tissue; and controlling a delivery of a sufficient amount of electromagnetic energy through an epidermis of the surface of the skin to reconfigure at least a portion of an underlying collagen containing tissue without substantially creating cell necrosis in the collagen containing tissue, wherein at least a portion of the surface of the skin is tightened.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for tightening skin, comprising: providing an electromagnetic energy delivery device; positioning an energy delivery surface of the electromagnetic energy delivery device on an external surface of the skin; creating a reverse thermal gradient through a surface of the skin while heating underlying collagen containing tissue, wherein a temperature of the external skin surface is lower than a temperature of the underlying collagen containing tissue; and controlling a delivery of a sufficient amount of electromagnetic energy through an epidermis of the surface of the skin to reconfigure at least a portion of an underlying collagen containing tissue without substantially creating cell necrosis in the collagen containing tissue, wherein at least a portion of the surface of the skin is tightened.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
122 words
A method for tightening skin, comprising: providing an electromagnetic energy delivery device; positioning the electromagnetic energy delivery device on an external surface of the skin; creating a reverse thermal gradient through a surface of the skin while heating underlying collagen containing tissue, wherein a temperature of the external skin surface is lower than a temperature of the underlying collagen containing tissue; and controlling a delivery of a sufficient amount of electromagnetic energy through an epidermis of the surface of the skin to reconfigure at least a portion of an underlying collagen containing tissue without substantially creating cell necrosis in an epidermis of the skin and the collagen containing tissue, wherein at least a portion of the surface of the skin is tightened.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
122 words
A method for tightening skin, comprising: providing an electromagnetic energy delivery device; positioning the electromagnetic energy delivery device on an external surface of the skin; creating a reverse thermal gradient through a surface of the skin while heating underlying collagen containing tissue, wherein a temperature of the external skin surface is lower than a temperature of the underlying collagen containing tissue; and controlling a delivery of a sufficient amount of electromagnetic energy through an epidermis of the surface of the skin to reconfigure at least a portion of an underlying collagen containing tissue without substantially creating cell necrosis in an epidermis of the skin and the collagen containing tissue, wherein at least a portion of the surface of the skin is tightened.
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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) | 2001-05-25 | 2001-11-24 | 2002-05-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-05-25 | 2005-11-24 | 2006-05-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-05-25 | 2009-11-24 | 2010-05-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |