CN203539875U - Skin treatment equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model provides a skin treatment device for home use, the device comprising: a plurality of electrodes in a linear arrangement that can be applied to the skin of a user; a radio frequency (RF) generator arranged to transmit radio frequency energy to the skin via the electrodes; and a control unit arranged to: control delivery of radiofrequency energy from the radiofrequency generator to the skin according to a prescribed delivery scheme, the prescribed delivery scheme including controlling relative electrode polarities to focus the delivered radiofrequency energy to a prescribed skin volume. The device features enhanced safety features and improved operational efficiency. RF energy is delivered to a relatively small, well localized volume of skin under tight control, avoiding excessive heating of the skin surface. Surface heating is monitored both by direct temperature measurement and by motion monitoring of the device to ensure proper use and prevent skin overheating and the pain associated therewith.

Description

skin treatment equipment

technical field

The utility model relates to the field of skin treatment, and more particularly, to radio frequency (RF) skin treatment. the

Background technique

Cross-references to related applications

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/865658, filed April 18, 2013, which is a continuation of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12/802,518, filed June 7, 2010, under 35U. S.C. §119 claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/213,409, filed June 5, 2009, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 6/213,410, filed June 5, 2009. U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12/802,518 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 11/654,914 filed January 17, 2007 (now U.S. Patent Application No. 8,206,381), which is required under 35 U.S.C. §119 of 2006 Priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/759,289, filed January 17, 2006, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/774,167, filed February 17, 2006. This application also hereby claims priority to US Patent No. 8,206,381 and each of its priority provisional patent applications. The entire content of each such described application is hereby incorporated by reference. This application further claims the benefit of US Provisional Patent Application No. 61/665,552, filed June 28, 2012, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. the

Energy-emitting devices are commonly used to heat the skin or subcutaneous tissue or to trigger non-thermochemical or photochemical reactions. In many cases, heating of the epidermis should be limited to prevent skin burns. This in turn limits the amount of energy delivered to deeper tissues. In specialty clinics, energy-emitting skin therapy devices use skin cooling to keep the epidermis from overheating. Active cooling is impractical in consumer, home devices due to the high cost and size of the devices including such functionality. the

US Patent No. 8,206,381 (herein incorporated by reference in its entirety) discloses an electrosurgical device for applying phase controlled RF energy to a treatment site. the

Utility model content

One aspect of the present invention provides a skin treatment device comprising: a plurality of linearly arranged electrodes that can be applied to the skin of a user; a radio frequency (RF) generator arranged to channel RF energy via the electrodes transmission to the skin; and a control unit arranged to control the transmission of RF energy from the RF generator to the skin according to a specified transmission plan and/or a specified safety plan. The control unit is arranged to control delivery of radiofrequency energy to the skin by the radiofrequency generator according to a prescribed delivery scheme, including controlling relative electrode polarities to focus the delivered radiofrequency energy to a given skin volume. the

Further, opposing electrode polarities are controlled to produce one or two adjacent pairs of electrodes having substantially the same polarity. the

Further, the prescribed delivery regimen is configured to maintain the surface of the skin below a prescribed temperature threshold. the

Further, the skin treatment device further comprises a fluid dispenser arranged to dispense fluid onto the skin when actuated. the

Further, the skin treatment device further comprises: a temperature sensor positioned in the vicinity of the electrode; and a motion sensor arranged to measure movement of the electrode relative to the skin, wherein the control unit is further arranged to: A specified safety protocol designed to prevent overheating of specified skin surface areas when the device is operated by an unskilled user controls RF energy delivery relative to measurements obtained from temperature sensors and motion sensors. the

Further, the control unit is further arranged to stop the energy delivery upon detection of no change measurement from at least one of the temperature sensor and the motion sensor. the

Further, the temperature sensor divides the electrodes into two groups, and one of the two groups includes a pair of adjacent electrodes with the same polarity. the

Further, specifying a safety protocol includes ceasing radio frequency energy delivery upon detection of a temperature measurement above a specified threshold or lack of motion for a period longer than a specified duration. the

