Inductive heating of tissues using alternating magnetic fields and uses thereof

Abstract

The present invention improves the cosmetic appearance of skin by controllably heating a superficial layer of skin, thereby inducing acute tissue contraction or shrinkage and a wound response, leading to the production of biomolecules, all of which result in improved cosmesis. The invention incorporates a source of radiofrequency electrical energy coupled to a coil, with a requisite impedance matching network, thereby resulting in the production of an alternating magnetic field. When tissue is brought into proximity of the alternating magnetic field, inductive heating of the tissue results, as a consequence of either or both of dipole formation and oscillation, and eddy current formation. Optionally, cooling is provided to remove heat from the coil, the source of radiofrequency electrical energy, and/or the surface of the skin.

1 .- 4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . A device for treating skin, the device comprising:
 a copper tube comprising:
 a proximal, straight central portion for conducting radiofrequency energy from a source of radiofrequency energy; 
 a distal coil portion configured to generate a high frequency alternating magnetic field from the radiofrequency energy; and 
 a proximal, straight exit pipe portion; 
   an inner cylinder surrounding at least part of the straight central portion of the copper tube;   a ceramic insulator surrounding at least part of the inner cylinder;   two capacitor rings disposed at separated locations over the ceramic insulator, wherein the proximal exit pipe portion of the copper tube is in electrical contact with the two capacitor rings;   an outer cylinder surrounding at least part of the copper tube, the inner cylinder, the ceramic insulator and the two capacitor rings; and   a hand piece, comprising:
 a main housing disposed over the outer cylinder; and 
 a shield disposed over the distal coil portion of the copper tube and configured to contact the skin. 
   
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , further comprising the source of radiofrequency energy removably coupled with the proximal, straight central portion of the copper tube. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the distal coil portion of the copper tube field comprises an induction coil. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the inner cylinder comprises a Teflon® cylinder. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the copper tube is configured to conduct a coolant through the distal coil portion to cool the skin during a skin treatment, and wherein the coolant exits the copper tube via an exit at a proximal end of the exit pipe portion. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein at least one of the two capacitors is movable along the ceramic insulator to adjust a spacing between the two capacitors and thereby adjust an impedance match between the source of radiofrequency energy and the distal coil portion. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 5 , further comprising
 a cooling system coupled with the hand piece, the cooling system comprising:
 a coolant housing; and 
 a pipe having an exit nozzle at or near the shield of the hand piece. 
   
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 5 , further comprising a feedback mechanism configured to control treatment of the skin. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the feedback mechanism is selected from the group consisting of a heat sensor, a thermocouple, a thermistor, an infrared thermometer, an ultrasound transducer, and a tissue impedance measurement device. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the distal coil portion of the copper tube and the shield form a concave bore into which the skin may protrude when the shield is contacted with the skin, thus acting as a mechanical tissue-shaper. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 9 , further comprising an endplate inside the shield and coupled with the distal coil portion of the copper tube, wherein the coolant conducted through the distal coil portion cools the endplate. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15 , further comprising a conductive shield disposed between the endplate and the shield of the hand piece to reduce capacitive coupling of the distal coil portion with the skin. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the shield of the hand piece is removable from the main housing and is disposable. 
     
     
         18 .- 19 . (canceled)