Subdermal Tissue Remodeling Using Myostatin, Methods and Related Systems

Abstract

Systems and methods of tissue remodeling or altering a surface of a skin of a patient are provided. A method includes increasing myostatin activity in a target tissue. Methods can include increasing myostatin activity in a target tissue in addition to various tissue remodeling techniques, including cryogenic cooling of target tissue for tissue remodeling.

1 . A method of treatment, the method comprising:
 delivering myostatin protein or a functional fragment thereof to a treatment site underneath a patient's skin so as to modulate myoblasts, thereby inhibiting myogenesis at or near the treatment site.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , whereby appearances of wrinkles is reduced in the skin at or near the treatment site. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising directing cooling energy to the treatment site underneath the skin. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , which is a method for reducing muscle spasms at or near the treatment site. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , which is a method for reducing chronic pain at or near the treatment site. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising reducing a blood supply of the treatment site. 
     
     
         7 . A method of augmenting a treatment of a patient, the method comprising:
 administering a means for increasing myostatin activity in a target tissue so as to inhibit myogenesis in the target tissue.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the means for increasing myostatin activity is myostatin protein or a functional fragment thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the means for increasing myostatin activity comprises a follistatin binding agent. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the follistatin binding agent is an antibody specific for follistatin. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the follistatin binding agent is formulated for delivery, and wherein the method further comprises applying the follistatin binding agent to a skin surface. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the means for increasing myostatin activity in the target tissue is administered by injection directly to the target tissue. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the means for increasing myostatin activity in the target tissue is administered topically adjacent to the target tissue. 
     
     
         14 . A delivery device configured to administer a myostatin increasing agent in or near a subdermal target tissue of a patient, the device comprising:
 a composition comprising the myostatin increasing agent formulated in a physiologically acceptable carrier;   a tissue engaging surface configured for delivery of the composition to the skin surface; and   wherein the tissue engaging surface and formulation of the composition are configured to deliver an amount of the myostatin increasing agent to the subdermal target tissue that is effective to inhibit myogenesis.   
     
     
         15 . The delivery device of  claim 14 , wherein the myostatin increasing agent comprises a myostatin protein or functional fragment thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The delivery device of  claim 14 , wherein the myostatin increasing agent comprises a follistatin binding agent. 
     
     
         17 . A system for treating a subdermal target tissue of a patient, comprising:
 a cooling device configured to therapeutically cool the subdermal target tissue;   a composition comprising a myostatin increasing agent formulated in a physiologically acceptable carrier;   a tissue penetrating probe configured for delivery of the composition below the skin surface; and   wherein the tissue penetrating probe and the formulation of the composition are configured to deliver an amount of the myostatin increasing agent to a subdermal target tissue that is effective to inhibit myogenesis.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the tissue penetrating probe is coupled to a cooling fluid path. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the therapeutic cooling is delivered through the tissue penetrating probe. 
     
     
         20 . A method of augmenting cosmetic effects of wrinkle reduction treatment, the method comprising: administering an agent at a treatment site on or below the skin,
 wherein the agent comprises a follistatin inhibiting agent which anti-follistatin antibody is a species thereof; and   wherein the agent modulates myoblasts so as to inhibit myogenesis, thereby inhibiting lines or wrinkles and effectively smoothing the skin at or around the treatment site.