Patents Assigned to Thermage, Inc.
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Patent number: 7006874Abstract: An apparatus for cooling a skin surface includes a support structure coupled to an electromagnetic energy delivery device. The electromagnetic energy delivery device is configured to be coupled to an electromagnetic energy source. A cooling member is coupled to the electromagnetic energy delivery device and is configured to create a reverse thermal gradient through a skin surface. A memory is coupled to the electromagnetic energy delivery device and is positioned at the support structure or the electromagnetic energy delivery device. The memory is configured to store information to facilitate operation of at least one of the cooling member, and the electromagnetic energy source. Resources are coupled to the cooling member to permit different levels of cooling at different times of treatment.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2003Date of Patent: February 28, 2006Assignee: Thermage, Inc.Inventors: Edward W. Knowlton, Bryan Weber, Mitchell Levinson
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Patent number: 6470216Abstract: A method to modify a skin surface or a soft tissue structure underlying the skin surface includes a template with a mechanical force application surface and a receiving opening to receive a body structure. The mechanical force application surface is configured to receive the body structure and apply pressure to the soft tissue structure. An energy delivery device is coupled to the template. The energy delivery device is configured to deliver sufficient energy to the template to form a template energy delivery surface.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 1997Date of Patent: October 22, 2002Assignee: Thermage, Inc.Inventor: Edward W. Knowlton
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Patent number: 6461378Abstract: An apparatus to modify a skin surface or a soft tissue structure underlying the skin surface includes a template with a mechanical force application surface and a receiving opening to receive a body structure. The mechanical force application surface is configured to receive the body structure and apply pressure to the soft tissue structure. An energy delivery device is coupled to the template. The energy delivery device is configured to deliver sufficient energy to the template to form a template energy delivery surface.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 1997Date of Patent: October 8, 2002Assignee: Thermage, Inc.Inventor: Edward W. Knowlton
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Patent number: 6453202Abstract: A method and apparatus applies radiant energy through the skin to underlying collagen tissue without substantially modifying melanocytes and other epithelial cells in the epidermis. A porous membrane is adapted to receive an electrolytic solution and become inflated to substantially conform a contacting exterior surface of the membrane to a skin layer. The membrane includes a cooling lumen for receiving cooling fluid. One or more thermal electrodes positioned in the membrane and transfers thermal energy to the electrolytic solution. The electrolytic solution and cooling fluid creates a reverse thermal gradient from the skin surface to the underlying collagen tissue. A thermal power source is coupled to the thermal electrodes, and a source of electrolytic solution is coupled to the membrane.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 1999Date of Patent: September 17, 2002Assignee: Thermage, Inc.Inventor: Edward W. Knowlton
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Patent number: 6438424Abstract: An apparatus to modify a skin surface or a soft tissue structure underlying the skin surface includes a template with a mechanical force application surface and a receiving opening to receive a body structure. The mechanical force application surface is configured to receive the body structure and apply pressure to the soft tissue structure. An energy delivery device is coupled to the template. The energy delivery device is configured to deliver sufficient energy to the template to form a template energy delivery surface.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 1998Date of Patent: August 20, 2002Assignee: Thermage, Inc.Inventor: Edward W. Knowlton
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Patent number: 6430446Abstract: An apparatus to modify a skin surface or a soft tissue structure underlying the skin surface includes a template with a mechanical force application surface and a receiving opening to receive a body structure. The mechanical force application surface is configured to receive the body structure and apply pressure to the soft tissue structure. An energy delivery device is coupled to the template. The energy delivery device is configured to deliver sufficient energy to the template to form a template energy delivery surface.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 1997Date of Patent: August 6, 2002Assignee: Thermage, Inc.Inventor: Edward W. Knowlton
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Patent number: 6425912Abstract: An apparatus is provided that modifies a skin surface or a soft tissue. The apparatus includes a skin surface conforming member and a hydration delivery device coupled to the conforming member. The hydration delivery device delivers a hydration agent to the skin surface. An energy delivery device is coupled to the conforming member and provides a controlled delivery of energy to the skin surface.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1997Date of Patent: July 30, 2002Assignee: Thermage, Inc.Inventor: Edward W. Knowlton