Further, the skin treatment device further comprises an indicator arranged to indicate detection. the

Further, the temperature sensor includes a temperature sensitive fluid that is applied to the skin from a fluid dispenser. the

Further, the skin treatment device further comprises at least one further temperature sensor. the

Further, the motion sensor is an accelerometer positioned within the device. the

The present invention also provides a skin treatment method, comprising delivering RF energy to the user's skin via a plurality of linearly arranged electrodes according to a prescribed delivery scheme, the prescribed delivery scheme including controlling the polarity of the opposing electrodes so that the transmitted RF energy is focused to a given skin volume. the

Further, opposing electrode polarities are controlled to produce one or two pairs of adjacent electrodes having substantially the same polarity. the

Further, the prescribed delivery regimen is configured to maintain the surface of the skin below a prescribed temperature threshold. the

Further, the method further comprises: measuring skin temperature in the vicinity of the electrodes; measuring movement of the electrodes; and relative RF energy delivery is controlled based on the measurement results. the

Further, the specified safety plan is further designed to stop energy delivery when no change in temperature or motion measurements is detected. the

Further, the specified safety plan is further designed to stop RF energy delivery upon at least one of: a temperature measurement above a specified threshold and lack of motion for a period longer than a specified duration. the

Further, the method further includes indicating at least one of: a measured temperature near a specified threshold and a period of lack of motion near a specified duration. the

The present invention also provides a skin treatment device comprising: a plurality of linearly arranged electrodes capable of being applied to the user's skin; a radio frequency (RF) generator arranged to transmit via The electrodes deliver radiofrequency energy to the skin; a temperature sensor positioned in the vicinity of the electrodes; a motion sensor arranged to measure movement of the electrodes relative to the skin; and a control unit arranged to: The delivery of radiofrequency energy to the skin by the radiofrequency generator is controlled by a prescribed delivery scheme, which includes controlling opposing electrode polarities to create one or two adjacent pairs of electrodes having substantially the same polarity so that the delivered radiofrequency energy concentrating to a specified skin volume and maintaining the surface of the skin below a specified temperature threshold; and in accordance with a specified safety protocol designed to prevent overheating of the specified skin surface area when the device is operated by an unskilled user, relative to temperature sensors and Measurements obtained by motion sensors are used to control RF energy delivery, thereby stopping energy delivery when at least one of the following conditions is detected: a temperature measurement above a specified threshold; motion; and an unchanged measurement from at least one of the temperature sensor and the motion sensor. the

These, additional and/or other aspects and/or advantages of the present invention are fully explained in the following detailed description; may be inferred from the detailed description; and/or are learnable by practice of the present invention. the

Description of drawings

For a better understanding of embodiments of the present invention and to illustrate how the same may be practiced, reference is now made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like elements or parts throughout. the

In the attached picture:

Figures 1 and 3 are high level schematic perspective views of skin treatment devices according to some embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 2A is a high level schematic block diagram of a skin treatment device according to some embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 2B is a high level schematic illustration of an electrode arrangement in a skin treatment device according to some embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a high level schematic illustration of the principles of operation of a skin treatment device according to some embodiments of the present invention;

Figures 5A-5G are high-level illustrations based on simulations and qualitatively presenting electrode configurations and estimated resulting current distributions; and

6A and 6B are the front and back parts, respectively, of a high-level schematic flowchart illustrating a method of skin treatment according to some embodiments of the present invention. the

Detailed ways

Before explaining the specific embodiments in detail, it may be helpful to explain in detail the definitions of some terms that will be used hereinafter. the

In this application, the term "skin treatment" as used herein refers to any type of skin treatment such as skin heating, treatment of wrinkles, treatment of skin aging by collagen remodeling, treatment of skin diseases such as acne and psoriasis, Treating rough skin, treating skin hyperpigmentation, skin peeling, epidermal rejuvenation, or providing any other therapeutic effect. the

