Apparatus and method for reducing subcutaneous fat deposits, virtual face lift and body sculpturing by electroporation

Abstract

An apparatus and method for performing non-invasive treatment of the human face and body by electroporation in lieu of cosmetic surgery is provided. The apparatus comprises a high voltage pulse generator and an applicator having two or more electrodes in close mechanical and electrical contact with the patient's skin for applying the pulses to the patient's skin. The applicator may consist of two pieces with one electrode having a sharp tip and another having a flat surface. High voltage pulses delivered to the electrodes create at the tip of the sharp electrode an electric field high enough to cause death of relatively large subcutaneous fat cells by electroporation. Moving the electrode tip along the skin creates a line of necrotic subcutaneous fat cells, which later are metabolized by the body. Multiple applications of the electrode along predetermined lines on the face or neck create shrinkage of the skin and the subcutaneous fat volume underlying the treated area.

Description

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of different applicators of the present apparatus whereinIn FIG. 3 different versions of applicators are schematically shown. FIG. 3a illustrates an applicator 60 with two needle-like electrodes 64. FIG. 3b shows an applicator 64 with an array of needle-like electrodes 64. FIG. 3c depicts an applicator 66 like that shown in FIG. 2 and comprising a needle-like electrode 42 and a flat electrode such as electrode 44.

FIGS. 4a and 4b illustrate another embodiment 80 of an electroporation system in accord with the present invention useful for bulk fat reduction. System 80 includes an applicator 82 comprising a body or support member 84 supporting calipers or forceps apparatus 86. The calipers apparatus 86 includes a pair of pivotable arms 88 mounted at the distal end thereof. The arms 88 support a pair of electrodes 90 and 92. Applicator 82 may include a pistol grip 94 mounted on a proximal end of the elongated tubular support member 84 for enabling ease of manipulation of same. The electrodes 90 and 92 are mounted on a moveable linkage so that the electrodes are moveable toward and away from each other. A power supply 16 and electrical connectors 48 are also included within a system 80 to provide pulse electrical power to the electrodes 90 and 92.

FIG. 4b schematically illustrates an electroporation treatment utilizing system 80. As shown in the figure, a “fold” of skin 12 with underlying subcutaneous tissue—fat—14 is compressed between arms 88 and thus electrodes 90 and 92. A uniform electric field 26 is applied to the skin 12 and subcutaneous tissue 14 clamped between electrodes. Only the large fat cells are killed in this field configuration because the cells of the dermis are spared death because of their small size.

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates another embodiment of the present invention including an electrodeless system 100. System 100 includes a high pulse current power supply 16 and an appropriate electrical connector 18 extending to an applicator 102. Applicator 102 comprises a housing 104 and an electromagnetic coil 106 disposed therein. Coil 106 generates a magnetic field 108 that is applied to the skin 12 and the subcutaneous tissues 14. The pulsed magnetic field 108 in the tissue exists only about 10 microseconds. The energy of rapidly changing magnetic field transforms into a curl electric field 110, which creates eddy currents in tissue and provides the electroporation treatment for killing the fat cells in the tissue 14. Preferably, the curl electric field generated in the subcutaneous tissue is in the range of 30 to 50 Volt/mm, and the duration of the pulses is 5 to 20 microseconds.

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a frontal view of human head 120 with glabellar frown lines 122 and forehead wrinkles 124. An embodiment of the present invention such as system 40 is shown in application. Electrode 44 is shown applied to the forehead and the needle electrode 42 is moved over the skin where treatment is desired. Moving the electrode tip along the skin creates a line of necrotic subcutaneous fat cells, which later are metabolized by the body. An exemplary line of treatment 126 is shown in the Figure. Multiple applications of the electrode along predetermined lines on the face or neck create shrinkage of the skin and the subcutaneous fat volume underlying the treated area.

FIG. 7 depicts a lateral view of a human head 130 during a neck lift electroporation procedure using an electroporation system in accord with the present invention such as system 40. The figure illustrates an exemplary line of electroporation treatment 132.

The present invention having thus been described, other modifications, alterations, or substitutions may now suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, all of which are within the spirit and scope of the present invention. It is therefore intended that the present invention be limited only by the scope of the attached claims below.

Claims

1. An apparatus for cosmetic treatment comprising:

an applicator including at least one positive and one negative electrode for engaging the skin of a patient and applying a pulsed electric field to the skin and the subcutaneous tissues in a predetermined volume of skin and subcutaneous tissue to be treated;

a power supply for generating high voltage pulses of duration in a range of 10 microseconds to 100 milliseconds for applying a pulsed electric field to the skin and subcutaneous tissues, said pulses having a voltage above the upper electroporation limit of subcutaneous fat cells in the treated volume for the predetermined volume; and

a connector connecting said applicator to said power supply.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said applicator includes a plurality of electrodes in an array for applying electric field to the skin and subcutaneous tissues of the patient.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said applicator comprises a pair of forceps including a pair of arms and an electrode mounted on each arm, said arms moveable toward and away from one another.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said applicator comprises a pair of members, a first one of said members including a needle-like electrode and the second of said members including a flat electrode.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the amplitude of the electric field applied to the treated volume falls in a range of 20 Volt/mm to 2000 Volt/mm.

6. An apparatus for providing non-invasive cosmetic surgery to a patient by selectively killing fat cells being found in a predetermined volume of the patient's subcutaneous tissue, said apparatus comprising:

an applicator including at least one positive and one negative electrode for engaging the skin of a patient and applying a pulsed electric field to the skin and the subcutaneous tissues in a predetermined volume of skin and subcutaneous tissue to be treated;

a power supply for generating high voltage pulses of a duration of about 10 microseconds to 100 milliseconds, said high voltage pulses having a voltage above the upper electroporation limit of the preselected fat cells as determined by a minimum size of fat cells to be treated, wherein the pulsed electric field has a voltage amplitude sufficient to irreversibly open pores in the membranes of the preselected fat cells thereby causing death thereto; and

a connector connecting said applicator to said power supply,

7. An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said applicator includes a plurality of electrodes in an array for applying electric field to the skin and subcutaneous tissues of the patient.

8. An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said applicator comprises a pair of forceps including a pair of arms and an electrode mounted on each arm, said arms moveable toward and away from one another.

9. An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said applicator comprises a pair of members, a first one of said members including a needle-like electrode and the second of said members including a flat electrode.

10. An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the amplitude of the electric field applied to the treated volume falls in a range of 20 Volt/mm to 2000 Volt/mm.