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Patent number: 6413255Abstract: An apparatus to treat the skin includes a template having a tissue interface surface and an energy delivery device coupled to the template. The energy delivery device is configured to be coupled to a power source and has a variable resistance portion. A sensor is coupled to one of the template, the energy delivery device, the tissue interface surface or a power source coupled to the energy delivery device.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2000Date of Patent: July 2, 2002Assignee: Thermage, Inc.Inventor: Roger A. Stern
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Patent number: 6405090Abstract: A method and apparatus for tightening a surface of a skin with an underlying collagen containing tissue applies radiant energy through the skin to underlying collagen tissue without substantially modifying melanocytes and other epithelial cells in the epidermis. A porous membrane is adapted to receive an electrolytic solution and become inflated to substantially conform a contacting exterior surface of the membrane to a skin layer. The membrane includes a cooling lumen for receiving cooling fluid. One or more thermal electrodes positioned in the membrane and transfers thermal energy to the electrolytic solution. The electrolytic solution and cooling fluid creates a reverse thermal gradient from the skin surface to the underlying collagen tissue. A thermal power source is coupled to the thermal electrodes, and a source of electrolytic solution is coupled to the membrane.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 1999Date of Patent: June 11, 2002Assignee: Thermage, Inc.Inventor: Edward W. Knowlton
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Patent number: 6387380Abstract: A method and apparatus applies radiant energy through the skin to an underlying subcutaneous layer or deeper soft tissue layers that includes loculations of fat with fibrous septae made of collagen tissue. This creates a desired contour effect without substantially modifying melanocytes and other epithelial cells in the epidermis. A membrane conforms a contacting exterior surface of the membrane to a skin layer. One or more thermal electrodes positioned in the membrane. A focussing element focuses thermal energy to the underlying collagen tissue. The focusing element and the electrolytic solution create a reverse thermal gradient from the skin to the collagen tissue. A thermal power source is coupled to the thermal electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 1996Date of Patent: May 14, 2002Assignee: Thermage, Inc.Inventor: Edward W. Knowlton
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Patent number: 6381497Abstract: A method and apparatus applies radiant energy through the skin to underlying collagen tissue without substantially modifying melanocytes and other epithelial cells in the epidermis. A membrane is adapted to receive an electrolytic solution and become inflated to substantially conform a contacting exterior surface of the membrane to a skin layer. The membrane includes a cooling lumen for receiving cooling fluid. One or more thermal electrodes positioned in the membrane and transfers thermal energy to the electrolytic solution. The electrolytic solution and cooling fluid creates a reverse thermal gradient from the skin surface to the underlying collagen tissue. A thermal power source is coupled to the thermal electrodes, and a source of electrolytic solution is coupled to the membrane.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 1998Date of Patent: April 30, 2002Assignee: Thermage, Inc.Inventor: Edward W. Knowlton
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Patent number: 6381498Abstract: A method and apparatus applies radiant energy through the skin to underlying collagen tissue without substantially modifying melanocytes and other epithelial cells in the epidermis. A membrane is adapted to receive an electrolytic solution and become inflated to substantially conform a contacting exterior surface of the membrane to a skin layer. The membrane includes a cooling lumen for receiving cooling fluid. One or more thermal electrodes positioned in the membrane and transfers thermal energy to the electrolytic solution. The electrolytic solution and cooling fluid creates a reverse thermal gradient from the skin surface to the underlying collagen tissue. A thermal power source is coupled to the thermal electrodes, and a source of electrolytic solution is coupled to the membrane.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 1998Date of Patent: April 30, 2002Assignee: Thermage, Inc.Inventor: Edward W. Knowlton
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Patent number: 6377854Abstract: A method and apparatus applies radiant energy through the skin to underlying collagen tissue without substantially modifying melanocytes and other epithelial cells in the epidermis. A membrane is adapted to receive an electrolytic solution and become inflated to substantially conform a contacting exterior surface of the membrane to a skin layer. The membrane includes a cooling lumen for receiving cooling fluid. One or more thermal electrodes positioned in the membrane and transfers thermal energy to the electrolytic solution. The electrolytic solution and cooling fluid creates a reverse thermal gradient from the skin surface to the underlying collagen tissue. A thermal power source is coupled to the thermal electrodes, and a source of electrolytic solution is coupled to the membrane.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 1997Date of Patent: April 23, 2002Assignee: Thermage, Inc.Inventor: Edward W. Knowlton