In this application, the term "phase" as used herein refers to any value of the relative angle of the fluctuating current or voltage. As used herein in this application, the term "phase control" or "controlling the phase" of a delivered current or voltage means setting a specific phase value to the delivered current or voltage. The specific phase value may be any value from 0° to 360° (0 to 2π radians). As used herein in this application, the term "relative phase" between electrodes refers to any phase difference between electrodes, including zero phase difference. the

As used herein in this application, the term "polarity" in relation to an electrode refers to whether the electrode is positive or negative with respect to current delivery. As used here in this application, with reference to two electrodes, the term "same polarity" means that said two electrodes have the same polarity most of the time, i.e., both electrodes are at the same polarity ratio They are in opposite polarity for longer, or, to use phase terminology, have a phase difference between +90° and -90° (-π/2 to +π/2 radians). The symbols + and − as used here in this application mean that electrode polarity schematically designates those electrodes having the same polarity as far as the above explanation is concerned. The phase between electrodes with the same sign can be zero, but can also have any value between +90° and -90° (-π/2 to +π/2 radians). Different electrodes in the + and - groups may have different phase difference values between them. Some or all electrodes in each of the + and - groups may have zero phase difference between them. the

Referring now in particular to the drawings in detail, it is emphasized that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of preferred embodiments of the invention only, and to provide what is believed to be the most useful and easiest An explanation is presented for understanding the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt has been made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a basic understanding of the invention, and the description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings will make apparent to those skilled in the art how the invention can take several forms. can be achieved in practice. the

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the present invention in detail, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components explained in the following description or shown in the accompanying drawings . The invention can be applied to other embodiments or practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. the

Embodiments of the present invention provide a home skin treatment device with enhanced safety features and improved operating efficiency. RF (Radio Frequency) energy is delivered to a relatively small and well localized volume of the skin under tight control, avoiding excessive heating of the skin surface. Surface heating is monitored by direct temperature measurement and motion monitoring by the device to ensure proper use and prevent skin overheating and associated pain. The presented devices and methods allow for safer and more efficient implementation of energy delivery to the skin in consumer, home settings. the

Figures 1 and 3 are high level schematic perspective views of a skin treatment device 100 according to some embodiments of the present invention; Figure 2A is a high level schematic block diagram of a skin treatment device 100 according to some embodiments of the present invention; and Figure 2B is a high level schematic illustration of an electrode arrangement in a skin treatment device according to some embodiments of the present invention. The device 100 can be designed to controllably heat a specific volume of skin while keeping the surface of the skin below a specified temperature threshold. the

The skin treatment device 100 includes a plurality of electrodes 110 that can be applied to the skin of a user. The electrodes 110 may be arranged linearly. Housing 101 of device 100 may be arranged to hold electrodes 110 and electronic circuitry (as described below). Housing 101 may be ergonomically designed, for example, to apply the treatment in a continuous manner like a paintbrush. The housing 101 may include a mechanism to ensure that the electrodes 110 are in contact with the skin. Device 100 is operable by buttons 102 . The device 100 may be arranged to operate at different intensities by pressing the button 102 in different modes (repeatedly, continuously, etc.). the

The skin treatment device 100 further comprises a radio frequency (RF) generator 130 arranged to deliver RF energy to the skin via the electrodes 110 . The RF generator 130 may be powered by an external power source 90, an internal power source, an inductive power source, or the like. The RF generator 130 may be regulated by an RF voltage regulator 160 and controlled by a control unit 150 such as a microcontroller. Control unit 150 may be associated with flip-flop 155 and low voltage regulator 92 . the

The skin treatment device 100 further comprises a control unit 150 arranged to control the delivery of RF energy by the RF generator 130 to the skin according to a prescribed delivery scheme. The control unit 150 may be further arranged to control the phase of each electrode and coordinate the polarity of the electrodes. Accordingly, the control unit 150 may be arranged to set any given phase between any two electrodes to accurately control the delivery of energy to the skin. In particular, the control unit 150 may assign reverse polarity to a subset of electrodes, as indicated below by the symbols + and -. As noted above, the reverse polarity may be approximate (ie, not necessarily 180°, could be eg 120° or 160°, etc.). The phase difference between the electrodes can be predetermined and controlled during operation. The delivery scheme may include controlling relative electrode polarities to focus the delivered RF energy to a given skin volume. For example, the opposing electrode polarities may be controlled to produce one or two pairs of adjacent electrodes 110 having substantially the same polarity (see examples below). the

