Radio-frequency treatment of skin tissue with shock-free handpiece
US9345531B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 5, 2009 |
| Grant date | May 24, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 12, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2018/1475
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
RF energy for skin conditioning with a non-ablative electrode is applied with a handpiece incorporating means to prevent electrical shock to the patient when the energized electrode surface makes or breaks contact with the skin. In a preferred embodiment, switch means are incorporated in the handpiece and configured such that the active electrode surface is not energized until it is in actual contact with the patient's skin, and remains energized only while the active electrode surface remains in contact with the patient's skin, so that no voltage is present on the electrode, when an air gap whose dielectric breakdown can cause an electrical shock to the patient arises, immediately before or immediately after skin contact during a skin conditioning procedure. In another preferred embodiment, the electrode to skin impedance change as the electrode touches the skin is used to activate a switch that transfers RF to the electrode.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.