Systems and methods for creating an effect using microwave energy to specified tissue
Systems, methods and devices for creating an effect using microwave energy to specified tissue are disclosed. A system for the application of microwave energy to a tissue includes a signal generator adapted to generate a microwave signal having predetermined characteristics, an applicator connected to the generator and adapted to apply microwave energy to tissue. The applicator includes one or more microwave antennas and a tissue interface, a vacuum source connected to the tissue interface, a cooling source connected to the tissue interface, and a controller adapted to control the signal generator, the vacuum source, and the coolant source. The tissue includes a first layer and a second layer, the second layer below the first layer. The controller is configured so that the system delivers energy such that a peak power loss density profile is created in the second layer.
1. A system for the application of microwave energy to skin, comprising:
a signal generator adapted to generate a microwave signal having an electric field component;
an applicator comprising one or more microwave antennas and a tissue interface, the applicator connected to the signal generator and adapted to apply the microwave signal to the skin, wherein the microwave signal has an electric field component;
a tissue chamber adapted to move a skin surface into thermal contact with a cooling plate in the tissue interface, the cooling plate being oriented with respect to the antenna so as to be parallel with the electrical field component of the microwave signal;
a vacuum source connected to the tissue chamber;
a coolant source connected to said tissue interface and adapted to cool skin in thermal contact with the tissue interface; and
a controller adapted to control the signal generator, the vacuum source, and the coolant source, wherein the one or more of the microwave antennas is configured to radiate the microwave energy into the skin, the microwave energy having a frequency and electric field orientation which generates a standing wave pattern having a constructive interference peak in a target tissue in the lower portion of the dermal layer of the skin, thereby creating a peak temperature at the target tissue, creating a lesion core;
wherein the coolant source removes heat from the skin surface and at least an upper portion of the dermal skin layer to prevent the heat from spreading into an upper portion of the dermal skin layer;
wherein the controller is configured to stop the application of the microwave energy after a predetermined time sufficient to raise the temperature of the tissue structure; and
wherein the microwave signal has a frequency in the range of: between about 5 GHz and about 6.5 GHz.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured such that the system delivers energy such that a power loss density peak is created in the target tissue.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the standing wave pattern is created by the reflection of at least a portion of the microwave energy off an interface between the dermal skin layer and the sub-dermal skin layer.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the target tissue is in the glandular layer and the standing wave pattern is created by the reflection of at least a portion of the microwave energy off an interface between the glandular layer and the sub-dermal skin layer.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the glandular layer comprises sweat glands.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the target tissue comprises a sweat gland.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the target tissue comprises a hair follicle.
8. A method of improving skin tissue by raising the temperature of a tissue structure, the method comprising the steps of:
positioning a device adapted to radiate microwave energy adjacent an external surface of the skin;
moving the skin surface into a vacuum chamber of the device to a position parallel to an output of a microwave antenna of the device;
radiating microwave energy having a frequency of approximately 5.8 GHz and an electric field component which is substantially parallel to a region of the external surface of the skin, wherein the microwave energy has a frequency and e-field orientation which generates a standing wave pattern in a target tissue in the lower portion of the dermal layer of the skin by the reflection of at least a portion of the microwave energy off the interface between the dermal skin layer and the sub-dermal skin layer, the standing wave pattern having a constructive interference peak in the target tissue, thereby creating a peak temperature at the target tissue using the radiated microwave energy, creating a lesion core; and
removing heat from the skin surface and an upper portion of the dermal skin layer to prevent heat from spreading into an upper portion of the dermal skin layer.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the target tissue is in a glandular layer and the standing wave pattern is created by the reflection of at least a portion of the microwave energy off an interface between the glandular layer and the sub-dermal skin layer.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the glandular layer comprises sweat glands.
11. The method of claim 8 , wherein the target tissue comprises a sweat gland and wherein the method further comprises the step of radiating microwave energy to allow preferential heating of sweat glands.
12. The system of claim 8 , wherein the tissue structure comprises a hair follicle.