In an embodiment, the electrodes 110A- 110F are all connected through a transformer 135 or a single generator 130 . Such a configuration may be practical in a home appliance as it requires only a single generator and utilizes two electrodes per pair (commercial appliances used in professional clinics usually have multiple generators and are usually grounded so that only one of the electrodes touches the skin). In an embodiment, some of the electrodes 110A-110F may be connected together to improve current delivery and heating according to principles explained below. Thus, a device 100 with a prescribed number of electrodes may be used to deliver RF energy via a smaller number of electrodes by interconnecting some of the electrodes. The following examples pertaining to four electrode configurations and six electrode configurations should be interpreted as pertaining to any number of electrodes in a non-limiting manner. the

Figure 4 is a high level schematic illustration of the principles of operation of skin treatment device 100 according to some embodiments of the present invention. A linear arrangement of electrodes 110 is shown on skin 80 in their arrangement order 110A-110F. Specify electrode polarity as +--+-+, which is the only configuration (from the possible configurations, namely: +-+-+-; +--+-+; +--++-; +-++- -; ++-+--; +++---, under left-to-right and +-to-symmetric applications), this presents an alternating polarity of all but not a pair of adjacent electrodes 110 . In the case shown, the pair of adjacent electrodes having the same polarity are the electrodes 110B, 110C. In an embodiment, the device 100 may include two, three, four or more pairs of electrodes 110 . the

Figures 5A-5G are high level illustrations based on simulations and qualitatively presenting electrode configurations and estimated resulting current distributions. the

Figure 4 schematically illustrates RF energy delivered to the skin in the form of schematic current references 111A-111F associated with electrodes 110A-110F, respectively. Schematically, positive electrodes 110A, 110D, 110F emit current, and negative electrodes 110B, 110C, 110E receive current, clearly the electrode polarity continuously fluctuates so that current 111 continuously changes direction and magnitude, so FIG. Restrictive explanation. Each electrode current is represented by two current symbols to schematically show the relationship between the electrodes. The inventors have invested extensive research into possible electrode configurations, and to show that the presented configuration results in RF energy being delivered primarily to a relatively small volume of skin beneath a pair of electrodes 110B, 110C of the same polarity. The effective energy to heat the skin volume is shown by arrow 112 . The heat transferred is schematically illustrated by the variable grating density (based on 3D Maxwell simulations), which shows a clear concentration of energy under the electrodes 110B, 110C. Figure 4 is a schematic representation of experimental data derived from the presented electrode configuration. the

Without wishing to be bound by theory, the spatial and phase configurations of electrodes 110 are understood to determine the heating pattern of the treated skin given the skin properties. In particular, controlling the phase and polarity of the electrodes 110 allows control of the degree of tissue heating as greater current tends to flow through areas of lower impedance. For example, two adjacent electrodes having the same polarity (ie, electrodes that are substantially in phase with each other) each increase the impedance experienced by the other electrode at the tissue region between the electrodes. Accordingly, each pair of electrodes having the same polarity creates an electrical potential barrier (electrical potential barrier) 113 with increased impedance between the electrodes. The barrier 113 tends to drive the current associated with the pair of electrodes deeper into the skin tissue (eg, at an angle to the skin surface) because the increased impedance is closer to the electrodes and thus closer to the surface. the

Figures 5A and 5B show two configurations with four electrodes. In each configuration, both pairs of electrodes have the same polarity. As shown in Figure 5A, when the polarity is alternated between the electrodes, the resulting electrical current and resulting heating is relatively shallow in the skin because each electrode has an adjacent electrode of opposite polarity. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5B , when the electrodes are arranged in two pairs of the same polarity, an impedance barrier 113 is formed between each such pair of electrodes, and the current penetrates deeper into the skin. the

