Method and apparatus for controlled contraction of soft tissue

Abstract

An apparatus and method are provided for control contraction of tissue that includes collagen fibers. The apparatus includes a handpiece, and an electrode with an electrode proximal end associated with the handpiece. A distal end of the electrode has a geometry that delivers a controlled amount of energy to the tissue for a desired contraction of the collagen fibers. This is achieved while dissociation and breakdown of the collagen fibers is minimized. The handpiece, with electrode, is adapted to be introduced through an operating cannula in percutaneous applications. Additionally, an operating cannula may be included in the apparatus and be attached to the handpiece. The apparatus and method provides for a desired level of contraction of collagen soft tissue without dissociation or breakdown of collagen fibers.

1 . A method utilizing RF energy for a dermatological application, said method comprising: 
 providing an apparatus comprising an RF energy source, a treatment device and at least one electrode coupled to the treatment device, said electrode having an electrode surface for delivering RF energy from the RF energy source;    positioning the electrode surface on a skin surface;    applying RF energy to a target tissue;    heating the target tissue with RF energy while avoiding ablation of the target tissue; and    contracting collagen fibers in the target tissue.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising delivering a fluid to the skin surface such that the electrode surface is in contact with the fluid.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the fluid is a gel.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the fluid is a cooling fluid so as to minimize thermal damage to the skin surface.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said applying RF energy comprises applying RF energy to a target tissue more than 1 mm below the skin surface.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the RF energy source is coupled to the treatment device.  
   
   
       7 . A method utilizing RF energy, said method comprising: 
 providing an apparatus comprising an RF energy source, a treatment device and at least one electrode coupled to the treatment device, said electrode having an electrode surface for delivering RF energy from the RF energy source;    positioning the electrode surface on a skin surface;    applying RF energy to a target tissue;    heating without significantly ablating the target tissue with RF energy such that the temperature of the target tissue does not exceed about 75° C.; and    contracting collagen fibers in the target tissue to achieve a cosmetic effect.    
   
   
       8 . A treatment method utilizing RF energy, said treatment method comprising: 
 providing an apparatus comprising an RF energy source, a treatment device and at least one electrode coupled to the treatment device, said electrode having an electrode surface for delivering RF energy from the RP energy source;    positioning the electrode surface on a tissue surface;    applying RF energy to a target tissue below the tissue surface;    heating the target tissue with RF energy while avoiding ablation of the target tissue; and    contracting collagen fibers in the target tissue.    
   
   
       9 . The treatment method of  claim 8  wherein said heating the target tissue comprises heating the target tissue while completely avoiding ablation of the target tissue.  
   
   
       10 . A method utilizing RF energy for a cosmetic application, said method comprising: 
 providing an apparatus comprising an RF energy source, a treatment device and at least one electrode coupled to the treatment device, said electrode having an electrode surface for delivering RF energy from the RF energy source;    delivering a fluid to a skin surface;    positioning the electrode surface such that it is in contact with the fluid;    delivering RF energy from the electrode surface to a target tissue below the skin surface; and    heating the target tissue with RF energy to achieve at least one effect, said effect comprising contracted collagen fibers in the target tissue.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said heating the target tissue comprises heating the target tissue with RF energy such that the temperature of the target tissue does not exceed about 90° C.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the fluid is a gel.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the fluid is a cooling fluid so as to minimize thermal damage to the skin surface.  
   
   
       14 . A treatment method for applying RF energy to a target tissue without significantly ablating the target tissue, said treatment method comprising: 
 providing a system having an RF energy source, a microprocessor, at least one electrode for delivering RF energy and a temperature sensor associated with the electrode;    measuring the temperature of the electrode with the temperature sensor;    providing the temperature of the electrode to the microprocessor; and    determining whether to deliver RF energy from the electrode depending on the provided temperature.    
   
   
       15 . A system for applying RF energy to treat tissue, said system comprising: 
 an RF energy source; and    a treatment device associated with the RF energy source, said treatment device comprising an electrically conductive material and a non-electrically conductive material,    wherein the non-electrically conductive material is configured to extend along a surface of the tissue to be treated and to maintain the electrically conductive material from directly contacting the tissue.    
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the non-electrically conductive material comprises at least one polymer.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the at least one polymer is polyimide.  
   
   
       18 . A system for contracting collagen fibers in a target tissue with RF energy from an RF energy source, said system comprising: 
 an electrically conductive material for transmitting RF energy from the RF energy source; and    a non-electrically conductive material wherein the non-electrically conductive material is configured between the electrically conductive material and the target tissue so as to maintain the electrically conductive material from directly contacting the target tissue.    
   
   
       19 . A system for applying RF energy to a target tissue, said system comprising: 
 an RF energy source; and    a treatment device comprising an electrically conductive surface area for delivering RF energy from the RF energy source to the target tissue so as to contract collagen fibers in the target issue, wherein said treatment device is configurable to provide a plurality of surface areas.    
   
   
       20 . A system for controllably contracting collagen fibers in a target tissue with RF energy to achieve a cosmetic effect, said system comprising: 
 an RF energy source;    a treatment device;    at least one cable for connecting the RF energy source to the treatment device; and    at least one electrode coupled to the treatment device, said electrode having an electrode surface configured to be positioned on a skin surface so as to deliver RF energy from the RF energy source to the target tissue while avoiding ablation of the target tissue.    
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 20  further comprising a device for providing a cooling fluid so as to minimize thermal damage to the skin surface.  
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 20  wherein the electrode surface is substantially planar.  
   
   
       23 . A system for applying RF energy to a target tissue without significantly ablating the target tissue, said system comprising: 
 an RF energy source;    a handpiece;    at least one cable for connecting the RF energy source to the handpiece;    at least one electrode for delivering RF energy, said electrode coupled to the handpiece;    a temperature sensor associated with the electrode, said temperature sensor configured to measure the temperature of the electrode; and    a microprocessor configured to receive the temperature of the electrode from the temperature sensor and to determine whether to deliver RF energy from the electrode depending on the received temperature.