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.

1 . A system for simultaneously heating a plurality of discrete skin volumes to a coagulation temperature, comprising: 
 (a) an applicator comprising at least one electrode having a plurality of spaced apart protruding conducting elements configured to contact the skin surface at a plurality of discrete locations; and    (b) a voltage source configured to apply a voltage to the at least one electrode so as to generate an electrical current in the skin causing simultaneously heating of a plurality of skin volumes to a coagulation temperature when the applicator is applied to the skin surface.    
   
   
       2 . The system according to  claim 1  further comprising means for cooling the skin surface.  
   
   
       3 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the voltage source is configured to apply voltage pulses to the electrodes.  
   
   
       4 . The system according to  claim 3  wherein the pulses have a duration of less than 0.2 sec.  
   
   
       5 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the conducting elements are configured to penetrate the epidermis when the applicator is applied to the skin.  
   
   
       6 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the protruding conducting elements have blunt tips.  
   
   
       7 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the protruding elements have a diameter of 0.5 mm.  
   
   
       8 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the protruding elements have are spaced apart by a distance of at least 1 mm.  
   
   
       9 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the voltage source is configured to apply a voltage to the skin so as to generate a current density at the tips of the protruding elements of at least 1 Ampere/cm 2 .  
   
   
       10 . An applicator for use in the system of  claim 1 .  
   
   
       11 . A method for simultaneously heating a plurality of discrete skin volumes to a coagulation temperature, comprising: 
 (a) applying an applicator to the skin surface, the applicator comprising at least one electrode having a plurality of spaced apart protruding conducting elements configured to contact the skin surface at a plurality of discrete locations; and    (b) applying a voltage to the electrode so as to generate an electrical current in the skin simultaneously heating a plurality of skin volumes to a coagulation temperature.    
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 11  further comprising cooling the skin surface.  
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 11  wherein the voltage is applied to the electrode in pulses.  
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 13  wherein the pulses have a duration of less than 0.5 sec.  
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 11  wherein the conducting elements penetrate the epidermis when the applicator is applied to the skin.  
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 15  further comprising providing a prepulse of RF energy to the skin surface in order to facilitate penetration of the protruding elements into the skin.  
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the protruding conducting elements do not penetrate the skin.  
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 11  wherein the protruding elements have a diameter of 0.5 mm.  
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 11  wherein the protruding elements have are spaced apart by a distance of at least  1  mm.  
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 11  wherein a current density of at least 1 Ampere/cm2 is generated at the tips of the protruding elements.