Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for the treatment of benign pigmented lesions

US7981111B2 · kind B2 · utility

19Cited by
143References
28Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 25, 2004
Grant dateJul 19, 2011
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 25, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B2090/065
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Disclosed is an apparatus and method which employs an energy source, one or more switches, electronic control circuitry, and a surface that can be placed in contact with a region of a person's skin containing a benign pigmented lesion. Within the apparatus, electrical current is passed through a heating element that is thermally coupled to the surface so that this surface is heated rapidly and then is subsequently cooled rapidly. By judicious choice of the rate of heating, maximum temperatures achieved, and rate of cooling, thermal injury to the skin can be confined primarily to the epidermal region of the skin in contact with the surface.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.