Methods and apparatus for reducing sweat production

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses are provided for reducing sweat production via, for example, the removal, disablement, and incapacitation of sweat glands in the epidermis, dermis and subdermal tissue regions of a patient. In one embodiment, a method of treating a patient is provided which involves identifying a patient having a condition of excessive sweating, positioning an energy delivery device proximate to a skin tissue of the patient and delivering energy to sweat glands to halt secretion of sweat. The energy delivery device may include microwave delivery devices, RF delivery devices, and cryogenic therapy devices. Some embodiments may include using a cooling element for avoiding destruction of non-target tissue and/or a suction device to localize treatment at specific portions of the skin fold.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of treating a patient comprising:
 identifying an area of skin tissue comprising a layer of sweat glands, wherein the area of skin tissue produces sweat;   grasping the area of skin tissue, wherein, the layer of sweat glands comprise a treatment zone;   applying protective cooling with a cooling element to at least a portion of the area of skin tissue;   positioning microwave antennas adjacent to the treatment zone; and   delivering microwave energy with the microwave antennas through the cooling element to the treatment zone to yield a treatment effect, the treatment effect reducing the amount of sweating from the area of skin tissue.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the area of skin tissue comprises at least a portion of the axilla. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein applying protective cooling to at least a portion of the area of skin tissue further comprises positioning the cooling element proximate the area of skin tissue. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein grasping the area of skin tissue further comprises providing suction to the area of skin tissue. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein providing suction to the area of skin tissue further comprises maintaining suction to the area of skin tissue during the delivering step. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the skin area of skin tissue is an area of the axilla.