Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a system for processing medical service contracts transactions comprising a processor, an interface module coupled to one of the processor or a network; and a medical service contract module coupled to at least one of the interface module, or the processor. The contract module is configured to be coupled to a contract matrix having a plurality of medical service contracts. The contract module is also configured to perform at least one of a contract selection function, a contract generation function or a contract execution function between a plurality of parties. The generation function includes the generation of a contract having a selectable medical service parameter, wherein the contract module utilizes the contract matrix to perform the contract selection, generation or execution responsive to at least one of a patient medical, financial or insurance input.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An apparatus for dissecting tissue in a substantially uniform plane of dissection includes a housing configured to be advanced under a tissue layer, and control one of a depth of dissection or tissue flap thickness. The housing thermally shields at least a portion of the tissue flap. A roller is coupled to the housing. The roller is configured to smoothly advance housing over tissue. An energy delivery device is coupled to housing. The energy delivery device is configured to be coupled to an energy source. The energy delivery device has a geometry that substantially defines a plane of dissection.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method of creating a tissue effect at a tissue site during a skin treatment is provided. An electromagnetic energy delivery device is coupled to an electromagnetic energy source. Different levels of cooling are applied to a skin surface during the skin treatment, wherein a reverse thermal gradient through the skin surface is created, at least during a portion of the skin treatment, where a temperature of the skin surface is lower than a temperature of the underlying tissue. Electromagnetic energy is applied through the skin surface to the underlying tissue, wherein the. A tissue effect is created on at least a portion of the tissue site.

Abstract: 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.

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: An embodiment provides a method for treating a tissue site comprising delivering energy to the tissue site using an energy delivery device; utilizing patient feedback to titrate the delivery of energy to the tissue site to reduce injury to a surface of the tissue site; and imparting a thermal injury to a portion of tissue within the tissue site.

Abstract: 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.

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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An apparatus to modify a stomach wall comprises an elongated member including at least one lumen. A deployable member is coupled to the elongated member. The deployable member is configured to be advanceable and removable from the stomach in a non-deployed state and sized to be positioned in the stomach in a deployed state to engage at least portions of the stomach wall. The deployable member is further configured to house a fluidic media and at least portions of the deployable member wall is configured to be cooled by the fluidic media. The deployable member has a contour in the deployed state approximating at least a portion of a stomach. A microwave antenna is movably positioned in the deployable member so as to control a microwave field strength vector in relation to the antenna.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.