Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for delivering electromagnetic energy to a patient's tissue with a reduction in the pain experienced by the patient. Electromagnetic energy is delivered from a treatment electrode through the skin surface to the tissue at a plurality of power levels over a treatment time. During the energy delivery, a portion of the treatment electrode is in a contacting relationship with the skin surface. A tip frame may be disposed between the treatment electrode and the skin surface when the electromagnetic energy is delivered.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for delivering electromagnetic energy to a patient's tissue with a reduction in the pain experienced by the patient. Electromagnetic energy is delivered from a treatment electrode through the skin surface to the tissue at a plurality of power levels over a treatment time. During the energy delivery, a portion of the treatment electrode is in a contacting relationship with the skin surface. A tip frame may be disposed between the treatment electrode and the skin surface when the electromagnetic energy is delivered.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for delivering electromagnetic energy to a patient's tissue with a reduction in the pain experienced by the patient. Electromagnetic energy is delivered from a treatment electrode through the skin surface to the tissue at a plurality of power levels over a treatment time. During the energy delivery, a portion of the treatment electrode is in a contacting relationship with the skin surface. A tip frame may be disposed between the treatment electrode and the skin surface when the electromagnetic energy is delivered.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for treating tissue with electromagnetic radiation. A handpiece includes a housing and a baffle that divides an interior space of the housing into first and second channels. The housing further includes a first opening and a second opening coupled in fluid communication with the first opening by the first channel. The apparatus further includes a heat-generating element, such as a source of electromagnetic radiation, disposed at least partially in the first channel and an air-moving device coupled with the first channel. The air-moving device is configured to generate a forced flow of cooling air entering at the first opening and exhausted at the second opening. The cooling air receives heat transferred from the heat-generating element, which cools the heat-generating element, and the heated cooling air is exhausted from the second opening in a direction away from the tissue that is being treated with the electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for treating tissue located beneath a tissue surface with electromagnetic energy delivered from a treatment electrode. The treatment electrode may include a conductive layer and a plurality of openings extending through the conductive layer. The openings may vary in size or area across the conductive layer, and may vary progressively in size or area with location relative to the electrode perimeter.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for delivering electromagnetic energy to a patient's tissue with a reduction in the pain experienced by the patient. The tissue treatment apparatus includes a delivery device configured to transfer electromagnetic energy through the skin surface to a region of tissue and a vibration device mechanically coupled with the delivery device. The vibration device is configured to transfer mechanical vibrations through the skin surface to the region of tissue.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for delivering electromagnetic energy to a patient's tissue with a reduction in the pain experienced by the patient. Electromagnetic energy is delivered from a treatment electrode through the skin surface to the tissue at a plurality of power levels over a treatment time. During the energy delivery, a portion of the treatment electrode is in a contacting relationship with the skin surface. A dielectric member may be disposed between the treatment electrode and the skin surface when the electromagnetic energy is delivered.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for transcutaneously treating tissue located beneath a skin surface with electromagnetic energy delivered from a treatment electrode. A portion of the treatment electrode is contacted with the skin surface. While maintaining the contact between the portion of the treatment electrode and the skin surface, the electromagnetic energy is delivered from the treatment electrode in a plurality of power pulses through the skin surface to the tissue over a treatment time with a time gap between each consecutive pair of the pulses to lower a level of pain perceived by a patient.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for treating tissue located beneath a tissue surface with electromagnetic energy delivered from a treatment electrode. The treatment electrode may include a conductive layer and a plurality of openings extending through the conductive layer. The openings may vary in size or area across the conductive layer, and may vary progressively in size or area with location relative to the electrode perimeter.

Abstract: Methods 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: A surgical device includes a probe having a proximate end configured to connect to an ultrasonic driver assembly that generates ultrasonic vibrational energy, and a shaft for conducting the ultrasonic vibrational energy from the proximate end to a distal end. The device also includes a canula located at least partially over the distal end of the probe. A material is interposed between the probe and the canula for converting the ultrasonic vibrational energy into heat energy.

