Surgical device for performing face-lifting surgery using radiofrequency energy

Abstract

The human face is efficiently and precisely dissected while radioifrequency energy is applied to controllably release target tissue bonds and alter surrounding tissues in such a fashion that these facial tissues contract and tighten in response to the energy application while automatically excluding vital nerves and vessels. Tightening will be most dramatic in younger patients between 45 and 55 years of age such that the surgeon may not have to cut-out or stretch skin for a desirable effect in most of this population. The device is inserted through only 3 relatively small 1 cm incisions allowing energy to be applied to the upper subcutaneous, lower dermal and platysmal face-lift layers. The procedures take less than 15 minutes following anesthesia and the effects will last for at least several years. The special arrangement of protrusions and recessions on the tip of the instrument allows the surgeon to efficiently force the device through face-lift planes with instantaneous knowledge of the location and progress simply by the “feel” of the apparatus. Vibrational energy and optional ultrasonic means will yield speed enhancement and tip debris and char reduction. The device and method permit efficient tissue separation and alteration of the lower face-neck-unit tissues, mid-face-unit tissues and scalp-forehead-temple-unit tissues.