Abstract: An apparatus for transcutaneously treating tissue beneath a skin surface using radiofrequency energy. The apparatus includes an electrode assembly supported by a handpiece. The electrode assembly includes an electrode configured to transfer the radiofrequency energy through the skin surface to the tissue. A force sensor, which is located in the handpiece, is configured to detect an amount of force applied by the electrode against the skin surface.

Abstract: Treatment apparatus and methods for delivering energy at multiple selectable tissue depths as selected by a clinician. The treatment apparatus includes at least two electrodes that are electrically isolated from each other, which permits each electrode to be independently energized for selecting different treatment depths. The electrodes may be concurrently energized with high frequency energy of the same polarity in a monopolar mode to deliver energy at a relatively deep depth into a patient's tissue, or with high frequency energy of a different polarity in a bipolar mode to provide a shallower penetration depth. Alternatively, the depth of energy delivery may be modified by energizing less than all of the electrodes. The electrodes may be energized with high frequency energy of different phase relationships to deliver energy concurrently in both monopolar and bipolar modes with the phase difference determining a depth of energy delivery.

Abstract: These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in a method for creating a desired tissue effect. An RF electrode is provided that includes a conductive portion. The RF electrode is coupled to a fluid delivery member that delivers a cooling fluidic medium to a back surface of the RF electrode. A dielectric is positioned on a skin surface. The RF electrode is coupled with the dielectric. RF energy is delivered from the RF electrode and the dielectric to the skin surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for transcutaneously treating tissue beneath a skin surface using radiofrequency energy. The apparatus includes an electrode assembly supported by a handpiece. The electrode assembly includes an electrode configured to transfer the radiofrequency energy through the skin surface to the tissue. A force sensor, which is located in the handpiece, is configured to detect an amount of force applied by the electrode against the skin surface.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for predictively controlling the temperature of a coolant delivered to a treatment apparatus configured to non-invasively treat a patient's tissue with doses of electromagnetic energy. The treatment apparatus includes a closed-loop cooling system connected with an energy delivery device used to deliver the electromagnetic energy to the patient's tissue. Coolant is pumped from a reservoir to the energy delivery device in the closed-loop cooling system. The control temperature of the coolant in the reservoir is adjusted based upon the specific room air temperature. This predictive adjustment promotes better control over the coolant temperature at the energy delivery device by lessening the effects of heat gain in transit from the reservoir to the energy delivery device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to using cryogenic compositions, which are non-toxic, non-flammable, and have desirable ozone depletion and global warming potential, for cooling heated skin during skin treatments with a skin treatment apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for treating skin conditions that deliver high frequency energy to a patient's tissue. The apparatus has a treatment tip configured to be removably connected with a handpiece, a conduit inside the handpiece, and a flow control valve inside the handpiece. The treatment tip has an electrode configured to deliver the high frequency energy to a region of the tissue. A lumen of the conduit is configured to transfer a heat transfer fluid from the handpiece to a flow passageway in the treatment tip. When the treatment tip is removed from the handpiece, the flow control valve is configured to occlude the lumen of the conduit for reducing leakage of the heat transfer fluid from the handpiece.

Abstract: A method of creating a tissue effect at a tissue site delivers electromagnetic energy through a skin surface from an electromagnetic energy delivery device coupled to an electromagnetic energy source. At least one of the electromagnetic energy delivery device or electromagnetic energy source includes a memory. A reverse thermal gradient is created through the skin surface to sufficiently heat an underlying tissue site to provide that a temperature of the skin surface is lower than a temperature of the underlying tissue. Information is stored from the memory to facilitate operation of at least one of the electromagnetic energy delivery device or the electromagnetic energy source. Electromagnetic energy is applied through the skin surface to the underlying tissue. A tissue effect is created on at least a portion of the tissue site.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for treating skin conditions that deliver high frequency energy across large tissue areas. The treatment apparatus comprises a treatment tip carrying a plurality of electrodes that are switched such that fewer than all of the electrodes are concurrently energized. The treatment tip includes a cooling mechanism that cools near-surface tissue regions disposed between the skin surface and the treated tissue by cooling the respective electrode that treats each of the regions. The cooling mechanism may include a heat transfer body intervening between the electrodes and a fluid delivery member configured to discharge coolant that impinges the heat transfer body. Alternatively, the cooling mechanism may include a fluid delivery member having individually valve-controlled passages configured to discharge a dedicated stream of coolant at each of the electrodes, a thermoelectric cooler, or a closed-loop fluid delivery member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for calculating current lost through a patient during a treatment of a patient using an electromagnetic energy delivery system is disclosed. The system generates electromagnetic energy, contacts a skin surface of the patient, transfers the electromagnetic energy to tissue beneath the surface of the skin, detects a value of at least one characteristic of the electromagnetic energy utilizing synchronous undersampling, and calculates the current lost through the patient. The characteristic measured may be a value of current of the electromagnet energy. An adjustable matching network may be utilized to maximize power to the tissue of the patient. Values of the impedance of the matching network may be utilized to determine the electromagnetic energy delivered to the tissue of the patient. A current correction factor is determined from the impedance of the matching network and utilized to calculate the current lost through the patient.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for treating skin conditions that deliver high frequency energy to a patient's tissue. The apparatus has a treatment tip configured to be removably coupled with a handpiece and a conduit inside the handpiece. The treatment tip includes an electrode configured to deliver the high frequency energy to a region of the tissue, a channel for circulating heat transfer fluid proximate to the electrode, and an inlet passage to the channel. The conduit includes a tubular sidewall with a lumen used to transfer the heat transfer fluid from the handpiece to the inlet passage of the treatment tip. When the treatment tip is coupled to the handpiece, a septum covering the inlet passage is configured to be pierced by the conduit to define an opening for coupling the conduit with the inlet passage. When the treatment tip is removed from the handpiece, the septum substantially seals the opening.

