Method and kit for treatment of tissue

Abstract

Methods for creating a desired tissue effect. An RF electrode is provided that includes a conductive portion. The RF electrode is coupled to a fluid delivery member that delivers a cooling fluidic medium to a back surface of the RF electrode. A dielectric is positioned on a skin surface. The RF electrode is coupled with the dielectric. RF energy is delivered from the RF electrode and the dielectric to the skin surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for creating a desired tissue effect, the apparatus comprising:
 a radiofrequency electrode including a conductive portion and a dielectric material, the conductive portion and the dielectric material arranged to deliver radiofrequency energy from the conductive portion to tissue beneath a skin surface by capacitive coupling from the conductive portion through the dielectric material and to the tissue beneath the skin surface.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the conductive portion of the radiofrequency electrode includes a metal. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the radiofrequency electrode has an outer edge with a geometry that is configured to reduce an amount of the capacitively coupling at the outer edge relative to a square-shaped electrode. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the radiofrequency electrode has an outer edge with a scalloped geometry. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the radiofrequency electrode has an outer edge, and the dielectric material is thicker layer adjacent to the outer edge of the radiofrequency electrode than at a location inward from the outer edge of the radiofrequency electrode. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the radiofrequency electrode has an outer edge, and the radiofrequency electrode is configured to deliver the radiofrequency energy so as to inhibit an amount of the capacitive coupling to the tissue along the outer edge of the radiofrequency electrode. 
     
     
         7 . A method for creating a desired tissue effect, the method comprising:
 delivering radiofrequency energy from a conductive portion of a radiofrequency electrode to tissue beneath a skin surface by capacitive coupling from an electrode through a dielectric material and to the tissue beneath the skin surface.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the radiofrequency energy is delivered to the tissue without creating substantial necrosis at the skin surface. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising:
 cooling a back surface of the radiofrequency electrode. 
 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the back surface of the radiofrequency electrode is cooled to a lower temperature adjacent to an outer edge of the radiofrequency electrode. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising:
 supplying an atomizing delivery of a cooling fluidic medium to a back surface of the radiofrequency electrode. 
 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the atomizing delivery of the cooling fluidic medium to the back surface of the radiofrequency electrode is supplied at a higher rate adjacent to an outer edge of the radiofrequency electrode. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising:
 evaporatively cooling a back surface of the radiofrequency electrode with a cooling fluidic medium; and 
 conductively cooling the skin surface in contact with the dielectric material. 
 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the back surface of the radiofrequency electrode is evaporatively cooled by the cooling fluidic medium to a lower temperature adjacent to an outer edge of the radiofrequency electrode than non-adjacent to the outer edge of the radiofrequency electrode. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the desired tissue effect is skin remodeling, skin resurfacing, wrinkle removal, treatment of the sebaceous glands, treatment of hair follicles, treatment of adipose tissue, treatment of acne, or treatment of spider veins. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising:
 creating a reverse thermal gradient on at least a portion of the skin surface, the reverse thermal gradient cooling the skin surface while heating the tissue, wherein a temperature of the skin surface is lower than a temperature of the tissue. 
 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising:
 creating a reverse thermal gradient through at least a portion of the skin surface in which a temperature of the skin surface is lower than collagen in the tissue. 
 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 7  wherein delivering the radiofrequency energy comprises:
 directing radiofrequency energy through the skin surface to the tissue for a sufficient time to induce a change in collagen in the tissue while minimizing cellular necrosis at the skin surface to create the desired tissue effect.