Radio-frequency treatment of skin tissure with shock-free handpiece

Abstract

RF energy for skin conditioning with a non-ablative electrode is applied with a handpiece incorporating means to prevent electrical shock to the patient when the energized electrode surface makes or breaks contact with the skin In a preferred embodiment, switch means are incorporated in the handpiece and configured such that the active electrode surface is not energized until it is in actual contact with the patients skin, and remains energized only while the active electrode surface remains in contact with the patient's skin, so that no voltage is present on the electrode, when an air gap whose dielectric breakdown can cause an electrical shock to the patient arises, immediately before or immediately after skin contact during a skin conditioning procedure. In another preferred embodiment, the electrode to skin impedance change as the electrode touches the skin is used to activate a switch that transfers RF to the electrode.

1 . A device for use in a surgical procedure for improving the appearance of skin tissue of a patient by applying RF energy thereto, the device comprising:
 (a) a handpiece having means for receiving RF energy from a generator when activated, the handpiece supporting an electrode having an active surface to be brought into contact with the patient's skin to apply the received RF energy to the skin when the generator is activated, the handpiece comprising:   (b) first switch means for electrically connecting the electrode's active surface to the handpiece's RF receiving means only when and while the active surface is in actual contact with the patient's skin.   
     
     
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