Figures 5C-5G show possible configurations of six electrodes, schematically denoted as +-+-+-, +--+-+, +-++--, +++--- and ++, respectively -+--. It should be noted that for reasons of symmetry, reversing all polarities in one configuration yields an equivalent configuration (because the RF current fluctuates) and reversing the order of the electrodes also yields an equivalent configuration (because the device can be used in either orientation ). the

The configurations of Figures 5C and 5F enhance the effects discussed above for the four electrode configurations shown in Figures 5A and 5B, respectively. The configuration shown in Figure 5C produces shallow current flow and shallow heating, while the configuration shown in Figure 5F not only produces deep current flow due to multiple increased impedance barriers 113, but also due to the convergence of currents from all pairs of electrodes in Intense surface heating occurs at region 114 . Figures 5E and 5G show two configurations with two impedance barriers, both of which generate deep currents that result in deep heating of the skin tissue. However, the configuration shown in Figure 5G produces intense surface heating because the increased resistance barrier 113 is lateral and the current is concentrated towards the center of the configuration. Finally, Figure 5D shows a configuration with a single increased resistance barrier 113 sufficient to generate deep current flow and heating, but avoiding intense surface heating. The simulation results for this configuration are shown in detail in Figure 4 and clearly show the efficiency of this configuration. the

The configurations described above are non-limiting examples of configurations with four and six electrodes. They are not considered to limit the number of electrodes, but indicate a reasonable configuration for a larger number of electrodes. the

In an embodiment, the control unit 150 may be further arranged to obtain a real-time estimate of skin impedance and adjust the delivered energy according to the estimated skin impedance, resulting in a more predictable result. Skin impedance estimates can be derived from measuring energy delivery relative to applied voltage (skin impedance increases with treated skin volume). Different energy delivery parameters can be applied to treat different skin areas (for example, on the face, the eye area is characterized by thin skin in the 1 mm range, while the cheek area is characterized by thin skin in the 3-4 mm range ). the

In an embodiment, the skin treatment device 100 may further comprise: a temperature sensor 120 positioned adjacent to the electrode 110; and a motion sensor 140 arranged to measure movement of the electrode 110 relative to the skin. The motion sensor 140 may be arranged to measure electrode motion by measuring motion of the entire device 100 . For example, motion sensor 140 may be an accelerometer. In an embodiment, the control unit 150 may further control the RF with respect to the measurements obtained from the temperature sensor and the motion sensor according to a specified safety scheme designed to prevent overheating of a specified skin surface area when the device 100 is operated by an unskilled user. energy transmission. For example, the control unit 150 may be arranged to stop the energy delivery upon detection of no change in measurement from at least one of the temperature sensor 120 and the motion sensor 140 . This may indicate a failure of one of the sensors 120, 140, or improper use of the device 100 (eg, due to lack of skill). Since any of these conditions could injure the user, energy delivery is stopped. the

Alternatively or additionally, an indicator (not shown) may be arranged to indicate a no-change measurement and to indicate a possible user action to resolve such a problem. In embodiments, the safety protocol may be designed to generate sufficient thermal effect to induce collagen remodeling while avoiding any ablative thermal damage to the epidermis, dermis or subcutaneous tissue. In an embodiment, the indicators may be part of a user interface (not shown) including, for example: LED indicators, which let the user know that the device 100 is ready for use; blinking LEDs, which indicate active RF transmissions; Timer that stops RF transmissions after a predetermined period of time (e.g., between about 1 to 10 minutes, between 1 and 4 minutes, and about 4 minutes, and similar time periods); audible and/or vibratory signals A device (eg, mobile phone vibrating mechanism, speaker, etc.) that, for example, signals to the user that the treatment time for each zone is over (eg, 4 minutes). the

In an embodiment, the temperature sensor 120 may divide the electrodes 110 into two groups, wherein one group includes adjacent pairs of electrodes having the same polarity (eg, 110B, 110C). The electrodes 110 and the temperature sensor 120 may be arranged in-line with the core temperature sensor. The given delivery scheme may be designed to maximize RF energy delivered to a given volume of skin beneath one of the two electrode sets. In an embodiment, device 100 may include additional temperature sensors. the

