Patents Assigned to Thermage, Inc.
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Publication number: 20090018628Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2008Publication date: January 15, 2009Applicant: Thermage, Inc.Inventors: Christopher J. Burns, Marlo Cinco
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Patent number: 7473251Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2003Date of Patent: January 6, 2009Assignee: Thermage, Inc.Inventors: Edward W. Knowlton, Bryan Weber, Mitchell Levinson
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Publication number: 20080287943Abstract: Treatment apparatus and methods for inducing microburn patterns in tissue. The treatment apparatus comprises a delivery device positionable adjacent to the tissue and a plurality of energy-transfer elements. The energy-transfer elements are adapted to contact the skin surface over discrete surface contact areas and transfer energy to the tissue for forming damaged regions in the form of microburns at a corresponding plurality of locations in the tissue. Energy may be transferred between the energy-transfer elements and the tissue by either electrical conduction or thermal conduction. Adjacent microburns are separated by non-damaged regions, which promotes wound healing and efficacy.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2008Publication date: November 20, 2008Applicant: THERMAGE, INC.Inventors: Bryan Weber, Bader-Eddine Bellahsene, Edward Ebbers, Mitchell Levinson, Adnan Merchant, Karl Pope
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Patent number: 7452358Abstract: An RF device has a support structure. An RF electrode, coupled to the support structure, includes conductive and dielectric portions. A cooling member, coupled to the support structure, is configured to cool a back surface of the RF electrode. The cooling member is distanced from the back surface of the RF electrode.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2003Date of Patent: November 18, 2008Assignee: Thermage, Inc.Inventors: Roger A. Stern, Mitchell Levinson, Bryan Weber
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Publication number: 20080200969Abstract: Apparatus and methods for delivering high frequency energy to tissue with improved temperature sensing. The treatment apparatus may be a delivery device positionable adjacent to the tissue. The delivery device may further include an electrode adapted to deliver high frequency energy to the tissue and at least one thermal sensor. In one embodiment, the thermal sensor may include a thermocouple junction of dissimilar metals formed by either thin film or thick film techniques. Alternatively, the thermal sensor may include a body composed of a resistive material having a resistance that varies with temperature to an extent sufficient to measure the skin temperature. A region of the delivery device near the thermal sensor may be heated, before skin contact is established during treatment, for purposes of detecting contact by the occurrence of heat loss from the delivery device region.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2008Publication date: August 21, 2008Applicant: THERMAGE, INC.Inventor: Bryan Weber
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Publication number: 20070265614Abstract: An RF device includes a support structure. An RF electrode is coupled to the support structure and includes conductive and dielectric portions. A thermoelectric cooler is coupled to the support structure and is configured to cool a back surface of the RF electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2007Publication date: November 15, 2007Applicant: THERMAGE, INC.Inventors: Roger Stern, Mitchell Levinson, Bryan Weber
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Publication number: 20070255274Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2007Publication date: November 1, 2007Applicant: THERMAGE, INC.Inventors: Roger Stern, Mitchell Levinson, Bryan Weber
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Patent number: 7267675Abstract: An RF device includes a support structure. An RF electrode is coupled to the support structure and includes conductive and dielectric portions. A thermo-electric cooler is coupled to the support structure and is configured to cool a back surface of the RF electrode.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2003Date of Patent: September 11, 2007Assignee: Thermage, Inc.Inventors: Roger A. Stern, Mitchell Levinson, Bryan Weber
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Patent number: 7229436Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2003Date of Patent: June 12, 2007Assignee: Thermage, Inc.Inventors: Roger A. Stern, Mitchell Levinson, Bryan Weber
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Publication number: 20070088413Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2006Publication date: April 19, 2007Applicant: THERMAGE, INC.Inventors: Bryan Weber, Richard Wyeth
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Publication number: 20070083247Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2006Publication date: April 12, 2007Applicant: THERMAGE, INC.Inventors: Richard Wyeth, Bader-Eddine Bellahsene, Mark Kane
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Publication number: 20070078502Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining local impedance factors in an electromagnetic energy system for treating patients is disclosed. Respective measurement signals are sent through a patient treatment zone and a local impedance factor is estimated based upon the measurement signals. The estimated impedance factor is used to determine appropriate therapeutic levels of energy for patient treatment.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2006Publication date: April 5, 2007Applicant: THERMAGE, INC.Inventors: Bryan Weber, Karl Pope, Mitchell Levinson
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Patent number: 7189230Abstract: A method for treating a tissue site couples an energy delivery surface of an electromagnetic energy delivery device with a skin surface. An underlying tissue area beneath the skin surface is created. The cooling creates a reverse thermal gradient, where a temperature of the skin surface is less than a temperature of the underlying tissue area. Energy is delivered from the energy delivery device to the underlying tissue area. The energy delivery modifies the underlying tissue area and decreases irregularities of the skin surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2003Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: Thermage, Inc.Inventor: Edward W. Knowlton
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Publication number: 20070010811Abstract: An electrode assembly adapted to be coupled with a handpiece and powered to treat skin and underlying tissues. A sensor is coupled to the energy delivery device. The sensor may comprise, for example, a force sensor or a thermal sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2006Publication date: January 11, 2007Applicant: THERMAGE, INC.Inventors: Roger Stern, Mitchell Levinson, Bryan Weber
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Patent number: 7141049Abstract: A handpiece that includes a handpiece assembly, a handpiece housing and a cooling fluidic medium valve member. An electrode assembly is coupled to the handpiece housing. The electrode assembly has a least one RF electrode that is capacitively coupled to a skin surface when at least a portion of the RF electrode is in contact with the skin surface.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2002Date of Patent: November 28, 2006Assignee: Thermage, Inc.Inventors: Roger Stern, Mitchell Levinson, Bryan Weber
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Patent number: 7115123Abstract: An apparatus for cooling a skin surface includes an RF device that has an RF electrode with dielectric and conductive portions. The RF device is configured to be coupled to an RF energy source. A cooling member is coupled to the RF device. A memory is coupled to the RF device. The memory is configured to store information to facilitate operation of at least one of the RF electrode, the cooling member, and the RF energy source.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2003Date of Patent: October 3, 2006Assignee: Thermage, Inc.Inventors: Edward W. Knowlton, Roger A. Stern, Bryan Weber, Mitchell Levinson
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Publication number: 20060206110Abstract: An apparatus for cooling a skin surface includes an RF device that has an RF electrode with dielectric and conductive portions. The RF device is configured to be coupled to an RF energy source. A cooling member is coupled to the RF device. A memory is coupled to the RF device. The memory is configured to store information to facilitate operation of at least one of the RF electrode, the cooling member, and the RF energy source.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2006Publication date: September 14, 2006Applicant: Thermage, Inc.Inventors: Edward Knowlton, Roger Stern, Bryan Weber, Mitchell Levinson
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Patent number: 7022121Abstract: A handpiece has a handpiece assembly and includes a handpiece housing. An insert is detachably coupled to the handpiece housing. The insert includes an RF electrode with a conductive portion and a dielectric.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2002Date of Patent: April 4, 2006Assignee: Thermage, Inc.Inventors: Roger A. Stern, Mitchell Levinson, Bryan Weber
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Patent number: D527823Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2003Date of Patent: September 5, 2006Assignee: Thermage, Inc.Inventor: Mitchell Levinson
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Patent number: D544955Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2003Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: Thermage, Inc.Inventors: Craig Carson, Bryan Weber