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Patent number: 6377855Abstract: A method and apparatus applies radiant energy through the skin to underlying collagen tissue without substantially modifying melanocytes and other epithelial cells in the epidermis. A membrane is adapted to receive an electrolytic solution and become inflated to substantially conform a contacting exterior surface of the membrane to a skin layer. The membrane includes a cooling lumen for receiving cooling fluid. One or more thermal electrodes positioned in the membrane and transfers thermal energy to the electrolytic solution. The electrolytic solution and cooling fluid creates a reverse thermal gradient from the skin surface to the underlying collagen tissue. A thermal power source is coupled to the thermal electrodes, and a source of electrolytic solution is coupled to the membrane.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 1998Date of Patent: April 23, 2002Assignee: Thermage, Inc.Inventor: Edward W. Knowlton
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Patent number: 6350276Abstract: A fluid delivery apparatus for introducing a fluid cooling media to a skin surface includes a template with a skin interface surface. An energy delivery device is coupled to the template. A fluid cooling media introduction member is coupled to the template. Resources controllably deliver energy from the energy delivery device to the skin surface. In a related embodiment, the resources are configured to controllably deliver the flowable cooling media to the introduction member. In another embodiment, a sensor is coupled to the resources and to the skin surface.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 1999Date of Patent: February 26, 2002Assignee: Thermage, Inc.Inventor: Edward W. Knowlton
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Patent number: 6311090Abstract: A method and apparatus applies radiant energy through the skin to underlying collagen tissue without substantially modifying melanocytes and other epithelial cells in the epidermis. A porous membrane is adapted to receive an electrolytic solution and become inflated to substantially conform a contacting exterior surface of the membrane to a skin layer. The membrane includes a cooling lumen for receiving cooling fluid. One or more thermal electrodes positioned in the membrane and transfers thermal energy to the electrolytic solution. The electrolytic solution and cooling fluid creates a reverse thermal gradient from the skin surface to the underlying collagen tissue. A thermal power source is coupled to the thermal electrodes, and a source of electrolytic solution is coupled to the membrane.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 1999Date of Patent: October 30, 2001Assignee: Thermage, Inc.Inventor: Edward W. Knowlton
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Patent number: 6241753Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming and contracting scar collagen below a tissue surface in a selected tissue site. An electromagnetic energy apparatus is provided and includes an electromagnetic energy source and a delivery device. The delivery device is positioned on the tissue surface. Electromagnetic energy is produced from the electromagnetic energy source and delivered through the tissue surface to the selected tissue site for a sufficient time to induce scar collagen formation in the selected tissue site. No more than a second degree burn is formed on the tissue surface. The scar collagen is then contracted. This method is particularly useful in tissue sites that are devoid or deficient in collagen.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 1996Date of Patent: June 5, 2001Assignee: Thermage, Inc.Inventor: Edward W. Knowlton
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Patent number: 5948011Abstract: A method for applying radiant energy through the skin to underlying collagen tissue without substantially modifying melanocytes and other epithelial cells in the epidermis by delivering non-continuous energy. A porous membrane is adapted to receive an electrolytic solution and become inflated to substantially conform a contacting exterior surface of the membrane to a skin layer. The membrane includes a cooling lumen for receiving cooling fluid. One or more thermal electrodes positioned in the membrane and transfers thermal energy to the electrolytic solution. The electrolytic solution and cooling fluid creates a reverse thermal gradient from the skin surface to the underlying collagen tissue. A thermal power source is coupled to the thermal electrodes, and a source of electrolytic solution is coupled to the membrane.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 1997Date of Patent: September 7, 1999Assignee: Thermage, Inc.Inventor: Edward W. Knowlton
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Patent number: 5919219Abstract: A method for tightening a surface of a skin with an underlying collagen containing tissue applies RF energy through the skin to underlying collagen tissue without substantially modifying melanocytes and other epithelial cells in the epidermis. A porous membrane is adapted to receive an electrolytic solution and become inflated to substantially conform a contacting exterior surface of the membrane to a skin layer. The membrane includes a cooling lumen for receiving cooling fluid. One or more thermal electrodes positioned in the membrane and transfers thermal energy to the electrolytic solution. The electrolytic solution and cooling fluid creates a reverse thermal gradient from the skin surface to the underlying collagen tissue. A thermal power source is coupled to the thermal electrodes, and a source of electrolytic solution is coupled to the membrane.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 1997Date of Patent: July 6, 1999Assignee: Thermage, Inc.Inventor: Edward W. Knowlton
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Patent number: D506253Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2003Date of Patent: June 14, 2005Assignee: Thermage, Inc.Inventor: Marlo Cinco