Method and device for tightening tissue using electromagnetic radiation

Abstract

Methods and devices for treatment of skin are disclosed. These methods and devices use electromagnetic radiation to create networks or patterns of treatment zones. The networks or patterns of treatment zones comprise at least four treatment zones, at least two of the treatment zones in the network or pattern are slanted at angles in the skin, and the treatment zones extend at least as deep as the dermal-epidermal junction of the skin. Producing intersecting treatment zones and/or overlapping treatment patterns can increase the effectiveness of the treatments. The devices comprise a hand piece operably coupled to a delivery element, wherein delivery of electromagnetic radiation through the device to a portion of skin produces a network or pattern of treatment zones. The use of these methods and devices results in tightening of the skin and/or improvement in the cosmetic appearance of wrinkles in the portion of skin treated.

1 . A method for treating skin, the method comprising:
 delivering electromagnetic radiation at an acute angle relative to a first line substantially perpendicular to the surface of a portion of skin;   treating the portion of skin with the electromagnetic radiation in a manner so as to create a network of treatment zones in the portion of skin,   wherein the network comprises at least four treatment zones, at least two of the treatment zones in the network are slanted at angles between a second line projected along a length of each slanted treatment zone and the first line, the treatment zones extend at least as deep as a dermal-epidermal-junction of the portion of skin, at least one of the treatment zones in the network intersects another treatment zone at a point below an epidermal layer of the portion of skin, and the treating results in tightening of the portion of skin.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the network comprises at least twenty treatment zones. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the network comprises at least fifty treatment zones. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the network has a treatment zone density of between about 50 treatment zones/cm 2  and about 2000 treatment zones/cm 2  in the portion of skin. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the network is created by at least two passes of a handpiece over the portion of skin during the treating. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the treatment zones extend from a surface of the portion of skin through an epidermal layer and into a dermal layer of the portion of skin. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the treatment zones extend from a lower epidermal layer of the portion of skin into a dermal layer of the portion of skin, leaving at least a layer of stratum corneum substantially intact. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein tissue within the treatment zones is ablated. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each of the treatment zones intersects at least one other treatment zone in the network. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the treatment zones intersect at a point below the dermal-epidermal junction of the portion of skin. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each of the treatment zones has a unique focal point. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the angles are between about 10 degrees and about 85 degrees. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the angles are predetermined. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the angles are randomly generated during the treating. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein skin substantially perpendicularly above the point at which the treatment zones intersect is not treated. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the treating improves the cosmetic appearance of wrinkles in the portion of skin. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises cooling of an epidermal layer of the portion of skin before, during or immediately following the treating. 
     
     
         18 . A device for treating skin, comprising:
 a handpiece operably coupled to a delivery element,   wherein the delivery element is configured to deliver electromagnetic radiation at an acute angle relative to a first line substantially perpendicular to the surface of a portion of skin and the electromagnetic radiation produces a network of at least four treatment zones,   wherein at least two of the treatment zones in the network are slanted at angles between a second line projected along a length of each slanted treatment zone and the first line, the treatment zones extend at least as deep as a dermal-epidermal junction of the portion of skin, and at least one of the treatment zones in the network intersects another treatment zone in the network.   
     
     
         19 . A device for treating skin, comprising:
 a handpiece operably coupled to a delivery element,   wherein the delivery element is configured to deliver electromagnetic radiation at an acute angle relative to a first line substantially perpendicular to the surface of a portion of skin and the electromagnetic radiation produces a pattern of at least four treatment zones,   wherein at least two treatment zones in the pattern are slanted at angles between a second line projected along a length of each slanted treatment zone and the first line, and the treatment zones extend at least as deep as a dermal-epidermal junction of the portion of skin.