Abstract: Electrode assemblies and handpieces for energy-based treatment systems that utilize an impedance assembly to facilitate impedance matching between the system and a patient. The electrode assembly and/or handpiece may include one or more circuit elements configured to introduce at least one supplemental impedance into an electrical circuit coupling the electrode assembly and handpiece. The supplemental impedance, which is related to the impedance of the treatment system and patient, is introduced when the electrode assembly is coupled with the handpiece.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for treating skin conditions that deliver high frequency energy to a patient's tissue. The apparatus has a treatment tip configured to be removably coupled with a handpiece and a conduit inside the handpiece. The treatment tip includes an electrode configured to deliver the high frequency energy to a region of the tissue, a channel for circulating heat transfer fluid proximate to the electrode, and an inlet passage to the channel. The conduit includes a tubular sidewall with a lumen used to transfer the heat transfer fluid from the handpiece to the inlet passage of the treatment tip. When the treatment tip is coupled to the handpiece, a septum covering the inlet passage is configured to be pierced by the conduit to define an opening for coupling the conduit with the inlet passage. When the treatment tip is removed from the handpiece, the septum substantially seals the opening.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for treating skin conditions that deliver high frequency energy to a patient's tissue. The apparatus has a treatment tip configured to be removably connected with a handpiece, a conduit inside the handpiece, and a flow control valve inside the handpiece. The treatment tip has an electrode configured to deliver the high frequency energy to a region of the tissue. A lumen of the conduit is configured to transfer a heat transfer fluid from the handpiece to a flow passageway in the treatment tip. When the treatment tip is removed from the handpiece, the flow control valve is configured to occlude the lumen of the conduit for reducing leakage of the heat transfer fluid from the handpiece.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for predictively controlling the temperature of a coolant delivered to a treatment apparatus configured to non-invasively treat a patient's tissue with doses of electromagnetic energy. The treatment apparatus includes a closed-loop cooling system connected with an energy delivery device used to deliver the electromagnetic energy to the patient's tissue. Coolant is pumped from a reservoir to the energy delivery device in the closed-loop cooling system. The control temperature of the coolant in the reservoir is adjusted based upon the specific room air temperature. This predictive adjustment promotes better control over the coolant temperature at the energy delivery device by lessening the effects of heat gain in transit from the reservoir to the energy delivery device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for calculating current lost through a patient during a treatment of a patient using an electromagnetic energy delivery system is disclosed. The system generates electromagnetic energy, contacts a skin surface of the patient, transfers the electromagnetic energy to tissue beneath the surface of the skin, detects a value of at least one characteristic of the electromagnetic energy utilizing synchronous undersampling, and calculates the current lost through the patient. The characteristic measured may be a value of current of the electromagnet energy. An adjustable matching network may be utilized to maximize power to the tissue of the patient. Values of the impedance of the matching network may be utilized to determine the electromagnetic energy delivered to the tissue of the patient. A current correction factor is determined from the impedance of the matching network and utilized to calculate the current lost through the patient.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for delivering electromagnetic energy to a patient's tissue. The treatment apparatus includes a closed-loop cooling system that cools the energy delivery device. The fluid forced to flow in the closed-loop cooling system is chilled to a first temperature at a location remote from the energy delivery device and is warmed to a higher second temperature near the energy delivery device. This promotes better control over the fluid temperature at the energy delivery device.

Abstract: A method of creating a tissue effect at a tissue site delivers electromagnetic energy through a skin surface from an electromagnetic energy delivery device coupled to an electromagnetic energy source. At least one of the electromagnetic energy delivery device or electromagnetic energy source includes a memory. A reverse thermal gradient is created through the skin surface to sufficiently heat an underlying tissue site to provide that a temperature of the skin surface is lower than a temperature of the underlying tissue. Information is stored from the memory to facilitate operation of at least one of the electromagnetic energy delivery device or the electromagnetic energy source. Electromagnetic energy is applied through the skin surface to the underlying tissue. A tissue effect is created on at least a portion of the tissue site.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to using cryogenic compositions, which are non-toxic, non-flammable, and have desirable ozone depletion and global warming potential, for cooling heated skin during skin treatments with a skin treatment apparatus.

Abstract: An RF device includes a support structure coupled to an RF electrode that has conductive and dielectric portions. A cooling member is coupled to the support structure and is configured to cool a back surface of the RF electrode. The cooling member is distanced from the back surface of the RF electrode. A memory is coupled to the RF electrode. The memory is configured to store information to facilitate operation of at least one of the RF electrode, the cooling member and an RF energy source.