Handpiece with RF electrode and non-volative memory

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.

1 . An apparatus for use with a handpiece, the handpiece including a handpiece housing, an energy delivery device adapted to be coupled removably to the handpiece housing, and a fluid delivery member mechanically coupled to the energy delivery device, the energy delivery device adapted to capacitively couple radiofrequency energy with tissue to non-invasively treat tissue beneath a skin surface with the radiofrequency energy, and the fluid delivery member adapted to deliver cooling fluidic medium to the energy delivery device, the apparatus comprising: 
 a non-volatile memory mechanically coupled to the energy delivery device.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the non-volatile memory is configured to store a duty cycle for controlling the fluid delivery member.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the non-volatile memory is configured to store a number of areas treated by the energy delivery device.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the non-volatile memory is configured to store a number of times the energy delivery device has been moved relative to the skin surface.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store an amount of current delivered by the energy delivery device.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store a maximum allowed voltage that is deliverable by the energy delivery device.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store an energy delivery duration time of the energy delivery device.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store a temperature of the energy delivery device relative to a target temperature.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store a maximum number of firings of the energy delivery device.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store a history of energy delivery device use.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store a controllable delivery rate of cooling fluidic medium delivered from the fluid delivery member to the energy delivery device.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store an amount of time that the energy delivery device can be used.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store an amount of energy delivery device usage.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store at least one of time or date of energy delivery device usage.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store an amount of radiofrequency energy delivered by the energy delivery device.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store a status of the energy delivery device.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store information relative to a change of the tissue in response to the radiofrequency energy delivered by the energy delivery device.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store status information of the fluid delivery member.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the non-volatile memory is further configured to store a status of a radiofrequency generator electrically coupled with the energy delivery device for supplying the radiofrequency energy to the energy delivery device.