Methods, devices, and systems for non-invasive delivery of microwave therapy

Abstract

Methods, apparatuses and systems are provided for non-invasive delivery of microwave therapy. Microwave energy may be applied to epidermal, dermal and subdermal tissue of a patient to achieve various therapeutic and/or aesthetic results. In one embodiment, the microwave energy is applied to a target tissue via an energy delivery applicator connected to an energy generator. The energy delivery applicator may comprise one or more antennas, including monopole, dipole, slot and/or waveguide antennas (among others) that are used to direct the microwave energy to the target tissue. The energy delivery applicator may also comprise a cooling element for avoiding thermal destruction to non-target tissue and/or a suction device to localize thermal treatment at specific portions of a skin fold.

1 . A system for treating a skin tissue of a patient comprising:
 a microwave energy generator;   a microwave antenna configured for placement proximate to the skin tissue of the patient;   a cooling element configured for placement in contact with the skin tissue of the patient; and   a suction element configured for elevating the skin tissue and placing the skin tissue in contact with the cooling element;   wherein the microwave antenna is operatively coupled to the microwave energy generator, and wherein the microwave antenna is configured to deliver energy to the skin tissue sufficient to create a thermal effect in a target tissue within the skin tissue.   
     
     
         2 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A microwave energy delivery apparatus for non-invasively treating a skin tissue of a patient comprising:
 a thermally-conductive plate adjacent to the microwave antenna; and   a suction chamber;   wherein the thermally-conductive plate is configured to contact the skin tissue, cool the skin tissue and physically separate the skin tissue from the microwave antenna, and wherein the suction chamber is configured to at least partially acquire the skin tissue and bring the skin tissue in contact with the cooling plate.   
     
     
         24 - 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A method of creating a subdermal lesion in a skin tissue of patient comprising:
 delivering microwave energy to the skin tissue; and   applying a cooling element to the skin tissue;   wherein the microwave energy is delivered at a power, frequency and duration and the cooling element is applied at a temperature and a duration sufficient to create a lesion at the interface between the dermis layer and subcutaneous layer in the skin tissue while minimizing thermal alteration to non-target tissue in the epidermis and dermis layers of the skin tissue.   
     
     
         28 . A method of reducing sweat production in a patient, comprising:
 identifying an area of skin to be treated;   activating a vacuum pump to acquire the skin within a suction chamber;   cooling a first layer of the skin via a cooling element;   delivering microwave energy to a second layer of skin containing sweat glands sufficient to thermally alter the sweat glands while the first layer of skin is protectively cooled, the second layer deeper than the first layer relative to the skin surface; and   deactivating the vacuum pump to release the skin.   
     
     
         29 . A method of treating a skin tissue of a patient comprising:
 positioning a microwave energy delivery applicator over the skin tissue;   securing the skin tissue proximate to the microwave energy delivery applicator;   cooling the surface of the skin tissue; and   delivering energy via the microwave energy delivery applicator to the skin tissue sufficient to create a thermal effect in a target tissue within the skin tissue.   
     
     
         30 - 45 . (canceled)