The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 20, 2010
Filed:
Apr. 16, 1999
Stephen M. Brunell, San Ramon, CA (US);
Jean Woloszko, Austin, TX (US);
Michael A. Baker, Austin, TX (US);
Hira V. Thapliyal, Los Altos, CA (US);
Philip E. Eggers, Dublin, OH (US);
Stephen M. Brunell, San Ramon, CA (US);
Jean Woloszko, Austin, TX (US);
Michael A. Baker, Austin, TX (US);
Hira V. Thapliyal, Los Altos, CA (US);
Philip E. Eggers, Dublin, OH (US);
ArthroCare Corporation, Austin, TX (US);
Abstract
The present invention provides systems, apparatus and methods for removing the outer layer, or stratum corneum, of a patient's skin. In one aspect of the invention, a method includes positioning an active electrode adjacent to or near a target site on a patient's outer skin, and applying a sufficient high frequency voltage to the active electrode to remove the stratum corneum without removing the entire epidermis layer. In this manner, the present invention removes dead and/or damaged skin cells on the surface of the skin which improves the overall appearance of the skin. In addition, this process helps to stimulate the bodies own rejuvenation process. In some embodiments, this rejuvenation process occurs by the actual removal of the stratum corneum, which accelerates the regrowth of new cell layers in the skin. In other embodiments, thermal energy is applied to the underlying epidermis and/or dermis to stimulate the growth of new collagen. In both of these embodiments, the skin appears healthier and, in some cases, small wrinkles are removed or reduced.