Non-invasive fat removal

Abstract

A device for massaging skin, including, a RF generator adapted to generate a radio frequency AC current to heat fat tissue in the adipose layer of the skin, an electrical pulse generator adapted to generate pulses of DC current to provide electrical muscle stimulation for the muscles below the adipose layer, an applicator including one or more heads adapted to be placed in contact with the user's skin; and wherein the heads serve as massage contacts to massage the outer layer of a user's skin above the adipose layer or as electrodes to deliver the AC current and DC current, or as both.

1 . A device for massaging skin, comprising:
 a RF generator adapted to generate a radio frequency AC current to heat fat tissue in the adipose layer of the skin;   an electrical pulse generator adapted to generate pulses of DC current to provide electrical muscle stimulation for the muscles below the adipose layer;   an applicator including one or more heads adapted to be placed in contact with the user's skin; and   wherein the heads serve as massage contacts to massage the outer layer of a user's skin above the adipose layer or as electrodes to deliver the AC current and DC current, or as both.   
     
     
         2 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the electrodes are adapted to apply the AC current and the DC current intermittently. 
     
     
         3 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the electrodes are adapted to apply the AC current and the DC current simultaneously. 
     
     
         4 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said massage contact is adapted to vibrate the outer layer of the skin. 
     
     
         5 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said massage contact is adapted to apply negative pressure to the skin. 
     
     
         6 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said AC current and DC current are adapted to be activated upon placing the device in contact with the user's skin. 
     
     
         7 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said AC current and DC current are adapted to be activated by activating a switch. 
     
     
         8 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the electrodes in the applicator of the device represent both poles to form a closed circuit. 
     
     
         9 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the electrodes in the applicator of the device represent a first pole and an electrode external to the applicator provides the opposite pole to form a closed circuit. 
     
     
         10 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the electrical muscle stimulation is synchronized with the massage contact so that the adipose layer of the skin is pressurized simultaneously from above and below. 
     
     
         11 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the heads only serve as massage contacts and some of the heads only serve as electrodes. 
     
     
         12 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein some of the electrodes only deliver AC current and some only deliver DC current. 
     
     
         13 . A device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a control board adapted to control operation of the device responsive to temperature measurements from the surface of the skin of the user. 
     
     
         14 . A device according to  claim 13 , further comprising a temperature sensor in said applicator to provide temperature measurements from the surface of the skin. 
     
     
         15 . A method of treating skin, comprising:
 massaging the outer layer of the skin with a massage element;   heating the adipose layer of the skin below the area being massaged using one or more electrodes providing RF energy;   stimulating the muscle below the adipose layer with an electrical current pulse provided by one or more electrodes; and   wherein the massaging, heating and stimulating are performed by a single device.   
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein said heating and said stimulating are adapted to be activated intermittently. 
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein said heating and said stimulating are adapted to be activated simultaneously. 
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein said massaging includes vibrating the outer layer of the skin. 
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein said massaging includes applying negative pressure to the skin. 
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein said heating and said stimulating are adapted to be activated when the device is placed in contact with the user's skin. 
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein said heating is performed by multiple electrodes. 
     
     
         22 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein some of the electrodes perform stimulating and heating and some of the electrodes form a closed circuit through the body of the user. 
     
     
         23 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein all the electrodes are adapted to perform stimulating and heating. 
     
     
         24 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein said massaging and said stimulating are synchronized so that the adipose layer of the skin is pressurized simultaneously from above and below. 
     
     
         25 . A method according to  claim 15 , further comprising heating collagen fibers to stimulate fibroblast metabolism leading to skin tightening and new collagen production.