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: Light sources and methods for spreading a beam of electromagnetic radiation. The light sources include a scattering element with an outlet and an angular-selective element with an inlet spatially disposed between the outlet of the scattering element and an electromagnetic radiation source. The beam enters the inlet traveling in a direction of propagation and propagates through the beam spreader to the outlet for transmission from the outlet. The scattering element includes a scattering medium configured to scatter the electromagnetic radiation in the beam to provide a two-dimensional spatial distribution for intensity that is substantially uniformly across the outlet. The angular-selective element is configured to reflect a majority of the electromagnetic radiation of the first beam scattered by the scattering medium in a direction opposite to the propagation direction and reaching the angular-selective element.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for delivering electromagnetic energy to a patient's tissue with a reduction in the pain experienced by the patient. The tissue treatment apparatus includes a delivery device configured to transfer electromagnetic energy through the skin surface to a region of tissue and a vibration device mechanically coupled with the delivery device. The vibration device is configured to transfer mechanical vibrations through the skin surface to the region of tissue.

Abstract: A handheld apparatus for delivering optical energy to fractionally resurface skin of a consumer is configured to be used by the non-physician consumer. The handheld apparatus includes a housing dimensioned for manual grasping and manipulation. The housing encloses a laser and an optical pattern generator having a rotatable component with a plurality of reflective segments that rotate through an optical beam from the laser to deflect and divide the optical beam into pulses that propagate from the housing and form a fractional pattern at the skin surface. The handheld apparatus also includes a transducer associated with fins on the rotatable component to generate signals for each pulse of electromagnetic radiation, the signals being monitored by a controller to enable an end of dose indication for the consumer when the treatment is completed.

Abstract: Systems and methods of enabling a medical device for operation and billing a medical procedure performed with a medical device. A medical procedure barcode is purchased through a user interface executing on a server. The server updates a medical procedure database to indicate that the purchased medical procedure barcode is valid. The medical procedure barcode is read by a barcode reader, and the medical procedure database is queried to determine if the read medical procedure barcode is valid. A medical device is enabled for use by a medical procedure service provider if the medical procedure barcode is valid, such that the medical procedure may be performed using the enabled medical device. The medical procedure database is updated to indicate that the medical procedure barcode has been redeemed by the medical procedure service provider. The server transmits payments to the medical procedure service provider for the redeemed medical procedure barcode.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for treating tissue with electromagnetic radiation. A handpiece includes a housing and a baffle that divides an interior space of the housing into first and second channels. The housing further includes a first opening and a second opening coupled in fluid communication with the first opening by the first channel. The apparatus further includes a heat-generating element, such as a source of electromagnetic radiation, disposed at least partially in the first channel and an air-moving device coupled with the first channel. The air-moving device is configured to generate a forced flow of cooling air entering at the first opening and exhausted at the second opening. The cooling air receives heat transferred from the heat-generating element, which cools the heat-generating element, and the heated cooling air is exhausted from the second opening in a direction away from the tissue that is being treated with the electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: Apparatus for delivering optical energy and, in particular, to a handheld apparatus for use by a non-physician consumer. The handheld apparatus is configured to conduct fractional resurfacing or other cosmetic treatment of the consumer's skin with optical energy.

Abstract: Light sources and methods for spreading a beam of electromagnetic radiation. The light sources include a scattering element with an outlet and an angular-selective element with an inlet spatially disposed between the outlet of the scattering element and an electromagnetic radiation source. The beam enters the inlet traveling in a direction of propagation and propagates through the beam spreader to the outlet for transmission from the outlet. The scattering element includes a scattering medium configured to scatter the electromagnetic radiation in the beam to provide a two-dimensional spatial distribution for intensity that is substantially uniformly across the outlet. The angular-selective element is configured to reflect a majority of the electromagnetic radiation of the first beam scattered by the scattering medium in a direction opposite to the propagation direction and reaching the angular-selective element.

Abstract: An optical pattern generator uses reflection from multiple (e.g., two) internal mirror surfaces mounted on a rotating support structure.