The combination of motion sensor 140 and temperature sensor 120 overcomes several problems associated with using only a temperature sensor. Such problems include a relatively long reaction time of the temperature sensor (damage may occur within the reaction time) and measurements during treatment at locations not subjected to the highest temperature (due to sensor location and device movement separate from the electrodes). Monitoring of device motion by motion sensor 140 compensates for such problems by ensuring neutralization of both actual heating (by moving electrodes 110 ) and temperature measurements (by measuring all heated areas). Using the temperature sensor 120 in addition to the motion sensor 140 overcomes several problems associated with using only a motion sensor, particularly the lack of temperature monitoring. Furthermore, the measurement of independent parameters enables greater robustness to the variability of effects on skin characteristics (eg, skin thickness and impedance) and energy delivery parameters. This sturdiness is especially important in domestic use. the

In an embodiment, the specified safety protocol may be configured to keep the surface of the skin below a specified temperature threshold, for example, the specified safety protocol may include detecting temperature above a specified threshold (e.g., 42.5° C. or 43 °C) or when there is a lack of motion for a period longer than the specified duration, RF energy delivery will cease. The skin treatment device 100 may further comprise an indicator (not shown) arranged to indicate detection of such a measurement. the

In embodiments, fluids or gels may be used during skin treatment with device 100 to facilitate any of the following: better skin treatment, better heat dissipation, better electrical contact to electrodes, skin cooling etc. In an embodiment, the device 100 may further comprise a fluid dispenser 180 arranged to dispense a fluid, gel or cream on the skin upon actuation. In an embodiment, temperature measurement may be performed by a temperature sensitive fluid other than applied to the skin or applied to the temperature sensor 120 . In an embodiment, the temperature sensor may be implemented as a temperature sensitive fluid, for example, the temperature sensitive fluid may change color when a specified temperature is reached. The color change can be sensed by the device, or provide an indication to the user to pause therapy. The temperature sensitive fluid may be applied by a user or dispensed from fluid dispenser 180 . the

Fluid dispenser 180 may include an actuator that is arranged by the user or automatically by device 100 according to various treatment parameters (e.g., treatment area, exercise intensity, energy delivered, elapsed time, measured temperature) to release a specified amount of fluid. The control unit 150 may release fluid based on measurements from either sensor 120 , 140 . the

In an embodiment, the gel may be a dermabrasion gel, which may be used as a contact enhancer to ensure proper energy (eg, RF) delivery to tissue as well as an active dermabrasion compound for epidermal rejuvenation. The effect of microdermabrasion can be enhanced by heating the device 100, for example, heating the sand-like particles in the gel can enhance its abrasive and cleansing properties. the

In embodiments, the gel can be provided in a tube and can be designed to last for a specified number of treatments (eg, about 20 full treatments). the

In embodiments, skin treatment with device 100 may be combined with any other treatment method, such as light or ultrasound delivery, application of gels, creams, topical formulations, and the like. the

In an embodiment, skin treatment with the device 100 may include a vibration module 170 arranged to vibrate the device 110 to affect the efficiency of the treatment. For example, vibrations may be arranged to aid in spreading and equalizing the heat supply to treated skin, to diffuse fluid applied to the skin, to improve temperature or motion measurement, or to indicate a certain temperature or motion threshold to the user. For example, while device 100 may cease heating above certain thresholds, device 100 may also vibrate to indicate approaching these thresholds. For example, the user may be instructed to apply the treatment gel to the electrodes, then push the trigger button/switch, and then treat the skin within (for example) 4 minutes of each cyclical movement per treatment area, for example. At the end of 4 minutes (an exemplary time period), the user feels a gentle vibration and the RF transmission ceases. The procedure can then be repeated for any and all treatment areas. the

Figures 6A and 6B are front and back sections, respectively, of a high-level schematic flowchart illustrating a method 200 of skin treatment, according to some embodiments of the present invention. the

