Method and system for invasive skin treatment

Abstract

A system and method for simultaneously heating a plurality of discrete skin volumes to a coagulation temperature. The system comprises an applicator containing an electrode having a plurality of spaced apart protruding conducting elements configured to contact the skin surface at a plurality of discrete locations. A controller applies a voltage to the electrode so as to simultaneously heat a plurality of skin volumes to a coagulation temperature when the applicator is applied to the skin surface.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The invention relates to methods and systems for skin treatment. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Directed damage of the skin is used to stimulate regrowth of collagen and to improve skin appearance. A well known method of directed damage is ablating the epidermis using laser radiation having wavelengths strongly absorbed by water so as to heat the water to above boiling temperature. Typical lasers used for epidermis ablation are CO2 and Er:YAG lasers. Ablating the epidermis using RF (radiofrequency) current is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,309,387. This treatment significantly reduces wrinkles and improves the skin appearance. The main disadvantages of skin resurfacing are the long healing period that can be over a month long and the high risk of dischromia. These disadvantages have reduced the popularity of ablative skin resurfacing in recent years. [0003] Non-ablative skin resurfacing is based on heating of the dermis to a sub-necrotic temperature w...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] In another embodiment, the protruding elements are provided with sharp tips that allow the elements to penetrate into the skin. After application of the RF current in the skin, the protruding elements are pressed into the skin and an electrical current is then generated that coagulates tissue in the vicinity of the tip of each protruding element. The mechanical properties of the skin are changed after coagulation and the protruding elements may penetrate inside the skin without excessive pressure. A pre-pulse of RF energy can be applied to the skin in order to soften the skin tissue so as to facilitate penetration of the protruding elements into the skin.

[0011] The surface of the skin may be pre-cooled and / or cooled during the treatment to avoid damage to the skin in the area between protruding elements. Skin cooling may be provided by contact cooling or by applying a pre-cooled liquid or cryogen spray.

Problems solved by technology

The main disadvantages of skin resurfacing are the long healing period that can be over a month long and the high risk of dischromia.

These disadvantages have reduced the popularity of ablative skin resurfacing in recent years.

However, most wrinkle treatment methods target the collagen and do not have a significant effect on deep wrinkles.

Although a non-ablative treatment is much safer and does not scar the skin tissue, the results of non-ablative treatments are less satisfactory.

This treatment provides skin healing within a few days but the results are very superficial and less spectacular than with CO2 laser treatment, even after multiple treatments.

However, the parameters of this device are optimized for the ablation of the stratum corneum so as to enhance drug penetration into the skin, and not for thermal collagen remodeling.

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