Method and apparatus for fractional skin treatment

Abstract

An apparatus for cosmetic RF skin treatment where the RF energy supply is isolated from the patient treated, such that in course of treatment no undesired current flows through the subject body.

1 . An asymmetric tip for fractional RF skin treatment, said tip comprising:
 at least one large voltage to skin application element and a matrix of miniature discrete, voltage to skin application elements.   
     
     
         2 . The tip according to  claim 1 , wherein the large voltage to skin application element and the matrix of miniature discrete, voltage to skin application elements are formed on a common substrate. 
     
     
         3 . The tip according to  claim 1 , wherein the large voltage to skin application element is located in peripheral area of the tip. 
     
     
         4 . The tip according to  claim 1 , wherein area of the large voltage to skin application element is substantially larger than the area of the matrix of miniature discrete, voltage to skin application elements. 
     
     
         5 . The tip according to  claim 1 , wherein the large voltage to skin application elementis connected to one port of an RF output transformer and the matrix of miniature discrete, voltage to skin application elements is connected to another port of the RF output transformer. 
     
     
         6 . The tip according to  claim 1 , wherein said tip is a disposable tip. 
     
     
         7 . A tip for eliminating a partial imprint on skin in fractional RF skin treatment said tip comprising:
 at least one large voltage to skin application element connected to one RF output transformer port; and   a matrix of miniature discrete, voltage to skin application elements said miniature discrete, voltage to skin application elements connected to another port of the RF output transformer; and   
       wherein said voltage to skin application elements connection eliminates competition between the voltage to skin application elements and the treatment does not result in undesired partial imprint on the skin. 
     
     
         8 . The tip according to  claim 7 , wherein the large voltage to skin application element and the matrix of miniature discrete, voltage to skin application elements are formed on a common substrate and wherein the large voltage to skin application element is located in peripheral area of substrate. 
     
     
         9 . The tip according to  claim 7 , wherein area of the large voltage to skin application element is substantially larger than the area of the matrix of miniature discrete, voltage to skin application elements. 
     
     
         10 . The tip according to  claim 7 , wherein said voltage to skin application elements connection eliminates electrical shock feeling, reduces the pain associated with the treatment and increase the treatment efficacy. 
     
     
         11 . An applicator for fractional RF skin treatment, said applicator comprising
 an asymmetric tip including at least one large voltage to skin application element and a matrix of miniature discrete, voltage to skin application elements;   an isolating RF transformer located in close proximity to the tip with voltage to skin delivering elements; and   
       wherein the large voltage to skin application element is connected to one RF output transformer port and the matrix of miniature discrete, voltage to skin application elements is connected to another port of the isolating RF output transformer. 
     
     
         12 . A disposable tip for an applicator for fractional RF skin treatment, said tip comprising:
 at least one large voltage to skin application element connected to one RF transformer output port; and   a matrix of voltage to skin application elements protruding from the tip surface with an area of said elements substantially smaller than the area of the at least one large voltage to skin application element.   
     
     
         13 . The tip according to  claim 12 , wherein the substrate is a flexible or rigid substrate. 
     
     
         14 . A method of preventing competition between voltage to skin application elements of a matrix of voltage to skin application elements in fractional RF skin treatment, said method comprising:
 placing in contact with a segment of skin an asymmetric tip, said tip including;
 at least one large voltage to skin application element connected to one RF transformer output port; and 
 a matrix of miniature discrete, voltage to skin application elements connected to another RF transformer output port; 
   providing RF energy to the voltage to skin application elements; and   
       wherein said voltage to skin application elements connection eliminates competition between the voltage to skin application elements of the matrix. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the RF skin treatment does not result in undesired partial imprint on the skin and accompanied pain. 
     
     
         16 . A method for eliminating a partial imprint on skin in fractional RF skin treatment said method comprising:
 placing in contact with a segment of skin an asymmetric tip, said tip including;
 at least one large voltage to skin application element connected to one RF output transformer port; and 
 a matrix of miniature discrete, voltage to skin application elements said miniature discrete, voltage to skin application elements connected to another port of the RF output transformer; 
   providing RF energy to the voltage to skin application elements; and   
       wherein said voltage to skin application elements connection eliminates competition between the voltage to skin application elements of the matrix and the treatment does not result in undesired partial imprint on the skin.