Method 200 may include delivering RF energy to the skin via the electrodes according to a prescribed delivery scheme (stage 210), and controlling the delivery of RF energy according to a prescribed safety scheme (stage 240). the

In an embodiment, method 200 includes: designing a delivery scheme to maximize RF energy delivery under a subset of electrodes (stage 212); and controlling relative electrode polarities to focus delivered RF energy to a given skin Volume (stage 215 ), for example, arranging the electrodes linearly (stage 214 ), and assigning all but one or two pairs of electrodes to alternating polarity (stage 216 ). The delivery scheme can be designed to focus the delivered RF energy to a given volume of skin beneath one or two pairs of adjacent electrodes of the same polarity. Method 200 further includes maintaining the surface of the skin below a specified temperature threshold (stage 218). the

In an embodiment, method 200 includes: measuring skin temperature in the vicinity of the electrodes (stage 220); measuring movement of the electrodes (stage 230); Transmission of RF energy by the user (stage 244). The safety protocol may include stopping RF energy delivery (stage 246) when the temperature measurement is above a specified threshold; and/or stopping RF energy delivery (stage 248) when there is no motion for a period longer than a specified duration. ). the

In an embodiment, method 200 further comprises: indicating that the measured temperature is close to a specified threshold (stage 256 ); and/or indicating that the period of lack of motion is close to a specified duration (stage 258 ). the

In an embodiment, method 200 further includes dispensing a temperature sensitive fluid onto the skin (stage 222). Temperature sensitive fluid indicates skin surface temperature to prevent overheating of the surface. Method 200 may further include applying or dispensing any fluid, gel, cream, or topical formulation to enhance skin treatment. the

Exemplary clinical data are presented below. The safety and efficacy of embodiments of skin treatment devices according to some embodiments of the present disclosure were evaluated in clinical studies based on the PRE IDE protocol approved by the FDA. Six (6) treatments and one follow-up visit per subject were performed for the six (6) body part categories being treated: abdomen, thigh, arm, buttocks, saddlebag ( saddle bag) and shoulders (décolleté). In order to evaluate the treatment effect, the photos before and after treatment were introduced to two untrained doctors for blind evaluation. A total of 30 subjects were recruited for this study. No adverse side effects were tested or reported. All 30 patients participating in this study reported pain-free during treatment. Pre- and post-treatment image analysis of the digital images was performed by two blinded certified dermatologists. The analysis indicated improvement (downgrade of at least 1 point on the Fitzpatrick scale) in the vast majority of patients (83.6% improvement at last follow-up by first reviewer and 96.7% improvement by second reviewer). The found score differences were statistically significant, comparing the baseline score with scores obtained after 6 treatments (p<0.001) and the last follow-up visit by two reviewers (p<0.001), thus indicating treatment effect. the

In the above description, an embodiment is an example, or implementation, of the invention. The various appearances of "one embodiment," "an embodiment" or "some embodiments" are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiments. the

Although various features of the invention have been described in the context of a single embodiment, these features may also be provided separately or in any suitable combination. Conversely, although the invention may be described in separate embodiments for clarity, the invention may also be implemented in a single embodiment. the

Embodiments of the invention may include features from different embodiments disclosed above, and embodiments may include elements from other embodiments disclosed above. Disclosure of elements of the invention in the context of a particular embodiment is not to be construed as limiting its use in that particular embodiment alone. the

Furthermore, it should be understood that the invention can be carried out or practiced in various ways and that the invention can be implemented in embodiments other than those set forth in the above description. the

The invention is not limited to these figures or the corresponding description. For example, flow need not go through each illustrated box or state, or in exactly the same order as illustrated or described. the

The meanings of the technical and scientific terms used herein are the meanings commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present invention belongs, unless otherwise defined. the

While the invention has been described in terms of a limited number of embodiments, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as exemplifications of some preferred embodiments. Other possible changes, modifications and applications also fall within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should not be limited by what has been described, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. the

Claims (13)

1. a PUVA, is characterized in that, described PUVA comprises:

The electrode of a plurality of linear arrangement, described electrode can be applied to the skin of user;

Radio-frequency signal generator, described radio-frequency signal generator is arranged to via described electrode radio-frequency (RF) energy is sent to described skin; And

Control unit, described control unit is arranged to: according to given transmission scheme, control the radio-frequency (RF) energy to described skin of being undertaken by described radio-frequency signal generator and transmit, described given transmission scheme comprises controls comparative electrode polarity so that the radio-frequency (RF) energy transmitting focuses on appointment skin volume.

2. PUVA according to claim 1, is characterized in that, described comparative electrode polarity is controlled to produce has a pair of of identical polar or two pairs of adjacent electrodes.

3. PUVA according to claim 1, is characterized in that, described given transmission scheme is configured so that the surface of described skin keeps below assigned temperature threshold values.

4. PUVA according to claim 1, is characterized in that, described PUVA further comprises fluid distributor, and described fluid distributor is arranged in while activating and distributes a fluid on described skin.

5. PUVA according to claim 1, is characterized in that, described PUVA further comprises:

Temperature sensor, described temperature sensor be positioned in described electrode near; And

Motion sensor, described motion sensor is arranged to measures described electrode with respect to the motion of described skin,

Wherein said control unit is further arranged as: according to the appointment safety approach that is designed to prevent when by unskilled user operating said equipment specify skin surface area overheated, control radio-frequency (RF) energy transmit with respect to the measurement result obtaining from described temperature sensor and described motion sensor.

6. PUVA according to claim 5, is characterized in that, described control unit is further arranged as; When detecting from least one unconverted measurement result in described temperature sensor and described motion sensor, stop energy and transmit.

7. PUVA according to claim 5, is characterized in that, described temperature sensor is divided into two groups by described electrode, and one group in described two groups comprises the adjacent pair of electrodes with identical polar.

8. PUVA according to claim 5, it is characterized in that, described appointment safety approach comprises: when detecting higher than the temperature measurement result of prescribed threshold or lacking exercise within the time period longer than the appointment persistent period, stop radio-frequency (RF) energy and transmit.

9. PUVA according to claim 8, is characterized in that, described PUVA further comprises the indicator that is arranged to the described detection of indication.

10. PUVA according to claim 5, it is characterized in that, described PUVA further comprises fluid distributor, described fluid distributor distributes a fluid on described skin when being arranged in and activating, and described temperature sensor comprises from described fluid distributor and is applied to the responsive to temperature fluid described skin.

11. PUVAs according to claim 5, is characterized in that, described PUVA further comprises the temperature sensor that at least one is other.

12. PUVAs according to claim 5, is characterized in that, described motion sensor is the accelerometer being positioned in described equipment.

13. 1 kinds of PUVAs, is characterized in that, described PUVA comprises:

The electrode of a plurality of linear arrangement, described electrode can be applied to the skin of user;

Radio-frequency signal generator, described radio-frequency signal generator is arranged to via described electrode radio-frequency (RF) energy is sent to described skin;

Temperature sensor, described temperature sensor be positioned in described electrode near;

Motion sensor, described motion sensor is arranged to measures described electrode with respect to the motion of described skin; And

Control unit, described control unit is arranged to:

According to comprising, control comparative electrode polarity to produce the given transmission scheme with a pair of of identical polar or two pairs of adjacent electrodes, control the radio-frequency (RF) energy to described skin of being undertaken by described radio-frequency signal generator and transmit, so that the radio-frequency (RF) energy transmitting focuses on, specify skin volume and make the surface of described skin keep below assigned temperature threshold values; And

According to the appointment safety approach that is designed to prevent when by unskilled user operating said equipment specify skin surface area overheated, with respect to the measurement result obtaining from described temperature sensor and described motion sensor, control radio-frequency (RF) energy and transmit, thereby stop energy during at least one in following situations being detected, transmit:

Temperature measurement result higher than specified threshold;

Within the time period longer than the appointment persistent period, lack exercise; And

From at least one the unconverted measurement result in described temperature sensor and described motion sensor.

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